Supernatural Season 6 Musings
Season 6 Musings, by Elle2
With about five weeks left until the start of Season 6 I find my self wondering just what we’ll see in Season 6. So, I decided to put fingers to keyboard and get my musings out and find out what others are wondering.
First off, there will be some spoilers in this article. I’ve read the Comic Con reports, seen some behind-the-scene photos on Spoiler TV and read an interview or two from the writers and producers of the show, so my musings have in part been formed by that material. If you avoid anything of the sort, stop reading now.
Okay. For those of us that don’t avoid spoilers of that kind the rest of the article is fair game. This is simply my wonderings and some hopes of Season 6. It’s merely to whet the appetite, nothing more.
One Year Later:
I actually really like this idea. This past spring when it was bandied about as a rumor I was pretty turned off, now I’m really looking forward to it. I have a few reasons for liking this ‘time jump’: It allows us to move past the immediacy of the apocalypse and all its baggage realistically. If not for the time jump, we’d be heavily weighed down by the emotional and psychological aftermath for quite some time. Also, it allows for some mystery to the season, akin to Season 4, when the events of both Sam and Dean for the intervening four months (or forty years) were slowly unfolded. It allowed for some wonderment, surprises and even a bit of suspense.
It’s been suggested that Sam has been out of hell for most if not all of that year since Swan Song. I have no idea if that means Sam spent one day (topside time) or one week or one month (all topside time) in hell or not but I like the idea that he wasn’t there very long for it lends weight to Bardicvoice’s excellent hypothesis of the how and why Sam reappeared. (If you don’t know what I mean, go to Bardicvoice’s review of Swan Song and read through it, she articulates her thoughts wonderfully.)
I have no idea how long Sam was in hell, pretty certain we’ll ultimately get that information somewhere in the first half of the season and I’m looking forward to that reveal. I like the idea that both brothers are getting a taste of the other’s experiences. Sam had Jessica and a ‘real life’ for four years, Dean has Lisa and a year having a ‘real life’ (albeit with quite a bit of sorrow and baggage but I don’t think all of Sam’s four years in college were completely joyous; he worked hard to keep his former life battened down and hidden away, not simple, certainly sorrowful). Each brother will have a different perspective on the other (and perhaps a more rounded one at that) for now having some deeper, shared experiences, Sam in hell to Dean in hell, Dean with Lisa to Sam with Jessica.
Shared experiences tend to lead to bonding,brotherly bonding is always good in my eyes.
Sam has a car:
I like this idea,as long as it’s not permanent. The brothers’ conversations and yes, their fights in the Impala are too important to the show (IMHO) and thus while it makes sense for Sam to have a car while he was without Dean, and I’m looking forward to a little banter and teasing between the two as the Impala comes out of retirement, I definitely look forward to the day when Sam’s car becomes a backup they keep at Bobby’s place (or Lisa’s) and the Impala is the main vehicle of choice.
Role Reversal,again:
I don’t mind this at all. I know, no surprise, I’m just kinda positive that way. Seriously (seriously?) I’ve never minded the role reversals that have occurred over the seasons because each time they’ve been accompanied by some type of growth/development of the character.
Sam became focused on hunting in Season 2 to honor John’s memory and because he figured if he saved enough people perhaps it would save him from his destiny. Dean became more and more disenchanted with hunting as he was weighed down by John’s sacrifice and Sam’s possible future.
Dean tried to hide his fears in Season 3 by becoming reckless as well as recognizing some things that had escaped him and likely would forever as his year ticked down (yes, I’m speaking of Lisa’s two appearances and focusing more on the subconscious one in DALDOM; our subconscious always tells the truth.) Sam became a bit ‘darker’, less sympathetic to the things they hunted as he believed it necessary to prepare to carry on after Dean died.
In Season 4 both brothers more diverged in their paths than reversed roles, Sam slipped and slid down the dark path as Ruby’s manipulations deepened while Dean found himself believing in God and trusting angels.
Season 5 found Sam finding redemption for releasing Lucifer (“I let him out”) as he was able to face his greatest fear and overcome it and Dean faced his greatest fear and thus far thinks he lost. Dean let go of his need to be the ‘driver’ (remember his comment to Sam in Fallen Idols, “you’re not driving this bus.”) and instead back Sam’s play. Dean let go of the control he’d held onto for likely his whole life and in the end through Dean’s letting go of control and Sam’s ability to overcome his fear (by love of family) they saved the world,well, that part of it that Lucifer hadn’t already destroyed.
So Season 6 finds us perhaps with a darker, more focused on the hunt less on emotions Sam and Dean torn between having a new life and still being connected with his old life. Sera Gamble suggests that Sam will be much like the Dean of Season 1. Season 1 Dean was very focused on the hunt. In Faith he was ready and willing to kill Roy Le Grange until Sam stopped him reminding him that they don’t kill people (my how seasons have changed that,but I covered that in an article last hellatus). Much like Dean had been hunting without John and Sam prior to The Pilot, Sam will now have spent a year hunting without Dean, so there is a new development in the experiences of the brothers and they will now have that past experience in common as well as hell and a try at a new life without hunting, more bonding material than anything.
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Elle2, this is indeed interesting, let me see what I can come up with after a first read…
You know,I am confident that the upcoming season will provide us with some more cruel brotherly drama. I hate to see the Winchesters suffer, but I love to watch them overcome it (and hug them to death in my mind… :o).
The points you mentioned that we already know about make the waiting even richer, as I believe we will be surprised with what the creators have come up with. We will meet two men weakened and strong at the same time, and I am truly scared to hear what Sam went through in hell as Lucifers toy (?). Dean’s time in hell was horrific enough, I don’t even dare to imagine what it must be like being ridden by Lucifer. Or did the devil get rid of Sam when being down there in his realm and put him in a torture cage specifically designed for the most hated enemies? Who knows?
I like the idea of them starting off after a year. This will give us many chances to see flashbacks and yet move on with the story. Both are torn men, tortured men, sad men, who try to do the best they can. I, for one, will be in their corner, rooting for them and their comrades like Bobby and Castiel (and let’s see who else might grace our screens…)
Elle2, this was a great piece, indeed! I might return later when something else pops to mind, now off to work.
Love, Jas
Hi Elle2
I too didn’t care for the one year jump when I first heard about it. But after awhile I figured it made more sense to pick up where Dean’s would be over his initial grief. Of course I don’t doubt that Sam has forever been in his thoughts, but time does have a way of healing the pain.
I also like the idea of possibly having flashback episodes to find out what transpired during the past year.
Some of the best moments/conversations/arguments between the brothers have been in the Impala, so I wouldn’t like to see that come to an end.
However I have to admit I think there could be some comedic moments over having two cars. Seeing them argue on which car they should take. I can just see Dean riding shotgun in Sam’s vehicle, bitching the whole time about his music, the gusto of the car etc…
I’m actually looking forward to see which direction each brother will take during season 6. To see there characters grow and hopefully rebuild their relationship into a strong equal one.
And I have to agree about saying good bye to the porn.
It will be interesting to see Castiel now that he has his groove back.
I would love to see a more confident, take control, bad*ss Cass.
However I still loved Castiels awkwardness with the cell phones, human space and his lack of understanding sarcasm.
I couldn’t see them dropping the apocalypse completely, it makes sense to have some episodes still dealing with the aftermath. But I am looking forward to the back to basics theme as well.
Hell I’m just looking forward to seeing Supernatural.
Thanks Elle2, if I was ever more excited for Season 6 to start, it’s now.
I definitely like the idea of the one-year jump for the reasons you articulated. It simply makes more sense than the premier taking place a week or three after the finale, as does Castiel taking a slight step back.
As for role reversals and shifts in personality, their respective cores remain the same to an extent, but given *everything* they’ve been through, seen, experienced, of course there’s going to be change. None of us are exactly the same as we were 5 or 6 years ago, and we haven’t been battling the forces of evil and the Big Honkin’ Evil himself either.
Re: porn. Age hasn’t stopped Duchovny, deep woods variant or otherwise. 😀 I, too, could do without another year of “Dean eats grease, Sam eats salads.” I doubt there’s going to be a freshman class of three million new fans who need to be brought up to speed on the nuances of the show.
I think season six is going to turn out to be better than many seem to think, mainly because all the changes that are in place I would’ve done myself. Glad I could help, writing team, muah. Whether it’ll be as good as season two (still my favorite, probably, maybe), remains to be seen.
Hi Elle2, I agree with nearly all of this, at least 98%.
What I look forward to the most is hopefully the bonding to be brought back. I want to be able to see the love between the brothers like I haven’t seen it in the last two years. Not chick flicky stuff, but the way it was portrayed in the first two years of the series. They will have matured with all of their varied experiences, but I hope for understanding and the obvious caring that we used to see. A few scenes of patching each other up after a hard battle wouldn’t hurt. 😉
And I was never offended in the least by Dean’s horny ways and love of porn as he always treated his ladies in a gentlemanly way and was never crass with them, whether one night stands or other. (see Jamie)
I was always pleased to see Dean chowing down on his favourite goodies as that to me meant he was OK so I hope that doesn’t disappear altogether. Dean eating salads just wouldn’t be the same guy. I wish for him to regain his appetite and he should have with 1 year of home cooking under his belt. But I do hope to see him enjoying his food, especially pie! 😮
I want the return of the tease, snark, bitch, jerk exchanges which in its own way portrayed the affection between them so well. It’s the brothers I tune in for and their interaction with each other is what I watch for more than the monster of the week or the arc of the season.
Love to see more of Bobby and Castiel (wish we could see more of Ellen and Jo). Hopefully Gabriel can be resurrected at some point and cause some disorderly chaos again.
Whatever occurs, be assured I will be watching and enjoying season six. 🙂
When I think of the role reversals, I’d like to see Sam living life a little. Enough of the hand wringing and the salad eating. If he’s going to be more like Season 1 Dean then my thoughts tend to go toward a Sam who comes back living life to it’s fullest. After everything he’s been through, why worry about cholesterol? In some ways, I found it kind of ironic how heavily both Dean and him were drinking at the end but he was still eating salads.
As for Dean, I can see him eating healthier through Lisa’s influence, laying off on the booze for Ben’s sake, and letting go of the porn because really who needs porn when you have bendy yoga chick?
In a way, it would reflect how I think a lot of siblings can be. There are a lot of times where my sister and I have absolutely nothing in common but there are also a lot of times when we do or say or even wear something that is so similar that’s it’s kind of spooky. Dean and Sam can appear to be polar opposites but in the end they will fall back on very similar patterns of behavior because they have the same upbringing and social learning experiences.
I love your “musings” over Season 6, elle2, and am very excited about what might/could/should happen this coming year. I was excited about the one year jump. Having to watch Dean go through all the beginning angst stuff after Sam’s death would have bogged down the start of the season, so when we first see him he should be settled in his new life and it will be interesting to see where he is emotionally at this point. And with the past year, Dean will have lived a normal adult life, one that he never had a chance at, unlike Sam. And in turn, Sam will have lived a year alone as a hunter, like Dean did when Sam was at college. So, as you pointed out, Sam and Dean will have tasted what each others’ lives were like before the show began, so there will be a lot of bonding and shared experiences that can be gleaned from this year.
As to the car(s) – I love Sam’s car, it is really hot. However, nothing can replace the Impala, so although some of the set pictures we have seen show that Sam is still driving his car, I hope it won’t be a regular occurrence. Because Sam and Dean need to be together in the Impala. But, it would be nice for them to go separately on some missions and thus use both of their cars.
The role reversal – as was mentioned, Dean was getting more and more disenchanted with hunting through the years. So, now that he has lived a life without hunting for a year, it will be interesting to see how he takes to ‘the life’ again and the adjustments that he is going to have to go through. I am anxious to see what will become with the role reversal. In S1 & S2, Dean was always the roll with the punches kind of guy and accepted things more easily, which Sam did not. So, it will be interesting this year to see if Sam develops more of those kind of traits and if Dean moves more to the angsty behavior or still keeps his ‘roll with the punches’ personality. I would also like to have a little bit of the light heartedness back into the story. Would love to hear the “jerk”, “bitch” again sometime and would also love to see the “Rock, paper, scissors” game with Dean winning for once.
I love the thought of Cas’ new role and the cleanup on the Apocalypse. With heaven and hell in turmoil and monsters running amuk, it sounds like there will be some interesting plot lines and stories to pull out from those ideas. Plus it will be interesting to see when Cas’ and Dean/Sam goals are opposite from each other and how they all work that out.
Lastly, what will Dean be like when he goes back on the road. Will he be able to adjust back to the road food that he relished so much, especially after having home cooked meals for a year. What will his diet entail. Very curious to see how that plays out.
And I would also like to see a more grown-up Dean when it comes to his ‘randy’ behavior. I enjoy that part of his personality, it’s fun and cute, BUT, after being in a committed relationship for a year, how will that have changed him when he goes back on the road. I guess this is my biggest question for Dean. I would think that after a year of being with one woman, and having a solid relationship, and then having to suddenly leave the comfort, safety and security that that relationship provided – how will this affect Dean? I would think that he would have grown up and matured a little bit in regards to this aspect of his personality and life, so I am very curious to see how the writers portray this. Will he remain committed to Lisa or just to a monogamous relationship? Or will he slowly revert back to his old womanizing ways? (Now, before anyone jumps down my throat for calling Dean a womanizer – the term does have a negative connotation so just to define what it means, according to Webster, a womanizer is “a man who engages in numerous casual sexual affairs with women.” Does that sound like anyone we know and love.) 😛 😛 Back to my thought – As someone else pointed out, despite his ‘randy’ ways, Dean did always treat his women with respect, he never looked down on them, but it is time for Dean to grow up a little. So, I again as the question, will he revert back to his old ways? For Dean’s sake, I hope not. I hope this past year will have changed and matured him and that we will be able to see a new side of him where it comes to women and relationships.
I am very excited and anxious for this season to get going. 5 more weeks. Yay! Can hardly wait!!!!! 😀
Jas, Karen, Randal, Bevie, Jeannine, Evelyn,
Thanks for all your collective musings! It makes me even more excited (if that’s possible) for Season 6 to start…grrr on that September 24th premier date.
Well, at least they’re well into the filming of Episode 5 by now and by the time they air they’ll have eight episodes (or almost) done…not that that helps the wait but perhaps some more BTS photos will leak out to tide us over.
I’m hopeful for a new promo for the new season in the next couple of weeks…but darn that CW (having just issued their latest broadcast schedule up to the 24ths of Sept.) and they are pulling SMV and SPN for two weeks (9/10 and 9/17) for repeats of Hellcats and Nikita. Mostly that just bums me that there won’t be many promos for the new season…I have all of Season 5 already recorded the the DVDs come out in a couple of weeks so I’ll have my copies by then…still, not fair!
Thanks for the great comments and musings…
Cannot wait anymore, come on season six!!!! I need Castiel, Dean and Sam again!!! Go Team Free Will.