The following contains MAJOR SPOILERS for the "Ghostfacers" episode of the CW show, "Supernatural."

"Ed, you've got to go be gay for that poor dead intern. You've got to send him into the light." -- Harry Spangler

Ed Zeddmore (A.J. Buckley) and Harry Spengler (Travis Wester) cross paths again with the Winchester brothers in pursuit of the paranormal.

This time, they are filming their reality show "Ghostfacers" at the Morton Mansion, an abandoned house that becomes the most haunted place in America one night every leap year.

When the clock strikes midnight the team of amateurs finds they are in over their heads as something starts picking them off one by one and traps them all in the house.

The dedicated team continues to film as Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) lead them in a search for answers and a way to survive. After Corbett (Dustin Milligan), the love struck intern disappears, Sam is the next to be taken and Dean desperately hunts for his brother while babysitting the wannabe Scooby gang.

Blood is spilled and rock salt rounds fly, but in the end it is true love and sacrifice that save the day when the spirit of Corbett the intern saves them all.

What Worked

The reality show feel -- complete with handheld camera and profanity bleeps -- was a refreshing creative detour from the usual format. At first, the concept seemed reminiscent of the "Cops" episode of "The X-Files," but after a few moments, I was quickly reminded that "Supernatural" has an identity all its own. The idea is also timely, given the saturation of reality shows and the popularity of the SciFi Channel's "Ghost Hunters." While I've never been a rabid fan of that show, I was familiar enough with it to really enjoy the humor.

Also, the hilarious punch line about the "fat cats" writers strike must have felt truly cathartic for writer Ben Edlund, who once again hit the ball out of the park with this script.

Obviously, the humor was a real selling point for "Ghostfacers," as Buckley and Wester reprise their roles of the bumbling ghost hunters from Season 1's "Hell House." Yet, thankfully, the "Supernatural" PTB refrained from simply making the episode an extended sitcom.

The terror of the situation rang true, and Corbett's death was well executed, shocking and horrifying. And while the episode was a sudden change of tone from "Jus In Bello" and presumably the upcoming "Long Distance Call," the reality of Dean's dire situation was addressed, maintaining consistency in the storyline -- no simple feat considering the shortened season and extended break due to the aforementioned writer's strike.

The use of the bleeps with skull graphics over the Winchesters' mouths was a humorous addition for the episode, but the implied language felt a bit jarring coming from them. It did, however, serve as a reminder that many of us like our bad boys to still be good?or our good boys to be just a little bad.

What Didn't Work

It did seem as if viewers were treated to less screen time from the Winchester boys, which can be construed as cruel since several weeks have already passed since we saw them in any new action. However, given that creator Eric Kripke has stated that the secret to great television is to make characters you love and then torture the hell out of them, perhaps we can take solace in the fact that he appears to be extending that tough love mentality to the fans, as well.

Giving Credit Where Credit Is Due

"Ghostfacers" was written by Ben Edlund and directed by Phil Sgriccia. "Supernatural" airs Thursday nights at 9/8c on the CW.

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