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Showing reviews 1-5 of 21
 Lackluster effort, but still worth it for hardcore fans July 30, 2010
S. Golden
Warning: Spoilers ahead!
Supernatural is a very fun and entertaining show, but viewers who wanted a solid follow up to the exciting apocalyptic storyline in season four will be sadly disappointed. Instead, prepare for sub-par character development and truly terrible pacing.
The season wasted several "light" comedy episodes in the middle of its running that offer little to no development (this viewer holds that 5x05, 5x06, 5x07, and definitely 5x09 could have been trimmed without any problems for the audience) whereas the final plot is introduced and rushed through within the final three and a half episodes. For what is meant to be the zenith moment of a five year arc, the finale is plodding and poorly constructed, with one of the most anti-climatic resolutions to an apocalypse that can be imagined. New characters Michael and Lucifer were decided let downs, both of whom offer little to the series aside from yet another paid of whiny schmucks with daddy issues.
Sam and Dean's characterization waver depending on the episode and which one of them is meant to learn a Very Important Lesson. If you're a fan of Castiel, then you've my pity for he was almost painfully underused. If you expected that Sam would grow as a character and not revert back to bad habits, prepare to be disappointed as he randomly begins to drink demon blood again in the finale (albeit this time supported by Dean, Castiel, and Bobby in an equally disappointing turn of characterization for them). Likewise, if you had liked the idea that Dean would play any role of importance in the mytharc, please let go of those hopes now. The pre-season spoilers about Dean being a leader and the foreshadowing about his role in the mytharc given last year have been solidly renounced. If you like Dean being beaten up, angsty, and worried about Sam, you should be happy. Otherwise, you may find yourself getting frustrated as the season progresses.
All complaints aside, the season does have some highlights. 5x04's The End is a fantastic episode (albeit one that would have been improved if Sam been able to tag along) and it was a definite pleasure to see such favorites as Jo, Ellen, Anna, Uriel, Meg, Zachariah, John, and Mary again. Sadly, in most of these cases, their appearances were one-offs. The acting remains solid, as always.
The season could have been vastly improved by some consistency between episodes and generally better pacing. I sincerely hope that the writers tone down the fratboy humor and return to a more subtle approach in season six. Distancing themselves from the meta-humor would also be highly appreciated, as would a hesitation in killing off yet more female characters. This season saw the deaths of three women - the only three women still living who had appeared in more than one episode prior to season five outside of Meg, who herself is almost criminally underused at a mere two appearances.
All in all, it was a definite let down after the truly amazing season four. Still, fans who love Sam and Dean above all else and who aren't as inclined to look at the little details will probably walk away satisfied.
 The boys take on heaven and hell...again July 17, 2010
L. Michel (USA)
Well, I didn't think that the show could ever improve upon their last season, which went out with a bang, and left me--along with the rest of the fans--hanging. But, in true Kripke fashion, the new season did not disappoint. If anything, it heightened the tension and increased the stakes introduced from the last, exploring an unquestionably controversial topic and providing innovative twists and turns on age-old mythologies.
And of course, I can't say enough about the acting in this show. It pulls you everywhere from despair to laugh-aloud humor, to hope, and back again. I can't get enough of these brothers and a certain angel over their shoulders.
If you're already a fan of the series, this new season will enthrall you as much as the last season did. And, IMO, it is definitely worth it to own the box sets. I gain a lot of mileage out of them, watching my favorite episodes over again, and of course the extra features, which are always interesting.
I can only hope that the sixth season will be as impressive as its predecessor.
 Hit and miss season, great finale July 13, 2010
M. Price
As a long time fan of the show, i expected big things with Season 5. It definitely did not meet expectations, with four ho-hum mid season episodes that felt as if the writers were padding. Some fans have pointed out that Lucifer had far too little screen time and they're right. But once the season came into the final stretch, it regained its footing, picked up steam and featured some of the best moments of the past five years. I'm hoping that another viewing of the season on DVD will soften my objections.
A Bittersweet Season July 7, 2010
portmanwhisper11
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Season 5 may be the best season of Supernatural yet. It was well done, well acted, well written, and well executed, but it did have a few major faults (spoilers for seasons 1-4). In season four, Ruby and Castiel were used as the two opposing pillars, one was with Sam and one was with Dean. At the end of season 4, Ruby was written off, however unfortunately, Castiel wasn't. While Castiel may be one of the best characters ever made on this show, his constant presence makes it impossible for Sam and Dean to resolve their many issues that have been around since season three, leaving the main relationship to fall more between Dean and Cass, then Dean and Sam. The brotherly plot is the point of this show, so that made it not as enjoyable to watch. This season is full of guest stars, and while some are beautifully intertwined, some fall short. Ellen, Jo, Ash and Pamela are all given an epic and perfect appearance that brings closure, tears, laughter and everything in between. Meg the Demon is brought back in another body, for no apparent reason, just disappearing after a few episodes. And Anna is brought back less to forward the story, and more to find a way to write her off of the series for a while. Possibly the most thankful reappearance is of Sam and Dean's third brother, Adam, who's creation seemed to have no point until now. Of course there are reoccurring visits from Bobby and Chuck. Some episodes make sense, and some feel random. And with Supernatural being renewed for a sixth season, the plot that was supposed to end during the finale of season five is stretched out-- perhaps the worst part of this season. Instead of a tidy wrap up in the end, and moving on from what has become a very dark, very emotional and sometimes depressing show, the creators have decided to extend the darkness, making many viewers wish and pray for just the good old days, when Sam and Dean fought another monster every episode, fell for girls and left them, and had the beautiful brotherly love that made this show great. I guess you can't always get what you want.
Never Fails To Impress!!!! June 10, 2010
T. Betts (Sanford, Florida United States)
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
A great season and I can't wait for it to come out on DVD!!! I jumped, laughed, and cried my way through every episode of Season 5.
As a latecomer to the Supernatural fan base, I wonder how I could have missed this incredible series for so many years. I discovered it more than midway thru Season 5 when I happened to catch a re-run from Season 1 on TNT and had to see more. Love that Amazon had the first four Seasons at a great price and I purchased all four at once. Watched it from the very beginning and I have loved every episode. Thanks to the internet, I was able to see all that I had missed of Season 5 and catch up to the episodes that were currently airing. As a fan of the XFiles and older series like Twilight Zone and Nightstalker (in reruns), this was heaven for me. I am also a huge fan of Stephen King and this series seems to follow his pattern of making you love the characters and then killing them off (and sometimes bringing them back). But I guess you have to expect that from the Apocalypse. Monsters of the week, angels and demons, Lucifer walking the Earth, family and heartache, and so much more that make for thought provoking entertainment. I am more than thrilled there will be a Season 6 and hopefully many more. It makes me want to take a road trip a la Dean and Sam!!! :)
As for the cast - Jensen Ackles is a subtly impressive actor and truly easy on the eyes - I hope his talent is recognized and appreciated and that we see him for years to come. Jared Padalecki, Jim Beaver, and Misha Collins round out a great cast that never fails to please. I never tire of re-watching past episodes over and over and over. :) I would recommend this series highly!!! And not just for the sci-fi fans - I think its appeal reaches much further.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 21
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