The Wheels (Supernatural)
If you think of Supernatural as a Greek tragedy (like I do because I am studying Classics and I see its influence EVERYWHERE) then Dean’s Impala is the silent third actor. I like to think of it like Pylades, steadily assisting Orestes in his revenge. Okay, the Impala isn’t that silent. But as it gently growls along the back roads of America (or Vancouver) doesn’t it make an amazingly satisfying real car noise and isn’t it refreshing for it not to be an SUV. You can’t move in prime time for SUVs so it is nice to have some retro eye candy.
I think it is fair to say that if Dean could be joined in civil union with his black 1967 Chevy Impala then he would be. It is very much a ‘for better or worse relationship’. It was badly damaged at the end of the first season, then rebuilt only to be beaten up by Dean in frustration, and we can count on the fingers of one hand the number of times someone else has driven it. I’ll be honest I don’t know that much about cars (especially classic America ones) so when I first heard the name Impala I thought they were referring to a monster like a wendingo. It took a while for me to click that they were talking about the car. Now, Dean’s license plate reads KAZ 2Y5 which is general taken in the blogosphere as a nod to their home state of Kansas and the year in which the show debuted. But, could it be interpreted as ‘Kansas 22 yrs’ (if you tilt you head to the side and squint)…
Supernatural, Dean’s car, Impala, The CW, The Oresteia
