Rooted in multicultural folklore and playing on raw human emotion, this drama is such a fan-beloved hit that its longevity has greatly exceeded creator Eric Kripke's intended trio of seasons. Padalecki and Ackles are stellar in their roles as tortured souls Sam and Dean, each of whom wrestles with his own inner demons in addition to engaging real ones in battle. So many true-to-life issues surface in this series -- family responsibility vs. individual motivations, destiny vs. free will, the fine line between good and evil -- that astute viewers will see it's much more than a pretty-boy drama (although the fact that the guys aren't bad to look at is a bonus).

It's too bad that such a smart show couldn't be enjoyed by a general audience, but there's just too much troubling content afoot to make this one acceptable for most teens. Violence is the main offender, since each story centers on the guys' quest to kill some paranormal monster of sorts, and later seasons delve into the spiritual world with the introduction of some surprisingly vengeful angels. Although their intentions are always good, the guys' lifestyle is questionable at best -- marked by credit-card fraud, heavy drinking, casual sex, and their own deals with the devil.