Fans of Supernatural have known for quite a while that executive producer Eric Kripke envisioned their favorite series to have a five season story arc. Rather than allowing Supernatural to become a shell of its former self, Kripke is determined to make the episodes that remain very strong and leave audiences wanting more. Recently rumors have begun circulating suggesting that the series might continue; but Kripke was recently crystal clear with Entertainment Weekly that even if the series went on he would not.
”Despite what the network and studio may or may not want, I don’t have more than five seasons of story,” he said. “I certainly would be willing to make sure there are enough villains and heroes around to continue a new story line, and I would be around to answer a few questions — that’s it. I’m outta here. There’s no way I’m doing season 6.”
To further halt speculation, Jensen Ackles and Jared Padelecki both spoke negatively about the possibility of moving forward. EW asked Ackles whether a big money contract could lure him to stay.
”They’d have to back up a Brinks truck,” he said. That may sound very cynical but he has his reasons. “We don’t live at home. We don’t sleep in our own beds. Our families aren’t here. Our friends aren’t here. Our girlfriends aren’t here.”
Jared Padalecki couldn’t offer fans much more hope.
”I enjoy working, but what’s the point? Do I want to just keep on doing photo shoots and work so I can get more famous so I can do even more photo shoots and work and fly to more places to do more press?… I get sick of talking about myself.”
Game over, right? Supernatural is flatlining? Not necessarily. It’s not Kripke’s decision to cut life support, or Ackles’, or Padalecki’s. It’s the network’s; and just as Supernatural’s key figures seem to be trying hard to provide fans closure its the network who is leaving ambiguity.
“If the show’s doing well, we would go on, I’m sure,” said CW entertainment president Dawn Ostroff. When asked whether she would try to convince Kripke to come back for it she said, ”It’s premature for us to even address that.”
If Supernatural continued but Kripke, Ackles and Padalecki left what would the series be about? Even if Sam left but Dean stayed or vice versa the central character dynamic would be lost. If that happened would Supernatural really be Supernatural at all?
Perhaps that’s where the final right of refusal on the series continuation comes into play, the authority even Ostroff alluded to as controlling their decision. Ultimately Supernatural‘s audience would have to decide whether or not a series without the people who embody it is truly the series they love. As bittersweet as it may be to see the series end, would Supernatural’s continuation in a drastically new, network driven direction be a fate worse than death?
-Henry Jenkins, BuddyTV Staff Writer
(Image courtesy of The CW)
Guest Columnist, BuddyTV
