"Supernatural" is a show that exists "on the bubble." Fortunately for the show's fans, the CW did renew the series, and Season 2, a powerful, sometimes bumpy, ride, is now available as a DVD boxed set.

"Supernatural" follows two brothers, Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean Winchester (Jensen Ackles), as they travel the country hunting evil things, including the demon who murdered their mother when Sam was an infant and Dean was four years old. The show's first season was an episodic, visceral journey, with the boys' search for their missing father at the core, and ended on a wicked cliffhanger. Season 2 starts at the precise moment where season 1 left off and focuses more heavily on the series mytharc, the secret about Sam, and what the Big Bad has in store for him. It also zooms in emotionally, testing the boys' relationship with each other and revealing their weaknesses as they reel from the events of "In My Time of Dying," the stunning season 2 opener (directed by Kim Manners of "X-Files" fame).

The patterns established in season 1 get turned upside-down and rearranged as the boys help, confront, and even battle each other, as well as face their own inner demons. At times season 2 gets top-heavy with the weight of its own angst. But on the whole, the emotions ring brutally true. Except for a lull mid-season, it runs on all cylinders, with fast-paced storytelling and great characterization, especially with the final three episodes of the season. Meanwhile, the two leads continue turning out impressive performances, and they just keep getting better the more time they spend portraying Sam and Dean.

Humor is as much part of the mix as monsters and drama; "Hollywood Babylon" is a clever send-up of the horror movies from which the show draws its inspiration. There is also the satirical "Tall Tales," (again, with some familiar elements reworked, with hilarious results). Additionally, the season also has some memorable guest-performances, such as Linda Blair as a detective in the otherworldly murder mystery "The Usual Suspects," and "Battlestar Galactica's" Tricia Helfer in the ghost story "Roadkill." The season also introduces a small handful of new characters, as well as further developing a notable fan favorite from season 1. Sam and Dean hunt traditional monsters such as evil clowns ("Everybody Loves a Clown") and zombies ("Children Shouldn't Play With Dead Things"), as well as contend with other folklore horrors and the show's own internal mythology, all in ways that feel fresh. "Supernatural" never forgets that character comes first; the scary unfolds with a large side of believable sibling annoyances, banter, familial conflict, and heart-wrenching moments.

This show is also distinctive visually, and the transfer to DVD looks great, with vivid colors -- every drop of blood, sweat and tears stands out sharply. The extras are decent, although the audio commentary on "In My Time of Dying" is a bit disappointing, with too many long silences. Executive producer and creator Eric Kripke's commentary on the extraordinary episode 2.20, "What Is and What Should Never Be," is fun and interesting to listen to, and he telegraphs his enthusiasm for the crew and the actors. The commentary on the first part of the season finale, with director Robert Singer, Eric Kripke, and writer Sera Gamble, also crackles.

There's also an intriguing interactive feature, the "Devil's Road Map," which contains interviews with folklore experts and behind the scenes tidbits. There's also a documentary on the making of the season finale, but it's difficult to find, buried inside another extra (select thumbtack 22 on the "Devil's Road Map"). Navigation on the extras could have been better designed; it was also difficult to find the gag reel and Jared Padalecki's original screen test as Sam, although both items are terrific. Although not as meaty as the material on some boxed sets, there's still a lot of insight into how the show gets made, and the rapport between the two lead actors is as endearing as the connection between the brothers they portray.

On the whole, well worth adding to your DVD library -- this one's a keeper.