On the shape of this season, and how it compares to the same point as seasons 1 & 2..
Humor: Dorian can certainly attest I am not a big fan of "humor episodes". I much more prefer the humor to be just the banter between the guys and not really a part of the plot.
But Bad Day at Black Rock and this week's Mystery Spot, where the first humor episodes that really worked for me, with the characters staying in character for almost the full episode (one comment later about that).
And while the caricature of Dean early in the season was annoying, it was absolutely necessary for telling the story and not just lazy writing. The writers wanted to portray him as he was in the first 8 or so episodes of season one (the huge flirt, the huge horn dog, the laugh at danger, where nothing gets to him). All as a way to hide his own fears and to show Sam that he was ok and didn't need to save him.
It wasn't intended to be funny, he was supposed to be off, trying to hard.
Now you can certainly argue that Magnificent Seven wasn't a good episode (it really suffered from not being long enough to truly delve into both the bad guys and what is happening to the guys. And as such all three aspects suffered.
The new cast members.
Ruby: Well this character perfectly fits the universe and so far the story unfolding. She has been used sparingly and her presence in the episodes hasn't detracted from the stories being told. I think the actress could improve, but she isn't (in my opinion) any worse then the actress who played Meg (who I only think did a good job in her two last episodes).
Bela: It's funny, I think the actress has done the better job. I think much of her dialogue is very sharp. But I don't care for how much time she has been in episode (It certainly didn't help with her being the focus of the worst episode of the season, Red Sky at morning, even the writers think it was a huge failure). Nor do I think the guys become idiots when she is around. I have no problem with them getting out conned on occasion. I like for example in this weeks' episode she gave a legitimate reasons to be around and it showed the boys being careful around her.
But, and this is huge. With these characters of Dean and Sam, they would have never dealt with her again after her first appearance.
She shot Sam, in a situation where even setting down on a bed could be lethal. She knowingly stole a relic needed to keep Sam (and for that matter Dean) alive.
Dean would never, NEVER, allow Sam around someone who would be so cavalier with Sam's life. Ever...
The fact that she then sells them out to Gordon (without even warning them). Nope never, ever going to happen. Sam gets sold out at the roadhouse, and they never, ever go there again. They keep in contact with Ellen, but that is it.
Now to make it even worse, She has stolen something Dean feels is necessary to help keep Sam save from the demons who want him dead (especially since he won't be there to help). And Sam thinks he needs it to help save Dean.
Both of them are perfectly willing to kill to protect each other.
And the fact that we haven't yet seen them treat this as a truly serious situation (as of yet), really, really hurts the tone of the episodes she is in.
Now it is quite possible that they are going to delve deeper into this and treat it more seriously. But they should have in her 2nd appearance at the latest.
Atmosphere: Here is something that I felt season two really did much better then either of the other two seasons. From larger canvases to tell stories, to a darker tone for shooting scenes. This season the producers changed how they lensed the show, using sharper and more vibrant color palette for normal scenes and keeping the darker parts for the darker aspects of the show. I am still not convinced that this was a wise move. The show has also used smaller locations and sets (much more like season one). This is probably due to budget, I would assume. But I do have to give props for some very cheap but effective work in Dream a Little Dream (the forest painted Hotel corridor for example). The only thing that seems to have improved is the setup and productions of some of the gorier scenes.
Casting: Season one had some god awful casting. Luckily season 2 really, really improved on this. This season I think we have fallen a little backwards, but still far above season one.
Character Work: This is something that has improved each season. The actors and writers really seem to get the two leads and their connection to each other. I can't think of another show that I really feel the characters as much. Truly the absolute best thing this show does.
Acting: Easily season one was the worst. And while Season two had great acting, Jared goes through a couple episodes where he was drugged up on pain killers and it really hurt him (especially in his confrontation with Dean in Children Shouldn't Play with Dead things). Season three has been fairly strong, though I have had a few problems with Jensen playing Dean, when Dean is over compensating. I know he was supposed to be shown as trying to hard for funning, but it still bothered me in a couple scenes. But his normally strong performance, and the increase ability of Jared still make this season my favorite on the leads acting to date.
Now of course, everyone will see episodes in a different way, and like (or dislike) different aspects. But that is how I see each of the seasons to date. Both with highs and lows. And for the most part, I find this season to date is superior to season one, and its close to season two.
On how they mirror the A plot to the boys story. Which is what good story telling does. Season 1 was easily the worst at this point. Season two was a vast improvement, and I think season three has been the strongest.
Now this doesn't mean the final product is a good story. Take Bugs. They nicely tied the father/Son dynamic to Sam and John. But the whole episode is crap, besides the scenes between Sam & Dean talking about Dad.
Unfortunately for us, usually the mid point of the season to the end features some of the stronger elements of the show. And the writer's strike is going to seriously hurt this. Not only does it hit episodes that had to be rushed into production without as much polish as they would like, but it will also forces the writing staff back together after a long break. Not only are the going to have to try and churn out the scripts as fast as possible, but they are going to have to decide how to use the last 4 episodes they have. Do they go with what would have been planned. Or do they go all stand alone's, or do they try and build to some conclusion to hold us over to next season. Or do the completely rush to the end (of what they planned for season 3 (which according to Kripke isn't going to happen). They are going ot have to deal with a shorter Pilot season (so more actors will be pursuing pilot work and not as available for guest rolls). We will have cast and film crews having to rush the production side of things and hoping that they fall back into the grove.
So I will be very curious how the final four episodes come out. Not only in story content, but final product. And not just for this show, but for all shows, especially those with serial type story telling.
). She wanted a lighter tone as well. Now, she's very likely on the way out for next year. The higher ups are extremely unhappy with Ostroff. I strongly suspect that SN will return to its darker, sepia toned, less comedic on the whole tone next season when Ostroff is gone. She really stuck her nose in this year and she is not well liked. Listen to the commentary for "What is and What Should Never Be" from last year. The writers keep saying how "the network" wanted a sex scene here and there between Dean and the alternate universe girlfriend and they're laughing and saying throughout the commentary,"More boobs, more boobs, the network wants more boobs."
