Supernatural: Season 05 (2010)

Supernatural: Season 05 (2010)

22 episodes, approx 42 mins each.

It's advisable to skip the recaps that precede each episode of Supernatural because the footage used is more often than not a spoiler for which character(s) will appear, which ruins any carefully plotted surprise reveal that may be present, but given that it's been five years since I finished Season 04, it was a necessary evil that I watch them... and yes, it spoiled the surprise almost every time.

The theme for Season 05 is Apocalypse, which follows on from how the previous year ended. In context, that relates mostly to the prophecies of the 'end times' that have been divined from the Revelations part of the Christian Bible; i.e., the non-boring chapter. If Sam and Dean can't put a stop to the coming storm, the world will go all to hell.

Likewise, if they can't each come to terms with personal demons and actions taken in respect to that, then their relationship may follow suit – but I suppose that's been true from the series' beginning, in some form or other. In a general sense, Season 05's inner-struggles take the form of a large guilt complex on one side, and an effort to find forgiveness and re-establish trust on the other. Life's never dull for a Winchester.

The archangels, meanwhile, have plans of their own, including the John Constantine-esque Castiel (Misha Collins), who gets preoccupied by an undertaking that he deems most important.

Episodes 01-04 are heavy with story arc stuff, laying down much of the groundwork for the varying conflicts that follow, be they personal or professional in nature. Some standalone episodes come thereafter, some of which draw from other genres; e.g., mystery, comedy, etc. Some of them are good, but some are forgettable and screw up the pacing quite a bit.

Alongside the immense weight of consequences put upon the brothers by the machinations of both Heaven and Hell are situations that strike directly at their emotional core, and by extension that of the viewers, too. No spoilers, but Ep 10: Abandon All Hope is very much in that ballpark. The feelings I was left with after it ended are affecting me again now, just thinking about it.

Overall, the standalones are a mixed bag and the main story arc can sometimes feel a little protracted, but when it's good it's really fuggin' good. Alas, S05 is the last season to have series creator Eric Kripke as showrunner. His replacement for S06 was Sera Gamble.

⊲  SEASON 04  ☆  SEASON 06  ⊳