Review: Supernatural, Episode 4.5, "Monster Movie"

After beginning the season with four dark mytharc episodes, Supernatural dials down the intensity with a humorous interlude that's a homage to classic Universal horror films like Dracula, The Mummy, and The Wolf Man. As usual when the show needs to lighten up, staff writer Ben Edlund (creator of The Tick, and a former staff writer on Angel and Firefly) is responsible for penning the episode. An Edlund episode never fails to amuse me, and it's just as much fun this time because of the references to some classic genre films that I love.

Director Robert Singer gets into the fun of things with a credits sequence out of a 1930s film, going monochromatic for the entire episode (black-and-white with a slight blue-green tint), and taking a few camera setups right out of the classics the episode's referencing (I caught one from James Whale's Frankenstein).

Good fun. Now back to the dark mytharc.

Review: Supernatural, Episode 4.1, "Lazarus Rising"

The third season ended with the death of Dean Winchester and his soul trapped in Hell. Talk about a cliffhanger. No spoilers here, but creator/showrunner Eric Kripke starts off the fourth season by writing a whiz-bang episode that sets up what looks to be the main story arc of the season. Some things happened as I thought they would, others I didn't see coming, but every moment reminded me of why I enjoy this show so much.

Season eight of Smallville and season four of Supernatural begin tonight on the CW network. You know I'll be parked in front of the telly.

Reviews: Supernatural & Smallville

Review: Supernatural, Episode 3.13, "Ghostfacers"

Writer Ben Edlund knows funny. After all, he created The Tick and wrote the "Life of the Party" and "Smile Time" episodes of Angel, so it's no surprise that this episode is all about the funny. You know all those 'reality' shows about ghost hunters? Edlund mocks their conventions within the parameters of the Supernatural universe, meaning hapless ghost hunters get thrown together with professional demon fighters Dean and Sam to face a murderous ghost. Hilarity and chills ensue. Also, the "Ghostfacers" song is made of awesome.

Review: Supernatural, Episode 3.14, "Long Distance Call"

After the humorous interlude of the previous episode, lead writer Sera Gamble puts the season's story arc back on the front burner. With only two episodes left in the strike-shortened season, there's a certain urgency to Dean's quest to save his own life and spare his soul from Hell, and Gamble keys into his willingness to take a leap of faith if it could save him.

Review: Smallville, Episode 3.18, "Apocalypse"

What would the Earth be like if Kal-El had never arrived here? Would it be better or worse? Writers Al Septien and Turi Meyer explore this idea while serving up some fun nods to comic book continuity. Star Tom Welling sits in the director's chair for the third time and does quite a good job of it, while James Marsters returns as Brainiac.