Supernatural May Conclude With Fifth Season

*Originally published on 9/16/09

** Ha ha ha, man, was I off




I'm a huge fan of Supernatural. It's well written, it's got some really creepy episodes while also being able to inject humor into the mix. It filled the sci-fi void left by the conclusion of The X-Files. In my opinion, it's one of the best shows on television at the moment.

I had read some time ago, though I don't remember where, that Eric Kripke (show creator and main writer) had planned to conclude the show after five years. He had a set arc in place and a planned ending to the whole thing.

Even so, Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles are signed on for a sixth season on the off chance that CW renews the show for another season. While I would love to get a sixth season, i don't know if it's the way to go.

If Kripke has an ending set in place, we should respect that. There are a lot of shows that drag on for far longer than they should have and end up jumping the shark. I know I certainly don't want that to happen here. If Kripke leaves and they end up getting another writer, that will only improve the chances of shark jumping.

Moreso, it's frustrating when the curtain drops but then it's decided that the show must go on and the writers have to find a way to wrap it up all over again. I touched on this in my Kim Possible article. Once the story says The End, it should be the end.

Even from a story perspective, I'm not sure how a sixth season would work. The whole series has been gradually escalating to an apocalypse and the rise of Lucifer himself. It's literally going to be a season long war between the angels and demons. I'm not sure how you plan on topping Satan. While I do enjoy the stand alone ghosts/assorted monsters episodes, I don't know if it will hold up after the epic story line that just concluded.

The only thing that I can think of that even comes close to being able to top Lucifer is Cthulu. An arc that takes a Lovecraftian turn would be pretty cool, but I don't think CW has the budget to accommodate the special effects needed for the Old Ones.

Even something as epic as a zombie apocalypse would probably pale in comparison. There's just nowhere else for the story to go. I know, Supernatural is one of CW's biggest shows, and I'll be as sad to see it go as anyone, but I'd rather it end on a high note that the writer had planned than have it drag on and wish that it ended two or three season earlier.

If you do sign the show up for a sixth season, I just hope you keep Kripke on and let him know that you want another season well enough in advance that he can make any necessary changes so as not to ruin the story arc of the series. Though if Kripke wants to wrap the show up this season, then the show should wrap up. It gave us five years of great sci-fi horror, and in the grand scheme of things that's pretty good.