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 Literally, as he makes his way back in to work for the first time since the writer's strike to chat with fellow writers about the last four episodes of this season, Eric Kripke takes time to chat with ACED about The CW's super show, Supernatural. (Yes, I do mean four MORE episodes THIS season).
This season of the show follows the Winchester brothers across the country in their attempt to wage a war against hell itself. Fighting against some of the nastiest demons around, Dean (Jensen Ackles) and Sam (Jared Padalecki) learn a lot about hell-on-earth, as well as the fire within.
It isn't easy coming up with all of the ideas on the show. You can't just spin them from the top of your head. All of the stories in the series are carefully woven from a vast amount of study and research on the writer's end. There is a rule for Supernatural writers: Nothing on the show can be invented, it always has to have a basis in real folklore from somewhere.
Kripke finds folklore a very interesting subject and enjoys the research and study involved in creating the thrilling tales of the show. If you're worried about a lack of thunder in Supernatural's prime time storm, don't. "We'll get canceled long before we run out of legends. There are thousands and thousands of stories," he says.
Coming up with a complete episode is a little more worrisome than just finding a legend to incorporate into one. Actually, that is a gross understatement. It is monumental. Kripke says, "It's very hard juggling all of the plates. A good episode has to do so many things at once."
A Supernatural episode is a recipe. If you leave out one ingredient it just doesn't taste as good. Based on Kripke's idea of a good storyline, we have a set of check points. First, the plot has to be "twisty" and speak to what's going on with the characters. It must be all-encompassing as a metaphor in itself, relating back to the progression of its characters as well. That's not all—you absolutely must add a dash of emotional depth, a sprinkle of action and gore, and a scoop of humor for good measure.
Sound hard? Well...it is. And it's getting harder and harder for the writing team to keep eight or nine things working all the time in the story's advancement whilst not repeating themselves in the process, but they are still going strong, full steam ahead—and we love them for it.
Although Supernatural is a show of action and thrills, it also carries with it a more profound message. Both characters, and the storyline itself, are on a very determined path. Kripke says, "I really enjoy watching them...how they (Dean and Sam) take care of each other...It's really a story about family and how they are stronger together than when they are apart."
Most people have a favorite character when they write a story like this, but Kripke doesn't. "They are all my kids. I love them all." Instead, he loves the many things about each character that makes them who they are. Sam was actually based on Kripke in the beginning, but has since grown into his own and is in turn much different than him now.
Kripke admits the character of Dean is very much the type of person he'd like to be more like: strong, funny, confident—a smart ass. Dean has been battling his own inner demons in many of the last episodes, losing his confidence and himself in many ways, but we hear he is about to make an about face in the upcoming shows.
Kripke talks a little about the two episodes coming up—his favorite of this season thus far. "'Mystery Spot' hits the sweet spot of Supernatural. It's funny, dark, moving...You get an internal look at what Sam would be like without Dean...Dean is becoming more and more Sam's conscience, whereas Sam used to be more Dean's conscience. It's a role reversal."
Because next week's "Jus in Bello" was created not knowing if they would write anymore this season (because of the strike), it plays out almost like a season finale. "It is a makeshift season finale, very epic in sweep. Lots of action," says Kripke. The storyline with the FBI agent that has been pursuing our beloved brothers finally comes to a conclusion in this episode, and we learn more about a rising new threat—Sam's demon rival. There may have been a "you'll have to watch" thrown in there somewhere when I casually threw out a question about Sam still retaining his "demonic powers" too.
With non-stop action, tense and tight, and an ending on a "myth note", next week's broadcast will be the next-best-thing to a season finale...only there will be four more this season starting in mid-to-late April!
Check out some video clips from tomorrow night's "Mystery Spot" below.
Make sure you catch Supernatural this Thursday, February 14th at 9 p.m. ET
Dear Mr. Eric Kripke
Good to learn you're back in business.
I have a sincere request. For the last couple of months I've been writing scripts etc. to Supernatural.'Cause I think it's a great show, and it makes my head spin with idéas. I would very much like to share some of my work with you, so if you could send me an email about how to get it to you, I would be very greatfull.
Sincerely Mirjam (my email:
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
) Dear Kripke,
If you want to please all the fans, it's easy. You have two great characters that the fans love. Make them both equally important, equally heroic, smart and brave and equally great. The rest will take care of itself. The fact that the show is imbalanced right now gives me reason to believe you've lost track of it somewhere. Whatever OMG!!! Loved it...Too much for words.Need more....  O-M-G the Mystery Spot episode was so AWESOME!!! Sam was so moving, it was awful, and Dean was hilarious! I LOVED it!!! OH so excited for tonight AND now next week!   oh my god im so happy i cant wait to see what happens and people remember tonights suposed to be a 2 hour episode from 9-11 or thats what i read so dont 4get also i love this show please dont get rid of jensen ackles! please ill love you 4ever if you dont so glad 2 hear there will be more although ill av 2 wait longer 2 c em as im from england n weve just got the bad day at black rock epp which i av 2 say is very funny and also thanx for the interview nice to see they are realizing how much we love the show n i dont find it hard 2 belive that demons were once human i mean they av 2 apear from sumwere right i just hope they find a way of gettin dean out of his deal i mean it just wudent b cool if e turned in 2 a demon I LOVE SUPERNATURAL DEANS MY FAVE xXx Thank you so much for interviewing 'the man'!!!! I think tonight's episode is going to be monumental! Demons being human once is totally understandable and possible! I actually had not trouble believing in it when Ruby told Dean.
PS. Love 'ya, Dean 'n Sammy! Actually, demons as humans is a conceivable lore. Humans that are "evil" are said to be sent to "hell", once in hell they turn into demons themselves and shed what's left of their humanity - if any. Some go because of the things they do (evil), others because of the mess they get themselves into (deals with the devil), thus varying the level of humanity lost over a given period of time while in hell. The longer you're in, the less human you are. It is a metaphor. Think about it.
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