Supernatural Season Six

Season six of Supernatural. It's almost hard to believe. For a show that has fought from year to year to stay on the air, this is an amazing achievement, and thank goodness! Fans can't get enough of the Winchester brothers and their battles against monsters, demons and angels, oh my! There is no doubt this series has one of the most amazing and painful story arcs to watch on television. Is it possible that the show is going too far? What was once a teasing sibling rivalry between two brothers who were willing to die for each other (and have) is now a weekly saga of distrust, mourning and anger. It is to be expected. This is drama after all. But lately it seems the fans have had more than their fill. When asked what season six should look like, these devoted viewers were pretty adamant across the board in their opinion. I think it's the first time this fandom has agreed on anything! Several were good enough to talk with me about their own desires and wishes for season six of Supernatural. Some of these viewers asked to have their first names used only.

MC Webster sent me a wonderfully detailed email expressing her thoughts. She says, "Since it's impossible to top the apocalypse in terms of breadth and scope, it would make sense for the show to return to its roots, so to speak." Sam should continue his education, she thinks, maybe taking courses online. There is also the desire to have a home base. "They deserve to have some semblance of stability, which Sam never knew, and of which Dean has a four-year-old's perception. In previous seasons, we've seen Bobby as being their 'touchstone', their family, their home base. As much as I love Bobby, he too has been profoundly changed by the apocalypse. He is no longer strong enough to pull Sam and Dean from the brink as he has in the past."

According to Kim, an online fan, "No one would blame them if they hung up their gear and walked away from hunting. . .but any attempt at a normal, everyday life would be nigh impossible because hunting it just about all they know. Maybe season six would start out with them trying to be normal, and realizing it is. . .most of all I just want to see them still alive and together at the end of it all, and leave an opening for a feature movie in a couple of years."

Convention-hopper Alisa is looking for a catharsis. "I want to see them reconnect with one another and rebuild the brotherly bond that was so strong. I'd like this season to be like seasons one and two: the boys back on the road and a new case/monster each week, with the ongoing reparation of their relationship being the thread of continuity that runs from episode to episode."

Amy J. would like to see Dean reveal flaws other than self-esteem. She believes Sam should have more control over his life, and less fear of his destiny. As for Castiel, "Can they stop using him for toilet humor? Enough of the stupid, raunchy humor, let us see him have real experiences, experience real emotions. I'd like to see Cas interact with the average human."

It's very apparent that viewers are deeply affect by the separation between the brothers. That very relationship is the foundation of the series. Disgruntled by the constant degradation of something they hold dear, they're about ready to go banging on Kripke's door with salt guns in their hands.

But even this desire for reunion take different forms, as several more viewers revealed. Theresa says, "I want the boys to truly work their way back to the relationship they had - not where Dean had to protect his little brother, but a more adult version of what they had." DJ wants to see why Sam seems to choose the darker path, "I'm very tired of all the Poor Dean who sacrifices everything for his Bad Demon Seed brother when we don't get to see the why's of what Sam does." While both Theresa and DJ want Sam to step up to the plate, Lynne states quite explicitly, "I want Dean to show that he still loves Sam and wants to protect him." She prefers a return to Dean the guardian, and Sam the helpless.

Marla Reed from Eclipse Magazine is a little more precise in her desires. "I just want good stories with good character development. I'd like to see a story arc where Sam and Dean question whether or not they want to continue to do the job and maybe find a way to renew their sense of belief in 'hunting things, saving people.'" She is adamant about "no more shoe-horned-in romances" and would rather the heroes remain single men that the female fans can fantasize about. Most of all, there should be no blaze of glory ending.

Season five is still going strong with more revelations to come. What will season six bring? What would you like to see?

Thanks to MC Webster, Kim, Alisa, Theresa, DJ, Amy J, Lynne and Marla Reed for their contribution.

Supernatural airs Thursday nights on the CW. Check you local listings for details.