CW’s "Supernatural" Takes on "The Mentalists:" A Television Review

Director: Mike Rohl.

Writers: Ben Acker and Ben Blacker.

Quite honestly, the "Supernatural" episode, “The Mentalists” should have been the episode leading up to Halloween weekend than “Slash Fiction.” This little ghostly tale has everything that is appropriate for the season—poltergeists, angry spirits, and fiery deaths—to make All Hallow’s Eve just a little bit spookier.

When the Winchester’s relationship is put into question, whatever lasting animosity exists does get patched up as the two work together to solve a series of strange deaths going on in the town of Lily Dale. This location is the hometown of the Fox sisters, who began the Spiritualist Movement. The bureaucracy in this sleepy side township decided to make an industry out of this fact.

As a result, there is nearly a medium on every block. The most prominent of these figures are being knocked off. And when this makes the headlines, Sam and Dean arrive to investigate this mystery after being apart for a little over ten days. Their chance encounter in a diner has enough emotional energy for any nearby psychic to easily pick up on and in what happens at the end of the episode, the reunion is inevitable.

In fact, it has been preordained. Writers Ben Acker and Ben Blacker provide for some quality comparisons of the Winchesters with other famous psychic couples. The museum curator pretty much summarizes how a few of the groups worked. “That never ended well for the siblings; the strain of working together, maybe just being around each other all their lives—those two were the exception, the Campbells,” revealed the curator.

According to Dean, sibling acts are tough. ”We are like poster kids of functional family life when compared to them,” was his retort at the episode’s end.

Kate may very well be like Sam, and Margaret might be like Dean. Although the museum curator revealed that although Kate was a troubled soul, she had the charisma to make people take notice. But the best line is in what defines "Supernatural:" “Sometimes one’s true gift is in taking care of others.”

Through thick and thin, the Winchesters have taken on a lot and they have managed to keep each other alive. Although the resolution about Sam’s feelings about Dean killing Amy is too quick, at least Sam has an idea after his own shootout and killing of the bad guy of the week. The emotional baggage Sam harbours is still going to exist. Just how that will figure later on will not be as important when the story arc returns to focusing on the big bad guy.

"Supernatural" at the CW:

Supernatural Details at the CW

| | |

Advertise Here - Contact me Michael Allen at 28DLA

Subscribe to 28 Days Later: An Analysis Email Subscription

Posted in: 2011,dean winchester,ghosts,paranormal,psychic,sam winchester,supernatural,supernatural television review,television review