My Latest Guilty Pleasure

I'm going to just come out and say it. I watch Supernatural, and I enjoy it immensely, and if that makes me a lesser person, then so be it. Phew. That wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be.

Supernatural is the perfect middlebrow meshing of WB pretty boys and The X-Files. It's even produced and directed by X-Files vets. The show is actually scary most of the time, and the effects are decent. One of the things that makes it resonate more than it would otherwise is that they tackle those urban legends and ghost stories we all heard and maybe even feared growing up, putting their own twist on it. The writing can get a little clunky during some of the supernatural expositions, but the humor and heart shine through.

The soundtrack features awesome and potentially meaningful classic rock anthems, which is such a welcome change in these days of corporate-sanctioned alt-rock new music samplers. The boys drive a kickass muscle car. And the ridiculous fake IDs and outfits they use to do research and worm their way into guarded locations is pretty hilarious to watch. There's nothing better than seeing them pretend to be police officers, priests, CDC representatives, Homeland Security agents, etc. with their goofy boy band hairstyles intact.

The boys have fantastic chemistry. Sure, Jared Padelecki is sometimes whiny and annoying, but he's still got a lot of credit to burn for playing Cute Dean on Gilmore Girls. Jensen Ackles has had hearts fluttering for years, but I have just discovered him. He just seems to be having fun, making fun of Jared constantly. He's good-looking, knows how to sell ridiculous lines, can hold a weapon like a pro, and is very funny. I see now what the fuss was all about. And on top of those two cuties, their dad is played by Jeffrey Dean Morgan, the gorgeous and gruff sweetheart who has a side gig on Grey's Anatomy as sweetheart patient Denny. He's delicious. It's ridiculous that he's playing the father of guys 10 years younger than him, but they gruff him up pretty well. He also drives a scary muscle truck, which looks like it gave birth to the boys' baby Impala. It's so cute when they are driving in a caravan together!

How can you not love a show described thusly:

Bound by tragedy and blood to their dangerous, other-worldly mission, the brothers travel from the Colorado wilderness to Nebraska farmlands and on to isolated Wisconsin lakes, encountering creatures that most people believe only exist in folklore, superstition and nightmares...Crisscrossing the lonely and mysterious back roads of the country in their '67 Chevy Impala, the Winchester brothers search desperately for their missing father - and hunt down every evil supernatural force they encounter along the way.

It's not in danger of winning any awards, but it's a fun show that never takes itself too seriously. The season finale is on Thursday. I'm hoping that they get drafted for the new CW lineup, because I would hate to part with them. I owe this show a lot: it helped me break my terrible OC habit. So keep on truckin', Sam and Dean. May your show live another season.