Supernatural’s Mama and Kevin Tran – Innocent Prophet

“The most distressing thing that can happen to a prophet is to be proved wrong. The next most distressing thing is to be proved right.” ” ― Aldous Huxley

 

My fourth Supernatural character tribute is Kevin Tran aka Kevin freaking Solo + as a bonus, Mama Tran. He got pulled into the Winchester world suddenly and unsuspectingly and there he stayed for the longest time on this series. He appeared in seventeen episodes (not including the AU Kevin). He stayed by the Winchester’s side till the end… To be continued?

kevin tran | run boy run by Deductism

supernatural | kevin tran’s story by Deductism

(from “The Golden Age” soundtrack)

Run boy run! This world is not made for you
Run boy run! They’re trying to catch you
Run boy run! Running is a victory
Run boy run! Beauty lays behind the hills

Run boy run! The sun will be guiding you
Run boy run! They’re dying to stop you
Run boy run! This race is a prophecy
Run boy run! Break out from society

Tomorrow is another day
And you won’t have to hide away
You’ll be a man, boy!
But for now it’s time to run, it’s time to run!

Run boy run! This ride is a journey too
Run boy run! The secret inside of you
Run boy run! This race is a prophecy
Run boy run! And disappear in the trees

Tomorrow is another day
And you won’t have to hide away
You’ll be a man, boy!
But for now it’s time to run, it’s time to run!

Tomorrow is another day
And when the night fades away
You’ll be a man, boy!
But for now it’s time to run, it’s time to run!

Quotes

I always trust you. And I always end up screwed.
– Kevin Tran, 9.09 “Holy Terror”

Ever since I realized I was a prophet… It’s just hard to believe this is actually my life.
– Kevin Tran, 8.01 “We Need to Talk About Kevin”

Cause I’m Kevin freaking Solo. So unless you want this forwarded to your commanding officer, Major Velasquez… I suggest you give my guys anything they want. Understand?
– Kevin Tran, 9.02 “Devil May Care”

Trivia and Minutiae 

In 8.05 Blood Brother we see a screen shot of Kevin’s application to Princeton which shows his date of birth as December 2, 1993. However, earlier in 7.21 Reading Is Fundamental, his age was listed as 16-years-old in a television report. If he was born in 1993, he should have been 18 or 19 when 7.21 Reading Is Fundamental aired. This confusion is most likely due to writers’ inconsistencies. Therefore it is unclear how old Kevin actually is. Given that Kevin’s first appearance in 7.21 Reading Is Fundamental shows he is applying to college though, and lists his age as 16 in his missing report, we can assume that he advanced grades (which would fall in lieu with his advanced placement line), making him actually born in 1995.

Kevin also lists himself as an agnostic. Another form shows that he’s using a credit card under the pseudonym Kevin Park which is a shout out to Supernatural first assistant director Kevin Parks.

 

Actor

Kevin Tran was played by actor Osric Chau.

Photo by Diyah Pera – © © 2013 The CW Network, LLC. All rights reserved.

Mr. Chau’s acting career began in 2002. Besides Supernatural, his work includes recurring roles in The Flash (2019), Pretty Dudes (2020), The Hillywood Show (2014-2019), Demon X (2019), Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency (2016-2017), Kings of Con (2016-2017), Blood and Water (2015), Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn (2012), among others.

Kevin Tran is seen in seventeen episodes: 7.21 Reading Is Fundamental, 7.22 There Will Be Blood, 7.23 Survival of the Fittest, 8.01 We Need to Talk About Kevin, 8.02 What’s Up, Tiger Mommy?, 8.07 A Little Slice of Kevin, 8.10 Torn and Frayed, 8.14 Trial and Error, 8.19 Taxi Driver, 8.21 The Great Escapist, 8.23 Sacrifice, 9.02 Devil May Care, 9.06 Heaven Can’t Wait, 9.09 Holy Terror, 9.14 Captives, 11.21 All in the Family and 15.02 Raising Hell.

 

Bonus Actors!

Linda Tran, aka Mama Tran, was played by two actors:

Khaira Ledeyo

Ledeyo’s acting career began in 1998. Besides Supernatural, her work includes recurring roles in Sagwa (2001-2002), Just Cause (2002-2003), Da Vinci’s Inquest (2004-2005), Beauty and the Beast (2012-2015), among others.

 

Lauren Tom

Mrs. Tom’s acting career began in 1982. Besides Supernatural, her work includes recurring roles in Friends (1995-1996), Grace Under Fire (1997-1998), DAG (2000-2001), The Division (2002), Men in Trees (2006-2008), Pretty Little Liars (2015), Andi Mack (2017-2019), ,(2018-2019), among others.

Linda Tran is seen in five episodes: Khaira Ledeyo (7.21 & 7.22) and Lauren Tom (8.02, 8.07 & 9.04).

 

Osric made Kevin Tran into a Supernatural fan favorite character. To understand more about Kevin and how he influenced Supernatural’s story, we invite you to enjoy:

Is Kevin Really Gone?  by Nightsky

Kevin-Freakin’-Solo: Phophet. Hero. Family by FarAwayEyes

Let’s Talk About (and Celebrate) Kevin, Charlie and Garth: The New Supporting World of Supernatural by Bookdal

Editor’s Note: As Supernatural website writers, our forum is talking about a show we all universally love. Consequently, I proposed to our staff that we specifically turn our attention to guest stars, characters, themes or moments in the show that might help under-represented groups see themselves in Supernatural, and be more acknowledged as valued members of our #SPNFamily. Perhaps our public showcase of actors’ roles and diverse characters may also help the industry and the public (fans and non-fans) notice the contribution of under-represented groups to Supernatural‘s 15 year, record breaking run. Diversifying The WFB’s coverage is something we can do to not only support inclusion and tolerance, but go on record as being in favor of it and wanting to see more of it. Outside of this note, you will not notice anything different about our articles. They’ll be about Supernatural, like they always are. The difference will be that maybe they’ll share the limelight with those who may not otherwise have been seen.
– Nightsky

References