So it was with some trepidation that I sat down to watch the screener provided by Warner Bros for the first two episodes of Supernatural season 4, including the season opener Lazarus Rising. I was barely into the first five minutes of the episode when I realized that my trepidation had vanished and that I was on the edge of my seat watching a Supernatural episode that was of the same caliber of those ones from the first two seasons that first drew me into watching the series.
From the very first opening sequence of Dean Winchester (Jensen Ackles) waking up in his coffin and fighting his way out of the grave after having been fully restored to life by a mysterious force, to his reunion with his brother Sam Winchester (Jared Padalecki) it was very clear to me that the writers, producers, directors and actors had not only hit the mark well this time around with the premiere episode of season 4 of Supernatural, they had done so with nothing short of brilliance. The storyline of Lazarus Rising, written by series creator Eric Kripke is tightly woven and it crackles with energy and strength of storytelling. The main characters of Dean and Sam Winchester are, in turns, presented to us in a highly and comfortingly familiar manner and then in ways we have never seen them before. Dean, especially as he struggles to come to terms with being brought back from hell and not knowing who or why they did it, seems to unfold in layers and textured depth that to me was sorely missing in the season 3 premiere episode (and not for lack of Jensen Ackles trying to make it happen). It’s just clearly evident that the writers know what their direction is for this episode and their footing in creating it is much surer. Their willingness to go all the way to take chances with the characters is much more committed in my opinion than it was in the opening of season 3.
Jensen Ackles is on fire in this episode. And no I don’t mean hellfire, I mean that there seems to be, in my opinion a renewed passion in his work this season. Last season, as much as I really admire Ackles for his mastery of his craft as an actor, I felt that in season 3 there were more ‘misses’ in his performances than ‘hits’ than in the previous two seasons. But to be fair I also feel that the impending writer’s strike had more to do with that than anything. It just seemed to throw everything off kilter and out of step. But in Lazarus Rising one thing is very clear, Jensen Ackles is back in full swing and back in step as he more than rises to the challenges being presented to his character of Dean Winchester. It would appear that so far this season the combination of the writers, the director and Jensen Ackles have come together in perfect union to once more solidify Dean Winchester as one of the best and most intriguing characters on television today.
The one thing that really did stand out for me as viewer in season 3 of Supernatural was how much Jared Padalecki was starting to come into his own as an actor and how much more both he and the writers/directors were willing to take chances with the character of Sam Winchester. Willing to give us more physical comedy with him and let him be more than just ‘brooding Sam’. I was of the opinion that Jared Padalecki did some of his finest work in season 3 and I am happy to say that this ‘coming into his own’ as an actor is continuing to progress into season 4. As with Dean, Sam is also gaining ground in development twists and turns as he deals with first being by himself and thinking his brother is going to be gone for a long time, possibly forever and then suddenly dealing with Dean’s sudden and miraculous return to life: both his own and back into Sam’s.
Ackles and Padalecki are full on in sync and together they make the emotional twists and turns of Sam and Dean’s reunion one helluva good ride for the audience as the brothers go from heartfelt reconnection with each other, to confrontation and back to reconnection, all under the watchful eye of good friend and fellow hunter Bobby Singer (played to perfection as always by the very talented Jim Beaver who is entering his 3rd season as an ongoing, and so far surviving, recurring character). This is another excellent thing about Lazarus Rising, it gives us the viewing audience more insight into the bond between the Winchester brothers and Bobby Singer.
Overall, Lazarus Rising moves along at a brisk clip and while it has solid and satisfying emotional moments between Sam and Dean Winchester, it doesn’t get bogged down in them or bogged down in too much angst and nor does it get too ‘talky’. There is the right blend and balance of action and exposition going on – something else that was sometimes missing in season 3. The writers and creator Eric Kripke continue on with the myth arc of the demon war and what it means to Sam Winchester and at the same time bring us a whole new set of characters and players in the mix –each with their own agenda and complication for the Winchester brothers. The casting of these new players and characters are, for the most part exceedingly well chosen, especially Traci Dinwiddie. Though unfortunately, for me the jury is still out on the casting of Genevieve Cortese. However having recently seen her work in the indie film ‘Death Valley’ I am holding out hope she will get better as the season progresses.
While there are three things that I have issues with regarding some events and changes that happen in Lazarus Rising that because they all deal with aspects of spoilers that the revelation of which could cause me to be hunted down by Eric Kripke and forced to take Dean’s place in hell I can’t go into them here overall I was really pleased with the episode.
Oh heck what am I saying, I was completely blown away by how incredible it was. The episode had everything a fan/viewer could possibly want in an episode of Supernatural and it was presented in a well-written, well director and well acted package. Unlike the opening episode of Supernatural season 3, which left me with serious doubts about wanting to continue on as a viewer, the premiere episode of Supernatural season 4 left me sitting on the edge of my seat wanting more, needing to see more. Thankfully the screener disk also included the second episode, ‘Are you There God, It’s me Dean Winchester’ and I can’t wait to give you my review on this one (it might just seriously step into place as my all time favorite episode of Supernatural).
Check out at sneak peek teaser of Lazarus Rising and tune into the CW Network on Thursday September 18th at 9PM EST to catch the season premiere of Supernatural season 4 starring Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles.
Grade= B+