By Joie’ Thornton
Culture & Events Editor
In 2011, I became a huge fan of The CW Network television series “Supernatural.” I remember the first time I saw the show, sitting in the waiting room at Baylor Hospital. Usually I can’t stand hospital waiting rooms, but on this particular day, I hardly even noticed the sticky chairs and rude nurses. The episode “No Exit” had my eyes glued to the TV. I sat there in amazement; I wanted to know what I was watching. After some research, I hurried home to catch the full episode. I watched two episodes that day. I was hooked.
“Supernatural” is about two brothers named Sam and Dean Winchester. Through supernatural circumstances, they end up following in their dad’s footsteps as hunters, killing evil beings from monsters and demons to angels and spirits. Their mission begins when their mother, Mary, dies in a house fire caused by a demon. John Winchester, their father, is consumed by his desire for revenge, which he instills in his sons. The pilot begins with a flashback of what happened to Sam and Dean in their home in Kansas. The episode shows the tragedy of the house fire.
After the flashback, the episode brings the audience to the present. Dean goes to Stanford University to visit Sam and tell him their dad is missing. After some convincing, Sam and his brother roam from town to town, trying to find their dad, hunting evil as they go.
Family is a major theme throughout the series. The two brothers go through ups and downs as they rediscover each other’s personalities. What makes this show relatable, especially for people with siblings, is how Dean looks out for his little brother.
He feels as if he has to protect Sam and relentlessly blames himself for every failure. In season two, Dean explains to Sam: “I always tried to protect you, keep you safe. Dad didn’t even have to tell me. It was just always my responsibility, you know?”
The show stars Jared Padalecki as Sam, Jensen Ackles as Dean, Misha Collins as the angel Castiel and Mark Sheppard as the demon Crowley.
Every season, new characters are introduced and are either dead or saved by the end of the season. The show was created and produced by Eric Kripke, who is also known for the 2005 film “Boogeyman” as well as the Emmy award-winning “Revolution.”
“Supernatural” premiered in 2005 and is still going strong. “Supernatural” shows the difference between the brothers personalities. Sam is methodical and intelligent, while Dean prefers to shoot first and ask questions later. The brothers are also confronted by their personal demons, literally and figuratively. But, whether Sam is having premonitions or Dean is being sent to hell, they still manage to stay focused on the task at hand. That task is: “Saving people and hunting things.”
Each season of the show pulled me in more and more. I love when they play “Carry on Wayward Son” by Kansas at the end of each season. Whenever I hear it outside of the show, I can’t help but think of Sam and Dean riding into the sunset in Dean’s ’67 Chevy Impala.
My obsession is real; I’ve even started buying “Supernatural” merchandise. The merchandise connects me to the show, not just by displaying the stars’ faces, but also quotes and symbols from the show.
For instance, I have a shirt with the “anti-possession symbol” and the quote “Saving People. Hunting Things.“ Most people who see my shirt do not get the reference, but when I run into the people who do, it is an amazing feeling. It’s like I’m part of an exclusive club.
After watching season nine, going through a sea of emotions and endless shock, I cannot wait for season 10 to begin. When it does, you can bet I will be sitting on my couch with my “Supernatural” blanket and a Coke, enjoying my favorite show. The 10th season premieres at 8 p.m. Oct. 7 on the CW.
