Supernatural, like so many successful shows before it, starts with a simple concept. When their father goes missing, two brothers--Dean (Jensen Ackles) and Sam (Jared Padalecki) Winchester--head off across the country to try and find him. But their journey isn’t easy, especially when you consider the assortment of spirits and nightmarish creatures that stand in their path.

On paper, that sounds a derivative mix of many shows that have gone before it. And to some extent, that’s what Supernatural is, yet its mix is nonetheless compelling. What lifts it above the norm is the quality both of the writing, and crucially, the direction of the show. There are moments that are spooky, and some that are downright scary, with plenty of suspense linking the two. And while the 22 episodes have their fair share of peaks and troughs, Supernatural has an edge about it that easily carries it through its slower points.

At the heart of the show, ironic considering the number of other programmes it tips its hat to, is a desire to do things its own way, and for that reason, come Supernatural’s maiden season finale, it leaves a real thirst for more episodes. Fortunately, the second season is already in the can, and we suspect it’ll continue to grow the number of fans that Supernatural is rightly earning for itself. --Jon Foster