Supernatural

I've been watching 'Supernatural' for Jane After Dark, my weekly column chronicling all the TV shows I watch on DVD into the wee hours. I'm now up to season five, episode 11, 'Sam, Interrupted,' and frankly, this season's been a little slow going.

After the dark powers that gripped the Winchester boys in season four, it almost seems like the writers have forgotten all about the fact that Sam unleashed Lucifer onto the world in the season four finale. You would think that once the Devil had escaped from the depths of Hell, he'd be running roughshod over the planet.

You know how I told you guys I'd probably finish season four of 'Supernatural' and then wait for season five to be released on DVD? Yeah, that's not gonna happen. After watching the season four finale, I immediately started buying episodes of season five from iTunes (I couldn't find a good place to see them online for free - if you know of any, pass the word along). At this writing, I'm just about to watch 'The End.'

The mythology has really kicked into high gear during seasons four and five, and if perchance demons destroyed all the ways I could watch season five, I'd have to break into Eric Kripke's office and steal the scripts so I could find out what happens next.

Here's tonight's TV lineup (all times Eastern). All shows listed are new, unless otherwise noted.

8:00 to 9:00
ABC: 'FlashForward'
CBS: 'Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains'
The CW: 'The Vampire Diaries'
FOX: 'Bones'
History: 'Modern Marvels' -- History of everything delivery

9:00 to 10:00
CBS: 'CSI'
The CW: 'Supernatural' -- 100th episode
FOX: 'Fringe'
NBC: 'Saturday Night Live in the 2000s: Time and Again' -- Two hours. Retrospective on the last 10 years of 'SNL'
A&E: 'The First 48'
HBO: 'Treme: Beyond Bourbon Street' -- Making of the new HBO series
National Geographic: 'Secret History of the Atom Bomb'
TLC: 'Police Women of Maricopa County'

10:00 to 11:00
A&E: 'Fugitive Chronicles'
Bravo: 'The Real Housewives of New York City'
Food Network: 'Ace of Cakes'
Lifetime: 'Project Runway'
MTV: 'Randy Jackson Presents: America's Best Dance Crew'
National Geographic: 'Known Universe'
Playboy: 'Dropout Delinquents' -- Now, don't look at me that way
TLC: 'LA Ink'

11:00 to Midnight
Bravo: 'Watch What Happens: Live'
Lifetime: 'Models of the Runway'

Midnight to 1:00
Comedy Central: 'The Sarah Silverman Program' and 'Important Things With Demetri Martin'

Check your local TV listings for more information. After the jump, the late night talk shows.

Seriously, doesn't anyone stay dead on 'Supernatural'? Not that I'm complaining. I was devastated at the end of season three when Dean was attacked by the hell hound and dragged off to hell, and pretty excited when he was yanked back to life. I kept waiting for some big reveal that his resurrection was all a dream or alternate universe or something, but after meeting the angel Castiel, I'm convinced that Dean is back for real.

It's interesting. I kept wondering why Dean had gone to hell rather than heaven, because he's a good person doing good things in the world, so why wouldn't he go to heaven? On the other hand, Dean didn't believe in heaven or God or angels up to this point, so maybe that would automatically send him to hell? Nah, I'm not buying that.

Hey, 'Supernatural' fans. Well, I'm into season three now, after a short break last week to recover from season two. I was sort of bummed out the way it ended and needed some time to get my wits together. I was majorly sad about Dean's deal with the Crossroads demon to save Sam. It was a tough spot, to be sure. He had to save his brother; on the other hand, how will Sam feel when Dean's gone in a year? Clearly, I've got too much invested in these characters.

Hey, 'Supernatural' fans. Well, I'm part-way into season two, and I have to say, I was utterly depressed after watching the first episode, 'In My Time of Dying.' But of course, I forged ahead anyway. It seems there's always a way to bring people back after they die on this show. Things aren't set in stone at all.

Which is exactly why it's hard to think that Sam could go to the dark side, or that he's harboring some deep, dark demonic thing. According to Gordon, that dark side is going to come out and be a really bad guy. Apparently, John Winchester felt that way, too, before he died. That's why he told Dean that if he couldn't save Sam, he'd have to kill him.

Even though some episodes still scare the crap out of me, I'm really getting into 'Supernatural.' I know this because it's tough trying to do other work while I'm watching it at night. Impossible, really. Instead, I use it as my own little incentive program -- edit this post, watch five minutes of 'Supernatural,' write up that review, watch five minutes of 'Supernatural.' Cubicle workers have bonuses and rewards programs, I have 'Supernatural.'

Jane believes in the power of 'Supernatural,' and Dawn Ostroff, President of The CW does too. She sounds open to a sixth season of the show, according to Zap2it.com. In fact, the exact words that Ostroff is using when describing how the network feels about the show are "rooting for." There's no word yet on whether or not creator Eric Kripke wants to do another season, or if the show could/would continue without him.

I can't imagine that 'Supernatural' wouldn't come back, especially if Kripke wants to do another season. It's a good show, it has a rabid following, it has already hit 100 episodes, and it's a show that The CW really needs in its lineup. Beyond 'Gossip Girl,' it really seems that people don't talk too much about most of the other shows on the network. 'Supernatural' has quality and buzz, and you don't want to lose too many of those type of shows.

'Supernatural' is one of those shows I've been hearing about since it first premiered in 2005. I was never a fan of shows with demons and ghosts and the like until I finally watched 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer.' Now I'm sort of hooked on them.

I'm not gonna lie, though. I'm just a few episodes into 'Supernatural,' and so far, it's terrifying. It could be a good long while before I'm able to swim in a lake ('Dead in the Water'), go camping ('Wendigo'), fly on a plane ('Phantom Traveler'), or look in a mirror ('Bloody Mary'). And I'm convinced that my husband is probably a shape-shifter ('Skin').

On the seventh day of Festivus, TV gave to me... Seven shows a-thrivin'.

The 2009-2010 season is a great one to be on TV-- especially for returning dramas and new comedies. If we had 20 days of Christmas, I probably could have filled the list with shows that were either thriving right out of the gate or making a resurgence after being on the air for several years. As it is, we just have seven slots, so here are some noteworthy series that are thriving this year.

Dexter
I've always liked Dexter, but it's never been appointment TV for me. I've generally been content to wait until the season came out on DVD and knock all of the episodes out in a weekend. However, after a creative dip in season 3, I've found myself positively glued to my television every Sunday night that season 4 has aired. John Lithgow absolutely made the season as the creepy Arthur Mitchell. Plus the finale? I know some of you saw the big twist coming at the end, but I certainly did not. Who doesn't like to end a season with their jaw on the floor?

Who wants to help me run down all the "meta" moments so far this season on Supernatural? Seriously, anyone? Because there are a lot.

Last Thursday's episode, "The Real Ghostbusters," reached almost unforeseen levels of meta-dom. To appreciate the intricate levels of meta in this episode, and the back and forth that's happening between the fans and the actors, creators and even prop people from the show, you need to have lived and breathed this sucker from episode one to right now.

But, as much as I love Kripke's ability to break down that fourth wall and, in the process, send a huge, heart-felt hug to fandom, it's time to take the story back to Sam and Dean.

I remember when Supernatural had smaller stories. Sam and Dean battling something in a lake or a demon or a monster. I was watching this promo and now it looks like they're battling a the "last war," something really major on Earth (I guess I have a lot of catching up to do on this show).

Here's a clip from tonight's episode "Good God, Y'All." I don't think Paula Deen makes an appearance.

(S05E01) It's you chuckle head! You're the Michael Sword! -Zachariah

When we last saw Sam & Dean Winchester, they were staring down a face-to-face meeting with the Big Bad himself, Lucifer. And that's where we pick right back up for the epic and awesome season five opener. So, you'll forgive my fan girl gushing for a bit, but there are very few series that start their fifth season stronger than they did their first, and this episode surpassed a lot of the high expectations I had.

Not only do we get a kick ass fight scene, a possessed Bobby, and a tearful and heartfelt apology for starting Armageddon from Sam, but we finally meet Satan, and surprise, he's a pretty sympathetic fellow.

Basically, it boils down to this: the angles are back, the demons are creating havoc on Earth, everyone's raging for a Apocalyptic war and Dean is The Vessel. Oh and lastly, Sam & Dean are so broken up.

Last giveaway this week ... I swear! This time we've got three copies of Supernatural - Season 3 on DVD for three lucky, random commenters. The DVD is available in stores now.

To enter, leave a comment below before 5:00PM Eastern, Friday, September 5 simply telling why you'd like to own this set. As always, we'll randomly choose three winners amongst the eligible entries. Some other details:
Click here for complete Official Rules.

I don't know if I can think of a tougher gig on television than being a girl on Supernatural. Things just never seem to go well for any of them. The good news is that the show seems to be acting as a springboard and many of the actresses have been able to land on their feet with good roles.

Adrianne Palicki moved from playing Sam's sweetheart, Jessica, to Friday Night Lights. Alona Tal, who played the controversial Jo, moved right into a regular spot on Cane. It was short lived, but still a nice credit. And now they're joined by Katie Cassidy, the season three demon, Ruby. She's been added to the ever changing cast of Harper's Island. She takes over the role, originally played by Samantha Noble, of the bride whose wedding is the setting for a whole mess of murders. Now, if we can just get someone to hire Nicki Aycox, the sinister Meg.