What's it about?
Dean lives with Lisa and her son Ben, and has given up hunting for a year after Sam left. Mysterious occurrances appear in Dean's neighbourhood and he is forced back into the world of the supernatural. Sam rescues Dean and reveals he escaped from Hell around the time Dean starting living with Lisa, and introduces Dean to family members he never even knew existed: the Campbells; his mother’s cousins, hunters lead by none other than their Grandfather Samuel. Dean leaves Lisa and Ben with Bobby so he and Sam can kill the Djinn tormenting the people close to Dean. In the end Dean decides to live with Lisa and Ben and tells Sam to visit.
What we saw
One year on: Dean has settled in to a normal life and has no idea that Sam came back from hell almost as soon as he dropped in. Castiel is MIA in heaven dealing with the aftermath of the season 5 finale and our demon hunting family has grown to encompass the Campbells.
Review
I for one never expected there to be a season 6 of 'Supernatural' as we all knew that creator Eric Kripke had a 5 year plan for the show and you couldn't be blamed for feeling that season 5 was very much geared up be the last season. But here we are, back again and I'm very happy about it.
Upon confirmation that there would be a season 6 I was apprehensive of how the show could continue beyond the apocalypse as it seemed like a perfect way to end the show even if it was on a bittersweet note - fans of 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' who lost faith in the show post-season 5 will identify with this apprehension. But new show runner Sera Gamble has pulled of a miracle and continued this show in both a natural and exciting way.
Firstly I want to note that this doesn't feel like a new show. There are the usual differences between seasons: new logo; beginning of a new story line etc... but at no point did I feel I was watching a show with new first lady in charge.
Obviously one of the big mysteries of the season will be who brought Sam back from hell and why, but there are clearly plans for further develop the mythology of the show through the exploration of a different side of the brothers family.
In this episode we are reintroduced to Sam and Dean's grandfather, played by Mitch Pileggi, and have our first meeting with their cousins. Although we have had previous dealings with the Campbell family in time travel episodes this is the first time we're getting to explore a different side to the family, the side that was originally raised as hunters.
After years of chasing after John Winchester and living by his rules it's time for a new family to govern the playing field of 'Supernatural' although it is worth noting that for the first time in a long time we saw John's journal in this episode.
All of the stalwart elements of the show that fans are used to still remain: Bobby, the car, the guns and the girls but the show has a new vigor and a new angle at which to attack the genre. The roles of the brothers have become switched and for the early part of the season we will see Dean to the be the reluctant hunter instead of Sam.
You couldn't be faulted for saying that the changes in character are just an attempt by the writers to restart the show and keep it fresh and interesting and I am sure that is a part of it but it doesn't feel that way. All the events which take place in this episode, all the new character motivations and changes, feel as though they are born from the stories which have come before them and don't ruin the enjoyment of the show.
The relationship between the brothers one year on from the events of the previous finale is clearly going to be the most compelling story point for the at least the beginning of the season but that is something which this show has always done well: balance the interpersonal relationships with the kick-ass demon hunting and the promise of a return to a more season 1 like structure could prove to be a great move for the writers if they want to continue into a seventh season.
The demons in the episode, the Djinn, almost play second fiddle to the reunited brothers and any animosity between them for the time spent apart but they are well executed in their scenes and the special effects are subtle and considerably well executed compared to some earlier episodes.
I'm glad to have 'Supernatural' back and glad to see that this is not an unnecessary continuation to a show which could have ended with its previous season.
Next week...
Sam investigates a case about missing babies whose parents are being murdered. At one of the crime scenes, he discovers a baby that was left behind and calls Dean for help. Reluctant to leave Lisa (guest star Cindy Sampson) and Ben (guest star Nicholas Elia), Dean finally agrees to meet Sam and surprises his brother with how parental he has become. The brothers take the baby to Samuel, who decides to raise it as a hunter, which infuriates Dean. However, before they can decide the baby's future, a shape-shifter breaks in and attempts to kidnap the baby.
Overall
Story 4.0
Character 4.0
Scares 3.0
Overall 3.5
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