The Kids Are (Almost) Alright - a Review of Supernatural Season 3, Episode 2

I have to admit here and now that last week's 3^{rd season premiere episode of Supernatural, The Magnificent 7 left me reeling with uncertainty about whether or not I was going to have the heart to continue watching what has been my favorite show for the past two years. The Magnificent 7 left this viewer very unhappy when it was all said and done. Don't get me wrong, the episode had good points, namely the presence of Jim Beaver as Bobby Singer who stayed true to character and held onto some semblance of continuity from the 2nd season finale, All Hell Breaks Loose Pt 2. The hunter, Tamara is someone I definitely want to see again. The new character of Ruby had a so-so introduction, but seems like an interesting new addition.}

Yet overall the episode left me feeling like I was watching a friend losing control and not knowing what to do about it. I was, quite honestly, cringing in embarrassment for the characters in several supposedly key scenes of the episode. Jared Padalecki overall carried this episode as his character of Sam Winchester seemed to suffer the least amount of disconnection and loss of charisma. However watching Sam Winchester having been written as being intimidated by a demon, whose presence in my opinion had all the threat factor of a cheesy game show host, left me feeling uncomfortable about what might be happening to Supernatural in the 3rd season.

While I understand the intent behind his behavior was to show that Dean Winchester was in the first stages of denial, it seemed to me that the character was pushed so far over the top in that direction that the character and the actor had no choice but to free fall over the edge into being a caricature with no familiar ground to work from. This push over the top into a free fall of caricature like behavior left the character of Dean Winchester, in this viewer's estimation, stripped of something essential that has always kept Dean from turning into just another stereotypical 'good ole boy'; his underling quixotic sense of dignity and his charisma.