By Tamara Umasankar
After 265 episodes Supernatural continues to churn out content that is disappointing to say the least.
Supernatural began in 2005, with brothers Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean Winchester (Jensen Ackles). The duo travels around America in their dads old 1967 Chevrolet Impala, with classic rock tunes theming their journeys. They are hunters and their job is ‘saving people, hunting things’. These ‘things’ are as the title suggests beyond your worst nightmares. The brothers face many creatures and beings including; demons, ghosts, angels, werewolves, vampires, demi-gods and even Satan himself. The show gives insight into interesting folk law, while having both emotive and funny aspects to it. Some of this is due to interesting characters, such as Castiel (Misha Collins) an angel who doesn’t understand sarcasm or humans particularly well and Crowley (Mark Sheppard) the King of Hell who enjoys a fruity cocktail and taking the mick out of everyone.
However, the show was supposed to have ended on season five. This meant that over time writing has become more tired and repetitive. Indeed, season 11 was one of the most disappointing seasons of Supernatural to occur with the emergence the darkness, God’s evil sister. The writers basing characters off of scripture apparently went out the window, thus making the season uninteresting and poorly written.
Indeed, season 12 is an improvement from season 11. As the show brings back much more of its old witty banter and refers back to older episodes much more. Although, it is arguable that Supernatural has lost its ‘spark’. The season sees the return of two characters previously seen in the earlier seasons, Sam and Dean’s mother returns from the dead after tragically dying when the brothers were children. Alongside this Satan resides on the earth after managing to escape from Hell yet again. There is quite a lot going on this season, with the whole Lucifer issue, but there is also a group of annoyingly evil British people (thanks American writers) who are concerned with the amount of problems the Winchesters have caused. To be honest, they have let Satan out the cage twice.
Unfortunately, Satan who was played by Mark Pellegrino in season five no longer plays the dark lord. Pellegrino was a fan favourite with his almost Joker like depiction of Satan. However, as his vessel was destroyed Satan spends part of this season trying to find a new vessel that can hold his power.
Indeed, with the confirmation of season 13 questions really need to be asked, how long can it go on for? As many monster hunters state in the show most hunters end up dead, and there isn’t really any other way out of it. The shows large fan following has ensured the continuation of the show but as the quality declines and the number of seasons increases is it time to hang up the holy water.