Supernatural 8

Dean and Sam Winchester's quests against the evil reach new lengths.

It's the final fight between good and evil; a face off that many believe to be the final chapter in a saga spanning 7 seasons. “Supernatural” is back and this time its grittier, grimier and darker than any other season before.

Season 8 picks off where Season 7 left us, without skipping a beat. Dean Winchester (Jensen Ackles) has finally fought himself out of Purgatory, a punishment resulting from exploding the most powerful Leviathan of all time. His brother, Sam Winchester (Jared Padalecki), lost without his partner in crime, goes back to the normal life he always wanted. But as expected, the brothers unite once again where hugs are exchanged and everything goes back to normal. Except, it never truly does.

Dean's days in Purgatory and his escape are all recounted in flashbacks, helping to progress the show without being mired in reminiscence. What season 8 does really, from the get go, is prepare the fans for life after “Supernatural”. From the very first episode, a sense of premature death emanates in every scene. Director Eric Kripke, in no uncertain terms, informs the audience that one of the two brothers will not be making out of their lifestyle alive. Those that have followed the previous seasons can't help but remember Dean's mantra; “Live by the gun and die by the gun”. Sam's love for the simpler life and the fact that he still has connections in the normal world, make him the prime candidate for coming out of the whole thing alive. But again, the show spins this very obviousness on its head.

The premise for season 8 isn't complicated, at least on the surface. Yet, there are underlying messages and subliminal hints strewn about. Dean's return from Purgatory make him a harder person and a more seasoned warrior than Sam can ever hope to be. He is also haunted by the memories of his time there, making him seem like a war veteran of sorts. Plus, Sam's unwillingness to look for Dean, not only hurt the older brother but creates a thick tension throughout. Again, as the season progresses, the character build-up comes to the fore.

Where Dean continues to be a hardcore fighter, the Winchester brothers' past as “men of letters” inspires Sam to continue the fight on a more academic level, as he begins to learn more about rituals, magic spells and methods of operation. Their combination, thus improves, and prepares them with their final fight with the baddest demon of them all, Crowley.

Season 8 has a lot of things going on and thus is a must watch for all “Supernatural” fans. This may just be the last season we see the Winchester brothers together. The plot is tied together tight and the recurrence of familiar characters throughout makes the dreaded a reality; this may be the end.

“Supernatual” season 8 is shown on AXN every Sunday at 9:30pm.