TV: “Supernatural” Finds the Right Mix in “Hell House”
By stephanie - Saturday, April 1st, 2006
Thursday’s episode of “Supernatural” once again demonstrated why this show should become a classic in the liturgy of sci-fi/horror shows.
Sam and Dean come to a small town where, legend has it, the ghost of a 1930s farmer, Mortici, hangs girls in the root cellar of a creepy abandoned house. They’re not sure if the story is just another urban legend, so they are about ready to leave when a teenage girl is found hanging in the house.
It turns out that the ghost is really a “tulpa,” a thoughtform created from thousands of people reading the urban legend on the “Hell House” website, run by two local geeks who fancy themselves paranormal investigators.
Sam and Dean’s ensuing interactions with these bumbling morons are quite hilarious, and in the meanwhile, Mortici the Tulpa/Ghost gets scarier and scarier.
But what really sets this show apart is its sense of style and internal irony. Sam and Dean drive around in a stark black and chrome 70s muscle car, complete with power rock playing. Instead of the usual overly produced pop music you’ll often hear on the WB, the “Supernatural” soundtrack is replete with hard rock classics from the likes of Deep Purple.
One of the things that amused me the most in the last episode was a subplot about a symbol on the wall in the “Hell House.” Dean kept commenting that the symbol looked strangely familiar. It was driving him nuts. Well, halfway through the episode, the symbol was driving me nuts too, since I also knew it from somewhere, but couldn’t quite put my finger on it.
Turns out the symbol was the logo for Blue Oyster Cult, one of the 70s rock bands you’ll hear regularly on the “Supernatural” soundtrack. “Don’t Fear the Reaper” – of course.
It’s mature, hip details like this that give “Supernatural” an edge that elevates what could have been teeny-bopper pablum into one of the coolest shows ever made in the genre.
April 2nd, 2006 at 10:36 am
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April 2nd, 2006 at 10:41 am
Supernatural is a tremendous show! Ever watch Richard Hatem’s Miracles? This show has the perfect combo of that plus X-Files. I’d have to say that this is probably my fav new show of the season and last weeks episode was one of the best yet…(loved the BOC symbol reference).
By the way…I visit your site daily so I went ahead and linked it to my site: http://www.flexfiles.blogspot.com
April 9th, 2006 at 10:49 am
And how about when Sam stepped out of the shower…. Holy Hottie! lol
But yeah, I agree. Supernatural is such a fabulous blend of sci, horror, humor and mystery. I look forward to it. Gosh, that sounds pathetic!