‘Supernatural’ is back for an 11th season—here’s what I’ve learned from the first 10
IT’S HERE! It’s here it’s here it’s here! Well, it’s almost here…on this fateful Wednesday, October 7th, the CW’s hit show Supernatural will return for its eleventh season. The show follows a pair of brothers, Dean and Sam Winchester, on their journeys as they hunt fantastical, supernatural creatures. This beautiful gem has been on the air for an impressive ten years and the gang is still going strong. Saving people, hunting things…you know, the family business!
Some of my excitement might stem from the fact that Supernatural is also my favorite show of all-time-ever. Ever. Although I’m a relatively new fan, I love this show with all of my heart. I live for the “Carry On Wayward Son” montage that wraps up every season. I can name seasons just from looking at a picture of Jared Padalecki’s hair. I don’t how to make it any more clear…I love Supernatural.
Although I was initially drawn in by a stunning, black ‘67 Chevy Impala and the witty rapport between some seriously attractive brothers, I stuck around because of all of the good things woven into the stories of traveling the country, hunting the things that go bump in the night. Suffice it to say, everything I needed to know, like…ever, I learned from the wonder and glory that is Supernatural.
Family always has your back
Through Supernatural, we find a true definition of family. Flash forward to Season 10 Episode 17. If you’re not caught up don’t worry, this doesn’t spoil anything. Pinky promise. Dean Winchester tells a friend, “a wise man once told me, ‘family don’t end in blood.’ It doesn’t start there either. Family cares about you, not what you can do for them. Family’s there; for the good, bad, all of it. They got your back, even when it hurts. That’s family.”
Sam and Dean Winchester epitomize family. These brothers have been through hell and back…literally. They’ve fought with one another, against each other, and everything in between. Sure, they’ve made their fair share of mistakes. Big ones. We all have. But they’ve been there for each other through all of it. When you care about people, that’s what you do. You stay. Through the hard times. You always take care of your family.
The best advice is hard to hear
We learn that people are going to give us the advice we need to hear, even when we don’t necessarily want to hear it. One of the many things I love about this show is that more often than not, the characters give it to each other straight. There’s not a lot of flowery diction or beating around the bush. If something needs to be said, they’ll say it. Even if who they’re saying it to could care less. They try because they care.
We can’t control everything, and that’s OK
We learn that sometimes, things happen that are completely out of our control. And what matters is what we do, how we respond to the uncontrollable. Whether or not we choose to stand up and fight back. We learn that sometimes, we lose. And it sucks. But Supernatural shows us that however messed up things may get, no matter how insane, how twisted, there are always choices to be made and we have it within our power to make the right ones. LIke Dean says, “You always have a choice.”
Clowns are scary, flannel is rad
In addition to all of the legitimate life lessons that can be taken from this incredible show, it has also solidified and intensified my fear of clowns now and forevermore, and awakened within me a love of muscle cars and flannel that I didn’t know I had…I was already hip to the classic rock.
Supernatural fans (and stars) are the best!
One of the best things about Supernatural is the sense of community it has created among its devoted viewers. The #SPNFamily is a force to be reckoned with, just like the Winchester brothers. Need proof? In addition to bringing the beloved Sam Winchester to life, Jared Padalecki has launched not one, not two, but three charity T-shirt campaigns through Represent.com, all supporting his Always Keep Fighting campaign.
Jared launched Always Keep Fighting to benefit a nonprofit called To Write Love On Her Arms, an organization that provides support to people struggling with depression, self-harm, addiction, and suicide. Jared has been very open about his struggles with depression and is working to destigmatize mental illness through using platforms like Always Keep Fighting to start conversations and inspire hope. All three shirts surpassed their original sales goals exponentially through the power of the #SPNFamily. Always Keep Fighting has helped many (myself included) realize that they aren’t alone, and if we support each other and stick together…we can do some pretty amazing things.
Want in on the family business? Of course you do! Catch the first ten seasons of Supernatural on Netflix, and tune in to the CW on Wednesday, October 7th @ 9/8c to catch the Season 11 premiere!
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