Good vs Evil in a Pretty, Pretty Package

by Kathryn Smith

(This is my second time posting this. The first time everything crashed and I turned the air around me blue.)

It's no secret that I'm a fan of the CW's Supernatural (Thursday @ 9:00 pm EST). I have been since the first season when it was about little more than two estranged brothers looking for their missing father and fighting ghouls, ghosties and all manner of mythical baddies along the way. Back then we had only the barest hint that there was something bigger planned -- something that hinged on the fact that the youngest brother Sam (Jared Padalecki, left) had a visit from a demon as an infant. A visit that resulted in his mother's death. As you can see from the promotional poster here, older brother Dean (Jensen Ackles) is looking at Sammy like he's not to be trusted. To be honest, I think Dean has reason to be paranoid. The writers of the show seem to agree with me as they build slowly, if not subtly, toward a show down that my heart anticipates so strongly my ribs are bruised.

Over the first couple of seasons more of Sam's demonic connection was revealed. Finally all became clear last season when we discovered that Sam was amongst a few chosen by the Yellow-Eyed Demon. Ultimately, Sam became the Chosen One. Chosen for what? We're not quite sure. We're told that he was supposed to be the leader of a band of demons with a higher sense of morality than the others, but I'm not convinced this is true. The demon Ruby has proven herself an ally in the past, but what if it's all been a ruse to get Sam? I mean, Ruby got out of Hell again pretty easily it seems. And Sam is sleeping with her. Right there you know nothing good can come from it. This is, at its heart, a buddy show, and romantic connections only cause problems in a buddy show. Sam's not only sleeping with Ruby, but he's taking her blood as well. That's right, Sammy's jonesing for demon-juice. It feeds his power -- and he's got a lot of it. He can kill demons, and I'm pretty sure the people responsible for him having such power have plans for it.

Then, there's Dean. Dean's the oldest and my favorite of the brothers (and not just because Ackles has the loveliest mouth I've ever seen). I've always been a sucker for a slightly insecure smart ass. Anyway, up until the beginning of season 4, it's always seemed that Dean was the weaker of the brothers as far as paranormal abilities go. Even as far as intelligence, but what Dean lacks in power or smarts, he makes up for in sheer heart. As one demon put it in a recent episode, Dean is a 'righteous man.' He went to Hell in the end of season 3 and was plucked out of it by an Angel in season 4. See, there's an apocolypse coming (isn't there always?) and Dean's the only one who can stop it.

Which leads me to that sinking feeling in my stomach. Because I have a feeling that Sam is going to pull an Anakin and fall to the Dark Side, and that the ultimate battle of Good vs Evil is going to come down to brother against brother. I know this because while Sam is knocking boots with Ruby, Dean recently shared a back seat experience with an Angel. And you don't get much more obvious than that -- do you?

Right now, the balance of power is still tipped. Sam is still the more powerful of the two. The stronger, if you will. And Dean came back from Hell fractured. But I think that's all about to change. See, one thing Supernatural has always been about is the relationship between these brothers. They've sacrificed themselves for each other, especially Dean. And you know that he will destroy himself to stop his brother from being used for evil. I think he just might destroy Sam as well, if he has to. That's where Dean will find his strength again -- in doing what has to be done to protect his little brother. And I have to tell you that I absolutely cannot wait to see it. I'm dying to see these two take sides, both convinced they're doing the right thing. I cannot wait to see Sam go dark and I cannot wait to see Dean pull it together and kick his brother's butt! But most of all I'm waiting for what happens when the two of them come together again to fight for the greater good, because that's when the Winchester boys are at their best.

So, any other Supernatural fans out there? Where do you think the show is heading? And if you don't watch the show (gasp! shudder!), what are some of your favorite good vs evil pairings? Or better yet, who are your favorite duos of delicious men-folk in TV or film?