I've been a deeply devoted fan of SPN since 2008. I was let down like most others after the series finale aired, so I came into this prequel optimistic but cautious. To say the least, the pilot exceeded my expectations. The plot is intriguing and a direct callback to the mothership's initial storyline, the characters are deliciously fleshed out (I cannot get enough of Carlos and Latika!), and the 70s aesthetic is SO fun. It's like having a live-action Scooby Doo with characters from another 'verse who are familiar to me, and with whom I identify. My heart also grew three sizes seeing Dean Winchester again. I didn't realize how healing it would be to have Jensen Ackles put on his Dean boots and sit in Baby and get us settled in for a brand new adventure. And the parallels and easter eggs! There were so many to choose from, which was a treat, but I also admired Robbie Thompson not saturating the entire episode in nostalgia bait (well, not the cheap kind). I think there was a beautiful balance of throwing us into an old world with a fresh, new perspective.
Drake Rodger and Meg Donnelly carry their responsibility with respect, you can tell. I easily viewed them as John and Mary from their initial introductions. Meg especially blew me away. She knew how to harness Sam Smith Mary's drive and Amy Gumenick Mary's vulnerability while adding her own Young Hunter Mary spin to it (and having a resemblance to the previous actresses -- it's uncanny). I can't wait to learn more about her burdens and how Dean-like she appears. Same goes for Drake, who somehow plays a remarkable blend of Jensen and Jared/Dean and Sam as he navigates the world of hunting. But I also see the Matt Cohen John charm and the JDM John darkness just below the surface. It's not blatant, but the seeds are being planted from the jump and that relieves me re: the direction John's character arc will go. And, of course, Carlos and Lata, who are so endearing and vibrant, and they feel like necessary assets to the group, which is very important! I commend the showrunner and producers for baking inclusivity into their series as well, which brings me to Ada and Millie. One of the mothership's shortcomings was its lack of not only characters of color but women in prominent roles that lasted for a substantial amount of time and weren't just side roles to support the leading white men. To have Ada be included as a kind of Rowena/Bobby (the highest of compliments) and Millie included as another pillar that represents the complicated Parent-Child dynamics on the show is very exciting to me! I already adored Demetria and Bianca's portrayals of these characters. I hope we get an enjoyable arc out of them both.
I will say that the pacing and dialogue got a bit clunky at times, but that's to be expected from a pilot. Despite this, the group's dynamics were very well established and the characters felt defined. We knew exactly what part every person played and the conflicts/developments that are on the horizon. I also didn't personally find the monster very exciting, mainly due to the appearance and execution of the monster itself. However, in hindsight, I think it was very 70s of the monster's aesthetic and thematically it was interesting. Other thriller/horror elements of the episode made up for it anyway. But all of that aside... I think the above is where my list of issues pretty much stops. The pilot was actually incredibly strong for a pilot! I just hope the rest of the series follows suit, but I know I'll be tagging along regardless. I missed this world. Huge thanks to Robbie, Danneel, and Jensen for bringing it back to me.
Drake Rodger and Meg Donnelly carry their responsibility with respect, you can tell. I easily viewed them as John and Mary from their initial introductions. Meg especially blew me away. She knew how to harness Sam Smith Mary's drive and Amy Gumenick Mary's vulnerability while adding her own Young Hunter Mary spin to it (and having a resemblance to the previous actresses -- it's uncanny). I can't wait to learn more about her burdens and how Dean-like she appears. Same goes for Drake, who somehow plays a remarkable blend of Jensen and Jared/Dean and Sam as he navigates the world of hunting. But I also see the Matt Cohen John charm and the JDM John darkness just below the surface. It's not blatant, but the seeds are being planted from the jump and that relieves me re: the direction John's character arc will go. And, of course, Carlos and Lata, who are so endearing and vibrant, and they feel like necessary assets to the group, which is very important! I commend the showrunner and producers for baking inclusivity into their series as well, which brings me to Ada and Millie. One of the mothership's shortcomings was its lack of not only characters of color but women in prominent roles that lasted for a substantial amount of time and weren't just side roles to support the leading white men. To have Ada be included as a kind of Rowena/Bobby (the highest of compliments) and Millie included as another pillar that represents the complicated Parent-Child dynamics on the show is very exciting to me! I already adored Demetria and Bianca's portrayals of these characters. I hope we get an enjoyable arc out of them both.
I will say that the pacing and dialogue got a bit clunky at times, but that's to be expected from a pilot. Despite this, the group's dynamics were very well established and the characters felt defined. We knew exactly what part every person played and the conflicts/developments that are on the horizon. I also didn't personally find the monster very exciting, mainly due to the appearance and execution of the monster itself. However, in hindsight, I think it was very 70s of the monster's aesthetic and thematically it was interesting. Other thriller/horror elements of the episode made up for it anyway. But all of that aside... I think the above is where my list of issues pretty much stops. The pilot was actually incredibly strong for a pilot! I just hope the rest of the series follows suit, but I know I'll be tagging along regardless. I missed this world. Huge thanks to Robbie, Danneel, and Jensen for bringing it back to me.