What a great season to be a Sci Fi/Fantasy fan! Not since The X-Files and Buffy the Vampire Slayer were on prime time have there been so many science fiction and fantasy-based shows on network television. Hoping to catch the same audience that made Lost a such hit, the networks have given us two new creepy shows: Supernatural and Night Stalker. How do they compare?
Premise
Supernatural: Two brothers search for their missing dad, who became obsessed with occult-based crimes after their mother's death. By investigating mysteries that he would have been drawn to, they hope to find clues to his whereabouts.
Night Stalker: Carl Kolchak, a reporter, is drawn to mysterious and occult crimes similar to the death of his wife.
Winner: Tie - the premises are very similar. And yes, before you get all pop culture on me, read the next one.
Pedigree
Supernatural: Many of the episodes are directed by Kim Manners and written by John Shiban, both of whom worked on The X-Files.
Night Stalker: Based on the cult made-for-TV movie and television series staring Darren McGavin in the early 70s.
Winner: Night Stalker; the original is considered to be some of the best sci-fi/fantasy produced for television and definitely inspired The X-Files.
Sample Storyline
Supernatural: The brothers invesitgate a wendigo, a person now transformed into an evil spirit through cannibalism. The wendigo stalks hikers with uncanny swiftness and stores them in an underground larder.
Night Stalker: Kolchak investigates mysterious killings in a secret college society. The victims were literally scared to death. The killings were caused by the lingering fear of a little boy who was murdered by his father in the house where the rituals of the society take place.
Winner: Supernatural - Although neither plot sounds like much, it's all in the execution. Night Stalker's plot had holes and the resolution (including Kolchak burning down the house!) seemed silly. Supernatural, on the other hand, was actually scary and gross.
Production Values
Supernatural: A recent episode featured a shapeshifting creature that actually shedded its old appearance, including skin and teeth, into a gross puddle of goo.
Night Stalker: Generally, the show avoids monsters and even then shows them only as shadowy shapes.
Winner: Supernatural - No, the show isn't as glossy as a big budget Hollywood movie, but they do really well with what they've got.
Stars
Supernatural: Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki - though not big stars as yet, they are nice-looking boys and have done quite a bit of work.
Night Stalker: Stuart Townsend - an Irish actor who has been in such movies as Queen of the Damned and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen
Winner: Draw - I like all three. Townsend's film work might leave something to be desired, but somehow I still like him. Ackles and Padalecki have a good rapport and actually seem like brothers.
Winner: Supernatural edges out Night Stalker. Though I really want to like Night Stalker, I also really want it to be more: more scary, more interesting, more, ironically enough, like The X-Files; fans of the original series will be disappointed. On the other hand, Supernatural, unsurprisingly, feels like The X-Files and has intriguing, scary stories. However, both series lack a strong "mythology" plot, which has come to be expected from these sorts of shows. I hope they last long enough to get a chance to develop that story element.
Supernatural is on WB on Tuesday nights.
Night Stalker is on ABC on Thursday nights.
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