Supernatural Afterlife

The question is, can the Winchester brothers survive season 6 without creator Eric Kripke at the helm?

The first episode is a little too disjointed to offer a clear answer. Series creators do like to write up a flamboyant farewell, leaving those who come after with the uncomfortable task of bringing the protagonists back from unfamiliar terrain (ie Gilmore Girls).

Kripke's also been at pains to point out he's still involved with the project, so he probably had a solid amount of input here. I'm guessing this episode should really be viewed more as a transitional bridge, rather than a clear-cut example of any new direction.

Sure, Dean's come back from hell before, but this time he has to come back from suburbia. Promotional stills for the episode showed Dean looking worryingly cleancut, prompting nervous comments from perceptive fans: "Why is Dean's shirt tucked in? Dean would never tuck his shirt in!".

A year has passed since the Winchester brothers stopped the Apocalypse. (Admittedly, they did accidentally start it. Let's just say the road to hell really is paved with good intentions). Sam was left in said hell, after poignantly instructing Dean to live a normal life with his long lost love.

The opening scenes of the season, a montage of Dean being 'normal', makes for the scariest footage I've ever seen on this show. The character just DOES NOT live like that. It was more heartbreaking than the idea of Sammy being tortured in hell; a more insiduous unhappiness, disguised as (supposed) homeliness.

The cleancut imagery was broken up with visual hints Dean isn't as relaxed as he appears. (Well, he seems more like an automaton than anything else). Weapons under the bed suggest even Dean knows summer break can't last.

Suddenly, Sam shows up, resurrected a la Buffy season six. When Dean realises he's been suffering the torment of his little brother's loss for no reason, boy, is he not happy. Even Bobby's in on the knowledge Sam's alive. The episode goes on to kick supernatural butt, then concludes with the problem of Dean's two-dimensional woman Lisa and her token son Ben.

In good conscience, Dean can't leave in case any creatures follow his trail to them, something that's going to have to be concluded in the next few episodes. At the moment Lisa and Ben are storyline deadweights, left over from last season's 'happy ending'. Any writer worth his salt knows the only way to sequel a happy ending is to break that happiness into pieces...

Mitch Pileggi joins the cast this season. Yep, Grandpa Campbell's back. (His character was previously killed while possessed by the yellow eyed demon Azazel, an earlier nemesis of the Winchester brothers, in a time-travel-to-the-past episode. Convoluted, much?).

Based on this episode, Pileggi plays a similar character to the one he played in Stargate: Atlantis. A gruff, middle-aged 'goodie' whose actions give the occasional impression he might be a 'baddie'. Those American networks sure do love to typecast.

Grandpa Campbell's return gives the Winchester brothers some family dynamics to work through, especially since he's brought a few long lost relatives along for the ride. His dialogue also offers hints as to the season's story arc. Apparently, the supernatural world's partying like it's 1999:

Samuel: Nocturnals attacking in broad daylight, werewolves out on a half-moon, creatures that we've never even seen before, we don't even know what they are...

Supernatural, Season 6, Episode 1.

As a longtime fan/first-time caller, I'm just glad the Winchesters are back. Even the Impala's waiting in the wings (or should I say the garage). Best of all, Mischa Collins is still set to appear this season as the gorgeous, troubled angel Castiel. The show is now helmed by Sera Gamble, who was already a producer and writer for Supernatural, so it's still the same team, mostly. In summary, it's all good.