First look at Mark Sheppard on 'Supernatural' (and a few thoughts on Thursday's fun episode)

Below is the first picture of Mark Sheppard, who plays a key role in the Nov. 19 episode of "Supernatural."

I've put the picture a few paragraphs down because what Sheppard's character is holding... could be considered a spoiler. Dun-dun-dun!

"Abandon All Hope...," the episode in which Sheppard appears, is the final "Supernatural" episode of 2009. And now we know exactly how long we'll have to go Winchester-less: The show will return Jan. 14 with new episodes.

I'm looking forward to seeing what Sheppard (who played Romo Lampkin on "Battlestar Galactica" as well as a billion other roles on TV) will bring to that "Supernatural" outing. (And be aware that, as part of the Mark Sheppard Full Employment Act of 2009, he will also appear on the Nov. 12 "CSI," which hosts Part 3 of an all-"CSI" crossover extravaganza.)

For a few details on "Abandon All Hope...," look below.


But before you get to those (mild) spoilers, here are a couple of thoughts on "Changing Channels," Thursday's episode of the CW drama (and I've made this brief writeup as non-spoilery as I can, but there are a few little facts about what occurs in Thursday's "Supernatural").

Wait, did I write "CW drama"? Well, when you tune in to the episode, you may think you're watching a sitcom. The comedic episode finds the Winchester brothers trapped in a variety of TV formats (one scenario has them meeting a guy called "Dr. Sexy." I'll just leave you to ponder that). I'd love to drop hints about the other scenarios but it'll be more fun to just see them unfold. 


Rest assured, the whole thing is quite amusing, and some scenarios were so funny that I had to stop the DVD that the CW sent so I could get the guffaws out of my system. The opening credits to the episode are still making me giggle. But as Fancast's Matt Mitovich says in his write-up of the episode, some interesting dramatic developments transpire in "Changing Channels" as well.


For pictures and an episode summary for "Changing Channels" and for the Nov. 12 episode, which has the boys traveling to a "Supernatural" fan convention, look here. Don't forget to come back to this site Friday morning so we can all discuss "Changing Channels." In that Friday post, I'll also share a few thoughts on the excellent Oct. 29 episode of the show, which aired while I was on vacation.

OK, the picture of Sheppard in "Supernatural" is below.



In "Abandon All Hope...," which was written by Ben Edlund and directed by Phil Sgriccia, Sam, Dean and Castiel "track down the Colt and head off to find Lucifer to send him back to Hell," according to a CW summary. "It's a hunters' reunion when the crew joins forces with Bobby (Jim Beaver), Ellen (guest star Samantha Ferris) and Jo (guest star Alona Tal) for what could be their last night on Earth."

In the episode, Sheppard plays Crowley, a pivotal crossroads demon. And that gun in his hand sure looks like the Colt to me.

As noted above, "Abandon All Hope..." is the final "Supernatural" episode of 2009. The show will return Jan. 14.

Two months without angels, demons or Winchesters. Talk about hell.