Supernatural - Season 6 Complete [DVD]

This is without a doubt Supernatural at it's best. Yes the fifth season was amazing, moving, awe inspiring and sad all at the same time, but this is the show at it's best. After the shock finale of season five closer "Swan Song" and the teasing few seconds where we see Sam is in fact not in hell, you are kept wondering at what will happen next.

At first there is a return to the monster-of-the-week format similar to the first few years of the show, though with quite a twist: namely the things they hunt are "Alphas". The first of their kind. Werewolves out on half-moons, day-walking vampires other creatures that go bump in the night. All bigger and badder than ever before.

Also of interest is the ominous undertones of Sam's return. He is back, but is it really him, or is Lucifer at the wheel? Why is Castiel being so evasive? And what is Crowley hiding?

From the opening episode "Exile on Main Street" the stories are interesting and obviously leading somewhere that is intricate enough to keep you guessing but not as confusing as the last two years worth of stories have been. Gone is the over-reliance on Biblical lore, destiny and fate. However the show still keeps its tongue very firmly in its cheek with references to the rising popularity of vampires in the media (Twilight), a look at other people's approaches at the out of the ordinary, (UFO's), an angel's intense hatred of a certain doomed cruise liner (Titanic) and of course themselves.

The highs come suddenly and usually quite inappropriately in terms of wanting to laugh at other's misfortunes, and the lows are sometimes very saddening, but this series of the show is possibly the finest yet.

From the moment you realise just how far one of the main characters has fallen and his impassioned plea to God to help or even just give a sign he cares in the episode "The Man Who Would Be King", your heart will break and then from there it is a sudden plunge to the end. Will he realise his mistake? Or will he become corrupted by his new power?

It is easy to see why this often overlooked show has gone from being one of small budgets and simple ideas to one of the most popular shows to come out of America in the last decade, especially in the genre. Fantastic, epic, heartbreaking and moving, Supernatural Season Six shows also that this ship has plenty of steam left in her yet.

Season 5 - Swan Song - a glimmer of light reflects off the Winchesters beloved Impala and into Lucifer/Sams eye. Sam gains control over Lucifer for the briefest of moments - then throws the Horsemens' rings to the ground and the door to the cage is opened. Sam dives in, taking Lucifer back to Hell with him....

I've been a huge fan of the show since it started - from day one, so to reach season 6 (and indeed now onto season 7) is a great milestone, especially when many other mainstream shows don't make it past season one these days.
I loved seasons 1 - 4, but on watching season 5, I wasn't quite so sure. The story line seemed to jump around, from Angels to Demons, Lucifer, weekly monsters, time travel - to be honest I found it difficult at times to follow the main plot arc. But on second viewings, and subsequently my 3rd, 4th, 5th, it has since become my favourite season!

I came into the 6th season knowing Eric Kripke, the creator, had a 5 year vision for the show and was leaving to persue other interests. Sera Gamble, who had been with the show from the start, was taking over. She promised a return to the formula of seasons 1 2 and 3 - going back to a monster of the week show. Eric was still to be consulted but Sera was to have free reign. Fans were worried - many left the show then and there before even giving Sera a real chance for season 6 - had they stayed watching - they would have had a hell of a season!

In the season opener, Exile on Main Street, you get a look at how Deans life is without Sam, one year on. He has fulfilled his promise to his brother. He went back to Lisa and her son, Ben, to try and live that normal "Apple pie life". But it's clear that the life he has is far from happy. He has a mundane job, run of the mill friends and his routine is predictable. The only salt lines he uses now are when seasoning his food! Some things are the same though. The Impala is in the garage (though it's covered over), and there's a devils trap under the rug!
Dean's life is pretty unexciting. But then one evening, after a beer with a friend in the local bar, he is on his way home when he hears a scream from the vacant building across the road. He investigates, but finds nothing except a few bloody scratches down the wall...
Later he sees the same scratches on a lamp post not far from his own house - and there's noises coming from a neighbours shed...
Dean returns to his garage but is attacked by the Yellow Eyed Demon - Azazel - not possible of course because he's dead! Then Dean is saved.
By Sam.

How did Sam escape Lucifers cage in Hell? Did someone let him out? Is it still 100% Sam? But the more interesting question is, how long has he been out?
Dean goes on to meet relatives he didn't even know he had, and his Grandpa is mysteriously alive, but his new family are not all that they seem. Sam is strangely distant too - and evasive (no change there then eh?). What's the real story with him?

Throughout the season, there is the usual mix of comedy episodes, dark times, and moments where you just want to yell at the screen! There are also some shocking OMG moments! Castiel is ever present - helping out the boys when he can but you soon get the feeling he's hiding something from Sam and Dean!
Yes, there are a few times I was left thinking - WHAT?! And even mega fan that I am, I wondered at one point where the season was going - but I stuck with it and overall wasn't disappointed. There are many awesome episodes too - Weekend at Bobbys is FANTASTIC - all the more so because it was Jensens (Deans) directing debut. And you can just see the waves of pleasure (yey! western ep) rolling off Dean during episode 18 Frontierland.
But the build up to the season finale The Man Who Knew Too Much was difficult, at times, to watch. I did feel, however, that the season finale was well written and totally unexpected. I'm still left reeling!

As I commented in my review for season 5, you would never say Pudding again without a smile.
Well, Deans cries of Fight the Fairies will leave you with a smile on your face long after the credits have gone.

A MUST SEE season for all true SPN fans who have stayed the distance - I for one will be getting this boxset the day it arrives.

I have loved this season just as much as the previous five. The writing, acting, directing, individual storylines and the main plot arc continue to be amazing. I would recommend this to anyone who has already watched and loved Seasons 1-5. Such a shame that this TV show continues to be underrated and hidden on Sky Living. It needs to come back to Freeview so that its popularity and number of viewers can increase again!