I finally had a chance to view the clips from last month's Comic Con panel on Supernatural. I was interested to learn a little more about the upcoming season, the eighth, but I also know one does not learn a lot from this panels. It is basically a love fest with the fans. That said, I thought the seventh season was one of the better ones with its emphasis on turning the American population into Purdue chickens where they are fattened up on fast food while watching television. I am not sure if the writers were making fun of the television audience in general (fans as well as others), but it was fun nonetheless.
Season eight will return to CW on October 3rd, a Wednesday. Yes, Supernatural is changing its night. Jensen Ackles commented on this during the panel, pointing out that the show was moved from Friday nights, which he said is a good since since shows go to Friday nights "to die." Whatever night it lands on, I want to be there to see the next set of adventures. The show certainly grows on you and the best part is that it does not take itself too seriously. You get the impression Jensen and Jared are simply having fun with us.
Here are some highlights from what was said at the July Comic Con panel:
Jeremy Carver (show writer): Jeremy
was asked about new relationships in the coming season, and he stated that the only real relationship holding the show together is
that of two brothers (though he did not mention the third brother that appeared
in a few episodes). Jeremy was also
asked about the theme of season eight, Raiders
of the Lost Ark, and what it means.
Jeremy would only say that the brothers are “united in going after this
one thing.”
Mark Sheppard (Crowley): I have always liked Mark Sheppard since his
time as Ramo Lampkin on Battlestar Galactica. His devil-may-care attitude on that show was
great and his devilish role on Supernatural
is also a natural fit. Mark
described Crowley as “what happens when people aren’t paying attention.” He also noted that the show needs to explore
his “loveliness,” since this side has not been shown to date.
Jensen Ackles (Dean Winchester): Jensen discusses his situation in purgatory at
the end of season seven, noting he cannot say much about how he might get
out. Ben took up this point later
on. Jensen was also asked about romances
in the coming season, and he noted Dean’s only real romance is the car. Jensen also spoke a little about directing
his third episode (he will direct the first episode of season eight – click here
for a separate interview on this aspect).
Jensen also noted that he sometimes wanted his character to have super powers,
as Sam did at one point, but he also does not want the show to lose its
humanity.
Jared Padalecki (Sam
Winchester): Jared said Sam will get
a little action with the ladies this season – nothing too new there. He also stated he would rather be tied up
than thrown against a wall since the filming is easier, which led Jensen on a tangent
about plumbing in his clothing for all the blood shots.
Misha Collins (the Angel
Castiel): Misha was asked about
Castiel’s bolting from Dean at the end of the last season and the angel’s
future plans. Misha had great difficulty
answering the question, making it clear that all the cast were under orders not
to reveal too much about the new season, which is pretty reasonable at all of
these events given the need to keep the fan base guessing.
Jim Beaver (Bobby Singer): Jim was wearing a Deadwood baseball cap at the event, which brought back memories of
his well-acted character Whitney Ellsworth from the HBO series. Jim has also been quite busy on FX’s Justified, another great television
series. When looking at Jim’s TV
credits, he goes back to 1978 and a stint on Dallas. He has had quite a
career to date. Anyway, as to his
character Bobby’s return from the world of the dead, all he could say is “anything
is possible.”
Ben Edlund (writer and executive
producer): Ben said Dean returns
from purgatory early in the eighth season and the show centers around purgatory
for awhile. And when talking about Dean
and Sam’s relationships, he noted that both are “emotional shut-ins” who spend
a lot of time together in a car with crumpled snacks. Ben also noted that Crowley thinks ahead more
than anyone else in the universe, including the angels, stating Crowley may have a “titanic” role
in the upcoming season.
Fans in the crowd also asked a number of amusing questions, such as why
the two brothers look nothing like one another (Jensen said it was the
hair). Another fan asked if we will see
God in the upcoming season. Jeremy was
pretty vague, but he did say there would be an overarching mythology that will
hopefully carry on for many years. That
was my question – is this the last season?
I hope not.
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