Television, Religion, and Supernatural
Hunting Monsters, Finding Gods
By (author) Erika Engstrom, Joseph M. Valenzano
Publication date:
19 February 2014Length of book:
166 pagesPublisher
Lexington BooksISBN-13: 9780739184752
Television, Religion, and Supernatural examines the text of the CW network television series Supernatural, a program based in the horror genre that offers viewers myriad religious-based antagonists through the portrayals of monsters, which its two main characters “hunt” and destroy, as well as storylines based on the Bible. Even as the series’ producers claim a nonreligious perspective, the authors contend that story arcs and outcomes of episodes actually forward a hegemonic portrayal of Christianity that portrays a good-versus-evil motif regarding the superiority of Catholicism. The depiction of its protagonist brothers, Dean and Sam Winchester of Lawrence, Kansas, provides a pro-American perspective regarding a more generalized fight against evil in contemporary times.
In summary, Engstrom and Valenzano provide a thorough and interesting investigation of this fan favorite that regularly draws two to three million viewers on the CW network. They clearly identify their methodologies and define their terms. Their knowledge of the show is extensive and many of their conclusions persuasive, though occasionally repetitive. For those researching the relationship between television and the supernatural, the book provides helpful context and information for comparison.... Engstrom and Valenzano demonstrate the value of Supernatural as a resource for teaching about religion, popular culture, media, and representations of the Apocalypse.