If you plan to dedicate yourself to watching ten seasons of a television show, you must be prepared to spend a significant amount of time in that show's world. Some people may know the geography of fictional Springfield better than their own neighborhoods, while others may have replaced memories of their childhood homes with memories of the NCIS headquarters. Despite the premise or plot of a long-running series, these shows often become our go-to destinations when we need to escape.

Supernatural, the CW's longest-running hunk procedural, now in its tenth season, fully embraces this idea in its newest season opener, "Black." This episode is possibly the least stressful and least apocalyptic series premiere in the show's history, and it is downright pleasant and comforting in a way that only a trusted brand like Supernatural can achieve. Praising a high-energy monster-hunting procedural for its calmness may seem like a criticism, but it is meant as a compliment: "Black" is an enjoyable and relaxing experience.

Every season of Supernatural ends with one or more of the Winchester brothers being killed, sacrificed, possessed, or sent to Hell. "Black" acknowledges that Dean being turned into a demon in the previous season's finale was not an interesting premise.

Instead of a violent showdown, this episode reveals that Demon Dean is actually happier and more engaged with the world. His demonic transformation is not as severe as initially believed; Demon Dean is still Dean, with occasional black-eyeball occurrences.

The Mark of Cain keeps Dean's soul intact, and he only needs to kill other demons to prevent himself from becoming entirely evil. The episode demonstrates Supernatural's quick shift away from demon-related storylines and instead treats us to two karaoke scenes and two scenes in which male characters casually expose themselves. It is a welcome return for the show. "Black" takes place primarily in a South Dakota roadhouse that doubles as a karaoke bar, where Dean and Crowley have been enjoying their version of Thelma & Louise.

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