Supernatural Season-Four Premiere

At the end of season three, Sam, Dean and Bobby lost the battle against Lilith to save Dean's life as hell hounds ripped him apart and sent him to Hell. While Sam discovered that Lilith's power against him didn't work, he'd lost his brother.

In the fourth season premiere, "Lazarus Rising," it's four months later and Dean wakes up in a pine box unscathed and digs himself out of his grave. He makes his way to closed gas station and breaks in. As Dean cleans himself up, he begins to remember his death. Although the wounds from the hell hounds are gone, he has a hand printed burned into his shoulder. When a TV suddenly turns on and then a radio, he knows something's coming. The windows of the station blow out and then whatever it was is gone.

Dean tries to call Sam, but his phone is disconnected and Bobby won't talk to him. He steals an old car and knocks on Bobby's door. At first, Bobby thinks he must be a shape-shifter or a demon, but eventually he's convinced it is Dean. Bobby admits it's been a tough few months and Sam's refused to return his calls for months.

Both men think Sam must have made a deal to get Dean out of Hell. Dean tracks Sam down with the GPS from his cell phone right back in the area Dean was buried in, Pontiac, Illinois.

However, when Dean finally knocks on Sam's door and the Sam realizes his brother is alive and out of Hell, it's a bitter sweet moment. Even though he tried to get Dean out of Hell, no demon would deal with him and Sam feels guilty. Sam admits he didn't have anything to do with Dean getting out. The three men realize if it wasn't Sam, the creature that pulled Dean out of Hell is going to want something in return.

While Dean can't remember his time in Hell, he is starting to have flashes of his experience. And while Sam is thrilled Dean's alive, there are things he's not ready to tell his brother. As the hunters head off to met a psychic with hopes of finding some answers, they are about to discover that they are in the middle of something which will make them question their beliefs and challenge them in ways they never expected.

Fearless storytelling

Despite a shortened third season which left the writers scrambling to finish up the arc which would send Dean to Hell due to that writers' strike, season three offered a satisfying ride. And while it might seem like a bit of a cheat that Dean magically gets out of Hell in the very first moments of the season-four premiere, "Lazarus Rising," creator Eric Kripke once again pushes the storytelling and enlarges the Supernatural world even further.

While lesser writers would drag out Dean and Sam's search for answers, we find out in the premiere what the brothers are up against and once again the battle is set for the new season. The stakes are higher and the brothers' bond is not entirely intact. Both of them have gone through something the other will not easily be able to come to terms with and they are in many ways fragile.

Actors Jared Padalecki as Sam and Jensen Ackles as Dean get some very nice meaty moments to play. And Jim Beaver as Bobby, offers terrific support and gets a few powerful moments of his own. However, despite the heavy subject, Dean's still his quippy self and the hour is entertaining if not accessible to those who haven't watched the series before.

Kripke can be fearless when it comes to his storytelling and each season has built effectively. Even while the brothers are on the hunt for monsters, there's never a doubt that there's something bigger a foot. "Lazarus Rising" sets us that "something bigger." And while the details of exactly what Sam and Dean are up against can't be spelled out without giving too much away, the story will not disappoint.

It will lead up to a second episode which will give us a hint about the battle ahead. But don't think it's all going to be serious stuff. The X-Files Mitch Pileggi will guest star in an upcoming episode as Sam and Dean's grandfather and the brothers will find themselves going up against a shape-shifter who loves horror movies. It looks like it will add up to another dramatic season that will stretch the story and the characters once again to their breaking point, but not at the expense of giving us a great ride in a cool car with a couple of hot guys.

"Lazarus Rising" is a must-see for Supernatural fans. It's apparent that Kripke has a plan for where Supernatural is headed, so let's hope he gets a chance to play it out with another couple of years.

-—Kathie