Interview with Supernatural Executive Producer Sera Gamble
This is the part where I still get to feel like the luckiest person alive. Sera Gamble, Executive Producer for Supernatural, was again kind enough to answer some burning questions that surfaced during the first half of this apocalyptic fifth season. Considering the lengthy list I sent her, which included a lot of my own tough questions along with ones from the other writers on this site, I’m thrilled with what she sent back.
Sera, just like my previous interviews with her, is coy with spoilers, although she does drop a couple about the next episode due to air on January 21st, “Sam, Interrupted.” As you all remember, the preview shows the boys in a mental hospital. She also offers some teasers about the archangel Michael and his interest in Dean, what she thought about some of the episodes already aired and plans for the 100th episode. She did avoid some speculative questions about season six, the future direction of the brotherly relationship, and season five ratings so far, so we graciously accept her silence as a “no comment” for those.
So, I’ll issue the warning now, SPOILERS AHEAD. For even the worst of spoilerphobes though, it’s mostly Sera having fun with us. Which I do love.
Remember, we are uber fans on this site, so the questions tend to be a bit more detailed than the normal “Give us some juicy spoilers.” After all, we are a curious bunch here at The Winchester Family Business. So if the questions seem longer than the answers at times, that’s just the way we roll.
Anyway, on with the Q & A. Enjoy!
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Alice: So, this isn’t the warm and fuzzy apocalypse after all, is it? This Lucifer guy is pretty dangerous. He wants to wipe out humans, he wants to wipe out demons, and he doesn’t care too much for angels either. Is his goal pretty much to be the last being in the universe? When plotting his storyline, what is Lucifer’s main motivation?
SG: More of Lucifer’s plan will be revealed as the season goes on. Can’t lay it all out for you without spoiling future episodes!
Alice: I’m still trying to wrap my head around how these angels keep bringing up the parallels between Michael and Lucifer and Dean and Sam. Are they doing it to justify their concept of pre-destiny? Don’t they see Sam and Dean have reconciled from their betrayal of each other and are determined to fight together? Or does none of that matter to them once the betrayal is done?
SG: Sam and Dean may have reconciled, but that doesn’t negate the parallels between their history and Lucifer and Michael’s. Their family stories are still eerily similar. And yeah, from the angels’ perspective, it’s all well and good that Sam and Dean think they’re gonna fight together—but they’re the predestined vessels, so ultimately they’re gonna give in.
Elle: Lucifer was able to take hold of his back-up vessel in lieu of Sam. Any chance that Michael has a back-up and we’ll be able to meet this character without Dean’s consent to being “an angel condom”?
SG: You will meet Michael soon. I can’t say more about the form he will take.
Karen: Is Michael planning to approach Dean himself about becoming his vessel? I realize Dean couldn’t withstand Castiel’s true voice but I would think he would be able to hear Michael’s since they are destined to be together.
SG: Yes, Michael’s going to approach Dean. No, Dean cannot tolerate hearing angels’ true voices.
Elle2: Any hints on when Dean is going to get his amulet back – or isn’t he?
SG: The amulet figures into an upcoming episode. If I directly answer your question, I’ll give too much away about both Dean and Cass. Not to mention God.
Alice: There is something the Trickster/Gabriel said that’s still sticking with me. “And it’s going to end bloody for all of us. That’s just how it’s gonna be.” No matter what Sam and Dean do, people close to them die (or get paralyzed) and they can’t stop these foretold events from happening. In the writer’s room, do you guys question what it is about these guys that motivates them to get out of bed in the morning? Do you see Sam and Dean ever hitting a breaking point? Or does the next episode in the nut house answer that question?
SG: We touch on this in the mental hospital episode, yes. We regularly comment in the writers’ room that they function under an impossible amount of stress. But hey, that’s what makes ‘em heroes.
Jasminka: As a therapist who treats trauma survivors and terminally ill patients I’ve been amazed by the psychological continuity this show managed to establish. Taken from what we know of Sam and Dean, their personalities are so well-drawn that their reactions are absolutely organic, especially after their traumatic experiences (I see many or those reactions on an every day basis when speaking to people who have survived war or torture in war). I’d love to know – do you seek psychological advice in these matters or does it come out of the writers’ room just as organically? How much do you actually discuss the psychological impact of the traumas the brothers survive?
SG: We talk about the brothers’ psychology all the time. This inspired an upcoming episode where Sam and Dean have to check themselves into a mental hospital to deal with a monster. We thought it would be funny if they got admitted simply by telling the truth about themselves. We played the diagnosis part for laughs, but we also got into the reality of how these guys live. At one point Dean lists how much he drinks, how little he sleeps, how few connections he’s had, and you’re hit by how deeply troubled he actually is. It’s a miracle he and Sam keep it together.
Elle2: Any insight into Bobby’s continued development in the second half of Season 5?
SG: A case will bring Sam and Dean to Bobby’s town. That episode brings new insight into Bobby’s current state of mind and also expands his backstory.
Tigershire: Will we see Anna again? If no, will we ever find out what happened to her? My assumption was she was dragged back to Heaven for reprogramming, but considering recent turn of events – perhaps a more, permanent, decision was made?
SG: Anna’s in an upcoming episode. You’re right, she was taken to Heaven for reprogramming when Castiel turned her in. The episode will explain what happened after that.
Alice: As far as the standalone episodes go this season, I think they’ve been very strong. How cool was that to get Chad Everett to play older Dean in “The Curious Case of Dean Winchester?” Was he awesome or what?
SG: We loved Chad as Dean. He brought so much enthusiasm to the part—he really did his homework, and he captured lots of little mannerisms and quirks. That’s on top of looking a lot like Jensen. Couldn’t have asked for better.
Alice: “Changing Channels” was a huge conversation piece at the recent “Salute to Supernatural” convention in Chicago. Everyone loved its mad genius (as do I). Was that a collaborative effort among the writers, or did all those TV show parodies actually come from Jeremy Carver’s twisted (but brilliant) mind?
SG: Each episode is collaborative. No brilliant episode is ever brought to fruition in a cave and you certainly can’t lay the blame for a crappy one on a single writer’s head. That said, this episode was Jeremy’s idea, and he carried it through a head-spinning break to take it from merely clever to grounded and important within the mythology of our show. It’s one of his gifts, as you can tell from other episodes he’s written. He really does deserve all the admiration you’re aiming at him.
Tigershire: Do episodes like “Abandon All Hope” make you cry too?
SG: Abandon All Hope was the first time I actually cried watching a director’s cut. At first I thought maybe I was just having one of those days, but I checked in with the other writers… I don’t want to incriminate anybody, so I will just say that one or more male producers also shed what we like to refer to as A Single Perfect Man-Tear.
Elle2: You’ve grown from writer to supervisor of other writers to producer and executive producer. If given the chance to shed all the responsibilities and only concentrate on writing, would you do it? Why or why not?
SG: No way. Writing’s the hardest part of the job. It gets easier as you get more experienced – but it never gets easy. All those non-writing responsibilities let me engage other parts of my brain for part of the day. It’s a relief.
Faellie: It seems to me that writing for a long television series may be different from writing for almost anything else, because there’s the possibility of an on-going collaboration between actors and writers, each constantly bringing something new to what we see on screen. Has the way you write any of the characters in Supernatural changed because of the way they’ve been played?
SG: I try to write all the recurring characters with the strengths of the actors in mind. It’s a perk of the job, getting to know an actor that well.
Karen: When the series does come to an end do you have a different take on how you would of like things to wrap up with the brothers? Or are you completely of the same mindset as Mr. Kripke?
SG: I think Eric and I are on the same page about it.
Alice: What’s the next episode you’ll be writing?
SG: I just finished an episode that takes us back in time to revisit Young John and Mary Winchester.
Alice: Wow, the 100th episode is coming up! Who’d have thunk? Any big plans for that one in particular?
SG: Party, of course. My only firm plan is to have a couple of drinks with the crew. Bob Singer promised he’d play guitar. You didn’t mean the actual content of the episode, did you?
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Sounds like it’ll be one great party! A well deserved one too. Thanks again to Sera Gamble for taking time to answer our probing questions. This hiatus all of a sudden just got longer.
Alice Jester is the founder, editor-in-chief, head writer, programmer, web designer, site administrator, marketer, and moderator for The Winchester Family Business. She is a 30 year IT applications and database expert with a penchant for creative and freelance writing in her spare (ha!!) time. That’s on top of being a wife, mother of two active kids, and four loving (aka needy) pets.
Alice, thank you so much for allowing us to share in the asking.
This interview is a mixed blessing. Certainly it was nice to have our questions answsered, but I agree with you. Hellatus is now much, much longer.
I think this is what you call the “good pain”!?!
Alice, thanks for sharing! I’m happy to know that Sera will be writing the Back to the Future episode, which should be a very special episode. I love her writing.
I would have liked to hear something about a possible return of Sam’s powers. Also, if we saw the last of his addiction.
I’ve always thought about Dean amulet as a link between Dean and Sam. I can’t say I’m very happy with the idea of it being meaningful to Dean and Castiel. What about Sam?? 🙁
Alice, being able to ask Sera-the-great-mind-Gamble a question was as much an honor as it was thrilling.
Thanks a lot for the opportunity!
Is there anything like ‘the good pain’? With hiatus and our favourite show? Really? I don’t think so… Still 52 days to go, awwww, we’re going to survive it (…she spoke to herself, repeating it over and over like a mantra…. Ooooooooooohhhhhhhhmmmmmmmmm).
Come on, let’s get out our survival kit, folks, mostly this site here…. Love Jas
Glad Sera answered as many of the questions she did…
Yes, Andrea, I was also unhappy about the comment regarding the amulet. That necklace DOES have a very special power…it’s a symbol of the very special relationship between the two brothers…given at a time when Cas was not around. For me, AVSC was too strong of an episode in the series for the amulet’s connection to Sam and Dean to change.
I guess we can assume that if god shows up with the amulet, it has mystical properties. It ‘finds’ god, and when he shows up, he will have info that bears on Dean and the angels…maybe Cas will be the plan b vessel for Michael? Maybe Sam and Dean will find out Cas’s dark involvement s4. Hopefully, whatever it is, it will be positive in some way.
Thank you for the wonderful interview! I’m really intrigued about how they are going to present Michael in the story. It sounds like Michael will not have any other vessel except Dean, so maybe he will come to Dean only in Dean’s dreams or something? I’m really looking forward to the END of this winter hiatus — I’m already going through withdrawal!
RE: people upset about Sera’s answer about the Amulet. Of course the amulet is connected to Sam — he’s the one who gave it to Dean. Just because it *might* have another meaning doesn’t take away from the fact that it is a symbol of the connection between Sam and Dean already. I really don’t understand why fans always have to find something to complain about. *sigh* Oh well.
Alice and co. Thanks a million for this great interview. Any extra info we get from the SPN writers helps us fans. Thanks again
To Chris: It would be good if you don’t group people together under one label.
Just because i don’t like the direction the writers are taking with the amulet doesn’t mean i always complain thank you very much. And if i don’t like it, i have every right to say so.
I abhor the direction they took the amulet. It has cheapened its meaning with a cheap and horrible plot in the hands of a cheap character.
I hope Dean never gets it back anymore so that i can forget it ever existed. Now it has meaning for Castiel? Seriously? Why don’t they have the Impala be a magical car that can find Jesus so that Castiel can take it and it can have meaning for him too.
This was the worst interview I’ve read in a while. It wouldn’t kill them to actually answer questions about the brothers for those fans who are just not interested in their angel family drama they’ve made this season. And no Sera, Lucifer and Michael have no parallel to Sam and Dean. Maybe on an artificial level but not even close to how both brothers are with each other.
I don’t mean to be one of those fans who ALWAYS complain abou everything. And I don’t think I am. I find much to love about SPN or otherwise I wouldn’t be a fan at all. On the other hand, I can’t be happy about everything either. People have different opinions about things. That’s what the forums of discussion are here for.
I’m definitely with Sablegreen here. AVSC was an incredibly beautiful and poignant episode and I love the idea of the amulet as a symbol of brotherly love and connection. I can’t see why Castiel should be involved. Unless further developments prove me wrong, I’m disappointed.
Sorry Alice. When i say the worst interview I’ve read, i don’t mean your questions or your interview skills. I just meant the answers given by the writer. You did a good job. I just wish she had answered the other questions that had to do with the brothers.
Oh, anene, get a grip. It’s a TV show. You sound like a jilted lover. :roll::
Thanks for a great interview. Every little helps!
Damnations…. now I wish I hadn’t read it… how much longer do we have to wait? *sob*
anene, hi, can’t sleep (it’s midnight in Europe), so I take a look at the discussions going on here… I have to say I don’t agree with your point of the meaning of the amulet being cheapened. I mean, it is supposedly some kind of ‘God-detector’ Castiel tries to put to good use – finding the boss to help them fight in the apocalypse.
A move I find very understandable, as no one has figured out how to kill Lucifer yet, so having God as an asset (provided He will be willing to assist… or it might just be – crucifixions to the right, one cross each) might become important. The angel clings to his biggest hope – finding God, it’s in his nature.
The significance the amulet has for Cas differs utterly from the one established between the brothers, of course. I think there is enough room within the mythology of this show for an item, in this case Dean’s amulet, to have various meanings.
Actually I understand that Sera doesn’t say much about the storyline regarding such important issues – she doesn’t want to give big surprises away, and she might even be bound by contract to not be allowed to speak about it. Furthermore – considering how busy that woman probably is, I think it’s great that she took the time to answer some of our questions. I didn’t expect big revelations, as we’re at halftime now, and twelve episodes will be coming… and, apparently, they’re cooking up something big.
Relax, I’m sure it will be worthwhile, Take care, Jas
Great article! Thanks for sharing the interview. Cheers!
You all are acting like that amulet is a wedding ring or something. Surely, Dean and Sam are going to be Dean and Sam, amulet or no amulet? That amulet was given a real purpose beyond sentimental value this season, so Castiel needs it more than they do. It’s also not like he’s finding God just for himself either, but also to keep Dean & Sam from facing apocalyptic brotherly death match 2010. It’s just as much about Dean & Sam as it is about Cas. Not to mention the whole SAVE THE WORLD thing. After all Castiel has done for both of the brothers, especially Dean, they can let him use it awhile, so I’m glad Dean didn’t ask for it back at the end of 5×03. Not only shows the kind of person Dean is knowing what finding his Father means to Castiel, but also shows he’s smart. He realizes just what’s at stake after that scary face-off with Raphael. If Cas can give them any kind of advantage by tracking God, Dean’s going to let him have at it. Sentimental value doesn’t mean much when they’re all facing down Armageddon.
Nice interview although I would have liked to hear something about Sam, rather than so much about the angels.
I am happy that Sera is writing the back in time episode. :cry::
The Amulet® (never forget the copyright, dammit). I still believe it’s merely a symbol of the brothers’ relationship and that is what ‘imbued’ the thing with it’s Where’s The Big Cheese power. Given that they’re apparently predestined, does that mean it could take that role? Sure. So could have a cell phone. I don’t think it’s been cheapened. Not sure on the vessel thing though, I’d still love a metaphorical big finger to both heaven and hell, but I’m very humanocentric. 😎
Its, not it’s. Your, you’re, their, they’re, there. Yikes, I hate when I do that.
@ Andrea: “AVSC was an incredibly beautiful and poignant episode and I love the idea of the amulet as a symbol of brotherly love and connection.”
As much as I love AVSC, what it revealed is that the amulet isn’t only about the brothers. Sam intended to give it to JOHN and only because he was mad at John did he give it to Dean. So there’s more to it than a symbol between Sam and Dean. It only became Dean’s because Sam was pissed at his father. It speaks to the complexity of the family dynamic as a whole — John/Dean/Sam.
But yes, the amulet is obviously very important to Dean. He was very reluctant to give it to Cas, but I’m sure he does realize the importance of Castiel’s mission. And if it reveals something significant about Dean, then I don’t see a problem with it.
The amulet was intended for John but John failed Sam so he chose to give it to Dean instead, because he knew Dean wouldn’t fail him. From that moment it became a symbol of THEIR connection; John was excluded. The context in which this story was told is very clear: the two boys and then the two young men celebrating their own Christmas. Just the two of them. No John, no Castiel.
OK, so maybe it it has a deeper meaning. In that case, I’d find some consolation in the idea that it’s not the object itself that matters, but rather what it means. Somehow, the love between the brothers is what might help find God.
“Why don’t they have the Impala be a magical car that can find Jesus so that Castiel can take it and it can have meaning for him too”. Hey Anene, be careful. They – writers – might actually like the idea. Sorry guys, I don’t mean to offend anyone. I know that Castiel has many fans. I don’t hate thim, I just think he takes way too much space in the story.
anene- Personally I think it’s pretty rude, to say the Interview was the worst you ever read.. Even if you meant Sera’s answers. (which I am pretty sure you didn’t, and you only added that because it made you look bad)
That’s still rude to Alice, period!
Sera isn’t going to give the entire season away in interviews, she is only going to give enough to either get the fandom wanking (like they always do about every damn little thing) or to make you more curious… No wonder this fandom gets a bad rap.. LOL
Alice great interview no matter what anyone else says..
Hey guys, I don’t take offense to anything said here. Even Anene’s opinion. The comment voiced displeasure but didn’t harp on it and I’m okay with that. I must admit, I honestly didn’t know the amulet was such a hot issue. I find that so intriguing reading all the opinions! I sense we’ll be digging into that in some hiatus article.
I did ask Sera about Sam’s abilties but she did not select that question or others related to the strength of the brotherly relationship. In my experience, there’s a valid reason and I accept that without question.
I didn’t expect Sera to give more than teasers. I’m very happy with what I got. For anyone that’s doubting where the brotherly relationship is going, it sounds like the next episode might hit on that a little. Probably more so than Abandon All Hope.
As for Castiel, he’s part of the story now. The angels are a huge part of the arc and will be for the rest of this season. For those that don’t want to see or hear about the angels, hold out hope for season six.
Thanks everyone, really. I swear I posted this on my lunch hour and the interest in this article exploded while I was offline. I’m so happy that Sera’s words generated so much interest and I could share.
Thanks for the interview, Alice! I have lots to say but seeing as how differing/unpopular opinions aren’t welcome here, I’ll take my comments elsewhere. Alice, I’m always a fan of your interviews and recaps. Keep up the good work!
Thanks for posting this and you did a good job:-)
I’m just annoyed by the amulet thing too. It has always been such a big symbol of the brothers connection and love for each other and now apparently it’s all about Dean and Castiel? Why does this angel have to be shoehorned into everything, when we’re literally starving for more about the brothers bond. *sigh*
This interview did not put any of my fears regarding the rest of the season to rest and I’m slowly beginning to think that the writers have lost their marbles.
OK Alice, I apologize for jumping down anene… I just took what she said offensively.
Maja- Maybe they are smoking “special brownies” in the writers room. LOL
Thanks so much for the interview, Alice. And thank you to Sera Gamble for taking the time to answer some questions.
That interview just has me more excited for the upcoming episodes. And I’ll especially be waiting for Sera’s next episode!
Oh, but please don’t say/imply that angels won’t be a part of S6 – I adore this particular storyline, and LOVE Castiel’s character, and am really hoping that S6 finds a way to incorporate his character at the very least.
Lastly, don’t suppose you could post the questions that you sent in that Sera didn’t answer, Alice? It might be fun to speculate on why she didn’t answer/what the answers could be.
Thanks again! 😀
Great interview!! Ohh, to be a fly on the wall in the writers’ room……
WOW! Just checked into see if new articles were up and NEVER thought the amulet was of such interest. Jas and I have really been the only ones interested in it the first part of season 5. Were have all you been? I would have loved to start a ‘bring the amulet back’ thread had I know other were interested. Really lurkers…speak up!
Yes, the amulet is a VERY big part of the boys relationship, but even though Dean was apprehensive about loaning to Cas, Sam wasn’t…and neither was Bobby, who should have been the one and only to know of any magical powers it possessed. After all, he gave it to Sam. And yes, it was supposed to be a special gift to John, but he let Sam down…and it wasn’t the first time. Dean however was always there, and so Sam’ special gift was now for his brother, who shared a special place in Sam’s heart. That was the lesson of AVSC…and I really don’t think that power can ever be diminished by any abilities Cas might find for it. Maybe it will be a special bond between the angels and the brothers also. That would be nice to see.
As long as the sentimental value of the amulet to the brothers is not diminished, it can have more than one reason for being in the boy’s possession. I hope the answer to that is completely revealed at the time of its return.
As if this place isn’t awesome enough, you go and bag an interview with Sera Gamble. Epic! Sera’s really adorable, and I love her episodes. I was reading selectively (yes..I’m a major spoiler phobe)..but it looked like she was trying not too give to much away anyway. And now I’m all stoked about the next episode..dammit hellatus, end already!
RE: amulet.
As I’m such a mild person, I can take the fact, that the amulet is something that can help find god. (I find the idea pretty stupid, tho.)
I just missed Sam’s reaction in 5.1. I wanted to see his “What? The gift I gave you as a kid is The Godfinder?! Haha/hrmpph”.
Well, there was no reaction.
And if there will be no reaction/proaction (why is he so reactive lately? Lost his will to start conversation when started the Apocalypse?) from Sam, I’ll be disappointed. But hey, it might be different, it might be alright.
I’ll complain when the season is over =)
Thank you, girls, for the interview!
Interesting interview! I’m glad we’ll finally see Michael, and I’m excited to see Anna again! I don’t actually think the boys have fully reconciled, but I suppose that remains to be seen. 🙂
Regarding the amulet, I agree with Chris… it was never a totally brothers-item. It was from Bobby, intended for John, and given to Dean on the spur of the moment. It meant something to both boys, and Dean certainly treasured it, but it’s really a representative of their whole family structure… absent-but-trying father, generous stand-in father, youngest son craving his father and settling for his brother, oldest son cherishing every bit of familial affection.
The amulet isn’t a Dean&Sam thing. It’s a Winchester-love thing. And I think it’s very possible that it’s simply the fact that Dean places so much deep meaning on that amulet, that to him it’s a symbol of familial love (as the Impala is a symbol of home), and that he’s directed those intense feelings toward it for so many years, that it’s become imbued somehow with those things. And that, as God is the originator of familial love, the amulet will respond to Him/Her.
*Sigh* Sera’s comments aren’t exactly inticing me into watching the rest of the season. Yet more angels and yet more Dean angst. Even Sam, Interrupted has her dwelling on Dean’s angst. I was hoping we would finally start getting into Sam’s head and seeing something of the redemption journey/emotional arc he’s supposed to be having this year. Who knows, maybe we will. I guess I’ll just have to keep my fingers crossed.
I’m so sorry to be so down here. I was just so excited in the summer hearing about Sam’s emotional journey and thinking this meant lots of wonderful Sam insight this season but he’s been still pretty much silent as ever. Sigh.
As for the amulet – it becoming a God emf meter stuff ranks right up there with the whole grace in a bottle nonsense.
5.2, sorry
Interesting interview … An object lesson in cageyness and then some! Although to be fair I would have been massively dischuffed if Sera had blown the rest of the season’s story so fair do’s …
I’m with Madge re. the Godometer Amulet. As a bonding trinket between the boys and a bit of a fuck-you to soi-distant Daddy-poo it was fine but as an Oh-we-need-a-Diety-detector-hey-that’s-handy-you’ve-got-one-down-your-shirt plot device it stunk to high heaven.
On the whole I like the angels but the dredging up bits and pieces from seasons past to cut and paste them more firmly into the mythology looks clunky and is starting to piss me off rather. Write them into the present … Fine and shiney, but don’t go back and twist everything that’s gone before to make ’em look like they’ve been there all along.
Phew … Rant over, climbs off soapbox ( dislodging several cats in the process, you’re not the only one with an unwanted furry helper contingent, Randel! ) 😆
It’s interesting how people interpret things differently, I for one am thrilled with the answer I got on this question.
Elle2: Any hints on when Dean is going to get his amulet back – or isn’t he?
SG: The amulet figures into an upcoming episode. If I directly answer your question, I’ll give too much away about both Dean and Cass. Not to mention God.
All Sera says is that the amulet figures into an upcoming episode. That’s it. Since we know Castiel took it to find God, it makes sense that Castiel and God figure into this upcoming episode. Also, since we know Dean wants it back and it’s his amulet it also figures that he’d have something to do with that aspect of it. Period. That’s all I took away from her answer…the amulet figures in an upcoming episode and Castiel (maybe) finds God and Dean may or may not get his amulet back.
I too find nothing in this that cheapens the symbolism of the amulet (which is all it is anyway, a symbol. The brothers have a bond, undeniable, and will always have that bond. I respect others point of view that somehow it has been cheapened, destroyed, swept under the rug or something else but I have no understanding of it.
I’m thrilled that Sera answered as many questions as she did and I love that she teased us. I mean, do you really want to know what the rest of the 12 episodes are going to entail? Where’s the fun in that.
Thanks, Sera, for taking the time to answer some questions and tease some upcoming events.
I wasn’t dissing Sera, Elle2, I only meant she did a good job of whetting our appitites for what’s to come without giving the game away too much!
That’s it? Where’s all the blood and personal attacks? You people are far too nice as a whole to be considered true fandom.
Since I’m being snarky, how about an online petition to get In Kripke We Trust to replace whatever gobbledygook they’ve got on US coins these days.
I love Dean and Cas and other Angels, I hope we see a lot of that in the next episodes!
Bring in more of Cas, Michael, Raphael, Gabriel, Zacariah and Lucifer!
Thank you for the interview!
Does anyone feel up to a spot of bitch-fighting to keep Randal from getting all sad and disgruntled … ?
Oh well, here goes …
Rands, old love … Your Father was a hampster and your Mother smelt of elderberries …
Better? 😉
I really would have liked to hear more about Sam. We’ve had Dean and his psychological problems pounded into us since Daddy Winchester died and we’ve received very little of what’s going on inside Sam’s head. He’s turned into the ultimate wallpaper on this show and I’m pretty much hanging on by a thread, not sure I’ll tune in when it starts back up again. When there’s more that I dsilike about a show than I like… I can read the writing on my wall and it’s pretty close to saying “change the channel”. 🙁
I love Sam and I was hoping it’ll be something more about HIM as well this time …
Thanks for the interview – I undertand that not all of the questions were answered.
My faith in my utter disdain for humanity has been restored. I love you guys. Sniff. 😉
Does this mean that we will see the same actor and actress from ‘In The Beginning’?
-gets ridiculously excited-
Now who’s a Happy Sap, eh what? 😆 😆 😆
I wish this interview had left me excited but it hasnt and I am getting disillusioned where Sam is concerned.
But I appreciate Sera for answering the questions and Alice for doing the interview.
I just sorry it didnt do it for me.the show is becoming less about the brothers and more about Dean who happens to have a brother and alot of angels.
Hi Alice
Work has had me hopping lately so I’ve only been quickly reading thru the articles as time permits.
But I wanted to take a moment and thank-you for the posting of the questions. I knew Sera wouldn’t be able to disclose too much, but I think she did what she could.
This year I have been avoiding the Spoilers as much as possible. Not that they took anything away from the show for me. I just like the ‘walking in blind’ feeling.
Makes the show more exciting and intriguing.
Anyway thanks again.
@ Suze and Randal…You two crack me up. Thanks for the banter, I really needed a good laugh today.
Hey Suze and Randal, wanna borrow my guilliotine? I’m trying to get rid of the damn rusty old thing… 😉
‘My thoughts be bloody’ (does that count?), Jas
I loved this interview! Alice & Co., these were great questions. And I just wanted to add my thanks to Sera Gamble for taking the time to answer– loved the teasers, glimpses into the writers’ room, reactions to AAH. Sera’s fun, I can’t get enough of her commentary on the DVDs. And I’m more excited than ever for the rest of the season, especially Sam, Interrupted. I’m a physician, and couldn’t help but keep a weather eye on Dean’s drinking, so I’m dying of curiousity (about that, and so much else!) Poor boys. “The hiatus just got a little bit longer”– it really did!
Randal, yeah, possesives vs contractions are a -ahem- pain, aren’t they? I’ve gotta second Karen re: banter above–LOL! Thanks folks . 😆
elenaM,
Sam,Interrupted is an episode I’m, too, dying to see. I can relate to your comment. Just as you can’t help looking at this show from a physician’s pov at times, I often spot the psychological issues and wonder how the guys are going to survive this in terms of mental health. I’m working on an article about that question, and I think the upcoming episode will shed some light on their sanity (or insanity? I’m very curious about the show’s depiction of a mental hospital, as it is often overdone in movies or tv.
And, yes, I love to listen to Sera’s commentaries, too. She’s witty, funny, and you get the occasional sigh as in AllHellBreaksLoose ‘aaawww, Sam’s really dead’.
Love it. Jas
It was interesting to read that Sam Interrupted seems to be more about Dean than Sam. elenaM, I also have been noticing Dean’s drinking, but at least we haven’t seen him steal whole bottles of booze for a while. Maybe this epi will show him that, like the double cheeseburgers, this has long term negative ramifications.
I am also hoping it will start the resurrection of Sam’s powers. Maybe he will start to think more about his anger and how to control it…..SOOOO helpful in using a powerful weapon, like Sam’s special abilities wisely.
Ell2, Liked your comment about the amulet. Cas took it away….. and he has to be the one to return it to Dean so he also HAS to be present…hopefully with Sam there as well. I think if you realize who this show has been aiming its audience at; you will see why a large percentage will feel the gift should remain as just that….a gift, not a relic of some mythical time. I can understand why many feel the god-finder part cheapens the gift concept. And I concur with them. That’s just the nature of the beast.
Randal and Suze keep up the banter….I also agreed with Karen’s comment!
😀
Hi Alice and Co,
just discovered your site – you rock! I especially love interviews with the SPN cast and crew, and this one is great, thanks for doing it. I also enjoyed reading the comments. Supernatural really got people going, the different oppinions from, as it seems, every possible angle, amazes me over and over again (Hi to Jasminka, I know exactly what you’re talking about).
Will keep up with your site, Alice, regards from Croatia!
Sorry for any bad english 🙂
Jasminka, does it come with a basket, or is that sold separately? 😉
elenaM, I figure if the occasional screw up is good enough for Coleridge, it’s good enough for me!
sablegreen, I just flew in and boy are my arms tired. Does that count? Regarding Sam, Interrupted, and if it’s a ‘Dean-centric’ type episode, I have a half-assed thought on the subject.
I think the whole Sam vs. Dean Pain Parade has been played out in a way that mirrors their personality, so, überfans, mellow out, merci. Dean is more of the extrovert, even though he hides behind his masks, as we all do to some extent, so I can see how it seems that his issues have taken center stage. Sam, like his father, internalizes a lot and then it can lash out. Granted, that makes it a bit more difficult for viewers, but I don’t think Sam’s been getting the short straw. They’re both excellent with facial emoting, but Sam tends to keep stuff inside more. Just my 1.5 cents (bad economy, and all that).
Randal, you are right.
It does not comfort me much, unfortunately.
If there is so much Sam’s angst (as it seems to me) I want to see at least some of it showing! Even as it is clear as sky that he is very good at covering these things up.
But I want! Me-me-me, I want to see it! I wanna! See! It!
/emoticon with lot’s of tears
signed by cry-baby
Randal if it makes me smile…IT COUNTS… And it did…. so kudos to you! 😀 😀
Also liked the depreciation of your thoughts…but the economy has slipped more than that…so maybe a penny’s worth???
You’re also right on the personalities of the boys. Dean has much more of Mom in him…..Sam much more of Dad. That’s one of the reasons the boys work so well together. Mom and Dad personalities could merge their complexities and so can Dean and Sam.
People feel more comfortable with extroverts because they know more where they stand… ….and less with the quiet ones because they don’t …so for most Dean seems to be the life of the party…but you should never count out the quiet ones. There is a lot buried down deep in them…it just takes a bit more work to find it. I just hope they don’t have all of Sam’s expressed as anger…because we all know he has a lot of cool, calm, logic in there as well.
vana, believe me, I agree. I’m not even sure it was a conscious decision on the part of Kripke & Co., just seems to have worked out that way organically.
sablegreen, if this library gig falls through, I think I have a future as a stand-up comedian (not really) 😎
That’s an excellent point. Sure, there’s the expected conflict, but there’s so much of the yin/yang going on. I can relate to Sam’s personality, so I too would like to see a bit more of his internal demons (see? funny) articulated verbally. But, true to that personality type, it’s difficult. And as you said, he’s not just a raging bag of anger, but a complex person.
Hell, I’m having a hard time coming up with more of a relentless mindfuck than ‘The Devil® himself wants to inhabit my being.’ Hard to keep that bottled up as well as he has.
The title of 5.11 really shouldnt of been Sam Interrupted if it is more about Dean it comes across has abit pointless.The Curious Case of Dean Winchester was at least about him .The writers dont really do much for Sam and the idea any human can cope internally all the time with things is unrealistic.I like Dean but I cannot muster anymore the interest in how he feels its been done to death over the last four seasons.
Hi Freebird, welcome to the site. Do they show Supernatural in Croatia, too? That’s just fantastic. Usually it takes a long time for great shows to get there. So next time I visit Zagreb I might watch it on tv?… not bad…
Don’t worry about your English, you’re doing fine. Best wishes, 😉
Jas
Randal, I guess I’m disconsolate…. No basket. You’re going to do the wickerwork yourself… 😆
It was all bloody and I wasn’t able to get rid of the smell, you know. It had to go. But a bucket will work also, much easier to clean. The modern world has clearly done something for practicality.
I agree with your and Sablegreen’s comments about the yin/yang aspect of the brothers. They complement each other. Sometimes, though, this leads to getting to close, knowing each other too well, and then sometimes they need to lash out, as they have done.
I think Jared is doing some magnificent acting here, as for instance he hasn’t had much to say in the last episode, but the man is able to communicate whole pages of dialogue with his face alone. Both guys are.
So, Sam’s inner turmoil comes across, however restraint, but it is there.
He’s doing pretty well on the outside with that ‘devil-wants-to-get-into-my-body’ thing. I would place any bet that he is freaked out like he’s never been before. I can’t wait to see that played out.
:-), Jas
Great interview, Alice and co. Sera’s answers got me even more pumped up to see what happens the rest of the season, if that was possible!
And this lively discussion I’ve only now seen will teach me to not check this website for a few days!
To add my 1.5 cents (good one, Randal!) about Sam’s state of mind and how it hasn’t been as fleshed out as Dean’s, I agree that since Sam internalizes so much, it makes sense that we don’t get a glimpse into what he’s thinking very often. Can that be frustrating? Yeah! But I also think it’s kind of cool. How many other shows would be brave enough to present such a tormented, stressed-out, almost-at-his-breaking-point character and not discuss it to death? By not exposing his inner turmoil willy-nilly just for drama’s sake or because we, the fans, want to understand what’s going on in his head is a good thing, really. That means that when we finally do get a glimpse into Sam’s psyche it will happen organically plot-wise and won’t be shoehorned into an episode just because. At least, I hope that’s what will happen! I also think it’s a compliment to fans from the writers. They’re smart enough to let Jared emote and express Sam’s angst that way. And by doing that, they’re showing they know the fans are intelligent enough to pick up facial subtleties and non-verbal cues that show where Sam’s head is at.
Or I’m reading way too much into it! I’m almost never guilty of that. 😉
@ Banter-ers: Thanks for my Monty Python fix for the day! A little bit makes every day seem like the bright side of life.
“Sam was not an internalizer in S1”
He was, though. He wouldn’t talk about his visions until episode 10, and the brothers didn’t even talk about Jessica until episode 19 (and Dean was doing most of the talking there, because Sam wouldn’t).
I think Sam got a bit of a reputation as touchy-feely because he can put on the sensitive face for the victims. But to me, that’s exactly what it is… a face. Underneath that, he’s as repressed as the next Winchester male.
I agree with you Amelia..in season 1, I was right there with everyone calling Sam ‘the sensitive one’. By season 3 I looked back and went woah, who am I kidding? He’s always begging Dean to open, but he himself would just bottle everything up and I’m very surprised the poor boy hasn’t imploded yet…
Personally, I hope Sam continues to bottle everything up for all he’s worth … Why? You cry … ( or not, please yourselves … )
Well … It will make for a bigger bang when he does finally lose it/ If he’s all full of bile and resentment there’ll be no room for Lucifer/ If we get one more teary-eyed-pain-sharing scene on the bonnet of the Impala whilst parked under a mood-lit flyover in the middle of nowhere I’m going to hitch-hike to the land of the free and give Mr. K a big slap for aggrevated soppyness above and beyond the call of duty. One does have limits, you know.
On the subject of which, Jas and Randal, all this poncing about with buckets and baskets and whatnot has to stop. Far too fiddly and european – It’ll be finger bowls next. Enough, I say, just kick the head under the nearest bush and off to the pub … I wave my private parts at your Aunties etc. etc. ( can we stop now? my bantergland hurts … )
Sure, Suze, any bear you would personally recommend? 😉 Jas
I leave the choice entirely to your skill and descrimination … 😆
Jasminka, I suppose a bucket would be more sanitary, but I simply can’t resist that Old World charm. 😉
Jas and Ardeospina, I couldn’t agree more. Which may look like I’m refuting my wish for more Sam emoting, but I think what Jared is doing works (granted, the final decision on the actual words is up to the writers) because it’s who he is. I’m not one to completely shun melodramatic romanticism, but I think it’s very realistic, in a non-realistic world, ha, of how they play their respective emotional travails.
Suze, so I should have left my powdered wig on the dresser? (I’m tapping my head Cleese-style as we speak).
I’m been thinking about what Lucifer really is up to..and one possibility hit me..
God IS alive and all Lucifer probably wants is to send him a big fat ‘up yours’. If God is the Creator of everything, then Lucifer shall be the Destroyer. He wants to eliminate mankind, since they’re the very reason he fell, and then kill off the demons, and you’ve got to be kidding me if you say he’ll stop there. In this case then, his mission is, in a way, his own form of vengeance against the father who betrayed him.
I find this notion exceptionally scary because, in parallel, Sam’s life revolves around vengeance, and Lucifer always uses qualities in his victims that mirror his own as leverage to get his way. I know, Sam already stated that now he was after ‘redemption’, but the idea of vengeance as a duty is already thoroughly embedded in him, whether he realizes it or not, because that is what his life has always been about from the moment Mary was killed.
Ok that bit about Sam was a bit off topic, so to sum up: I think that maybe Lucifer’s mission is to take vengeance against God and destroy God’s creations. But, who knows?
Yikes, that actually makes a nasty sort of sense, Narcissus … Oooer. 😯
Thanks for a great interview, Alice. I loved season 4, and I’m loving season 5 so far.
I’m at a bit of a loss about the complaint that we haven’t seen inside Sam’s psyche? Really, I saw a lot in When The Levee Breaks, for instance. That was one whole episode devoted to Sam’s psyche, and it provided a lot of information in that respect.
Not to mention the various other very explicit instances, such as in Sex and Violence, Good God Y’All and Free to Be You and Me.
I’m wondering if maybe this perceived lack of insight isn’t just because the insight we have been shown, isn’t what some people think *they* see in Sam, or *want* to see in Sam?
Really, I think we have seen more about Sam’s psyche in terms of his quest in season 4, as well as his feelings towards Dean, than about Dean’s feelings about Hell. If we are honest, how much time has really been spent on Dean’s experience in Hell? 20 minutes? Just because there were some very powerful performances given by Jensen in those few minutes, doesn’t mean more time was spent on it. In fact, a lot *less” time has been spent on it.
This fandom saddens me sometimes, it really does.
Hi Jasminka, thanks for the welcome!
Supernatural’s first 2 seasons aired in Croatia two years ago and then they stoped. I read how american fans complaint about lousy promotion of the show, well, in Croatia they got no promotion at all, and the air time was friday nights at 1a.m. (after shifting it a couple of times without announcment). Consequently, ratings were low and it stoped airing. I watch it online, and am therefore thankful for every detailed episode recap.
Talk about underrated shows.
Freebird, I feel your pain. It was pretty much the same deal here in Malaysia..they only aired season 1 and 2, and virtually didn’t promote it at all. This year though, out of the blue, a completely different channel started airing season 4, but with very scarce reruns (compared to CSI, etc..), so it’s still difficult to catch SN on tv. God bless the internet!
Thanks for the interview! Its great to have you writing this all out for us
😀
So a couple of things I want to say. First, thanks to Alice and Co. for the interview. It definitely makes me wish January 21st was here!
Second, on the amulet… I understand now that there are a lot of people in the fandom who don’t like the angels and in particular Castiel. I understand that some view Castiel as a blocker in some way to Sam & Dean’s relationship. I find that most often it is “Sam fans” (not to generalize) that take issue with Castiel’s character. Again that is perfectly okay, like who you want to like. What I will say is that Castiel brought a new dynamic to the show and the relationship between the brothers that I feel it sorely needed. Before S4 I didn’t really have that great an investment in SPN, but with the introduction of Castiel something changed. This is not to say I didn’t enjoy the previous seasons, it’s just that I didn’t really start to care about the characters until a new element was added to their dynamic, new element being Castiel. I think Castiel is a great character as much as the writers like to use him for plot devices. That being said, if Castiel is in fact a wedge between the brothers for them to overcome there is a reason for it. Sam chose Ruby (not knowing Ruby’s intentions) while Dean chose Sam over and over again. The fact that Castiel chose to help the brothers at all, I think, made Dean feel like he was worth saving in some way, so for me Castiel has been important in terms of Dean’s self-worth. And this has totally gotten off topic XD Basically, Sam and Dean’s relationship is Sam and Dean’s relationship, no amulet symbolism is going to change that (so while I somewhat get the outrage, I don’t really think it’s warranted).
Third, Sam is an introvert and Dean is an extrovert. This is apparent just in their birthdays, if you’re into astrology and synastry. Sam is the earth sign and Dean is the air sign. Air and fire by nature are extroverted, earth and water introverted. So, I agree that the emotional focus on Dean has a lot to do with that characteristic. S1 Sam was introverted, IMO, he wouldn’t talk about Jessica’s death, his feelings toward/about John and his jealousy of Dean’s apparent closeness to John and Mary (Mary being that Dean actually knew his mother). Sam has always kept these things from Dean and a lot of what is going on with Sam is up to the viewer to interpret because Sam rarely voices his inner struggles or feelings. Like Randal said, when Sam does finally reveal what’s going on it’s a BIG reveal, like in When The Levee Breaks.
As far as the angel mythology goes, I will admit it’s a bit tired now but I love Kurt Fuller as Zachariah and I wish we could see more of him in upcoming episodes 🙂 So while I don’t know what a possible S6 might bring I will be a bit relieved by there not being so much angel cr*p going on.
On a sidenote, I find that I like Dean more than Sam (I wouldn’t say better) because Dean represents the good qualities I see in myself as well as what I would like to be, despite the bad. Sam on the other hand, represents the things that I know are issues I have and things I don’t like about myself. So while it’s weird to sort of project in that way, I really feel like Sam & Dean are two sides of the same coin and that to like one you have to appreciate the other. For me, Castiel is the support and faith that Dean didn’t get from Sam, as Sam “betrayed” him by going to Stanford, giving up hunting, picking Ruby over him, etc. So while it’s (I think) a good thing for Dean, for Sam it’s making him realize how he has hurt Dean and feel threatened by Castiel’s presence. There are other things too, but this is getting to tl;-)r lengths so I’ll leave it at that.