10 Harsh Realities of Being a Supernatural Fan 20 Years Later

This TV show holds the record for being the longest-running American live-action fantasy series, and it remains popular today. Despite its overall success and devoted fans, some long-time viewers have issues with certain aspects, including the controversial ending to Season 15.

I’ve been a fan of Supernatural for a long time, and like with any show that runs for as long as it did, it wasn’t always perfect. There were definitely times when the storylines got a bit too complicated, or when I questioned choices the characters made, or even felt uncomfortable with some of the themes explored. It’s a show I really appreciate, but being a fan also means acknowledging that it had its flaws and difficult moments.

Destiel Shipping Wars Led to a Toxic Fandom

Over its 15 seasons, Supernatural featured several romantic relationships, but fans often disagreed about which one was best for each character. Dean, for instance, had a significant relationship with Lisa and her son Ben. When he chose to erase their memories to keep them safe, viewers had very mixed reactions, ranging from frustration to understanding.

Many fandoms enjoy healthy discussions about character relationships, but the Supernatural fanbase experienced significant conflict over which romantic pairings were ideal. The most popular, and divisive, pairing was “Destiel,” the relationship between Dean and Castiel. Strong feelings about this pairing sparked heated arguments regarding fan fiction, the show’s official storyline, and representation, ultimately discouraging some potential viewers due to the intensity of the fanbase.

There Was a Lot of Inconsistent Lore in Supernatural

Over time, the portrayal of supernatural beings evolved to suit the needs of the story. Details surrounding demons – like possessions, exorcisms, and the presence of sulfur – shifted as demons became more prominent. Angels also experienced a changing and often inconsistent story, particularly after their fall from Heaven and as more of them died. Their powers, such as destroying demons or healing people, varied depending on the character and how using those powers would affect the story’s drama.

The show sometimes bent the rules of its monster lore to keep things fresh and avoid repetition. For instance, some ghosts were made unusually powerful, ignoring traditional weaknesses like salt or iron without clear explanation. The established rules for vampires and shapeshifters also shifted over time – shapeshifters would sometimes shed their skin, a detail not consistently applied to all encounters with them.

The Problematic Miscommunication Trope Became Annoying

A recurring theme in Supernatural was miscommunication. The show’s storylines often revolved around the brothers’ difficulty sharing their feelings and being open with each other. This lack of communication led to significant problems, like when Sam kept Dean in the dark about drinking demon blood and unintentionally freeing Lucifer, and when Dean secretly allowed Gadreel to possess Sam, hoping to protect him from the lingering effects of being trapped in Lucifer’s Cage.

Some fans think the show used misunderstandings to constantly create new problems and drive the plot forward. However, after it happened so many times that keeping secrets put the brothers in danger, it became hard to believe they wouldn’t notice they weren’t sharing information – which ironically made the conflicts even worse.

The Lack of Originality In Later Seasons Resulted In Depleted Engagement

The first five seasons of Supernatural are often considered the show’s peak. These early seasons established the detailed and captivating universe that kept viewers hooked, even as the storylines became more divisive. While fans debate the best overall plot, most agree that the standalone episodes featuring different monsters were the most enjoyable part of the series.

While the characters and their relationships were compelling, the storyline itself wasn’t very fresh. The show’s focus on angels, demons, Lucifer, and God felt unoriginal, which ultimately made it less exciting for many viewers. Despite a loyal fanbase continuing to watch, the predictable plots and lack of new ideas held the series back from being truly entertaining.

There are Too Many Unresolved Plotlines Throughout Supernatural’s 15 Seasons

The show often introduced plot points that were never fully resolved, prioritizing the main story arc. A major point of criticism was the character of Adam, Sam and Dean’s brother, who was left trapped in Hell for many seasons, starting in Season 5 and not being addressed until the very end. While the finale resolved a few dangling threads, several storylines were still left unfinished.

Fans still wonder about several unresolved storylines from the show. For example, Jesse Turner, a powerful character revealed to be the Antichrist, vanished without explanation, even though the world faced multiple apocalypses and he would have been grown up by the end. Other questions remain, like who Sam ultimately ended up with – specifically, Eileen – and what happened to fan-favorite monsters like Garth, the werewolf who gained powers from an angel. These characters and plotlines were largely forgotten after Season 14.

Selective Resurrection Ruined the Suspense

While the show featured many deaths, the constant recurrence actually diminished their impact on viewers. This was particularly true when characters were brought back to life, which happened frequently, especially with Dean, who died over a hundred times, and also with Sam and Castiel. The repeated resurrections made death feel less meaningful.

Viewers weren’t upset about Dean and Sam Winchester being brought back to life, but rather that the show didn’t revive other popular characters. While the main heroes repeatedly died and returned, beloved side characters like Bobby Singer and Charlie Bradbury only reappeared as alternate versions from another world. Despite attempts to explain the brothers’ survival with divine intervention, their constant deaths lost their emotional impact and failed to resonate with the audience.

Supernatural Will Never Be a Franchise Due to Failed Spin-Offs

Shows like The Walking Dead, The Vampire Diaries, and Game of Thrones have become huge franchises and continue to be popular on television. While Supernatural has a dedicated and loyal fanbase, it hasn’t expanded into a major franchise like those others. Its prequel, The Winchesters, was canceled after just one season, suggesting limited franchise potential.

Several spin-off ideas were considered during the run of Supernatural, but only one even made it to a pilot episode. Season 9’s “Bloodlines” was intended to launch a show about shapeshifters set in Chicago, but it never got picked up. Another potential spin-off, Wayward Sisters, would have followed some of the female characters. Despite strong fan interest in these new series, these repeated attempts failed, indicating that the original Supernatural will likely remain the sole successful show in this universe.

Supernatural Had Bad and Lackluster Diverse Representation

Ultimately, Supernatural focused on Sam and Dean Winchester, often at the expense of its supporting characters, who frequently faced tragic ends. Many fans feel the show didn’t handle these characters well, finding their storylines incomplete or unsatisfying. A prime example is how African American characters were treated – Gordon Walker was turned into a villain who needed to be killed off, and Cassie Robinson, Dean’s early love interest, disappeared completely after a single episode, never to be mentioned again.

While characters like Bobby, Castiel, and Crowley, who weren’t white, played supporting roles to Dean and Sam’s main storyline, they still appeared on screen more often than many other secondary characters. However, the way the show handled characters from minority groups and those facing hardship – particularly the shocking death of Charlie Bradbury – caused many viewers to stop watching.

The Supernatural Season 15 Finale Was Largely Unpopular

The show’s final season left some storylines unresolved. Once Chuck was defeated and Jack took his place as God, Sam and Dean’s stories felt more realistic, as if they were no longer protected by fate. Dean died as he always wanted – fighting to save people. And Sam finally found peace and happiness by choosing a quiet life.

The ending, while logical, sparked a lot of debate among fans. Some enjoyed the neat and realistic conclusion, while others felt it didn’t quite deliver, particularly concerning characters like Castiel. The emotional reunion of the Winchester brothers in Heaven was powerful, but many wondered if it was a predictable and overly simple resolution for such well-loved characters.

There’s an Issue With a Supernatural Reboot

Ever since Supernatural finished, people have been talking about bringing the show back. The creators have considered a possible sixteenth season, and the actors are open to returning. While a revival focusing on Sam’s son from the finale would be a logical next step, a lot of fans are hoping to see Sam and Dean team up again.

Bringing back Jared Padalecki and the Winchester storyline presents some big challenges. The show would need to convincingly explain how the characters returned after seemingly dying and going to Heaven, and also address the return of any other previously deceased characters. Reviving the entire cast for a reboot would require viewers to accept unbelievable plot twists and ignore the satisfying conclusions already established for the main characters.

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Supernatural’s Tough Realities: Test Your Fandom Knowledge

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2026-03-27 00:15