Wait...another flashback

Supernatural returns for Season 8

I was a bundle of nerves Wednesday night as I anxiously awaited the season premiere of Supernatural. When it arrived, I knew the old Supernatural was back. Classic rock, Metallicar and the definite influence of Carver.

Overall, I enjoyed the episode and it did a great of job of setting up the season. It was great to see Kevin outsmart Crowley and I am anxious to see what happened to Castiel. It sounds like something pretty bad went down, but I know he's going to be back this season.

I also knew that flashbacks were going to be used this year to explain the past year in Purgatory, but I was a bit annoyed at the sheer number of flashbacks. Dean had flashbacks. Sam had flashbacks. Kevin had flashbacks. It was a non-stop disjointed mess of flashbacks. I like the occasional use of flashbacks, but when you go overboard it makes you lose contact with the main story.

I hope it was just because it was the introductory episode and that future flashbacks will be less in number. A few spread out through the episode is one thing, but one after another like that from different people just made it look sloppy. It looks like the hunt is on for the word of God and the eventual decimation of the demons.

I hope we see some improvement over last season and things seem to be getting back to normal. The old Sam and Dean are back again and there's no leviathans to be seen.  

The time is nigh

Supernatural's nearly here.

The emotions at the house have been running high as we slip into the month of October. All the new television shows are premiering and our old favorites are finally coming back including Supernatural. I understand that television shows can't be in production all year round and the actors and other staff need a break from working seven days a week. I don't know if things have changed, but I don't remember so many breaks between episodes.

Television shows like Supernatural have around 22-23 new shows each year. That translates to just under half a year's worth of shows and the rest are filled with repeats. These serve a couple of purposes. Before the days of Netflix and DVR, repeats gave people the opportunity to catch up on any episodes they missed.

It also gave the writers and producers a chance to meet up and tweak anything for the second half of the season or the new season. Many times an idea that was great on paper doesn't translate well on screen and they have to creatively switch to something new.

I don't think I'll ever learn to like the spaces between new episodes, but it's something we're just going to have to live with. Netflix and DVR have changed the landscape of modern television viewing and networks still haven't quite figured out how to deal with it. Sure, I've been bored these last few months as I awaited the new season, but it's amazing how quickly we can forget that once the new season starts.

 

The PR machine begins in full force

CW doesn't do enough for Supernatural

It's only a few weeks until the season opener of Supernatural breaks onto the television screen, and we're finally able to see the Winchester brothers once again. It's been a crazy ride and with the disappointment of season 7 behind us, we're ready to start anew.

The CW PR machine has been put into overdrive to help the show compete with the other shows that are coming out this fall. Supernatural has a lot of competition, but it's luckily no longer going against Grimm. While the shows are different, they are aligned enough to share many of the same viewers.

I know, I watched Supernatural and DVRd Grimm each week. With the success of shows like Once Upon a Time, there are a lot of new science fiction and fantasy shows coming out and if Supernatural is going to retain its audience, the CW PR machines is going to have to do a lot more than it is.

They've dropped hints about the new season, released some pictures, a promo and such, but I haven't seen too many commercials about the new season. It could be that I've just not noticed, but after such a hiatus and many shows already returning, it might be a mistake not to include during regular air times. This is especially true with it moving to a new day. Many people had grown accustomed to Friday night Winchester. Without a stronger PR campaign, the show may see a sharp drop in viewers just because many don't realize it has started and on a new day.

A sneak peek at Supernatural Season 8

Our first look at Benny

October 3 is only a few weeks away and WB has provided us with a little more information about Supernatural season 8 and the mysterious Benny. It's no secret that Dean is going to start out the season already busted out and looking for Sam.

For the past year, Sam's put his hunting ways behind him and is trying to lead a normal life, including a girlfriend. When Dean comes into the picture, Sam drops everything to get back into the life and find Kevin, the prophet who was captured by Crowley at the end of last season. Kevin has escaped and the brothers are trying to find him before the demons do.

Very little is known about Benny and his role in the season. He's a vampire that helped Dean get out of Purgatory and their relationship and how it began will be played out through flashbacks throughout the season. The above is our first look at this Benny and he doesn't look like much. He certainly doesn't look powerful enough to rip Dean out of Purgatory, at least not without a little help.

 

Some good news from these released pictures is the Metallicar is back. It was gone through much of the last season, so the Winchesters could keep a low profile. Sam's hair actually seems to be longer than it was last year. I'm sorry, but this is getting a little ridiculous. Sam, get a hair cut. It's one thing to have that shaggy look and something else to just look bad.  

Supernatural Season 8 promo unveiled

Demons, prophets and the word of God

With the new Supernatural season beginning next month, the network just unveiled the first preview showing Dean and Sam together and the premise for the new season.

The prophet of God returns, hiding out in a church, apparently free from Crowley and he's not too happy about that. Mystery still surrounds the whereabouts and motivations of Castiel, who was also trapped in Purgatory with Dean.

As I have surmised before, this season revolves around demons and Crowley. The Leviathans were defeated using information from a tablet, which is the word of God. There are other tablets hidden around the world and the Prophet knows where one can be found. Unlike the other, which dealt with Leviathans, this one deals with demons.

The Prophet reveals that the tablet contains the information to close the gates of hell...for good. As you might guess, this is very disconcerting news for Crowley. The tablet would banish all demons from the Earth and keep them in hell forever.

This all sounds too much like an end game kind of season, but I have thought that before. It's been suggested from the CW that Supernatural will stay on as long as people are watching it. I'm looking forward to the new season and getting back to the Supernatural basics. Demons and the Winchesters are what made this series great and I hope the writers will redeem themselves this season.

If the promo is any indication, then we're going to get a good dose of classic Supernatural. There's nothing wrong with going with what works.

The return of Jeremy Carver

Carver takes 'Supernatural' in new direction

With a little more than a month to go until the new season of Supernatural, eyes are focused on Jeremy Carver and the changes we're hoping he makes. For anyone that hasn't kept track of the revolving door of show runners, Carver is returning after a hiatus producing the Syfy show Being Human.

He's replacing Sera Gamble, who pretty much ruined season 7 with overdeveloped plots, episodes that didn't go anywhere and a Big Bad that was about as threatening as a puppy. Even Carver has admitted that the season was more than a little convoluted and got caught up in its own mythology.

Carver is planning to make season 8 more of what makes Supernatural great. The leviathans are primarily a memory and their getting back to angels versus demons, but in way we haven't seen before. We already know it's going to include the word of God, but also the relationships between the brothers and Crowley.

Carver said the brothers have matured in different ways over the past eight years and that's going to become apparent as Sam tries to have a normal life while Dean's in Purgatory. The relationship with Crowley is going to become more personal and sinister. Everyone loves Mark Sheppard, but he's got to be a demon and they're not known for having the best morals.

The new season is set to start on October 3. The show has been moved from Fridays to Wednesdays and follows the new Green Arrow series...Arrow. Yeah, big surprise on the name.

Welcome back Castiel

Season 8 appearances

As we inch closer to the Season 8 opener, more and more about the subject of the season is coming out. One of the major boo-yahs is the return of the old Castiel. We haven't seen much of Mischa Collins' character this past season, and what we did see wasn't too impressive. He was three layers of crazy and a pacifist who spent his free time observing the birds and butterflies.

It seemed in the last episode, we got a little of him back and the voice got lower and more gravelly as the episode went on. When it ended, they hinted that the old Castiel might be back and rumors for season 8 are confirming it. While he won't be in every episode, Cas is definitely in several and not as a crazy loony.

Life in Purgatory wasn't easy, and he was forced to bring his A-game back just to survive. Season 8 returns about a year later with Dean finally getting out of Purgatory and Sam in the middle of a serious romantic relationship. It's definitely a departure from earlier seasons because Sam hasn't had a serious relationship in years...at least one that wasn't demonic.

The primary angle for Castiel's character won't be about his powers or fighting the forces of evil, but his relationship with Dean. We know that Cas won't be the reason Dean makes it out of Purgatory, so we exactly did happen in there? I guess we'll just have to wait until October and find out.

It's an angels and demons year

Comic Con season

The great thing about Comic Con is that it's a time that shows bring out the spoilers to entice fans to watch the next season. When we left the Winchesters, Dean was in purgatory with Castiel, and Sam was left to fend for himself aster Crowley steals Kevin the Prophet.

It's been revealed that season 8 will begin with Dean escaping from Purgatory and the season will slowly reveal what happened. The reason is people don't want the brothers to be apart, so they are going to start the season with them being a team again.

They're bringing back the whole demon versus angels theme this year as both sides try to find the word of God. The year will revolve around Kevin and a Raiders of the Ark type quest for the word. It's not going to be apocalyptic or anything, but more about keeping the demons in hell or the angels in heaven. Once again, the brothers get caught up in the middle.

The good news is that it sounds like there is going to be a lot of Castiel, which for me, is the best character of all. Maybe even a sprinkling of Meg. While I have said in a previous post that there hasn't been an intent to bring back Chuck, I hope with this storyline he makes an appearance. I mean, other then Kevin, he's the primary prophet of God or perhaps God himself.

Season 8 has a lot of promise, and they are going back to a tried and true formula with angels versus demons. Although, I do hope there is a smattering of creature of the week episodes as well.

What's next for Jim Beaver?

I think everyone was sad to see Bobby be sent off into the hereafter, but the actor that plays him certainly won't be struggling for parts. Jim Beaver is a veteran actor even though you may not recognize him without that trademark Bobby beard and hat. There's always a chance that Beaver will be returning occasionally to play Bobby either in a spiritual or angelic form or in flashbacks, but don't count on it very often. The producers are making a point to show the Winchesters as alone in the world.

Anyone needing a Beaver fix, keep your mind out of the gutter folks, can catch him on the television show Justified on FX with a semi regular role as Sheriff Shelby. The series follows Timothy Olyphant as as lawman with a 19th century attitude in a small 21th century town. If you like modern day westerns, then you may enjoy this.

On the other end of the spectrum, Beaver has secured at least two appearances in the final season of the AMC televisions show Breaking Bad. This has been a critically acclaimed show for several years and Beaver will be making a appearance during its swan song season. It follows the exploits of a terminally ill school teacher who in desperation begins working in the methamphetamine trade.

It's definitely a gritty show and closer to the emotional feel of Supernatural. Don't cry for Jim Beaver. Bobby may be gone, but you'll still be able to see him on television and possibly the movies.

My Friday nights without Supernatural

A family routine and activity.

There was as time when I looked forward to Fridays. Before I had children, it meant I was going to be going out to party, date night, etc. When the kiddies came along, Friday nights became more about what was on the television. Friday night was always a good night for horror and science fiction fanatics, but it reached a whole new level when Supernatural came along. The series was a family favorite, and we would all huddle around the television to watch the exploits of Sam and Dean.

There is always an emptiness when the season ends, and we have to wait for the new one to begin. Suddenly, the family has nothing to watch, and we're forced to do something creepy like talk to each other. All joking aside, Supernatural is a big part of our weekend, and we feel a little lost without it. There's nothing on that we want to see.

There are always things to do, but our favorite is definitely watching Supernatural. I still find myself thinking that it's one and then feeling let down when I remember that it's just a rerun. I understand the need to take a break, but for the fans it's a bleak time. You can hypothesize about the new season and stalk the Internet looking for tidbits and leaks, but we're just going to have to wait until the comes back to be sure what's going to happen. We all want to see Chuck and Ruby, but as of now there isn't even any filming going on. So much for my Friday night!

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