Supernatural (season 3)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Supernatural Season 3

DVD cover art
Country of origin Flag of the United States United States
Network The CW
Original run October 4, 2007 – May 15, 2008
No. of episodes 16
DVD release date Region 1: September 2, 2008[1]
Region 2: August 25, 2008[2]
Region 4: October 8, 2008
Previous season Season 2
Next season Season 4[3]

Season three of Supernatural, an American television series, began airing on October 4, 2007. This is the second season to air on the CW television network. Season three regular cast members include Jared Padalecki, Jensen Ackles, Lauren Cohan and Katie Cassidy.

This season focuses on Sam and Dean continuing to hunt demons; the introduction of mysterious demon Ruby (Cassidy). The interaction with Bela Talbot (Cohan), who steals the colt. Also focused is Dean's last year due to his deal with Lilith.

Supernatural's season three, along with many other American television shows, was caught in the middle of a contract dispute between the Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE), Writers Guild of America, west (WGAw) and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). The dispute led to a strike by the writers, which has caused this season to end prematurely with only sixteen episodes being produced, instead of the standard twenty-two episodes.

Contents

[edit] Episodes


# Title Viewers[4] Original Airdate Production Code
45(1) "The Magnificent Seven"  2.97 million viewers October 4, 2007 3T6901
Bracing themselves for the possibility of an apocalyptic war, Sam and Dean realize they have an enormous task of hunting down the hundreds of demons that escaped from the Devil's Gate. With only a year left to live, Dean decides to live life to the fullest and exhibits a carefree attitude that troubles Sam, who is trying to find a loophole in the deal. Bobby tells the brothers about a sighting in Nebraska, that turns out to be seven demons that are the actual manifestations of the Seven Deadly Sins. Ruby appears for the first time and seems to be stalking Sam. She then lends a hand at a crucial time.[5] 
46(2) "The Kids Are Alright"  3.16 million viewers October 11, 2007 3T6902
Sam and Dean track down changelings that are pursuing mothers and their children. A boy they protect bears a strange resemblance to Dean, which at first makes Dean uncomfortable because he once had a one-night stand with the boy's mother Lisa. Sam learns more about his family roots and is offered a possible way to save Dean via a proposition from Ruby who appears again and shows Sam her true colors.[6] 
47(3) "Bad Day at Black Rock"  3.03 million viewers October 18, 2007 3T6903
Word continues to spread of the Winchesters and the opening of a devil's gate, with them to blame. The Winchesters suddenly find their luck rising after finding a rabbit's foot. But Bobby tells Sam that the foot is cursed and brings death to the person who loses it. Bela Talbot appears for the first time and steals the foot from Sam, causing him a string of bad luck. Gordon's instincts may condemn Sam, as Sam is kidnapped by a mentee of fellow hunter who admires Gordon and brutally beats Sam. Sam swears that his past supernatural abilities are gone, but he is ignored because the hunter (Kubrick) believes he is on a mission from God to save the world from Sam. While looking for Sam, Dean spars with the thief Bela and, luckily, gains the upper foot.[7] 
48(4) "Sin City"  3.02 million viewers October 25, 2007 3T6904
Sam and Dean investigate a rash of violent deaths in Elizabethville, Ohio, a once-sleepy town that has been turned into a haven for gamblers and drinkers. Dean discovers 2 demons have infiltrated Elizabethville and are using their powers of persuasion to make the townspeople succumb to their basic instincts. Dean uses a devil's trap to capture one of the demons, and it manages to trap Dean as well, later they get to talk and Dean ends up felling sympathetic with the Demon. Meanwhile, Ruby helps Bobby rebuild the Colt from scratch and stuns him with some news.[8] 
49(5) "Bedtime Stories"  3.24 million viewers November 1, 2007 3T6905
Fairy tales come to life when the brothers investigate Callie, a young girl who seems to personify Snow White. Poisoned by her stepmother and trapped in a coma, her spirit becomes angrier as more time passes. Callie's father visits her constantly, reading her original Brothers Grimm stories and unknowingly inspiring her carnage. After putting her spirit to rest, Sam meets the crossroads demon to "make a deal" - either release Dean from his bargain or die. The demon says that she doesn't have the power to break the deal and only her boss has that ability. She then taunts Sam that letting Dean die will be good for Sam.[9] 
50(6) "Red Sky at Morning"  3.01 million viewers November 8, 2007 3T6906
Dean and Sam visit a woman, Gertrude, whose niece may have been drowned by ghosts from a sunken ship, only to find that the woman is well aware of that possibility and their cover has already been blown by Bela. Without missing a beat, Dean smoothly goes along with the woman's realization. Later, Bela and Dean struggle for the upper hand and Sam tries to avoid Gertrude's while they act as a distraction.[10] 
51(7) "Fresh Blood"  2.88 million viewers November 15, 2007 3T6907
Gordon has escaped from prison, and trades Bela a valuable item in exchange for Sam's location. After an encounter with Sam and Dean, Gordon is taken captive by a vengeful vampire who at first plans to feed the famed vampire hunter to his new female companions or daughter as the vampire calls them. Meanwhile Dean tries to gently break the news to Sam that they'll have to kill Gordon when they find him. Sam surprises Dean by agreeing without protest. Later, the boys realize just how badly the vampire's new plan backfired when Gordon is turned into what he loathed most. When the boys find out Bela was responsible for Gordon finding them, Dean informs Bela the first thing he's going to do if they survive is kill her, but things appear to be resolved when she helps them locate him. Mercedes McNab guest stars.[11] 
52(8) "A Very Supernatural Christmas"  3.02 million viewers December 13, 2007 3T6908
In this Christmas-themed episode, Sam and Dean encounter a twisted couple of Pagan gods that share a craving for human meat. Flashbacks follow the Winchesters during Christmas 16 years ago when Sam first learned that the supernatural existed and that his father hunted it.[12] 
53(9) "Malleus Maleficarum"  2.95 million viewers January 31, 2008 3T6909
Sam and Dean encounter a coven of witches who have been serving demons. Ruby tells Sam and Dean to get out of town while they still had the chance, but the Winchesters ignore her warning. Blood begins to spurt out Dean's mouth and Sam travels to the witch’s' house to stop the spell. After a near-death experience, Ruby saves Dean and they both go to help Sam. The brothers learn that Ruby was once a human witch before becoming a demon.[13] 
54(10) "Dream a Little Dream of Me"  2.68 million viewers February 7, 2008 3T6910
A maid comes into Bobby's hotel room and finds him asleep. No one can wake him up and the doctor concludes that he just suddenly lapsed into a coma. Dean and Sam investigate this ordeal and find that he is trapped within his own mind. The boys manage to save Bobby, but Dean must face one of his greatest fears.[14] 
55(11) "Mystery Spot"  2.97 million viewers February 14, 2008 3T6912
Sam relives the same day over and over, continually having to deal with Dean's death. Determined to stop the time loop, he repeatedly tries to alter the day or otherwise prevent from his brother's death from ever occurring. After repeated failures, a slight change in how the day plays out tips Sam off on whom the culprit really is. He confronts the man and it is revealed to be a Trickster, whom the brothers believed they had killed some time before. Sam attempts to kill him, but the Trickster ends the loop and allows the brothers to leave. The day after, Dean is shot by a mugger and dies. Distraught, Sam turns dark and dedicates his life to tracking down the Trickster. Eventually, they meet once again, and Sam begs the Trickster to fix things.[15] 
56(12) "Jus In Bello"  3.23 million viewers February 21, 2008 3T6911
Sam and Dean break into Bela's apartment in order to get the Colt back, but she has tipped off Agent Henricksen about their whereabouts and they are arrested. While Sam and Dean are locked in a cell in Colorado, a demon breaks in and kills some of the sheriff's men and possesses Henricksen. After the guys vanquish the demon, the FBI agent realizes they were telling the truth and prepares to release them, but Ruby shows up to a warn Sam and Dean that the jailhouse is surrounded by a band of demons with a powerful new leader who wants Sam dead. Ruby propouse a plan which involves killing the virginal counter girl, but Dean declines the offer and choses to let the demons in trap them by sealing the doors with salt and playing Sam's voice on a tape recorder through the P.A. reciting an exorcism ritual. After the brothers are gone a little girl comes into the sheriff office and ask for them as a tall guy and a cute one, when ask for her name she reveals to be Lillith, the demon who wants Sam dead, and kills everyone in the building.[16] 
57(13) "Ghostfacers"  2.22 million viewers April 24, 2008 3T6913
Sam and Dean work a case at the same place where the boys from Hell Hound's Lair, Ed Zeddmore and Harry Spangler, are shooting the pilot for their reality show "Ghost Facers." Every leap year, at midnight, a ghost who used to be a janitor at a local hospital kills people and brings their corpses to the Morton House for company. Their spirits remain trapped in the house as well as any living person in the house at midnight. Sam and Dean become trapped in the house with the Ghost Facers crew and must figure out how to kill the ghost as it hunts them one by one.[17] 
58(14) "Long Distance Call"  2.63 million viewers May 1, 2008 3T6914
People are getting phone calls from loved ones who have died telling them to kill themselves. Dean receives a call from John (guest star Jeffrey Dean Morgan) and he tells Dean that he knows who the demon is and how to get out of the contract that will send his soul to Hell. Sam and Dean argue because Sam distrusts the information that Dean is receiving by phone, but Dean is convinced that it his father and follows the advice he is given to try and save himself. However the Crocotta (a scavenger demon that lures people into the dark by repeatedly saying "Come to me" and then devours their soul) is using the radio station to lure people to it by committing suicide. [18] 
59(15) "Time Is On My Side"  2.55 million viewers May 8, 2008 3T6915
Sam convinces Dean to go to Erie, Pennsylvania, to investigate a possible zombie. But they end up meeting Doctor Benton (guest star Billy Drago), a real doctor who abandoned his work in 1816 to follow his obsession of finding the key to eternal life. He drugs people and harvests their internal organs for his research. Meanwhile, Bobby finds out where Bela is and Dean leaves Sam to deal with the doctor alone while he confronts Bela.[19] 
60(16) "No Rest For The Wicked"  3.00 million viewers May 15, 2008 3T6916
With only 30 hours left before Dean's deal is up, Sam and Bobby search for Lilith, who holds the contract. After locating Lilith in New Harmony Indiana, Sam summons Ruby for help despite Dean's protests. They decide they can't trust her and steal her demon killing knife and depart for New Harmony. Lilith is holding a family hostage while using the body of their little girl as a host. Sam, Dean and Bobby take on Lilith and her demons in a last effort to save Dean's life. Lilith departs the body of the little girl and takes the body of Ruby, unaware to Sam and Dean. The clock tolls for midnight, after Dean tells an upset Sam to keep fighting. Dean sees the hellhound and runs into a room of the house. Ruby promises that she can fight it off, asking for her Dagger. Dean tells Sam that it isn't Ruby, and they fight. Sam tries a last minute bargain, to no avail. Lilith lets in the Hellhound, and it claws Dean to death. Lilith attempts to kill Sam, but he's too strong for her powers. As Sam tries to stab Lilith, she leaves the host body, and Sam realises that Dean has gone. He cries over his brother's dead body. The audience see Dean in Hell, hung on hooks in a webs of chains, crying out for Sam's help.[20] 

[edit] New and returning characters

For season three, the Supernatural team would bring in two new regular cast members. Katie Cassidy was added to the main cast as Ruby.[5] A former witch, and a current demon,[13] who appears in six episodes of the season.[21] Lauren Cohan was cast as Bela Talbot, who antagonises the Winchesters.[7] It is revealed later in the season that she had sold her soul to a crossroad demon, in exchange for her parents to be killed.[19] Cohan appears in six episodes,[22] until her on-screen death in the seasons penultimate episode.[19] Series creator Eric Kripke revealed that the character was killed off due to negative fan reaction.[23]

Jim Beaver returns as Bobby Singer,[5] who appears in a total of seven episodes.[24] He continues to act as both a hunter and a mentor to Sam and Dean. Sterling K. Brown portrays hunter Gordon Walker,[7] who returns for two episodes of the season.[25] Brown was originally intended to appear in a longer episode arc, however he was only allowed to return for two episodes due to commitments with Lifetime Television series Army Wives.[26] Jeffrey Dean Morgan returns to voice Sam and Dean's father, John Winchester.[18] A.J. Buckley and Travis Wester reprise their roles of Ed Zeddmore and Harry Spangler.[17] The two had previously appeared in one season one episode,[27] and appear again only once.[28][29]

[edit] Writers strike

On November 5, 2007, a strike began between the Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE), Writers Guild of America, west (WGAw) and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). A prolonged strike would have forced television shows to end their seasons early, because no scripts could be written until a settlement had been reached.[30] It was planned for the twelfth episode to become the season finale.

On February 12, 2008, after a 48-hour vote by the guild members, the strike came to an end.[31] This allowed the shooting four new episodes that began airing on April 24, 2008. This was in addition to the episodes that have already been filmed, leaving the season total at sixteen episodes.[32][33]

[edit] References

  1. ^ A Supernatural Press Release for the 3rd Season DVD Package. TVShowsOnDVD.com. Retrieved on 2008-06-09.
  2. ^ Supernatural - The Complete Third Season. Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved on 2008-06-09.
  3. ^ Jeremy Bonfiglio. "‘Gossip Girl,’ ‘Smallville’ among The CW’s early series pickups", South Bend Tribune, 2008-03-03. Retrieved on 2008-03-03. 
  4. ^ Seidman, Robert (2007). Supernatural Ratings 2007-2008. Retrieved on 2008-06-09.
  5. ^ a b c "The Magnificent Seven". Eric Kripke (writer) & Kim Manners (director). Supernatural. The CW. 2007-10-04. No. 1, season 3.
  6. ^ "The Kids Are Alright". Sera Gamble (writer) & Phil Sgriccia (director). Supernatural. The CW. 2007-10-11. No. 2, season 3.
  7. ^ a b c "Bad Day At Black Rock". Ben Edlund (writer) & Bob Singer (director). Supernatural. The CW. 2007-10-18. No. 3, season 3.
  8. ^ "Sin City". Robert Singer & Jeremy Carver, (writers) & Charles Beeson (director). Supernatural. The CW. 2007-10-25. No. 4, season 3.
  9. ^ "Bedtime Stories". Cathryn Humphris (writer) & Mike Rohl (director). Supernatural. The CW. 2007-11-01. No. 5, season 3.
  10. ^ "Red Sky At Morning". Laurence Andries (writer) & Cliff Bole (director). Supernatural. The CW. 2007-11-08. No. 6, season 3.
  11. ^ "Fresh Blood". Laurence Andries (writer) & Sera Gamble (director). Supernatural. The CW. 2007-11-15. No. 7, season 3.
  12. ^ "A Very Supernatural Christmas". Jeremy Carver (writer) & J. Miller Tobin (director). Supernatural. The CW. 2007-12-13. No. 8, season 3.
  13. ^ a b "Malleus Maleficarum". Ben Edlund (writer) & Robert Singer (director). Supernatural. The CW. 2008-01-31. No. 9, season 3.
  14. ^ "Dream a Little Dream of Me". Cathryn Humphris (writer) & Steve Boyum (director). Supernatural. The CW. 2008-02-07. No. 10, season 3.
  15. ^ "Mystery Spot". Jeremy Carver (teleplay), Jeremy Carver and Emily McLaughlin, (story) & Kim Manners (director). Supernatural. The CW. 2008-02-14. No. 11, season 3.
  16. ^ "Jus In Bello". Sera Gamble (writer) & Kim Manners (director). Supernatural. The CW. 2008-02-21. No. 12, season 3.
  17. ^ a b "Ghostfacers". Ben Edlund (writer) & Phil Sgriccia (director). Supernatural. The CW. 2008-04-24. No. 13, season 3.
  18. ^ a b "Long Distance Call". Sera Gamble (writer) & Charles Beeson (director). Supernatural. The CW. 2008-05-01. No. 14, season 3.
  19. ^ a b c "Time Is On My Side". Sera Gamble (writer) & Charles Beeson (director). Supernatural. The CW. 2008-05-08. No. 15, season 3.
  20. ^ "No Rest For The Wicked". Eric Kripke (writer) & Kim Manners (director). Supernatural. The CW. 2008-05-15. No. 16, season 3.
  21. ^ Katie Cassidy. Internet Movie Database. Retrieved on 2008-06-09.
  22. ^ Lauren Cohan. Internet Movie Database. Retrieved on 2008-06-09.
  23. ^ 'Supernatural' creator talks season four. Digital Spy. Retrieved on 2008-05-08.
  24. ^ Aaron Jim Beaver (I). Internet Movie Database. Retrieved on 2008-06-09.
  25. ^ Sterling K. Brown. Internet Movie Database. Retrieved on 2008-06-09.
  26. ^ Supernatural Creator Eric Kripke Answers Fan’s Questions – Part II. Eclipse Magazine. Retrieved on 2008-05-25.
  27. ^ "Hell House". Trey Callaway (writer) & Chris Long (director). Supernatural. The WB. 2006-03-30. No. 17, season 1.
  28. ^ A.J. Buckley (I). Internet Movie Database. Retrieved on 2008-06-09.
  29. ^ Travis Wester. Internet Movie Database. Retrieved on 2008-06-09.
  30. ^ Michael Cieply; Brooks Barnes. "Writers Say Strike to Start Monday", New York Times. Retrieved on 2007-11-06. 
  31. ^ Lynn Elber. "Writers Vote to End 3-Month Strike", The Associated Press, 2008-02-12. Retrieved on 2008-02-12. 
  32. ^ Brian Stelter. "As Hollywood writers strike end nears, a status report on TV shows", The New York Times, 2008-02-15. Retrieved on 2008-02-16. 
  33. ^ Michael Ausiello. "After the WGA Strike: When Will Your Favorite TV Shows Return?", TV Guide. Retrieved on 2008-03-17. 

[edit] External links

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to:
S U P E R N A T U R A L
Main
Episode Guide | Origins
Main Characters
Dean | Sam | John
Other
Azazel | Bela | Bobby | Ellen | Meg | Ruby | Minor Characters
Miscellaneous
The Colt | Ruby's Dagger | The Impala
Singer Salvage Yard | The Roadhouse
Web Sites
Official CW Supernatural page
 view • talk • edit