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The new “Winchesters” rides on the original’s nostalgia and ends up disappointing its fans—here’s why it fell flat
summarizeEditor's Summary
I gave The Winchesters a try because, let’s be real, who doesn’t love a quick trip back to the world of Supernatural? The first couple of episodes actually put a smile on my face – familiar faces, a handful of nostalgic Easter eggs, and a period‑piece vibe that felt fresh. But the magic fizzles fast. The dialogue often sounds forced and unintentionally funny, the budget feels tighter than a cheap costume, and the story never really grabs you. By episode five I was already thinking, "Enough is enough." It’s a decent watch if you just want a quick throwback, but don’t expect the same depth as the original, and it’s not worth every penny if you’re hoping for a game‑changing spin‑off.
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\nHello!
\nIf you’ve read any of my reviews, you already know I’m a binge‑watcher who can’t get enough fantasy and supernatural stuff.
\nI just finished the infamous “Supernatural” and even posted a review about it.
\nNow I’m diving into another series that lives in the same universe – “The Winchesters.”
\nI’m still not 100% sure if it’s a prequel or a sequel, so let’s break it down.
\n
\n \n\n\n\nQuick facts:
\nCountry of origin: USA
\nGenre: action, thriller, drama, adventure
\nSeasons: 1, 13 episodes total. And that’s definitely the moment I’ll say enough is enough!
\nEpisode length: 40‑45 minutes, just right and standard.
\nDescription:
\nJohn and Mary’s love story – the parents of Dean and Sam Winchester. John returns from the Vietnam War and meets 19‑year‑old demon hunter Mary. They team up to uncover family secrets and protect the world from evil, while John’s mother, Millie, tries to keep her son away from the dangerous hunt.
\nAnyone who’s watched “Supernatural” will probably raise an eyebrow at that blurb.
\nBut I’ll give it a shot and share my thoughts.
\nEverything that follows is purely my personal take, spoiler‑light and with no hard feelings.
\nCharacters and roles
\nJohn – Drake Rodger
\n \n\n\n\nA young vet coming home from war, barely holding it together – PTSD and aggression are his daily companions. He’s trying to figure out who he is, juggling a hero complex with a lot of insecurity.
\n \n\n\n\nThe show wants to show his messy emotions, but I never really clicked with him.
\nMary – Meg Donnelly
\n \n\n\n\nA girl raised as a demon hunter who dreams of a normal life she barely knows. She’s restless, doubtful, still trying to map out her path.
\n \n\n\n\nHonestly, the series never makes her trauma feel convincing. They hint at the damage, but it just falls flat.
\n \n\n\n\nCarlos – Jojo Fleites
\n
\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHe’s the tolerance‑hander (yeah, the show overdid that) and the manners guy.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nA failed musician whose parents were killed by monsters, now on a revenge quest. He’s kind of likable, but also kind of forgettable.
\nLatika – Nida Khursid
\n
\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShe’s an Indian girl who handles the team’s intel – basically a bookworm with a dark past. The series slowly peels back her secrets, only to reveal they’re more melodramatic than scary. Honestly, she comes off as a bit of a coward.
\n
\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAda – Demetria McKinney
\n
\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAn adult woman who’s basically the team’s witch, though it’s never clear why she’s constantly babysitting a bunch of kids.
\nAbout the characters.
\nNothing much to say here.
\nI don’t recognize the actors, which isn’t a deal‑breaker—fresh faces can be great—but it feels like the casting was rushed.
\nTheir backstories are thin, their personalities under‑written.
\nAnd with the wooden performances, you just can’t buy into them; the emotions feel off and unconvincing.
\n
\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe dialogue is clunky.
\nI don’t feel any attachment to the heroes, and honestly, I’m not even interested in getting to know them.
\nPlot and overall impressions.
\nI can’t shake the feeling I was taken for a ride—like they tried to milk my nostalgia for a solid show (think early seasons of Supernatural, which I love) and shoved a half‑baked, overly explicit mess at me.
\nEven the hook isn’t original.
It’s the same old ‘search for a missing dad’ trope—Mary’s dad vanished on a hunt, sound familiar?
\n
\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
John spends the series trying to figure out where his dad disappeared years ago.They dump exposition on us hoping to hook us: a dead relative we never met, a mysterious magical artifact, forgotten Knowledge Keepers’ bunkers (a line I never liked even in Supernatural), and a world‑ending evil. It just falls flat.
\nThe thing is, the characters are half‑baked. Their reactions don’t make sense and we never really get why they do what they do. And all these hunters? They’re out there doing this dangerous, terrifying job, clearly scarred inside, yet they act like kids—picky, whiny, blasting demons with water‑gun‑like weapons. It’s just ridiculous.
\nSpecial effects and costumes.
\nThe filming isn’t bad, and the sets don’t raise any complaints.
\nThe only downside is how dark the series is—like they skimped on lighting. Supposed to add mood, but in practice it’s hard to see anything. And the monsters look…meh, almost cartoonish.
\nThe effects feel cheap.
\nThe makeup is average—good enough, but something feels missing.
\nWhat I did like were the costumes; they capture the era’s vibe pretty well.
\nAll those flared jeans and hippie‑style communes.
\nBut sometimes the casting feels off—fearsome, powerful witches end up looking like ragged women who’ve slathered on half a makeup bag.
\nMusic.
\nThe soundtrack isn’t bad; it’s decently chosen, but I can’t recall a single memorable tune, which says something.
\nNostalgia factor.
\nHonestly, that nostalgia is probably why the show managed to scrape through at least one season. It was fun spotting familiar faces.
\n \n \n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\nSurprisingly enough, riding that same wave of nostalgia, the final episode managed to end on a pleasant note.
\n \n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\nA big plus for fans missing the original series was that the narrator and voice‑over was played by Dean Winchester.
\n \n\n\n\n\nThe explanation at the end was frankly weak, reducing everything to a multiverse concept (which I’m not really into, to be honest).It kind of kills the atmosphere.
You stop caring about the characters, feeling like they’re just one of countless versions and you can’t see why we should care about them.
\nWhat really gets me is that this new take on familiar characters feels like a slap in the face of fans. I want to shout, “Hey, we already know these characters, we loved (or hated) them, and this swap kind of ruins the story we liked!”
\nBottom line.
\nIt’s a pretty disposable series, apparently designed for fans to swallow anything that’s even vaguely tied to the original show and its universe.
\nBut it was put together so sloppily that it only lasted one season before getting the axe – which, honestly, is for the best. To me it’s a throw‑away show; I only watched it as background noise, but I did finish it, so it wasn’t completely boring. I’ll give it a three out of five (yeah, I’m a bit nostalgic too), but I won’t recommend it. And it’s definitely not a series I’d ever want to rewatch or dive back into its vibe (which, frankly, isn’t really there).
\nWhether you watch it or not is up to you!
\nThanks for reading!
\n \n
live_helpFeatured FAQ
Is The Winchesters a prequel or a sequel to Supernatural?
The Winchesters is positioned as a prequel, focusing on the early lives of John and Mary before Dean and Sam were born, though it occasionally hints at events that feel more like a sequel.
Do I need to have watched Supernatural to enjoy The Winchesters?
You don’t have to be a Supernatural fan, but knowing the original’s lore enhances the experience because many jokes and references rely on that background.
How many seasons and episodes are there?
The series currently has one season with 13 episodes, each running about 40‑45 minutes.
Is the show worth the binge‑watch?
If you’re after a quick nostalgic fix, maybe. But for a deep, satisfying story, it feels like a total letdown compared to its predecessor.
What’s the production quality like?
The production feels constrained by a modest budget – sets and special effects look cheaper than expected, which hurts the immersion.
Are the main characters well‑developed?
John and Mary get some backstory, but many supporting characters feel one‑dimensional, leaving you wanting more depth.
How does the show handle the supernatural elements?
It leans heavily on classic monster‑of‑the‑week formulas, but the execution often feels bland and lacks the original’s clever twists.
Will the series get renewed for another season?
As of now, there’s no official word on renewal; viewership numbers and mixed reviews make a second season uncertain.
check_circlePros
- •Familiar characters like John and Mary give fans an instant connection
- •Nostalgic callbacks and Easter eggs reward longtime Supernatural viewers
- •Period‑specific set design adds a fresh visual flavor
- •Action sequences are surprisingly well‑choreographed for a first season
- •Occasional strong chemistry between the lead duo feels genuine
- •Episode length stays in a tidy 40‑45 minute window, perfect for binge‑watching
cancelCons
- •Dialogue often comes off as clunky and unintentionally funny
- •Low‑budget production values show through in cheap set pieces
- •The show fails to capture the original’s dark, witty tone
- •Story arcs feel rushed and never fully develop the new characters
- •Pacing drags in the middle episodes, making the series feel uneven
- •Fan‑service moments feel forced rather than earned
