Supernatural
Format	Paranormal Horror Drama Thriller
Created by	Eric Kripke
Starring	Jared Padalecki Jensen Ackles
Country of origin	United States
Language(s)	English
No. of seasons	3
No. of episodes	60 (List of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s)	Eric Kripke McG Robert Singer
Location(s)	British Columbia
Camera setup	Multicamera setup
Running time	40-45 min.
Broadcast
Original channel	The WB (2005 - 2006) The CW (2006 – present)
Picture format	480i (SDTV), 1080i (HDTV)
Original run	September 13, 2005 – present
External links
Official website
IMDb profile
TV.com summary

Supernatural is an American cult^[1] dramatic television series regarding the paranormal. The series, which is filmed in Vancouver, Canada, debuted on September 13, 2005 on the WB, and is now part of The CW's lineup. The second season premiered on September 28, 2006, and the third season premiered on October 4, 2007. Supernatural returned on April 24, 2008^[2] after the writers strike. On March 3, 2008, the CW announced the pickup of the show for a fourth season,^[3] which is scheduled to start on September 18, 2008.^[4]

Premise

The show follows brothers Sam Winchester and Dean Winchester, played by Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles respectively, who travel across the country in a black 1967 Chevy Impala investigating and combating paranormal events and other unexplained occurrences, many of them based on American urban legends and folklore, as well as classic supernatural creatures such as vampires, werewolves, and ghosts.

Eric Kripke, the show's creator, cites Neil Gaiman's The Sandman and American Gods as influences on Supernatural, along with American Werewolf in London and Joseph Campbell's The Hero's Journey.^[5]

Plot

The plot of the show has evolved over time, beginning initially with Sam and Dean looking for their father throughout most of Season One. Once they find him, the show becomes about killing Azazel, the yellow-eyed demon responsible for the death of their mother. This is accomplished, but not until after Azazel's plans are completed and a door to Hell is opened, although only momentarily, releasing a horde of demons into the world. This event also sees the death of Sam, who is subsequently resurrected by Dean selling his soul at the end of Season Two. In Season Three, the plot of the show focuses on trying to save Dean from his deal. Along the way, they meet a demon named Ruby, who has an interest in Sam and claims to be able to help save Dean, as well as Bela Talbot, an "acquirer" and seller of occult objects who is constantly a thorn in their side. The brothers eventually manage to track down the demon who holds Dean's contract, a powerhouse named Lilith who also wants Sam dead. However, Sam and Ruby ultimately fail to save Dean, who, as of the end of Season Three, is in Hell.

Cast

Main characters

• Jensen Ackles as Dean Winchester
• Jared Padalecki as Sam Winchester

Recurring characters

• Jeffrey Dean Morgan as John Winchester
• Fredric Lehne and various actors as Azazel ("Yellow-Eyed Demon") (2005 - 2007)
• Nicki Lynn Aycox as Meg Masters (2005 - 2006)
• Jim Beaver as Bobby Singer (2006 - present)
• Samantha Ferris as Ellen Harvelle (2006 - present)
• Katie Cassidy as Ruby (2007 - 2008)^[6] *
• Lauren Cohan as Bela Talbot (2007 - 2008)^[7] *

* Credited on-screen as a star in the third season, in select episodes.

Minor characters

Main article: Minor characters from Supernatural

Episodes

Main article: List of Supernatural episodes

Recurring elements

While the locations and storyline changes on a near weekly basis, there are a few things that show up regularly.

The Colt

Main article: The Colt (Supernatural)

The Colt, and thirteen original bullets, were made by Samuel Colt for a paranormal hunter in 1835. According to legend, anything shot with it will die, including creatures normally immune to any and all weapons. At the end of the second season, the last bullet is used to kill Azazel, and the gun is thought to be useless. However, Ruby later assists Bobby in repairing the gun so that it can use more bullets. Towards the end of the third season, Bela steals the gun from the brothers and gives it to Lilith in an attempt to get out of her own deal she made ten years prior.

Dean's car

The Impala
Dean's 1967 Chevrolet Impala features heavily throughout the series.
First appearance	Pilot
Created by	Chevrolet
Information
Age	41 years

Dean's trademark black 1967 Chevrolet Impala was passed down to him by his father. It bears a Sedgwick County, Kansas license (though their hometown of Lawrence, Kansas is actually in Douglas County) plate KAZ 2Y5, a reference to Kansas, the Winchesters' home state, and 2005, the year the show premiered. Starting in the episode 2.20 "What Is and What Should Never Be", the car sports a new Ohio license plate (CNK 80Q3) to aid the brothers in hiding from the FBI.

The car has been prominently featured on the series, beginning with the teaser of the pilot which shows John Winchester holding his two sons as he sits on the car and watches his house burn. The car is Dean's most prized possession, and he protects it with nearly the same ferocity with which he protects his family. Despite this, however, he attacks the car's rear with a crowbar after a talk with Sam in the episode "Everybody Loves A Clown" due to the pressure from his dying father's secret about Sam. In the pilot episode, the trunk is revealed to hold various weaponry to fight the supernatural.

In an interview at a convention, Ackles said the main Impala they use has a 427 and skid plates. The actual car was bought from the Kelley family of Farmingdale, NJ in 2005. The Kelleys were the second owners of the car, they bought it from the original owners. The car was bought new in 1967 at Mathews Chevrolet in Farmingdale, NJ. It was originally baby blue with baby blue interior and dual bench seats.^{citation needed} To fans of the show, the Impala has come to be nicknamed the "Metallicar".^[8]

The Roadhouse

The Roadhouse is owned and run by Ellen Harvelle. Her daughter Jo Harvelle works there as a bartender. Ash lives in the building, with a room of his own. On the door to Ash’s room he has a sign reading “Dr. Badass is” with the option of "in" or "out". The Roadhouse is a frequent stop for hunters. The location of the Roadhouse is believed to be Nebraska. "No Exit" shows a roadtripping family entering the saloon wearing "Nebraska is for [Corn] Lovers" t-shirts.

In the episode, "All Hell Breaks Loose, Part 1", Dean Winchester and Bobby, arrive at the Roadhouse to find it burned down. In "All Hell Breaks Loose, Part 2", Ellen is revealed to be alive, but that everyone else inside the roadhouse including Ash has died.

Series creator Eric Kripke stated that he hated the Roadhouse, which led to the decision to destroy it. According to him, "It just didn’t work in a road show... It’s a road show! But we have a home. No, that’s the point, it’s a road show, so you don’t have a home. So, burn it!"^[9]

Ruby's dagger

Main article: Ruby (Supernatural)#Weaponry

The dagger functions similar to the Colt, as it is able to kill demons. Ruby never explains its origin or age, but is quite skilled in its application and use.

In the third season finale, Sam and Dean steal the dagger from Ruby to use in their eventually unsuccessful attempt to kill Lilith. With the death of Dean and the disappearance of Ruby, Sam currently has possession of the weapon.

Singer Salvage Yard

Main article: Singer Salvage Yard

The salvage yard is owned and run by Bobby Singer, and sometimes serves as a hideout for the main characters.

Production notes

Supernatural is a Warner Bros. Television Production Inc., in association with Wonderland Sound and Vision. From executive producers McG and Peter Johnson with writer/executive producer/creator Eric Kripke and director/executive producer David Nutter. Though the pilot was filmed in California, principal filming takes place in Vancouver, British Columbia^[10] with post production work taking place in California.^{citation needed}

Production was halted on December 5th 2007 upon completion of the twelfth episode due to the 2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike. Originally twenty-two episodes were ordered for the third season, but the season number was shortened down to sixteen episodes, with four new episodes airing in April and May of 2008.^[2]

Like other recent TV dramas such as Lost, the show does not have an opening credit sequence or theme music, but instead only a title card, generally following a brief recap of previous episodes and the current episode's opening scene. In Season One, the "Supernatural" logo is a flickering aqua-blue text. In Season Two, it appears in flames and the "A" becomes a pentagram. In Season Three, "Supernatural" is a moving silvery text against a background of clouds of spirits. Beginning with the first season episode "Scarecrow", the name of each episode appears before the cast credits.

A "previously" sequence before each episode highlights a montage of past events. This may be scored to a classic rock song, particularly when the episode is important to the story arc. This was first done with the episode "Salvation", in which the entire season was recapped to Kansas's "Carry On Wayward Son".^[11] This continued with the second and third season finales.

The production team also created a "coming soon" sequence midway through Season Two, set to Nazareth's "Hair of the Dog".

Series creator Eric Kripke has stated that the series' storyline is planned out for five seasons, and that he hopes to end it there on a high note.^[12]

Alternative platforms

• Supernatural seasons were made available on iTunes beginning on December 5, 2006.^[13] In most cases, the episodes may be downloaded one day after they are aired. It is the first CW show available on iTunes.^{citation needed} A notable change for Season One episodes: some of the accompanying classic rock music selections have been changed from the original aired versions.

• The CW has also begun offering the four most recent full, streamed episodes directly from its website here. It is, however, only available to United States residents.

• Australia's Network Ten began offering full episodes for download via their website, through an exclusive deal with Warner Bros. Television in January 2006. It is the first U.S. television show available for free download in Australia. The episodes appear online soon after being televised, and are viewable for up to a month after download.

• In November 2006, Season Two episodes of Supernatural were made available for download on Microsoft's Xbox Live Marketplace for 160 Microsoft Points ($2) each. Similar to iTunes, the entire season up until the most recent episode has been made available.

Tie-ins

• The "Hellhounds Lair" website featured in the episode "Hell House" is a real website set up by the show's producers. In the episode "Tall Tales", the website Sam mentions his computer is stuck on is actually a link back to the Warner Brothers website.

• For a time, Dean's cell number was a real number, 1-866-907-3235, with Jensen Ackles reading the message: "This is Dean Winchester. If this is an emergency, leave a message. If you are calling about 11-2-83, page me with your coordinates."^[14]

• The episode "Tall Tales" centers on the tabloid newspaper Weekly World News. Both the print edition (dated February 19, 2007) and online Weekly World News feature an exclusive interview with both Sam and Dean as well as a spoiler-free sneak preview of the episode. In the article, written by Paul Kupperberg, Dean says he's been subscribing to the Weekly World News since the fourth grade.

• An official Season One guide was published on September 25, 2007, with an official Season Two guide to follow on April 8, 2008. An additional companion guide, The "Supernatural" Book of Monsters, Spirits, Demons, and Ghouls, by Alex Irvine, functions as a "Dad's Journal" for the viewer, giving additional background on creatures and mythology featured on the show.

• The official Supernatural magazine premiered on November 27, 2007, published by Titan Magazines. Six issues a year will contain cast and production crew interviews and behind the scenes features.

• In June of 2007, the winner of the CW and Promax "making the cut" competition was announced. The winning Supernatural promo can be viewed here.

In-continuity

• A prequel comic book, Supernatural: Origins, detailing the early lives of John, Sam, and Dean and how they became hunters has been published by Wildstorm, a company under the DC Comics umbrella. It began publication in May 2007. A second comic book began publication in April 2008 called Supernatural: Rising Son, also published by Wildstorm.

• Three Supernatural novels have been published.
  • Supernatural: Nevermore (July 31, 2007)
  • Supernatural: Witch's Canyon (October 30, 2007)
  • Supernatural: Bone Key (August 26, 2008)

• Supernatural Role Playing Game - A pen and paper roleplaying game (RPG) that is in production through Margaret Weis Productions, Ltd.^[15]

Ratings

Seasonal rankings (based on average total viewers per episode, including repeats except for season 3) of Supernatural on The WB and The CW.

Season one

With it first aired on September 13, 2005, Supernatural rated higher than 2004's One Tree Hill premiere in adults 18-34, adults 18-49 and total viewers (5.69 million). Supernatural attained the time period's highest adult 18-49 (2.5) rating for the WB in two years. The episode was #2 in its time period among persons 12-34 (2.5), men 18-34 (2.2) and men 12-34 (2.1), achieving gains over the time period season premiere of One Tree Hill in 2004. Supernatural improved over the WB's hit series among adults 18-34 (2.6, +4%), men 18-34 (2.2, +120%), adults 18-49 (2.5, +19%) and men 18-49 (2.1, +110%) as well as men 12-34 (2.1, +91%) and total viewers (5.69 million, +15%). On October 11, 2005, Supernatural scored its best ratings yet in persons 12-34 (2.6/7), women 18-34 (3.1/8), women 18-49 (2.9/7) and women 12-34 (3.4/9). The series also scored its best ratings yet in teens (3.0/9) and female teens (4.4/14). Supernatural also attracted its second largest audience to date (5.5 million), adults 18-34 (2.5/7), adults 18-49 (2.4/6) and men 18-49 (1.9/5). On January 31, 2006, the drama series achieved all-time ratings highs for the series in adults 18-34 (2.6/7), women 18-34 (3.3/8) adults 18-49 (2.6/6) as well as women 18-49 (3.1/7) and men 18-49 (2.1/5), households (3.8/6) and total viewers (5.82 million). On March 30, the show was moved from Tuesday to Thursday and suffered a ratings decline which many thought was due to the lead-in (from Gilmore Girls to Smallville) and competition (in fact the series aired against CSI: Crime Scene Investigation). On May 4, 2006, the first season finale achieved its best rating after the timeslot move and scored 3.99 million viewers and an estimated 3.0/5 households ratings.

Season two

The CW schedule was officially released on Thursday, May 18, 2006, confirming Supernatural's place in the program line-up, where it still airs on Thursdays, in the same timeslot, with the same lead-in, Smallville, and aired against Grey's Anatomy and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. Supernatural was the only new series from The WB's 2005-06 season that was renewed for a second season by The CW. The second season premiere aired on September 28, 2006 and earned an estimated 2.7/4 rating, out-performing 2005's premiere of Everwood Thursday at 9PM on The WB by 46% in adults 18-34 (1.9/5), 111% in men 18-34 (1.9/6), 19% in women 18-34 (1.9/4), 31% in adults 18-49 (1.7/4), 60% in men 18-49 (1.6/4) and 11% in viewers (3.9 million). On October 26, 2006, the show matched its season best in adults 18-49 (1.7/4) and women 18-49 (1.8/5), and held 90% of "Smallville's" women 18-34 (1.8/5 v. 2.0/6) audience and 100% of its women 18-49 (1.8/4 v. 1.8/5) audience and in total viewers (3.65 million and 2.8/4 households). On March 15, 2007, with guest-star Tricia Helfer (Battlestar Galactica), the show averaged its third largest audience of the season, earning 2.3/4 and 3.5 million in total viewers. The second season finale on May 11, 2007, averaged the worst ratings ever in adults 18-49 (1.2/3) and in total viewers (2.72 million).

Season three

The third season premiere aired on October 4, 2007, average only 2.97 million viewers and 2.0/3 households, 1.2/3 in adults 18-49 and 1.2/3 in persons 18-34. The special episode aired on November 1, 2007, ranked the best ratings for the third season in total vievers (3.24 million and 2.0/3 households), adults 18-49 (1.3/3) and persons 18-34 (1.4/4). That week, Supernatural was the third most-watched show on the CW and tie with a fresh episode of America's Next Top Model. On December 13, 2007, the CW aired the second special episode of the season and average a 2.0/3 rating in total viewers and 1.3/3 in persons 18-34. It was the fourth most-watched show on the CW that week. On January 31, 2008, after a one-month hiatus and with its first episode aired against Lost, it scored 2.94 million viewers and 1.8/3 household, 1.3/3 in adults 18-49 and 1.2/3 in adults 18-34. That week it was the third most watched show on the CW. On February 7, 2008, it ranked the lowest ratings in 3 years, and averaged only 2.68 million viewers, 1.1/3 in adults 18-49 and adults 18-34. Despite this, it was the fourth most-watched show of the week on the CW. On February 21, 2008, a 2-hour full night event of the series, averaged 2.90 million viewers from 8-10 pm. The fresh episode aired at 9pm, scored 3.23 million viewers; Supernatural rose to its second largest audience of the season, and best among adults 18-34 (1.4/4 rating), women 18-34 (1.4/4) and men 18-34 (1.5/4). It was the third most watched show overall, and the most-watched scripted drama show on the CW that week. On April 24, 2008, after a long post-strike hiatus, Supernatural had its lowest ratings in three years with only 2.217.000 viewers and 0.9/2 in adults 18-34 and it was the eighth most-watched show on the CW after all drama shows and reality shows such as America's Next Top Model, Girlicious and WWE Friday Night SmackDown. The season finale on May 15, 2008 pulled 3 million viewers and it was the 2nd most popular script drama show of the network.

International

Country	Local Title	Literal Translation	Network	Weekly Schedule
Argentina	Supernatural (Original Version) Sobrenatural (Spanish Version)		Warner Channel, Telefé	Warner Channel: Wednesday 10.00pm, Sunday 6.00pm Telefé: Monday-Friday 00:50am
Armenia	Գերբնական		Armenian Public Television	Monday-Thursday 11:30pm (Season 1 began June 15, 2008)
Australia	Supernatural.	-	Channel TEN	Season 3 finished
Belgium	Supernatural		VT4, Plug TV (French)	VT4: Wednesday 11:30pm Plug TV: Saturday 7:40pm
Brazil	Supernatural (Original version)\Sobrenatural (Portuguese Version)		Warner Channel and later SBT	Wednesday 10.00pm, Sunday 5.00pm
Bulgaria	Supernatural \ Свръхестествено		Nova Televizia	Tuesday and Thursday 8.00pm
Canada	Supernatural		Citytv & Space (English) Ztélé (French) The CW	Citytv: Thursday 9.00pm SPACE: Wednesday 10.00pm Z Télé: Wednesday 8.00pm The CW: Thursday 9.00pm
Chile	Supernatural		Warner Channel, RedTV	Saturday 4.00PM
Colombia	Supernatural		Warner Channel, CityTv	Warner Channel: Wednesday 9.00pm Citytv: Saturday - Sunday 7.00pm
Costa Rica	Supernatural		Warner Channel
Croatia	Lovci na natprirodno	Hunters of Supernatural	HRT	HRT2: Friday 12.00am
Czech Republic	Lovci duchů	Ghosts Hunters	Prima	Sunday 11:05 pm
Denmark	Supernatural		3+	Sunday
Dominican Republic	Sobrenatural	Supernatural	TeleAntillas	Weekends 6.00pm (repeats on some weekday evenings)
Dubai	Supernatural		Dubai One	Sunday-Thursday 8.00pm
Ecuador	Supernatural		Warner Channel
Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina	Supernatural - not airing any longer in Bosnia		OBN	Friday 9pm
Finland	Supernatural		Sub	Originally Monday 9pm Season 1 rerun Thursday 11pm
France	Supernatural		TF6, M6
Germany	Supernatural		Premiere, Pro7	Monday 8:15pm
Greece	Supernatural		Star Channel	Monday - Friday 1.00am
Hong Kong	狙魔人	Demon Hunter	TVB Pearl, AXN	Thursday 9:35pm, Tuesday 11.00pm
Hungary	Odaát	Out There / The Afterlife	RTL Klub	Friday 11.15pm
Iceland	Supernatural		Stöð 2 Extra
India	Supernatural		AXN (Season 3)	AXN: Tuesday 11.00pm, Wednesday 02.00am, Saturday 12.00am
Indonesia	Supernatural		Trans 7	Trans 7: Monday-Friday 08.30pm
Ireland	Supernatural		TV3	Saturday 11.50pm (starting from January 5th)
Israel	על טבעי	Supernatural	AXN, yes stars 2	AXN: Sunday 10.00pm yes: Monday 9:30pm
Italy	Supernatural		Rai Due FOX Steel	Tuesday 11.30pm - 2 episodes per week Saturdays night TBA
Japan	スーパーナチュラル	Supernatural	Nippon Television	Wednesday 01:56am
Jordan	Supernatural		One TV	Sunday-Thursday 8.00pm
Kuwait	Supernatural		One TV	Sunday-Thursday 8.00pm
Lebanon	Supernatural		One TV	Sunday-Thursday 8.00pm
Malaysia	Supernatural		TV3, AXN	AXN: Tuesday 10.00pm TV3: Sunday 10:00pm (Season 2)
U.A.E	Supernatural		One TV	Sunday-Thursday 8.00pm
Netherlands	Supernatural		NET 5	Sunday 10:30pm (starting July 6 2008)
New Zealand	Supernatural		TV2 (TVNZ)	Friday 8:30pm
Norway	Supernatural		TV Norge	Sunday 11:45pm
Mexico	Supernatural		Warner Channel,	Warner Channel: Wednesday 10.00pm
Pakistan	Supernatural		AXN (Season 3)	AXN: Tuesday 11.30pm, Wednesday 02.30am, Saturday 12.30am
Palestinian Authority	Supernatural		One TV	Sunday-Thursday 8.00pm
Panama	Supernatural		Warner Channel, RPC Channel 4
Peru	Supernatural		Warner Channel
Philippines	Supernatural		AXN AXN Beyond on Sky Cable	AXN: Tuesday 10pm, Wednesday 2am, Saturday 11pm, Sunday 4am
Poland	Nie z tego świata	Not from This World	TVN season 1 TVN Siedem season 2	TVN: Tuesday 11:45pm TVN Siedem: Thursday 8.00pm
Portugal	Sobrenatural	Supernatural	RTP2, AXN	RTP2: Thursday 10.40pm AXN: Monday 10.25pm
Romania	Supernatural: Aventuri in Lumea Intunericului	Supernatural: Adventures in the world of darkness	PRO TV	PRO TV: Monday-Thursday 12.15am
Russia	Сверхъестественное	Supernatural	REN TV	Sunday 8.00pm
Saudi Arabia	Supernatural		One TV	Sunday-Thursday 8.00pm
Serbia	Natprirodno	Supernatural	TV Avala	Thursday-Friday 8.00pm
Singapore	Supernatural		MediaCorp TV Channel 5, AXN	Friday 10.00pm, Tuesday 10pm
Slovakia	Hrozba z temnoty	Menace from darkness	Markíza	Saturday 11.25pm
South Africa	Supernatural		ActionX, SABC 3	Friday 10pm(SABC 3)
Spain	Sobrenatural	Supernatural	AXN, TVE	TV2: Thursdays 10pm
Sri Lanka	Supernatural		AXN (Season 3)	AXN: Tuesday 11.00pm, Wednesday 02.00am, Saturday 12.00am
Sweden	Supernatural		SVT	SVT24: Tuesday 10.30pm SVT2: Wednesday 12.45am
Syria	Supernatural		One TV	Sunday-Thursday 8.00pm
Taiwan	超自然檔案	Supernatural Files	AXN	Tuesday 09.00pm
Thailand	ล่าปริศนาเหนือโลก!	Supernatural	AXN
Turkey	Supernatural		TNT	Tuesday 08.00pm Wednesday 02.00am
Ukraine	Надприроднє		1+1 (first showing)	1+1: Friday 23.50pm
United Kingdom	Supernatural		ITV1 (repeats), ITV2 (first showing)	ITV Network: Friday 11.00pm ITV2: Sunday 9.00pm, Thursday 11.00pm
United States	Supernatural		The WB, The CW	The CW: Thursday 9:00pm
Venezuela	Supernatural		Warner Channel	Wednesday 10.00pm

DVD releases

*Available on region 1 and region 4 Collectors Edition releases only.

The first season box set came out in the U.S. on September 5, 2006. It includes all 22 episodes, cast/crew commentaries, deleted scenes, a gag reel and several featurettes. There is also a DVD-ROM "sneak peek" of the second season.^[16] Best Buy bundled an exclusive DVD of the Museum of Television and Radio's 2006 William S. Paley Festival Panel interviewing Kripke, Ackles, Padalecki, and several other producers, writers, and directors from the show.

Although the Season One DVD was released almost simultaneously in Australia, all extras were removed, though there were still many references to their existence inside the case. On October 2, 2007, a "Special Collectors Edition" was released with all the special features listed above returned to the set.

In the UK, "Season One - Part One" was released on May 22, 2006, followed by the release of "Season One - Part Two" on August 21, 2006; "Season Two - Part One" was released May 14, 2007 and "Season Two - Part Two" was released September 10, 2007, a Complete Season 2 Boxset is due out October 29, 2007

A boxset of Seasons One and Two was released on September 11, 2007 in region 1 and October 29, 2007 in region 2.

References

• Satan's Minions: Gamble, Edlund and Ackles

Notes

External links

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to:

Supernatural

• Official website at CWtv.com
• Supernatural at Yahoo! TV
• Supernatural at itv.com
• Supernatural.tv