Being a fan of a "cult" show is a mixed blessing. On the one hand, cult fans are a special breed that live and die with the show. Shows that manage to shore up a devoted (or rabid) fan base can expect to stick around for a decent amount of time. On the other hand, these fans are notoriously finicky and can turn on you in an instant.
I imagine that Supernatural creator Eric Kripke has to feel somewhat the same way. While it's the base that's kept him at the CW for the past four seasons, he must realize what a demanding, petulant and critical bunch we are. Supernatural fans haven't yet reached the Trekkie level, but they seem to have an endless stream of complaints. So, as we approach the season finale of Supernatural, I have to wonder, do fans have too much of a say in what's going on with the series?
Do you keep the fans happy, or do you decide to do what's best for the show? With the season finale coming up, I feel like we're on the verge of that decision. From the previews of the last two episodes, the first of which aired last night, we're in for an epic battle that pits Sam and Dean against each other, which I know fans are not happy about.
From my informal surfing of the boards, the fans want nothing more than to see this Sam and Dean fight come to a happy end. But, creatively it's exactly this conflict that's making the show interesting to critics and casual viewers outside fandom. It's no surprise that the show has picked up critical and ratings steam since the brothers have come to blows. It may not be the same formula from season one that devoted fans feel in love with, but it makes for some really good television.
In the past three seasons, creator Eric Kripke has been walking a fine line between listening to fan feedback (and tweaking said show as a result) and flat out pandering to his audience. It's when Kripke tries to give fans what they want that the narrative runs into trouble. The last few episodes of season 4, namely "The Monster at the End of the Book" and most recently, "The Rapture" seem to be all about placating fans, rather than moving the story forward. When Castiel, the angel at the center of last episode, appeared in the season four opener, he was showered with love from fandom. With that in mind, "The Rapture" was a reactionary episode, something that only got done due to fan interest.
It's no coincidence that once the brothers' relationship began to show signs of strain, the show started to take off with a larger audience. This development brought new life to the show and shook off the formulaic stupor it was falling under. But, from my limited lurking on the TWOP boards and LiveJournal, where fans seem to congregate, Sam and Dean's strained relationship, as well as the Angels vs. Demons war, has been the biggest sticking point with fans all season. Much of the commentary focuses on one point, that Kripke has "ruined" what they love about the show by showing this conflict.
These ticks that fandom loves, like watching the boys cry, which was talked about in "The Monster at the End of the Book," are also the things that are dragging the show down. Look, the emotional relationship between the boys is still the heart of the show, but hopelessly devoted characters get boring to watch. With Sam and Dean gearing up to fight on different sides of this apocalyptic war, the story takes an epic and intriguing twist. And it provides a much needed creative resurgence.
I, for one, am really looking forward to the coming battle and just hope Kripke doesn't listen too closely to fans who may say otherwise.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
5-08-2009 @ 12:26PM
KaeDee said...
While I hope the boys regain their close relationship, it's usually only a small but vocal part of SN fans that post regularly on the boards and complain. Rising ratings are the best barometer on the success of the storyline, and I hope Kripke is following his vision completely and NOT pandering to the fickleness of fans. I do not see the episode about Castiel's human host as a "pander" to fan interest in this character. Castiel will be back in season 5, and every recurring character has had an episode or two devoted to them: even Bella. As a long time viewer, I'm loving the series as it is, and DO NOT WANT the writers shifting their vision at the whim of fans. No pandering, no compromising. Just tell a terrific story.
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5-08-2009 @ 12:32PM
Snife said...
I don't think the show is as good now as it was in series one but they have to mix it up to keep the show fresh.
I'd personally love to see Sam become the big bad for next season and maybe have Castial be cast out so he can team up with him.
What I miss most is the rock music recaps though - I used to really like them.
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5-08-2009 @ 12:42PM
Snife said...
Sorry I meant for Castiel to team up with Dean.
5-08-2009 @ 12:42PM
goodoldanonymity said...
As a bad "cult fan"....Please for the love of all things holy...do what's best for the story!!!
Honestly, I'd really hope the (awesome) writers working on this story have enough backing to ignore the often vapid, ridiculous complaints of people who, more often than not, haven't a CLUE what they're talking about.
The story is captivating, intelligent, amusing, and touching, and the fan base is still watching, which means they're already getting it "right". :)
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5-08-2009 @ 12:49PM
tracey8051 said...
From what I've heard, Kripke has always had a five year overall story arc. I think this is just part of the story he always wanted to tell. I know I read that in an interview a while back, but I couldn't tell you where it was.
I love the way the show has been going. Each season has been better than the one before and this one is no exception. I love that even though some of this season has been uncomfortable to watch, that it is still just great storytelling.
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5-08-2009 @ 1:04PM
Modwild said...
I think it makes perfect sense for the brothers to be pitted against each other, however I am concerned that they will be sucked too deeply into darkness and religious lore. Something that has always made the dark themes palatable is the humor that runs throughout the series. When focusing on these darkest eps, it is fairly difficult to toss in quips without making a mockery of what is happening.
If they can find a way to keep them apart and at odds while maintaining the wit that has driven the show in the past, I'm all for it.
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5-08-2009 @ 5:06PM
Tasha said...
I'm a fan and I believe that we ruin the show, most people I know just signed on to it this year and are enjoying it, the season one formula could not have continued till season 4 as the show would have become boring and repetitive. And it definitely has grown since season one. I just get sick of hearing the same complaints over and over, it gets annoying.
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5-08-2009 @ 2:15PM
Malren said...
Where did all these definitive statements about why plot points and episodes were created come from? The author is speaking AWFULLY definitively for not including actual quotes from Kripke or anyone else connected to the show.
The Rapture was fanservice? WHAT? Did we even watch the same show?
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5-10-2009 @ 8:03PM
Kate said...
I agree. I did not interpret either of the episodes mentioned as pandering to fans. "The Monster At The End Of This Book" mentioned the fans, but it was actually kind of poking fun at the more obnoxious ones in my view.
5-08-2009 @ 2:24PM
Heather said...
Those fans may say "I've been there since day one!" but they really need to re-watch the series. From day one, we have known there was something bigger going on besides the Monsters of the Week. We knew YED had plans for Dean and I remember the first time we met a demon, we found out that there have been more demon posessions. Kripke has had a 5 year plan and he should go on with it. I think the new storyline has added some life to the season.
As for the two episodes you mentioned, even though they were clearly for-fans episodes, they also did have a role in adding more to the whole story by introducing Chuck and having Castiel break up with Dean. This show was always going to lead up to something big.
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5-08-2009 @ 2:25PM
Heather said...
Er Sam. Typing too fast.
5-08-2009 @ 2:56PM
andres said...
Pony up some quotes because your article stinks of speculation. Like Heather said, Sam's current situation didn't just appear, they have been ramping it up for a while now, dropping hints that Sammy might turn bad (temporarily, I hope).
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5-08-2009 @ 2:59PM
Shotgun said...
>> Much of the commentary focuses on one point, that Kripke has "ruined" what they love about the show by showing this conflict.
I can only speak for myself, but it's not so much the fact that there's conflict, nor the fact that Kripke's showing it, but the fact that it's not being done well or convincingly. The characters have become so twisted by the plot (instead of the other way around) that I no longer have a sense of who they are or how they got there. I still have no idea why Sam trusts Ruby, why he thinks Dean's "weak," or how he allowed himself to get hooked on the demon blood in the first place. And Kripke's done a piss poor job of rationalizing why Dean didn't stab Ruby with the Magical!Demon!Killing!Knife months ago. For that matter, why hasn't he put a bullet in Sam's head? What, exactly, what all that whining in the second half of season two about? Not even a mention last night.
I wish I could say that the conflict between the brothers was turning me into a whimpering ball huddled in a corner, but it's not. I just don't give a damn because these two whining, hopelessly dumb chess pieces are not Sam and Dean. I've lost my sympathy for them as characters, and that's the most disappointing development of all. So full steam ahead, Kripke! Go ahead and take something unique and make it into every other End of the World story that's been done to death on television, film, and in books, because it's your "creative vision." You've got every right. But don't expect me to care about these two guys you call 'Sam' and 'Dean.' We're past that.
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5-08-2009 @ 3:13PM
galveston said...
Shotgun said-- I still have no idea why Sam trusts Ruby, why he thinks Dean's "weak," or how he allowed himself to get hooked on the demon blood in the first place.--
They've shown us why. It's because Sam *always* felt different. He's always felt like a freak, all the way back to the time of "Afterschool Special." Circumstance upon circumstance added to that feeling. Then his own father told Dean that he might have to kill Sam one day because he might become a monster. That devastated Sam. Then there's the guilt that Azazel targeted Jessica specially because of him, "special Sam who had demon blood dripped in his mouth" and then, finally, Dean was gone and Sam was all alone with feelings of despair, rage, and guilt that his beloved brother would suffer forever because of a deal made to save *him.* Then Ruby swooped in with a means of revenge against Lilith, with sex, and with comfort and a serpent's velvety tongue always telling Sam exactly what he wanted to hear. She "saved his life" (if she really did) and further indebted Sam to her. I care about you, Sam. You're not alone, Sam. You're strong, Sam. All she had to do was get him hooked. That feeling of control has to be the best narcotic in the entire world, plus it has positive side benefits because Sam was able to exorcise possession victims without killing them. Not that Ruby really cared, but she pretended to care. See? You can do good with this blood, Sam. It's all cumulative, and the writers have shown us. They just didn't tell us. IMO, that's good writing.
5-10-2009 @ 8:52PM
Kate said...
"For that matter, why hasn't he put a bullet in Sam's head? What, exactly, what all that whining in the second half of season two about? Not even a mention last night."
Actually I think this was mentioned. It's always been obvious that Dean could never follow his father's order to kill Sam, because he loved him too much. But in the last episode when Bobby told Dean they were killing Sam by keeping him from drinking, Dean replied, "Then at least he dies human. I would die for him in a second, but I won't let him do this to himself, I can't. I guess I found my line. I won't let my brother turn into a monster." The finding his line comment was him referring to his father's dying command that he should kill Sam. Dean couldn't follow it then because he couldn't see evil in Sam. Now he can see it, and tragically, Dean can now conceive of letting Sam die to keep his soul intact. Granted it's an oblique, subtle reference, but somehow I think Dean saying, "Hey Bobby, remember back in season two when my dad told me I might have to kill Sam? Yeah, I thought he was a complete wackjob then, but I'm totally there now," would be somewhat clumsy.
5-08-2009 @ 2:59PM
Kayleigh said...
I love the show and where it's at right now. I love the current storyline of brother v. brother as much as I hate it. I don't deny that it's good television but right now fans are looking towards the light at the end of the tunnel with the boys' relationship. They've reached the lowest point and I'm really looking forward to seeing them get that relationship back. It's the heart of the show and Kripke knows that.
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5-08-2009 @ 3:02PM
galveston said...
Kripke needs to tell the story he wants to tell. Bring on the conflict. It's fine with this cult fan and no, the show wasn't better in season one. Not the first half of it--have you rewatched any of those eps? The dialogue in some of them is cringeworthy.
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5-08-2009 @ 3:02PM
Kayleigh said...
I also love the angel/demon storyline. Castiel/Misha has bought new life to the show.
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5-08-2009 @ 4:06PM
Jason said...
For the love of god, Castiel's an ANGEL, not an ANGLE!
Other than that, I agree with other posters that your article is nothing but idle speculation and some generalizations. Get some quotes, some real examples, some actual substance. This article might as well be another fanatical fan rant for all it's worth. Even worse, it gives the impression that it's offering some insight on the relationship between the fans and the show when it actually doesn't.
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5-10-2009 @ 11:40PM
Renate said...
Thank you, Jason! I'm so glad someone else finds that annoying!