![Supernatural: The Complete Second Season [Blu-ray]](http://cdn.hometheaterforum.com/c/c9/50x50px-ZC-c957b4cd_B004PHSTY8-51UIxNZ4xPL.jpg)
Supernatural: The Complete Second Season
Release Date: June 14, 2011
Studio: Warner Home Video
Packaging/Materials: Four-disc Blu-ray case with slipcover
Year: 2006-2007
Rating: NR
Running Time: 22 episodes, ~15 hours
MSRP: $59.96
| THE EPISODES | SPECIAL FEATURES | |
| Video | 1080p high definition 1.78:1 | Standard and high definition |
| Audio | Dolby Digital: English 5.1, French 2.0, German 2.0, Castellano 2.0, Portuguese 2.0 | Stereo |
| Subtitles | English SDH, French, German SDH, Castellano, Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese | Variable |
The Season: 4/5
Sam and Dean Winchester (Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles) and their father John (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) have survived the car crash caused by their demon nemesis Azazel (Fredric Lehne), though for Dean just barely. In a coma from his injuries and steadily declining, Dean is stuck in a plane between life and death until he chooses to move on or his family finds a way to bring him back. Left with few options, John makes a deal with his longtime enemy that ultimately puts his sons back where they started, with only each other to rely on. But their continuing hunt for the demon that took away practically everything from them brings them new allies in the form of the demon hunter saloon owner Ellen (Samantha Ferris), her feisty daughter Jo (Alona Tal), and a gifted researcher with a bad haircut named Ash (Chad Lindberg). Bobby (Jim Beaver), the hunter who helped them find their father last season, will also prove integral in their fight against Azazel, whose endgame becomes clearer as the Winchesters meet more who were touched by his power. Stopping his plan won't be impossible, but each time they've fought him has involved sacrifice and the final battle will be no different.
The second season of the demon hunting, fraternal road trip series picked up immediately after the season one cliffhanger, and made a rather startling move at the end of its first episode. Though having John Winchester give up his soul for Dean's was done in part because of the actor's schedule, it proved to be a good move for the development of its two main characters, in particular Dean. His struggle to find himself worthy would lead him to make a similar choice of his own, albeit laced with darker shades of self-loathing. Sam's struggles with his continuing psychic visions were less compelling by comparison, but of course proved central to the arc involving Azazel's master plan. Surprisingly, series creator Eric Kripke and his writing team chose to not only answer all the questions about the demon's involvement with the Winchester family, but also to bring a close to the entire story line itself. That's not to say the season ended with nothing to go on; in fact it ended with a promise that not only would the demon hunting continue with more urgency, but that consequences of certain choices would also play a major factor. Certain elements like the demon hunter bar, which were interesting as an experiment, but that ultimately proved inconsistent with the show's objectives, were also cleared from the deck, leaving things set for a third season ripe with new potential.
"Supernatural: The Complete Second Season" on Blu-ray includes all 22 episodes that aired on the WB Network from 2006 to 2007. The season was first released on DVD in September of 2007.
Video Quality: 4.5/5
Audio Quality: 4/5
Dialogue in the 640 kbps Dolby Digital 5.1 audio track is consistently clear, detailed and intelligible. Surround activity is dominated by support for the score, but instances of various environmental and atmospheric effects are balanced and seamless. Bass levels, though never extending to LFE depths, are respectable and give the track sufficient fullness and range.
Special Features: 5/5
The extras offer an impressive and entertaining set of materials, carrying over all the items from the DVD release.
Episode Booklet includes descriptions, original air dates, and writer and director information for each episode.
"In My Time of Dying" Commentary with Jensen Ackles, Jared Padalecki, Director Kim Manners and Producer Cyrus Yavneh provides details around the production of the season's first episode. Gaps of silence are common, but the information is interesting and the group shares some amusing anecdotes from the set.
"What Is and What Should Never Be" Commentary with Creator-Director Eric Kripke provides a detailed background behind the writing and production of the alternate reality episode. Kripke rarely pauses to catch a breath and speaks on a variety of topics from writing to filming in Vancouver.
"All Hell Breaks Loose, Part One" Commentary with Creator Eric Kripke, Writer Sera Gamble, and Director Robert Singer includes details about original story ideas and the writing process, and explains why certain decisions were made for the course of the series.
Deleted Scenes
- Two scenes from Episode 1: In My Time of Dying (1:13, SD)
- One scene from Episode 3: Bloodlust (1:14, SD)
- Two scenes from Episode 7: The Usual Suspects (2:18, SD)
- Two scenes from Episode 10: Hunted (3:14, SD)
[Disc Four]
Devil's Road Map is an interactive map of the United States that provides a visual for the characters' paranormal journey through the second season. The feature includes episode recaps containing interviews with the creative team and behind-the-scenes footage, a "Local Information" piece that describes actual folklore from the towns and regions visited, and a collection of featurettes on Harvelle's Roadhouse. While the interactive component is well implemented, it would have been nice to have a "play all" button to get through the material more quickly.
Episode Recaps / Local Information
- In My Time of Dying (4:09, HD) / Local information about Sioux Falls, SD
- Everybody Loves A Clown (3:51, HD) / Local information about Medford, WI.
- Bloodlust (3:04, HD) / Local information about Red Lodge, MT.
- Children Shouldn't Play with Dead Things (2:05, HD) / Local information about Greenville, IL.
- Simon Said (2:47, HD) / Local information about Guthrie, OK.
- No Exit (2:47, HD) / Local information about Philadelphia, PA.
- The Usual Suspects (2:08, HD) / Local information about Baltimore, MD.
- Crossroad Blues (5:19, HD) / Local information about Greenwood, MS.
- Croaton (4:08, HD) / Local information about River Grove, OR.
- Hunted (2:19, HD) / Local information about Lafayette, IN.
- Playthings (2:15, HD) / Local information about Cornwall, CT.
- Nightshifter (3:12, HD) / Local information about Milwaukee, WI.
- Houses of the Holy (2:36, HD) / Local information about Providence, RI.
- Born Under A Bad Sign (2:38, HD) / Local information about Duluth, MN.
- Tall Tales (5:16, HD) / Local information about Springfield, OH.
- Roadkill (2:42, HD) / Local information about Highway 41, NV.
- Heart (5:14, HD) / Local information about San Francisco, CA.
- Hollywood Babylon (4:31, HD) / Local information about Los Angeles, CA.
- Folsom Prison Blues (2:36, HD) / Local information about Little Rock, AR.
- What Is and What Should Never Be (3:52, HD) / Local information about Lawrence, KS.
- All Hell Breaks Loose Parts 1 and 2 (11:19, HD) / Local information about Cold Oak, SD and Wyoming.
Harvelle's Roadhouse
- Origins (1:34, HD) describes the purpose and inspiration for the Roadhouse.
- Ellen and Jo (3:00, HD) provides an overview of the mother and daughter characters.
- Ash (1:46, HD) provides a description of the character and his purpose.
- The Look (1:16, HD) describes the production design for the Roadhouse set.
- Hunter Mythology (1:59, HD) explains the thinking behind expanding the hunter culture.
- Destruction (1:42, HD) explains why the writers decided to get rid of the saloon.
Jared's Original Screen Test (7:45, SD)
Webisode Gallery: The Inside Scoop with Ivan Hayden (2:56, SD) takes a look at the series' visual effects.
Webisode Gallery: Inside the Writers Room (7:08, SD) features the writers talking about the show's various episodes and story arcs.
Webisode Gallery: The Inside Scoop with Christopher Cooper (3:04, SD) takes a look at the series' props.
Gag Reel (9:17, SD)
Recap
The Season: 4/5
Video Quality: 4.5/5
Audio Quality: 4/5
Special Features: 5/5
Overall Score (not an average): 4.5/5
Warner Brothers turns in an excellent presentation for "Supernatural's" second season, with extras that carry over all the items from the DVD release. With its impressive video quality and strong audio presentation, the Blu-ray release is an obvious choice for first time purchasers and worth a double dip for those looking to upgrade.
