Supernatural Should Have Ended Earlier for a More Satisfying Finale

Five long years have passed since the series finale of “Supernatural“, and to this day, viewers are still grappling with the controversial conclusion. For fifteen thrilling seasons, we journeyed alongside Sam and Dean Winchester as they fought otherworldly threats. The television show “Supernatural” wrapped up in November 2020, but the manner in which it concluded has sparked a heated debate among fans, who feel that the ending was hasty and didn’t give the characters their due justice. This has led many viewers to ponder whether the series might have been more satisfying if it had ended on a more organic note earlier in its run.

In 2005, the supernatural series started its run and swiftly gained immense popularity on The CW network. This horror-drama focused on the Winchester brothers as they traversed the United States, hunting various monsters, demons, and mythical creatures. Yet, by the time Season 5 concluded, indications of creative exhaustion had already emerged. From that moment, the show persisted through season after season, frequently disregarding natural endpoints to keep airing. It’s evident now that Supernatural would have benefited from concluding at one of those earlier junctures. Reflecting on its history, it’s clear the series had numerous opportunities for a more fulfilling resolution.

Creator Eric Kripke Had an Original Plan for Supernatural

Initially, when Supernatural made its debut, Eric Kripke, the creator, intended for the series to end after five seasons. The final episode of this run, titled “Swan Song,” was meant to serve as a fitting conclusion to the Winchester brothers’ adventures. Indeed, it seems that this choice was wise, as it provided resolution to the main storyline, concluded significant character arcs, and delivered an emotional send-off that acknowledged the show’s evolution since its inception. The apocalypse plot reached its peak, Lucifer was ultimately confronted, and the story came full circle. Essentially, it lived up to everything Kripke had initially pledged.

Even though Kripke’s departure after Season 5 left me feeling uncertain about the future of my favorite show, I was pleasantly surprised when the CW decided to renew it. The ratings remained impressive, ensuring its continued commercial success. Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki had contracts that stretched into a sixth season, which provided a solid foundation for the show to continue. The network’s decision to extend the series was influenced by its consistent audience and loyal fan base, making it a smart move financially to produce more episodes beyond the initially proposed finale.

Initially, Supernatural was designed for only five seasons, but it eventually exceeded 300 episodes. As Season 6 approached, the show’s energy started waning. The need to constantly innovate took a toll, and the line between fresh concepts and reused plots became blurry. Over time, the series began to feel overextended, and the initial creative powerhouse of its first five seasons started to weaken, losing some of its original impact.

historically, The CW network has placed emphasis on sensational elements rather than substantial content, as demonstrated by shows such as Riverdale and shelved projects that follow the same pattern, like a reboot. Shows like Supernatural initially flourished when they stayed true to their horror roots and maintained a realistic tone. However, in its later seasons, Supernatural strayed from what had originally captivated audiences. The narrative started to delve into self-referential elements, with a tone that frequently veered towards the absurd or parody-like. As the series moved further away from its initial character, it bore more resemblance to fan fiction than the well-structured horror-drama it once was.

Season 11 of Supernatural introduced an engaging plotline that provided a fitting conclusion for the show. The narrative revolved around the unleashing of Darkness, Amara, God’s long-lost sister, who posed a threat by attempting to engulf the world in darkness. Instead of the typical battle, peace was negotiated between Amara and God, marking a rare instance of resolution through understanding. This ending offered the Winchesters a genuine moment of happiness. Dean’s mother, Mary, was brought back to life, and the brothers finally experienced some stability after years of grief.

Even though this favorable ending was reached, the network chose to prolong the show because it continued to draw strong ratings and they saw ongoing value in keeping the beloved series running. The storylines initiated in Season 11 also paved the way for additional supernatural dangers and character growth that the writers utilized in subsequent seasons. Various factors, such as financial aspects, contractual agreements with the main actors, and a devoted fanbase, all played a role in deciding to progress the narrative further, despite many viewers and critics feeling that the show had reached a satisfying conclusion naturally.

It’s interesting to note that the broadcasted edition of the show in 2020 deviated from the original plan. According to Andrew Dabb, one of the co-showrunners, the main idea – Dean passing away and Sam carrying on – stayed consistent, but the intricacies were intended to be much more expansive. The final scene wasn’t originally envisioned as a tranquil bridge reunion with Bobby Singer; instead, Dean was supposed to find himself at a saintly rendition of Harvelle’s Roadhouse, greeted by a multitude of familiar faces. This gathering would have encompassed deceased friends, relatives, and fellow hunters, all there to welcome Dean back home.

Although not every cameo was officially announced, it’s quite plausible to speculate about who might have attended. Given their connections to the Winchesters and the current state of Heaven, Castiel and Jack were strong possibilities. Equally likely candidates would have been John and Mary Winchester, whose reconciliation had been hinted at in the show’s 300th episode. Rufus Turner, the Roadhouse’s original proprietors Ellen and Jo Harvelle, and possibly Ash with his iconic mullet and smile were also likely to make an appearance. It would have been a fitting tribute to the series, a reunion of cherished characters bidding farewell one last time.

Discussions arose about a live performance by Kansas, the band known for the hit song “Carry On Wayward Son” (which plays during almost every season finale), taking place in the show. This event would have been a grand celebration of the series’ history, culminating in an indelible moment. However, it never materialized. The COVID-19 pandemic caused production issues during the final stages of filming, leading to major cuts. Large gatherings were prohibited due to restrictions and safety measures, resulting in a toned-down finale compared to the original plan.>

Although the finale was still emotional, it didn’t provide the resolution that the long-awaited ending should have offered after 15 seasons. Supernatural deserved a powerful and emotional conclusion to match its rich history. Upon reflection, Supernatural wasn’t plagued by a scarcity of endings; rather, it overlooked the satisfying conclusions that were already available. Whether it was the apocalyptic finale in Season 5 or the tidy resolution in Season 11, the show had numerous opportunities to bring its story to a close in a way that respected its narrative. However, it chose to continue on, prioritizing the series’ success over delivering the well-deserved ending for both the Winchesters and the audience. In the end, the Winchesters received their farewell, but not the one they or we truly deserved.

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2025-05-31 20:52