Supernatural Brings on the Apocalypse

Eric Kripke’s horror drama “Supernatural” has gone Biblical, bringing on the Christian mythos of angels to go with the demons already incorporated from religious mythology as the show used the word “Apocalypse” for the first time in an episode at the beginning of this, it’s fourth season. The end of the world, referencing the Book of Revelations has been done before in popular horror shows (it was practically an annual plotline shuffle on “Buffy”), but the CW’s “Supernatural” has held off for four years on dropping the Armageddon bomb, and they’re not wasting it one bit!

The build to this point has been great, and with the cliffhanger leaving Dean in Hell, this fall’s premiere opened by putting Dean back into play, and as we later learned, he was gripped from the chains of hellfire by an angel who has been fighting this war on a whole other level. Much speculation about the show and what foot would come down first proved to be as far off as Kripke would probably hope it would be. My own concerns were unfounded, and I had hoped as much. But for this series to be in its fourth season and to hit the ground running with such fury is phenomenal.

Angels have never been the delicate cherubs of Renaissance portraits, as Dean’s guardian angel of sorts points him to the Bible to prove. And now in the latest episode, old ties, questions, ironies, and stories have been wrapped up in a neat bow that just throws the situation with Sam (which some might think would have become tired by now but even as the “To Be Continued...” came across the screen this week, it is fresher and more alive and riveting than ever) into a higher gear. The angel warrior on Dean’s shoulder has turned out episode after episode, for all three new episodes of Season 4, to be an intriguing character and a potent chemical mixture in a boiling pot.

I continue to be impressed, riveted, and satisfied with the results when I watch this show. As so many say again and again, the show delivers! I whole-heartedly agree. The number of elements at work to make the chemistry and foundation for this show work while the dynamic and plot is constantly evolving is just uncanny. With the latest revelation about Azazel’s deal with Mary Winchester to give Sam his power and the angels finding Sam’s psychic development disturbing, my concern remains that the dynamic between Sam and Dean will change and potentially damage a very large part of the brother’s relationship that makes this show about two ordinary heroes who do extraordinary things and face extraordinary challenges so engaging.

Nevertheless, I’m confident that “Supernatural” will do it every bit of justice, because this season is off to a surprising and wonderful head start with Dean back in play, angels fighting a holy war with the demons that the hunters have been blissfully ignorant of this whole time, and Sam barreling down the path to the dark side. Apocalypse? Bring it on, “Supernatural”! This is a gigantic step, but I think you’re ready for it. The Winchesters, on the other hand, might be a different story... but it should be cool as hell to watch!

“Supernatural” airs on the CW on Thursdays at 9 p.m. Eastern Time.