My Supernatural Season 7 Christmas Wish List

As my kids wrote out their Christmas wish lists this year, they excitedly told me about certain items they were hoping they would see underneath our tree.  A little while later, I started thinking of what my own wish list might contain for a certain favorite show of mine.  So, I decided to make one out for Supernatural.  Now, for the most part, I have enjoyed season 7.  Beyond that, I’m grateful that the show continues, along with the fan sites and forums, alive with discussions regarding all things Supernatural.  As anyone who has read my previous essay â€œThe Supernatural Effect” knows, the show, and everything that’s an offshoot of it, has brought so much into my life that I’ll be happy and continue to watch as long as Supernatural is on the air.

Having said that, I do think it’s possible to love the show and still not be completely satisfied with every aspect of the story.  We all love Supernatural (or we wouldn’t come to sites like The WFB), and by extension Jared, Jensen, the rest of the cast and crew, and many of the activities of fandom that go along with it. Though there may be some people who take pleasure in consistently posting negative thoughts, I think most fans want to love the show.  Sometimes, then, we may feel disloyal if we speak about our dislike of a certain plot point, characterization or storyline.  Or we might be afraid to express it for fear of coming across too negatively, or getting a negative response from others.  However, it’s often because of our passion for the show that we sometimes feel discontented with a part of it.  If we didn’t care, the show wouldn’t evoke such feelings, and if we didn’t particularly like what we saw, we would just change the channel.
   
With this in mind, I’m hoping specific things will play out as the second half of the season unfolds.  So as I take a last minute check over my sons’ food stained, crayon marked wish lists, this is mine for Supernatural.
 
Make The Leviathans Scarier… And More Active

I love the concept of these ancient, unstoppable beings.  But as of now, we don’t know enough about them to really fear them. We know it seems they can’t be killed, and they do eat people; both of those bad things, of course.  We know they want people complacent and that they have plans for power plants, as well as gas and oil fields. Bobby figured out something important, but the only thing he was able to communicate to the boys (thus far) is a set of numbers.  My wish is that the Leviathans’ plan involves something more than just feeding on humans.  Of course, we’ve already had end of the world issues, and threats of monsters enslaving humans and destroying the earth as we know it in previous seasons.  Maybe this time, the Leviathans don’t necessarily want to destroy the world.  Maybe they want to infiltrate society (as they have started to do) not only to eat, but for other chilling reasons as well.  Perhaps they want to cause chaos or suspicion among people and make them turn on one another.  Maybe their idea of fun is to “subjugate the weak” for their own wicked gains. Or maybe they need humans complacent because they need them for some surprising reason (other than food).  Whatever their plans, I would like for their motives to be complicated, and I want to see their actual plan unfold in a more consistent way.  Season 6 was shrouded in mystery (right up until the last few episodes) purposefully to contribute to the noir feel.  I don’t think that necessarily works every season.  In order to keep tension in the story, the Leviathans need to wreak a bit more havoc onto the human race.
 
Also, I need at least one Leviathan character to be really terrifying.  It doesn’t have to be with special/visual effects, as that costs money (and I already love the effects we have seen with the wide open mouths anyway), but I would love an actor who conveys a menacing quality every time he is on screen. Dick Roman is smarmy, but previous characters like season 7 Lucifer, Alastair, and even the Alpha Vamp in season 6 were so compelling because of the insidious, sinister (and not stereotypically over the top) tone they displayed in every mannerism and word uttered.  That’s the kind of Leviathan boss that can be mesmerizing to watch.
 
Let Sam and Dean’s Stories Give the Audience Some Answers

Much has been said about Sam’s mental state and the ramifications (or lack thereof) of the wall falling down. I think this would have been a profoundly moving storyline to explore further at the beginning of the season.  As a tension builder, death to Sam and Dean is pretty much off the table (and has already been done ad infinitum), but the consequences of having a psychological breakdown in this specific way have not really been shown before.  This may still be coming, and we have been given little hints that all is not well with Sam. However, I think there could have been more of a lead up to it other than Sam pressing on his hand for a reality check.  Death himself said Sam’s soul was “flayed.”  With all of the memories of Sam’s torture and what he did while soulless flooding in, I would have liked to see his struggle play out more consistently and outwardly in the beginning of the season.  I don’t know how well it will work if they go back and refocus on it in the second half.  Sometimes a storyline can lose momentum if it isn’t given much attention.   My wish, though, if we do go back to this story, is that there’s a consistent chain of events depicted leading up to Sam experiencing whatever the writers have in store for him.  To accomplish this, maybe we can be given a glimpse backward to see Sam’s struggle and where his mental state was headed during those times he was alone. (Similar to 4.9, IKWYDLS).  If the storyline continues with only Sam’s road to recovery, I would like to see Sam continue to heal from his own inner strength.  Having Castiel or someone heal him now, after he has been coming through the darkness without supernatural aide, would seem more than unnecessary; it would minimize all that he’s been working toward. I’m also hoping he has at least one exchange with Dean that specifically reveals to the audience what he felt while in the pit, what he knows about Adam’s fate, and how he came to terms with his actions while soulless (and more than just the statement we heard from him at the end of 7.04 DYL)

Regarding Dean, much has also been said about his depression storyline and his lack of conviction in hunting.   I suspect after the last 2 episodes, Dean will have found his reason to get back into the hunt.  My wish for the second half of the season is to see a Dean with more determination; one who will find a way to keep swinging at the Leviathans until he knocks them down.  In order for him to get to that place, I was thinking about the quote from Eric Kripke that he said posed the question the show attempted to answer.  That is, “Can the strength of family overcome destiny and fate and can family save the world?”  Maybe if we modify that question, we could ask: Can family being in the world motivate Dean to save it? I wish for Dean to find some much needed hope in Bobby’s recovery (which, optimistically, the writers will let happen).   And after everything he’s been through, to see that even though the hits keep coming, and the weight (and fate) of the world seems to rest on his and Sam’s shoulders, his “job” has great meaning.  Dean also needs to be certain that ultimately his family is on earth, and that’s an earth worth fighting for.
 
Showcase the Brotherhood

This season, with the exception of the Amy incident, the boys have been hunting together and having their car side chats.  For me, however (and in agreement with what some fans have already vocalized), something has been missing from their interactions.  Now, “heart” can be difficult to categorize and define, but we know it when we see it.  It was movingly depicted throughout the seasons in so many moments between the boys that captured their investment in each other.  That’s not to say I want melodrama or angst all the time, and the unhealthy co-dependency card has already been played out.  However, right now, they really can only rely on one another.  And in the long run, their level of investment in each other is at the heart of the show.  This season (with the exception of HCW), even though they have been worrying about each other, they seem to have somewhat of an emotional distance between them.  My wish for the second half of season 7 is for Sam and Dean to bridge that emotional gap, becoming more in sync with each other.  They also need to learn how to lean on one another, even if they do deal with things very differently.
   
Don’t Let Bobby Die

In fact, don’t let Bobby come back as a ghost or spirit either.  So much has already been said very eloquently on this topic.  For me, I feel Bobby’s humanity is important for the boys.  He not only provides assistance and back-up, but he deeply cares about their welfare. He is the one truly trustworthy support that Sam and Dean (as a unit, not individually) have to turn to for help.  I understand the story concept of stripping the boys of everything, but every hero (or heroes) needs somebody.  Harry Potter had Hermione and Ron; Frodo Baggins had Samwise Gamgee.  Sam and Dean need to have Bobby.  These people aren’t sidekicks; they play a crucial role in achieving victory over evil – researching, supporting, and picking up the pieces when the hero falls- performing their tasks with a quiet, ceaseless strength. 

Some fans believe that Bobby should stay dead, as this episode was the perfect way to say goodbye to him, and it would feel like a cop out to bring him back.  That’s a valid point, but ultimately I don’t agree.  To me, Sam’s death in AHBL I and II was as equally compelling and moving as Bobby’s, even though it turned out Sam was brought back to the living.  I think the same can be said of “Death’s Door.”   Of course, Sam’s death was needed to set up the storyline for Dean to sell his soul to resurrect Sam, and then everything that came about as a result of that act.  Maybe Bobby’s “almost death” can be used to set up an interesting storyline as well. Perhaps, as stated above, Bobby’s recovery could be the catalyst that helps create major change in Dean. Maybe it will set off a crucial time race, as Sam and Dean rush to stop the Leviathans before they get to Bobby permanently (who would be vulnerable while recovering).  Perhaps as a result of his traumatic brain injury, a changing dynamic between Bobby and the boys can be explored.  The point is, there are stories to be had here if (and maybe even because) Bobby were to live.
   
Let Castiel Find True Redemption

We now know that Misha Collins will be in episode 17 and two others.  It’s unknown whether he will actually be back as Castiel, and even if he is, how he might be changed.  However, the old Cas was the one who damaged his relationship with Dean and did something very cruel to Sam, so he is the one who still needs to find redemption for his actions.  Eventually, Castiel did see the error of his ways and attempted to right one of the wrongs he committed by putting the souls back in Purgatory.  However, my wish is to see the Cas of old, (at least one more time) come back and help Sam and Dean in some significant way.  I don’t want the easy answer to be healing Bobby and/or Sam’s mind, either.  Having had the Leviathans inside him, maybe Castiel could have some insight into their weaknesses that will ultimately help the boys defeat them. Perhaps he has been trapped somewhere, or cut off from the angel part of himself in some way, but all this time has been struggling to get to Sam and Dean to assist them. (Much like Bobby was struggling to get the numbers to them).  However it might happen, Cas needs to perform this act of devotion to make things better for Sam and Dean, and just as importantly, for fans that were upset at the way he went out.   Even if future appearances of Misha Collins have him portraying a different version of Castiel, this heroic moment has to come from some part of the old Cas.

One Moment of Great Classic Rock

I know it’s expensive, and of course they can’t put it in every episode.  My wish, though, is to have just one that will be reminiscent of those quintessential Supernatural classic rock scenes we had so many times in the first few seasons.   They can take it out of the special/visual effects budget if need be, the fans most likely wouldn’t mind.   And make that classic rock come with a win for the boys (even if it isn’t a big win).   After everything the Winchesters have been through, they (and we) need that one glorious, kick ass moment that will make us literally stand up and cheer.
 
Bring Back the Impala (Soon!)

What more needs to be said? We all know how important that car is to the Winchesters’ story.  Besides, we will need them to ride away in it after that great classic rock moment. 

WORLD PEACE- Well, at Least in the World of the Fandom

This isn’t really storyline related, but it’s still a wish. For the most part, I think the fandom is composed of open minded individuals who enter into meaningful, respectful discussions.  However, we’re a passionate bunch of people. That’s great, because it makes for more interesting conversations.  But passion can lead to arguments if we’re not careful.   And really, getting angry at someone for not agreeing with our take on an episode is akin to getting angry if someone doesn’t like the same song or appreciate the same art that we do.  So as long as people are not disparaging the actors, or being so derogatory about the show or its writers that it enters the territory of being disrespectful, I think we all need to feel safe in expressing our opinions. 

This also means taking care not to judge people for these opinions, but rather learning to enjoy seeing someone else’s perspective, even if it varies wildly from our own. People watch the show for different reasons.  Whatever we like or dislike, or whatever stands out for us about an episode (or the show in general) is purely subjective.  And though it’s nice when people agree with us and validate our positions, often it’s by disagreeing that we come to a new understanding of something.   Sometimes reading other fans’ posts may help us look at an episode we didn’t necessarily like from a fresh, new perspective.  Sometimes it may even help us to clarify our own reasons for why something didn’t sit well with us.  The boards would be pretty monotonous if every post stated the same thing, and echoed the same sentiments about each episode.
 
If we explore this idea a bit further, we can also say that when it comes to fiction, interpretation of the story -including the motivations, choices and conduct of all the characters- is extremely subjective.  Only those making the show themselves know for sure what they were trying to convey in their story, and even then, they may write/depict something deliberately ambiguous.  They do attempt to guide the viewers in a specific direction regarding the tone of an episode (with specific musical score and lighting choices, camera shots/angles or actors’ movements, etc..) with the aim of reaching a general consensus in that audience’s perception of the emotional climate in a given scene.  However, everything else is subject to each viewer’s interpretation about that episode.  This includes the (often argued about) quality of the writing.  Though there are specific elements that make up good storytelling, whether or not those components were contained in any given episode still comes down to the opinion of each audience member.
 
Supernatural Win the People’s Choice Award for Best Network Drama

This isn’t storyline related either, but it’s most definitely a wish.  Though it’s just an award, how great would it be for Supernatural to get some recognition, live in front of millions of viewers?  And what a great moment it would be if Jensen and Jared (provided they were present) were to take the stage, accept an award from the people -us!- and be able to say a few words. It would be a proud moment for the Supernatural family. 

That is the extent of my Christmas wish list for the remainder of season 7 (I would love to hear what yours might be).  Some of these things may come to pass.  Then again, maybe none of them will.  Though I do wish to see certain things on screen, and may even feel disappointed if I don’t see them, I have to remember I’m not the storyteller.  I’m watching as the story unfolds.  Whatever happens, I feel so sentimental about this show that I will continue to watch no matter where the season goes.  Most fans probably feel the same way.  For me, sitting down to watch Supernatural is like slipping on a worn in pair of flannel pajamas.  It’s a comfortable, familiar place.  Ultimately, whatever road season 7 goes down, I’m coming along for the ride.  

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