First impressions of Supernatural
I finally gave in and started to watch Supernatural. So far so entertaining; it reminds me of the early X-Files with its monsters of the week and the backstory trauma as a red thread, not surprising, since I recognized one of the writers (Chiban), one of the directors (Kim Manners) and of course Mr. Cigarette Smoking Man himself guest-starring.
As with the X-Files, it has a complete focus on its two leading characters (though I take it father John is going to play a greater role, given he's vaznetti's favourite character) and gets talked about as much as Sydney's mother "Laura" did throughout the first season of Alias before Irina Derevko made her triumphant return. With the exception of Dr. Who (which has recurring characters but mostly a two-character-focus as well, the Doctor and the Companion du jour), I've been watching only ensemble shows in recent years, and I think it has spoiled me, because I find myself missing the ensemble feel. I mean, shows like Alias have of course a clear leading lady, but they also have an assortment of other fleshed out characters; this goes for all three Jossverse shows; and my newest obsession, Heroes, is defined as an ensemble show in the title. Now with the exception of Firefly, where I really love everyone equally, I do play the favourites game; there are characters and storylines I love better than others. But I still dig that the others are there. And I miss this about Supernatural, which is perhaps unfair of me, as it's defined as a two-leads show, not an ensemble one.
Also, I can see where the gender critique comes from, what with the women all either victims or evil, but at least some of the victims of the case du jour do get to help with fighting the bad guys, so we're not quite back to the dark pre Buffy ages. Still. When seeing a scene where a guy sneaks into a building with a girl in tow who cautions him, it's impossible not to think of how brilliantly Joss set that kind of scene up once and for all in the very teaser of the very first BTVS episode, in which the fearful blonde girl turns out to be the monster (and none other than my beloved Darla). And here it's played straight. Hm.
The boys: are believable as brothers. I can see why Dean is the universal fan favourite, which naturally makes me route for Sam a little.*g* But so far, I'm not really involved with either of them, though as I said entertained enough. I shall conclude by stating cryptically they are not Italian.
As with the X-Files, it has a complete focus on its two leading characters (though I take it father John is going to play a greater role, given he's vaznetti's favourite character) and gets talked about as much as Sydney's mother "Laura" did throughout the first season of Alias before Irina Derevko made her triumphant return. With the exception of Dr. Who (which has recurring characters but mostly a two-character-focus as well, the Doctor and the Companion du jour), I've been watching only ensemble shows in recent years, and I think it has spoiled me, because I find myself missing the ensemble feel. I mean, shows like Alias have of course a clear leading lady, but they also have an assortment of other fleshed out characters; this goes for all three Jossverse shows; and my newest obsession, Heroes, is defined as an ensemble show in the title. Now with the exception of Firefly, where I really love everyone equally, I do play the favourites game; there are characters and storylines I love better than others. But I still dig that the others are there. And I miss this about Supernatural, which is perhaps unfair of me, as it's defined as a two-leads show, not an ensemble one.
Also, I can see where the gender critique comes from, what with the women all either victims or evil, but at least some of the victims of the case du jour do get to help with fighting the bad guys, so we're not quite back to the dark pre Buffy ages. Still. When seeing a scene where a guy sneaks into a building with a girl in tow who cautions him, it's impossible not to think of how brilliantly Joss set that kind of scene up once and for all in the very teaser of the very first BTVS episode, in which the fearful blonde girl turns out to be the monster (and none other than my beloved Darla). And here it's played straight. Hm.
The boys: are believable as brothers. I can see why Dean is the universal fan favourite, which naturally makes me route for Sam a little.*g* But so far, I'm not really involved with either of them, though as I said entertained enough. I shall conclude by stating cryptically they are not Italian.