The CW
Let me just preface this post and say that I will be writing with my head hung low, the burden of regret weighing heavily. Why? I don’t watch Supernatural.
When it premiered several seasons ago, I watched most of the first episode and thought it was pretty good, if not slightly hokey at the end. It didn’t move me enough to give it a second look. And to this day, I can’t figure out why, because I was still reeling from the void of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel both being off the air. What was I thinking?
Now, when I read Brett’s reviews of Supernatural, I find myself wishing I had stuck with the show for a little longer. Brett’s reviews are really well-written, but something tells me even Brett couldn’t spin it so a crappy show looked so damned good. Here are the things about Supernatural that tempt me, and have me wondering if Supernatural would have filled my Buffy void all this time:
1. It seems to have a really complex back story. I like the fact that there are characters that come and go throughout the seasons, playing an important role in developing the story of these two brothers. I wish I knew more about it.
2. Even if there isn’t much story arc involved in a particular episode, the show seems to be creative with plenty of twists to keep the viewer involved with the stand-alone characters and plot. Brett is never disappointed when this show tries something different.
3. An obvious point, perhaps, but there’s tons of supernatural stuff going on. Cool.
4. Some specifics that caught my eye and made me think of Buffy were some of the crazy, tongue-in-cheek baddies introduced: giant teddy bears, zombies, body-jumping souls, demons; aw, heck, I’m getting nostalgic just writing this one.
5. It seems to have a little bit of everything, exploring familial relationships with the brothers, romantic relationships, and even some characters that are hazy-gray when it comes to classifying them as good or evil. Again, cool.
6. Snappy lines and other comedic elements injected into the darker storylines is just what Buffy did to make a perfectly well-rounded 43-minute viewing experience.
7. Reminiscent of Buffy’s “Once More with Feeling” musical, which hit it out of the park, Supernatural tried an old-fashioned black and white monster movie episode this season. Can I say cool again?
8. Um, if I understand it correctly, one of the brothers went to Hell for a bit. Ah, the good old days, eh Angel?
9. With character names like Azazel and Castiel, I can’t help but want to know more about how these guys fit into the story. Are they demons? Incarnations of the Devil himself? Or maybe just nobodies with really jazzy names.
So, as much fun as it has been enjoying Supernatural vicariously through Brett’s reviews, I think it is about time I invest in the DVDs and start catching up; something tells me that I won’t regret it. But tell me, is Supernatural as good as Buffy?
Tags: angel, azazel, buffy the vampire slayer, castiel, demons, supernatural, the cw
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Posted by Debbie McDuffee
Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Clack, Features, General, Supernatural, TV Shows
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It is way better. Seriously!
I too have watched every episode of both shows. I think Supernatural is one of the best shows currently on Tv and Jensen Ackles is fast becoming my new favourite actor.
But that said, I still think it is ludicrous to stay that Supernatural is a better show than Buffy. Supernatural would not exist if not for Buffy. I cannot be the only one to see similarities! They both have horror, monsters, and humour. And didn’t the death and rise from the grave in the start of season 4 (of Supernatural) seem familiar to anyone else. Watching that episode, I honestly wondered if the writers had never seen an episode of Buffy, or knew of the similar storyline but just threw it in anyway. Some origianlity would be great, don’t you think?
The horror in Supernatural, is also often lacking in originality. I find myself watching some episodes and having flashbacks to movies like The Ring and The Grudge (and not the crappy American remakes, but the original Japanese verions. If any horror fan has not seen them, I urge you to do so). In the episode ‘Bloody Mary’, I could not help but laugh out loud when she crawled out of the mirror (and not in a good way!). Just the way the ghosts move, reminds me of movies I watched long ago. And while it was once scary, it has now been done so many times and ripped off by so many people, that it is just not scary anymore. Buffy, on the other hand, had some truelly scary moments. I dare anyone to watch ‘Hush’ and say that the image of the gentlemen gliding down the hallways, with their big smiles (and scalpels), did not make you shiver!
The monsters and demons on Buffy were all unique and original. Does anyone remmember the fear demon from the Season 4 halloween episode? His appearance (and small staure!) was so unexpected that I laughed out loud. Or Gnarl, the demon that paralysed its victims before stripping away their skin and eating it (The scene with Willow trapped by Gnarl still makes my stomach turn!). Or how about Der Kindestod, the demon that liked to suck the life out of sick children, using only these disgusting protrusions from its eyes? Supernatural, on the other hand, seems just rehash every uraban legend and horror story ever told. And even the episodes not based on urban legends are not original. Take ‘Wendigo’ for instance. Doesn’t anyone else remmember the episode of the X-files where Mulder & Scully get trapped in the woods with a creature that attacks, cacoons and stores its victims underground. Familiar? What about the episode ‘Croatoan’. It seems awfully similar to the episode where Mulder & Scully are trapped in a snow base, with a parasite that infects people and makes them violent!
As for humour, I must admit that the first 2 seasons of Supernatural were funny (One of my favourite moments is in ‘Hollywood Babylon’. Sam’s face, when the tour guide mentions the Gilmore Girls set, is priceless). But lately it seems to me that the writers have recognised that humour is part of the appeal of the show, and have proceeded to slap us in the face with it at any chance they get. Anyone that has seen a Jensen Ackles interview will know he is a funny guy, but the amount of cracks and one-liners they have given Dean lately are ridiculous. The humour is used so often, it fells forced and often innapropriate. I found that often when you try too hard to be funny, you aren’t. the writer’s seemed to have lost that subtle humour that the show began with. Buffy, however, remained funny throughout its 7 year run. I can name a funny quote or moment from every episode of that show (often from parts of the episode you would least expect it). The difference is that the Buffy humour was always natural, in character and unexpected. They weren’t trying to be funny, it just was!
All that said, I still think Supernatural is a good show. I will continue to watch it. But I will also continue to rewatch Buffy, over ten years since I began watching the show (There are just so many layers to that show, that even now I can watch my DVD’s and pick up on things that were previously overlooked). Can the same be said for Supernatural?
Even though i really loved Buffy i have to say that Supernatural is better and will keep getting better as long as there are no fake monsters that resemble sharks Supernatural will keep being Badass
Well I have seen all season of both Angel and Buffy and while I did enjoy them when shows were in the air, I don’t do it now. Supernatural have more depth and telling a story there nothing is simple’s as black and with ,if a bad guy is bad it is because of what the character has done not because of gender or race which make me watch this show and properly will make me still enjoy it years after it stopped running. The myth arc is simple but in a smart way including both brothers into it and the main character’s never getting tiresome because every season viewers got to see new sides of both Sam and Dean. Jared and Jensen are both talented and in my eyes the best actors in a TV show right now.
Yes. It is as good as if not Better than Buffy! Start watching all of it :-)
Not only should you get the DVDs, but as soon as you are done watching them, you should vote for Supernatural at the People’s Choice Awards site (pcavotes.com).
*sigh* I don’t know why fandoms must compete. I love both shows. Why can’t they both be great? I get so much joy from Buffy, Angel and Supernatural.
I can’t say I’ve seen more than maybe 20 episodes of Buffy, whereas I’ve seen every episode of Supernatural since the first one, so maybe it’s not fair to make this assessment. But…
Supernatural is truly a remarkable show. Essentially, it’s a road trip through urban America with monsters along the way, and that gives it a very epic feel. Kripke has described it as “Star Wars in truck stop America”. The fact that the brothers are always on the road, living out of their classic muscle car (The Impala!) with an arsenal on the truck gives it such a great feel. You really feel like your along for the ride on a crazy epic.
Sometimes the plots are cheesy, but a lot of times they are pretty good. The real treat here is the relationships between the characters. The dynamic relationship between the two brothers draws you right in. Also, their relationship with their father is compelling. I also enjoy a lot of the side characters that show up as we get pulled further into the world of demon hunters.
Also, this show always cracks me up. Though I haven’t seen enough of Buffy to really compare the two, the characters in Supernatural have drawn me in like no other characters on TV, including what I’ve seen of Buffy.
I am a huge Supernatural fan but I would say almost but not quite, as I am a MASSIVE Buffy fan. I think Buffy takes the cake. But only just. I mean c’mon Buffy’s got everything… Drama, Action, Horror, Romance and not to mention Comedy, I mean the show is hilarious. Uh, not that Supernatural isn’t. But also Buffy is more creative than Supernatural. Buffy has all these different breeds of demons while supernatural doesn’t have the slimey or gooey demons or the ones with horns or funny coloured skin. Also I don’t think just Sam and Dean could add up to the whole Scooby gangs PURE AWESOMENESS! Thats the truth. So yeah i think thats all I gotta say but it was a close call. Seriously.
Yer i think supernatural is heaps better than buffy im not a big fan of buffy but i seen a couple of episodes i thought it was ok but supernatural has a better story line. it is only a but sam and dean so theres not heaps going on and they dont just kill only one type of moster they kill diferent things so like theres a story behind nearly everything that they kill. and the way that the show is done is alot better as well because they are able to add the speacial affects in which looks awesome in some episodes. and my last reason why supernatural is so great is because it has such great actors in it who are really hott!!!!
but that all from me
from Bec
Well, I was a big Buffy fan back when it was on. I mean the show consumed my life – literally. LOL I think the show was great until Angel left it, then I was bummed but happy to find Angel found his own spot on the WB. I’m a huge DB fan. If I had to say if SN was better then Buffy I would say yeah, only in mythology but i prefer Buffy over SN for episode wise. Did that make sense?
okay i am a buffy and angel fan they are both amazing and actually miss them …scince they dont come on t.v. much but supernatural is like buffy an angel only a little more myths and everything new about demons and all that but i jux love shows about the supernaural soo this is a must watch i missed season 1,2 bcuz of bad television but i caught up and each episode had its own special quality and humorous words..
Jensen and Jared has what it takes to carry this show. It must be absolutely hard work IF Jensen and Jared aren’t on the same ‘wave-length’- I guess it’s not! Jensen’s amazing in being a casually, cool ‘brother’ to Jared’s young and ‘nervy(?)’character…on screen as well as off it. This true brotherly bonding is an added bonus! The guys too are not so ‘pretty(?)’ as to distract me from their awesome acting-skills and characterization as the Winchester brothers. I wish that SN will continue past season 6!
Oh, my. You don’t know what you’re missing. By all means, rent the DVDS … or borrow them … or steal them … obtain them by any means necessary … and WATCH THIS SHOW! I didn’t start watching Supernatural myself until near the end of the second season. Upon the recommendation of a friend, I rented Season 1 of Supernatural. I watched the first episode, and I enjoyed it … but I didn’t love it. Like you, I found the ending a little hokey. But I decided to give it another chance. With each passing episode, I liked the show more and more. By the time Episode 4 (”Bloody Mary”) rolled around, I was hopelessly hooked. Today, Supernatural remains my very favorite TV show, and in fact I think Season 4 is its best yet. It has it all: action, horror, humor (lots of snarky fun), angst (major heartbreaking angst), and the two leads have such wonderful brotherly chemistry. I’m no gushing teenager, either; I’m turning 37 in two days. So please, take it from an almost 40-year-old: Supernatural is worth watching!
How is that even a question?
Hell no.