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Reviews
The Winchesters: Hey, That's No Way to Say Goodbye (2023)
An emotionally charged and satisfying ending
How do you write a story that delivers a satisfying ending to the fans of the mothership and the new fans? It's a fair question and it's one that the team clearly thought through because they somehow, despite all odds, delivered.
I like to do my reviews without spoilers, but that does make it difficult because this episode was absolutely jam packed with things I can't say. But I WILL say the episode managed to somehow hit every point. It delivered a satisfying answer to the season long mystery. It delivered some gorgeous emotional beats that left me in tears. And most importantly, it did it with heart.
The themes of family (found and genetic), love, and free will continued to be critical. I hope we will see more. This cast is incredible and I'm not ready to walk away. However, if that's it, it's a full and complete ending for a show that will always be near and dear to me.
In the end, the show exceeded even my wildest hopes for it. It manages to deliver an incredibly deft story that appeals to new viewers (like my spouse) and existing viewers (like me). It creates a world worth exploring and introduces characters worth knowing.
Now we wait, hearts in our throat, to see if we get more.
The Winchesters: You've Got a Friend (2023)
This show continues to deliver
This episode does what The Winchesters does best. It combines genuine thrills with character beats that will make you cry.
I can't review this week without throwing laurels at the feet of Nida Khursid. Without revealing any spoilers, Lata has an incredible, show stopping moment in this episode and Nida delivered it deftly. She was genuinely heartbreaking.
Also kudos to Drake who continues to reveal a deep simmering rage and trauma just below the puppy dog exterior. I didn't think this show would ever make me love John, but watching his villain origin story has actually been incredible.
Throw in some lovely beats about found family and the ties that bind us together and the introduction of an intriguing new face, and this one was nonstop entertainment.
Two more episodes left and the mystery continues to deepen, but the first 11 leave me confident what this team has in store for us will be amazing.
The Winchesters: Reflections (2022)
A strong finish to the first half of the season
A jam packed mid-season finale, but maybe not entirely in the way you expect. Yes there is action and some movement forward on the overarching plot line for the season, and they are fantastic (serious nod to director Richard Speight for some really entertaining and engaging fight scenes), but perhaps even more compelling are the big character moments we get.
This show continues to have a lot of heart and there are some staggering "show stopper" moments I won't spoil except to say the episode will have you laughing one minute and holding your breath the next so you don't miss one word of the emotional dialogue. And the pacing of this episode is gorgeous, giving those moments plenty of room to breathe.
The cast truly shines in this episode. The team is together for most of the episode letting you appreciate the true ensemble nature. There continue to be great combinations (I would watch Millie and Ada all day) and the chemistry is deeply compelling.
This episode finally gives us some closure on certain points, while still leaving you wanting more on others, and leaves you in a place wanting to know what happens next.
The Winchesters: Legend of a Mind (2022)
This show continues to deliver
At first glance this is a monster of the week style episode, but The Winchesters has proven by now that nothing is routine when it comes to this show. This episode packs a heavy punch with some absolutely stellar character moments. Without spoiling anything, there were several moments in this episode that left me breathless.
Trauma and complicated relationships continue to dominate the storyline, which isn't a surprise given the fact that this show, at its heart, is a tragedy, but that doesn't mean it's a hopeless trek through sad moments. Instead, there is a persistent optimistic hope and there are again beautiful character beats about healing.
The cast continues to stun with no combination of the regulars being anything less than captivating. We also get an intriguing new character in this episode who immediately captured my heart.
It's another win for a show that had managed to bring compelling stories week after week.
The Winchesters: You're Lost Little Girl (2022)
Classic horror vibes
This show has been doing an incredible job on giving us fresh lore for our hunting journals and this week was no exception. I won't spoil the monster except to say it was delightfully creepy and very memorable.
We got a lot of really fun action sequences this week (together with some stellar music). It was, at its heart, extremely watchable and re-watchable.
That isn't to say we didn't get some intriguing character development (especially from John who is starting to slip into the canon John SPN fans know and don't love). Plus some equally intriguing advancement of the main storyline. I'm excited to see where we are heading.
I also can't say enough about the new characters introduced. It's unclear whether they will become recurring characters but we got some really rich and interesting new folks this episode that left me wanting to see more.
The Winchesters: Masters of War (2022)
A gorgeous and complex episode examining trauma
This show continues to deliver complex storylines and even more complex characters and we are all enjoying the benefits.
This episode delves headfirst into the traumas being carried by each character. Without spoiling anything, the way the characters face their pasts and how they cope with what they find hear makes for a rich and emotional episode. The young cast delivers HARD with some absolutely beautiful character work that will leave you breathless. There are so many really poignant moments and they are given room to breath despite an action packed episode.
But the episode also has some really lovely light moments. Watching the core4 and their relationships with one another is a true joy. I was once again struck by the chemistry this cast has.
All if that and I haven't even talked about the monster! The spooky scenes and special effects continue to be stellar in this show. The action was compelling and I found myself genuinely worried and cursing the commercial breaks.
All in all another strong outing for this freshman show.
The Winchesters: Teach Your Children Well (2022)
An absolute romp with a lot of heart
The premiere had to do a lot of heavy lifting for this show. It introduced new characters and re-contextualized old in a world that had to feel familiar to long-term fans and fresh and exciting for new ones.
So it wouldn't have been unheard of for this episode to be a letdown. Happily, the opposite happened. The show settled into a classic episodic style with an intriguing monster and a lot of fun horror moments. It continues to have a delightful, retro feel reminiscent of early Supernatural or Buffy in the best way, but it also manages to feel fresh and energetic.
This episode features some really beautiful character moments. I won't spoil anything, but I will say the chemistry is off the charts. You feel like Lata, Mary and Carlos have known each other for a long time and the "core 4" really pop.
There are also some gorgeous moments for Millie and John. Bianca's performance truly stands out. We also get more of Ada and she is an absolute treat of a character.
I would also be remiss not to mention some of the notable technical components. The costuming and lighting stand out as truly amazing elements, especially the low light effects (contrasted with modern shows that sometimes come out too dark). The result is colors that pop making for a visually intriguing episode.
Overall, a strong second outing for this show that will leave you wanting to watch it again immediately.
The Winchesters (2022)
Old school SPN feel with fresh new vibes
An incredible pilot with enough to draw in new viewers while satisfying long-term fans. The cast had the kind of chemistry you expect from people who have worked together for years.
It hit all the right notes of an early Supernatural episode or perhaps even a Buffy. Fun, energetic, and action packed. There was lore. There were fun fight scenes. There were moments of disarming humor.
But at the heart you can't help but feel the dread if you are a fan. Because we know how this ends.
You want to hate John. You want to guard your heart against Mary. But you can't help but find yourself enamored with both.
Not to mention Lata who is so earnest. I want to hug her. And Carlos is everything.
The pilot sets up an intriguing world. I can't wait to see what comes next.
Our Flag Means Death (2022)
Truly delightful
From the start of the show, I was enamored by the quirky cast if characters. Hilarious and slightly awkward, you think you have a handle on what to expect from the opening scenes, but this show will surprise you. From really touching and beautiful character moments to truly complex characters who don't feel like the same old tropes, this show delivers. Throw in an incredible cast (and some delightful guest stars), absolutely beautiful cinematography and effects and Impeccable costuming, and this is one of the best new shows in years.
Roadfood (2021)
Come to the table for the amazing food, stay for the empathy
The idea of bringing unfamiliar cultures into our homes is certainly not novel, but Road Food does it in a way that feels more like you have been invited to dinner (rather than a host saying "Look at this!"). There is something special about the way this show is first and foremost about people telling their stories.
Culture and food are so deeply intertwined and each episode feels like you are being honored by those featured. It's a beautiful thing to watch.
Collins brings a deep kindness and empathy to the show and it's evident in every interaction. He asks questions and then he actually listens. There is a natural ease to the interviews that makes you feel like you just sat down with friends.
His enthusiasm is infectious and his deep empathy and kindness leave you thinking maybe there is hope, even in these dark times.