Supernatural (TV Series) Stranger in a Strange Land (2018) User Reviews

I love the show... but what happened?

[inknquill · 7/10 · 13 October 2018]

Seven stars because I do think the cast has true talent. Jensen-Well played Michael. Jared-Awesome as always...

But oh my Chuck, who was in charge of that fight scene? And why is Castiel so beaten down? The show has lore, has history, and has fans because of what has worked and what is expected. Supernatural, though has it's fun quirks, is not a kung foo movie. The usual fight sequences are thought out, seamless, and have a sensible realism that allow me to suspend disbelief. Demons do not run on walls like this... Or at least haven't in the past. Was this a new kind of Demon? Mary has more determination and strength, and can hold her own with a demon (at least she has in the past)... And Cass is not a meak, easily overpowered being. He is an angel with the power to exorcise demons. He can do this because the writers, director, and many others have created this powerful character. He is not so easily physically beaten by demons. Who allowed those in charge of writing and showing Castiel's ability in this episode with so much disrespect to the character's history and ability? Am I missing something? Like why he wouldn't heal himself, Sam, Jack, Bobby, and etc?? This writing and portrayal of the characters deviated way to far off the beaten track; it was disconnected from the characters development as designed by the creaters. I don't mind change; I don't even mind the other-worlders. I do get frustrated when character and world development are not consistent with the developed history. Which is what I perceived happened here. I am not going anywhere. I wouldn't go anywhere-Sam, Dean and Castiel are as real to me as the actors who play them. I love the show because it has grown with a realistic sense of human maturity. I re-watch past episodes and more recent- The characters have always acknowledged their past experiences and it works because they have learned their lesson. This episode ignored that history with this fight scene, Castiel's encounter with the demons, and Mary seeming so much less than what she usually is... Please, who ever it is that was the over all decision maker on this episode, reconsider where these characters have been and return to character growth that acknowledges their history.

My apologies for the novel size rant. If I am off the mark or didn't consider a previous point that could change my reaction to this show, please let me know. I would not leave the show and I have so much respect for the amount of work that goes into this. I guess because of this respect, the deviation and portrayal of Mary, Cass, and the demon fight scene seemed like there was complete disregard for the usual standards that I perceive the show developers usually have. I don't think this pertains to the actors though. I just don't know enough about behind the scenes work to say who I would want to read and consider the reviews similar to this.

I am hopeful and continue to have respect for the real people behind the series. Happy watching y'all.

A So so start

[Kingslaay · 7/10 · 14 October 2018]

Season 14 had slow and somewhat uneventful start. Nothing much happened. Sam encounters a tough demon who he kills anyway. Meanwhile Dean (Michael) is walking around asking people what they want, they are as confused as the audience. It is interesting to have Michael in this world but his motivation needs to be developed and articulated. All we get is that he wants to build a better world, whatever that means. With no Lucifer and no King of Hell I'd say things are not looking too bad. Nothing stood out and there was no new foe/problem.

They also need to do something about their recurring characters. If they add no value give them a farewell. Mary has not been cutting it for some time and neither has Castiel. Much to the disappointment of many female fans it would be good if he had an interesting story line otherwise he should be exited. Either the show brings back a villain from way back or there is a new powerful foe that actually wins or comes close.

"You are a damn legend Sam. The shoulders, the hair, you are my beyonce"

[Sam_Ash_76 · 7/10 · 12 October 2018]

Overall, this was a good premiere episode. It delivered a compelling and fantastic Jensen Ackles as Michael, some great scenes between Sam and Mary. An interesting new character played by Mark Pellegrino ("Nick", who does briefly appear in season five, however, has never had screentime since, correct me if I'm wrong). It also delivered some good Jack Scenes and great Castiel moments. The episode also includes, of course, the best new character to the show, Sam's Beard.

However, there are two major problems with this premiere that need outlining; i - How the hell did Castiel lose a fight between himself and those demons in that bar? If they were fleshed out more, given a more generous backstory beyond just being demons, I could easily forgive this, however, they're just normal demons and Castiel has his grace... So what gives? Is Castiel hiding the fact that he has lost some of his powers due to the longevity that Megatron had his grace out in that bottle in season 9/10? And, if so, how come these effects are coming now?

ii - How did Nick survive that ending fight between Michael and Lucifer? Sam suggests that its because "The Archangel blades are made to kill the Archangel and not the person", but this explanation doesn't make much sense... They also need to expand on this in a later episode.

Other than these two issues, this is a solid premiere episode. It's fun, Dean is still Michael (they better not pull a demon Dean again and make him Dean after two and a half episodes), Nick is an intriguing character for the most part and Jack still remains my favorite new character from the show in the last 5 seasons.

A Side Note: The special effects are fantastic in this episode. That beautiful shot of Michael as the Angel was definitely a stand out. I also love the new titlecard.

FINAL VERDICT: 7.0/10

Perhaps it is time to let Supernatural go...

[OvidiuStoin · 12 October 2018]

I will give the creators of this TV show 2 more episodes to change my mind, otherwise with great pain I will have to let it go. This might be the worst Supernatural episode that I have seen, for the love of Lucifer, I could have shot more realistic action sequences with my phone.

God how I miss the old times, when therewas only Sam and Dean fighting a cunning normal monster. I've had it with all these ridiculous boring story arcs involving super-powerful beings. And what, now there is an entire army of hunters at Sam's disposal???

They should ged rid of all these extra characters, make the army spread through the country and fight monsters; the new Bobby I don't like and they should stop tainting the memory of the real Bobby; mother Mary I only liked in the younger version, this one did not convince me at all, there is no real chemestry between her and Sam and Dean, I feel like she doesn't actually care about them; and Jack, well they should send him to school now that he's a normal dude, I feel like he played his part...

This episode felt amateurish as heck, especially because after it I have watched some episodes of Daredevil...and damn the quality of those fights was many leagues ahead of what I've seen here, this time.

Supernatural, get better, or else it's gonna be the end of the road for me and you!

The twisted good vs evil hunt is on

[sscialli · 10/10 · 12 October 2018]

Grabbed me right out of the gate , Hell is turmoil, Michael searches for his answer. "What do you want?" I want Castiel to be his old badass self. I want to see a struggle inside Dean vs Michael. Rules still apply if Dean doesn't want him, he can't stay! Isn't that the lore? I liked Sam kicking ass to a Faux King of Hell and scaring the demons to smoke right out! I like to see more of Sister Jo, and why don't The Angels seek Michael to help restore heaven?! Lots of questions and episode one raced right out of the gate! Great SFX showing Michaels presence , the luminous angel, probably blew the budget on that one shot!

Everyone needs to chill

[averylentz · 9/10 · 15 October 2018]

Hey I'm a long time Supernatural fan and have been with this show through the ups and downs. This episode is NOT A DOWN, but an UP. And yet I've seen a lot of negativity aimed at this premiere and from what I've read, y'all need to ease up on the complaints and criticisms of a show you claim to be fans of.

If you've been with this show long enough, you know that the premiere isn't always a smashing episode, but rather a lead into the major action that picks up in Ep. 2 (look at Season 10 or even Season 13 previously). This premiere was damn good. It was well acted, set up many plot points for the coming season, and more or less, it was new and uncharted territory.

For a show going in to it's 14th season, that is the most important point: can it keep up the energy? I would say definitively, YES! Plus, not enough people are talking about one of Sam's most badass moments in a long time (aka ENOUGH!). I just think people have been pretty picky about this episode and have been quick to crap on the episode before the season even truly begins. I'll see if my opinion changes for the rest of the season, but for now, people really need to lighten up.

9/10 Good episode!

Do people not understand how a premiere episode works?

[StorieLuver · 9/10 · 15 October 2018]

Many reviewers of this episode seem to have had similar complaints: "We don't understand what Michael wants" "How was Cas beaten by a couple of stunt demons?" "How did Nick survive?" Etc. etc. This was the FIRST episode, there are 19 more to come, I'm sure these questions will be answered as the story arc for the season unfolds, the whole point of a season premiere of any show is to INTRODUCE the issues for the season, not pack it all in in just 42 minutes! As for me, I'm LOVING how Jensen played Michael and can't wait to see more, that was my one disappointment with this episode, that he didn't get more screen time.

I think it was decent

[sebastienpenverne · 8/10 · 6 November 2018]

And I wasn't shocked by the fact Castiel got overpowered, he rarely got to fight that many demons at once (if ever), and humans manage to beat angels when they shouldn't stand a chance, so why not basic demons? Now, why didn't he spot all the demons, I don't know. Otherwise, I kinda hope alternate world Alastair isn't dead, he would be some really tough king of hell. I wonder about michael's plan, I felt like he was gonna go Godstiel style.

Not good at all

[behdadeslamiehh · 6/10 · 12 October 2018]

Somehow disappointing. The fight scene was so unrealistic and terribly shot. They really should work on the scene.

Why do people complain so much?

[dzeikorthaos · 10/10 · 17 October 2018]

I honestly love the episode and the show overall,I hope supernatural will go on for a long time from now on,the episode was amazing,people need to realise you cant have everything non stop action,I enjoy the story,people should do too instead of complaining.

Good start but could be better

[ilikedre · 7/10 · 12 October 2018]

This was a good start to the season but that fight scene was horrible and there's some unweeded characters here too

Plays like a check list

[CubsandCulture · 8/10 · 18 October 2021]

This episode has a lot of nice touches. Ackles is good heavy. Kip was a fun guest character (to the point that I wish they kept him!) And the episode does what is has too to kick off the new season's various plot threads.

But this episode plays out like a checklist with no strong plot on its own. It has a weird pace, tone because so much of the episode is merely checking in with several reoccurring characters.

One of the worst premieres in my opinion

[faridamestek · 5/10 · 13 October 2018]

There was so precious little I liked about this episode, I think I'll start with that. I really liked the very first shot of Sam, alone, struggling with grief, intent on the mission ahead, driving Impala along a dark, deserted, rain-washed road, a classic rock tune blaring from the radio until he softly switches it off; it's too painful to listen to without Dean not steering the wheel by his side, drumming and humming along, maybe even cracking a joke or two. It was a very poignant and powerful visual - a lighter shade of blue on the horizon as a hint of hope, perhaps? - a perfect setting... for about a second... We later find out that his errand turned out to be a bust.

The next scene is Michael scene and it is riveting. I have never had any doubts about Jensen's acting skills and yet I was not prepared for how different it would be to look at his face and see no trace of Dean anywhere. Michael is cold, calm and collected. He shows no emotions. He has no emotions. He smiles but he is not amused. He is in no hurry. He takes his time. He has a question and he seeks the answer that will not disappoint, that will gratify, that will serve his purpose. But what is his purpose? A better world. Well, that's what he says. But is it truly? "What do you want?" he asks. But what do you want, Michael? His scenes, however short and episodic, are phenomenal. I could watch the whole episode just of Michael asking different people what they want.

And then comes the title card and it is... so very disappointing. It looks like something a five-year-old would have patched up with minimum skills and resources: splotchy and clumsy and so very unrealistic.

The first glimpse of the bunker is a scene of much activity, all very business- and military-like. But Dean's absence feels like a void and it seems that the writers are trying to fill it with other hunters - but mostly with Bobby and his old man's ramblings and lectures. It doesn't work. I have to confess that I found him annoying and unsympathetic in this episode. "Life is a little different when you can't just zap people around, eh?" he tells Jack, who is struggling with the loss of his powers, that have never been truly explored or delved into on the show. Jack, lost and hurt, is lying at his feet after he has knocked him down and told him with a chuckle to "watch for that left". There were so many things that one could say to Jack on that occasion, I thought; so many parallels that one could make about people who lost certain physical abilities due to disease or in an accident and had to learn to live and deal with it - instead of a bunch of commonplace nothings.

Mary is often hovering uncertainly over Sam as though on the brink of breaking into a mother mode, but after two seasons, during one of which she was actively distancing herself from her sons, it doesn't come easily or naturally. Their interaction is hollow and strained, filled with Mary's platitudes and empty promises, and it's almost as though Sam wants to say "don't bother on my account now". Of course, without his brother by his side nothing looks right anymore. Dean must be here. But he isn't.

Almost as though it is inevitable, we are introduced to another King of Hell wannabe - or, to be more precise, another Crowley wannabe - another copycat demon who uses special lingo and endearments that sound off and has a penchant for unnecessary drama. I suppose it would be too much to ask to bring in another Queen of Hell for a change. Personally, I think Rowena would have been a much better choice, not to mention that it would be a rather interesting turn of events. However, instead we are subjected to this demon's popinjay ways and long-winded prattle and it is boring as hell and just as trite and it wastes precious screen time. I thought back in S12 that Crowley had outlived his usefulness as a character, that he had become too soft to return to his more nefarious ways, but looking at these poor substitutes and their failed attempts to emulate him I wish he were back.

Mary is once again hovering uncertainly in the doorway when Sam and Jack are having a conversation about strength and faith that she interrupts in order to tell Sam that "he's awake". Jack is visibly disappointed and hurt when Sam leaves. The "he" in question comes as a shock. It is incredible, unbelievable. Mary says that she can barely look at "him" and hastily retreats (I wonder what happened to that badass hunter that she was so persistently shown to be throughout the last two seasons), leaving Sam on his own to take care of - wait for it - Lucifer's vessel! Miraculously, after all this time, the man - Nick - Lucifer was possessing is alive. I must say that this was an unexpected turn of events that I thoroughly failed to appreciate. I hoped never to see Lucifer or his vessel ever again. I thought that Dean's sacrifice put an end to that long-winding saga. Alas, no. Apparently, "the archangel blades were meant to kill the archangel inside and not the person they possess..." Is it just me or does it sound a little too far-fetched - and extremely convenient? Just another gimmick. It rather reminded me of that cock-and-bull story that Arthur Ketch was spinning last season about his twin brother Alexander. Of course, that, at least, was later confirmed to be untrue.

Sam steels himself before entering the room and you can see a whole range of emotions playing across his face. It seems to be a recurring theme recently, isn't it? Last season Sam had to take care of Gabriel - the archangel who killed his brother over and over and over again to teach him a lesson - and this season he has to take care of the vessel of the archangel who possessed him, tortured his soul in hell and, in the end, forced his brother to say "yes" to Michael in order to defeat him once and for all. "I'm glad Lucifer is dead," says Sam through a lump in his throat. "Me too," replies Nick. I hope it's true; otherwise Dean's sacrifice was all for naught, wasn't it? A real slap in the face, if you ask me. When Sam finally leaves the room, you can see how much it took of him to be inside that room with Nick.

However, he doesn't get a break for the very next moment he receives a call from this week's king-of-hell-wannabe who wants to make a deal with him in order to become one (what a bewildering concept!) and who took Castiel hostage in order to have some leverage during the negotiations. Sam instantly assembles a team, knowing full well that it's a trap, comprising himself, Mary, Bobby, Jack, and, bizarrely enough, out of all the seasoned hunters in the bunker... Maggie? I was pleased that (despite the inevitable danger) Sam showed Jack that he had faith in him not only through empty words but through his own actions by allowing him to join them. But why take Maggie? I do not recall her being a hunter in the first place - and at the start of the episode she could barely handle staring at blood. What a strange decision on the writer's part - to put another young and wide-eyed girl in harm's way!

The fight that ensued was quite brutal and for a while it seemed that our side was going to lose. I'm sorry to say that Castiel had very little to do throughout the episode. He somehow managed to miss the fact that he walked into a demon-infested bar, was then instantly overpowered, beaten up and, finally, forced to impersonate a trussed-up turkey, while the others fought all around him. At one point Mary gives Maggie an angel blade with the help of which she later saves Mary's hide. And yet, for whatever reason, no one thought to teach Jack to use something other than his fists in order to defend himself, considering how badly he was doing. Is this another bone carelessly thrown into the "girl power" camp? I've noticed that it has become this writer's staple to make the girls look stronger by deliberately making the boys look weaker.

I really appreciated Castiel's speech - self-deprecating ("To be fair, we've all got punched in the face"), sympathetic, encouraging and rallying - to Jack after the fight when he felt even more useless than before and believed that without his powers he had nothing: "You've got your family. And we are going to find Dean. And we are going to beat Michael. And we are going to do it together. Because that's what we do." I think it is something Dean would say if he were there and I want to believe that Castiel learned it from him.

It was a right decision to end the episode with another Michael scene. He might be cruel and calculating but he is also enigmatic and mesmerizing and it is simply fascinating to watch him move and hear him talk.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: this show needs writers who know how to craft stories instead of going at them with a butcher knife. I don't usually do this but I have to say one more thing: Andrew Dabb has to go. His writing is lazy and incompetent, it is devoid of imagination, consistency, subtlety and finesse, and he is simply an awful storyteller.

So sad!!!

[sarahjohnsonslj · 10/10 · 29 March 2019]

Love this show. Have watched it from the beginning. So sad to see it ending😥

If you can't do it right (anymore), call it quits.

[dinoplahutnik · 3/10 · 13 October 2018]

I have been watching the show from episode one. You can say that most of my adulthood I spent with Sam and Dean, "the boys". And I liked it, I liked it a lot. But for several seasons now the show got worse, and at times it was so bad that I could not believe I am watching the same show.

The comments are of general nature, but they fully apply to this episode too: there is no consistency, no logic, writing is lazy and cheap tricks are being used to advance "the plot". Action scenes are bad, acting is mediocre at best, dialogues are so forgetable. Further to the question repeated in the episode...what do I want? I want the show to get better really fast and really soon. Or it is going to be (sadly) adios, amigo.

One of the worst episodes in any season!

[caitlinthompson-03016 · 2/10 · 13 October 2018]

There was a little good but a whole lot of bad.

Good was seeing some of our favorites back again. But there was a lot of bad. To begin with I just am not used to seeing Jensen Ackles play this other character of Michael. It's strange so they chose a good title. And this Michael arch angel isn't even OUR version, it's the one from the alternate world, who seems like a complete creep to put it lightly. He seems more like a demon rather than an angel. And all the while I watched him in the scenes going through my head was, "I miss Dean, I miss Dean."

If I have to go through an entire season without seeing Dean, I'm gonna hate this season then. I mean it's not the same. The whole series has been built around Sam & Dean who are brothers and who fight evil.

Now everything is on Sam basically. It's not working for me. Unless they change or bring Dean back soon I may not watch anymore.

And then there's Jack. He has none of his powers now, so basically he's pretty useless at this stage of the game.

And then a surprise. Lucifer's host an ordinary guy named Nick who apparently survived the stabbing by Dean/Michael is now with the others. What use will he have? He seems like a fairly decent soul but I don't get why he's there. I mean the explanation which in my mind was rather absurd is the reason he survived was because maybe the angel blade only kills the angel inside of it's host. C'mon! if a person gets a fatal wound it's gonna kill the host along with the angel. So that reasoning didn't work for me at all.

Seeing Jensen though portray this evil Michael, just seems a little hard to believe. I mean this Michael has a boring personality IMO. He has no sense of humor like Dean has, no great personality traits at all. He's cold, calculating, vicious and well just plain evil not to mention misguided in his whole agenda for making the world a better place.And I hate the way they've dressed him and that stupid hat has to go!

I really hope the show gets more interesting as we go on and that Dean, the real Dean returns before I give up.

Sad

[Macksimumcowboysfan · 2/10 · 14 October 2018]

Sad. No other word. The show isn't even a show anymore. They're just mindlessly pandering to internet fans, whilst defying story elements and continuity and adding in unneeded and unwanted storylines. I want to like it, but nothing was good except for when Castiel said "Water." Jensen (as Michael) is awfully directed, Mary continues to be a huge mistake, and no they're hinting at a Bobby relationship. Ugh. Bring back Kripke.

Must Do Better........

[jonathon-pickford-815-617023 · 3/10 · 12 October 2018]

One can only hope that this series improves, a tawdry and sluggish start,however it has achieved 9+ on here is beyond my comprehension.

Well that was boring and painful

[snake-96615 · 1/10 · 12 October 2018]

Mostly boring. Terrible season premiere. Pure trash. That fight scene was Three Stooges cringeworthy and those closeups! Who directed this schlock. This ep reminded me of those 60's ultra low budget monster movies; except worse because these are characters you're supposed to like. The reviewers that gave this a high rating have zero standards. Develop some pride for your show would you.

Unfortunately melodrama and action remains

[shwetafabm · 4/10 · 6 August 2020]

Since season 12 there is a shift in tone of the show. It tries to really show action but it fails, action is not this show's strong suit at all, the supernatural is and so is the plotting. It also tries really hard to show how badass the boys are and somehow even fails with that. This show was cool, beyond cool and smart. Seems now that there isn't much happening, most of the time is spent talking and when something does happen i ask myself why am i watching this and what is the point. Did i care about this long, unimpressive, boring monologue from the demon, no, do i care about these new hunters, no, do i care about Mary, absolutely no, do i care about alt Bobby, no, do i care about the main cast, sure, but do i care enough to see them just talk and not do anything, no. And really the blade doesn't kill the vessel? In Lotus the president doesn't remember anything why would he? Oh right because consistency means nothing now. What's with angel's grace? All over the place with their mythology. It just means nothing now.

How didn't cass know there is more then 1 devil

[ahmad01424 · 5/10 · 14 October 2018]

Angels supposed If there's devil in the room How did cass lost it ?

Yikes.

[threedaysgrace101644 · 1/10 · 12 October 2018]

Such a disappointment. In the famous words of Dewey Wilkerson "I expect nothing and I'm still let down". Hopefully it gets better.

woof.

[katertator27 · 2/10 · 18 November 2018]

So boring. so lame. so... bad. nothing happens in this episode except for a lot of loooooong, overacted speeches. I get that jensen is playing michael which is totally different from dean, but his acting was rough. and it's jensen, for Chuck's sake! he's the best actor in the show! paused, jerky speeches with no real point to the story. and kip, the demon guy. dude! shut the hell up. whole lotta talking but not saying anything, really. I love this show as much as the rest of us, but it's time to end this nonsense.

No expectations, still disappointed

[mr-altex · 4/10 · 16 October 2018]

I don't know who quit their job between seasons, but man, this is one piece of garbage.

First plot is so and so supernatural, the amount of actors is however confusing and there are too many worthless nameless characters present in the scenes. If some of the other actors want to have Supernatural as a stepping stones, this won't do.

What happened to the camera crew? Fighting scenes are 2 levels bellow the crappy quality from the previous season. Slow downs? Cuts? Sudden change of saturation compared to the rest of the scenes? Was the bar scene added retroactively to cover some other bigger mess? It made no sense and it is a candidate for the worst scene in Supernatural History.

Only bright side is that Jensen Ackles seems to be enjoying himself as Michael and despite pointless dialogues and silly outfit, it was still fun to watch it.

I really hope half of the cast will be killed off, including Bobby and Mary, maybe even Jack. But it does not seem to go this direction.

I had very bad feeling about season 14 going in, yet i still feel disappointed to see this.

If I came this way to see reviews, I know it was bad

[contactmontero · 3/10 · 10 February 2019]

Jensen/ Michael acting is cool, altough the f question not leading anywhere, same with the wannabe king if hell, as a writer myself, don't create a convenient dude to fill a gap, try to make it important and you kill him in the next 5 min. Even less if you have been doing this same formula like 15 times in the last 2 seasons, even less if it's a season premiere where suppose to be a good punch, even less not taking care of character traits (Castiel not seeing demons? Sure... ), even less bringing some empty vessel who supposed to be dead (Lucifer is dead, great, sure, so why the hell are you bringing to the show his empty vessel? Is he gonna become a super hunter? Is he gonna be a Bobby for a useless Jack? Is he gonna love Mary? Is he gonna be... nope, he somehow is gonna be connected AGAIN to whatever Lucifer memory is around, with any excuse, spell, deal, convenient hole, and of course gonna try to rise and bla bla bla). Silly episode, to begin with. I always suspected that the Leviathan thing was soo extra and silly in season 7... season 6 was weird but good with the brothers fighting together again... This show should have ended with season 5 finale, and then a very powerful movie under the premises of season 6. Some Crowley, not Leviathans, not Asmodeus, not Rowena, not Jodi Mills and the young blonde, not whoever in the middle, not Mary2, not Lucifer, not his son, not Ketch, not man-woman of letters, nope, is you see that from perspective, it's all an extra filling for a good story that happened before.