'Supernatural' season 4 first look at Comic-Con

To the delight of a packed room of...ebullient fans, Eric Kripke announced that, instead of just showing a bunch of clips, he'd reward everyone's enthusiasm and dedication by showing the rough cut of the first five minutes of the season four's Supernatural premiere. And what a five minutes it was.

Because I don't want to spoil it for anyone, I just give you a tease about what we saw - it's no mystery that Dean was coming back but the surprise in in where he is when he does and the impression that it left.

Moderating the panel was Alynda Wheat who did a good job at trying to keep everything on track. Jared Padalecki, at what I believe is his first Comic Con, joined repeat attendees Jensen Ackles, creator Eric Kripke, Executive Producer/Writer Ben Edlund and Executive Story Editor/Writer Sera Gamble (or, as I like to call her "The Queen of Writers"). And, ever the gentleman, when Sera comes to take her seat, Jensen pulls her chair out for her. But not in that whole "make you fall to the floor" way.

Highlights:

• Everyone's really excited about what's coming up this season with Sera saying this is probably the strongest mythology they've had since the first season.
  
• Eric on Jeffrey Dean Morgan aka Pappa John Winchester returning: "On a show like Supernatural, no one's dead forever. It's just a matter of schedule."
• Speaking of dead characters returning, folks like Gordon, Bela and Ruby "can come back at any time," says Sera. "But not many," adds Eric.
• The Writers Strike affected this show just like all the others. When asked what storylines were impacted, Eric says that the really important ones (like Momma Winchester and her mysterious past experiences with demons) are going to be at the forefront of Season 4.
• Eric was asked yet again about the show going beyond his previously stated Five Season Vow. The probability of that is slim to none, heavy on the none. He'd rather go out on top, on a strong note because the very last thing he'd want to do is jump the shark. "I don't want Hawaiian weddings and [cute little] Raven-Symone [stunt casting]."
• Ben's favorite episode that he wrote this past season is "Ghostfacers" which the audience cheered for (except for one guy). Eric had suggested they call them the "Boys In Boo," which he admitted was terrible and was glad Ben shot it down. He added that, when Ben pitched the episode, the fact that he had already written the entire "Ghostfacers" theme song and sang it is what sold him on it.
• Right after Ben says "If the fish sings..." and trails off into laughter. Eric explains that Ben's been trying to pitch an episode with a wish-granting fish for the past two years and it never happens. He likens the repeated failed attempts to Charles Manson going up for parole. "It was going to be a Koi this time," Ben adds.
• Eric admits he wrote "love interest" into new character Kristy's description to mess with the fans since they get so ticked whenever the subject comes up and it amuses him.
• When asked about the great music for the show by a fan, Eric states that he hates generic soundtracks and wanted Classic Rock partly because he doesn't listen to anything made after 1983 and partly because it fits the tone of the show. He believes he wrote "you can take your anemic --- Pop and shove it up your ass" in the script for the pilot.
• In the middle of the Q&A session, the panel was crashed by the aforementioned Ghostfacers. A.J. Buckley and Travis Wester was in character as Ed Zeddmore and Harry Spangler respectively along with Brittany Ishibashi, who was filming and in character as Maggie, Ed's adpoted sister. They were asking "Dean and Sam" what they were up to and why the "weird aliases" and generally running amok until they were quasi-kicked off by Jensen. After they left, Eric expressed relief that the bit played so well because it could've "really sucked."
• Regarding singing Bon Jovi on the show: Eric actually wrote that Jensen had to sing off-key because the scene wouldn't have played well without that. "Jensen's a really good singer, Jered sucks out loud." Repeated requests for singing from the audience were not fulfilled and eventually slapped down by Ben.
• When asked by a fan if Sam's powers/abilites were going to be developed, Eric said no but there was a hint of shadiness to that no.
• Someone asked for Jensen's placecard in a somewhat creepy manner. Jensen, taking it in stride, said no because "Jared has dibs on it."
• Plans for more cult figure guest stars, especially Bruce Campbell? Eric says they ask him every season but, since he's filming Burn Notice in Miami, the availability hasn't worked out. However, Mitch Peleggi (The X-Files, Stargate Atlantis) will guest in the time travel episode as Sam and Dean's grandfather.
• The character of Bela didn't work out as well as she should've in Eric estimation and he takes responsibility for it. He believes they did a disservice to Lauren Cohan, who is a great actress, and, if they were to do it again, they'd have made her part of the mythology more.

Ghostfacers invade....

I also had the opportunity to interview the panelists beforehand and found out a couple interesting things including that they've written an episode for this season in which a town has a wishing well that actually grants those that are made. There may or may not be a 7-foot-tall talking teddy bear.

Comments

Dude, Sera's not the Queen of anything. She's a mediorcre erotica writer. And Edlund's just as bad - he seems to think Supernatural is his own dweeby comic book to play with (Ghostfacers is his favorite? Really, the lowest rated, least liked episode of the entire series?)
It's too late for the mythology. They let this show go haywire for 2 seasons and made the same mistakes over and over and over again. Even if they turn it around this season, it's too late.

Alex | Jul 27, 2008 3:03:16 PM | #

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Hey Alex, if you hate the show so much why still follow anything about it. Be on your way and done with it.

Seriously Sera and Ben are excellent writers.

I hate annoying fans who think their own shi* don't stink...

Enough | Jul 27, 2008 3:08:18 PM | #

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Hee. Thanks so much for this! A 7-foot-tall Teddy Bear? Really? Oh i love this show!

Heather | Jul 27, 2008 3:14:45 PM | #

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I thought the Ghost Facers episode was actually pretty good - I don't know why people thought it was so terrible. I found it hilarious and it was creatively done. So it didn't extensively show the brothers' relationship...does it matter? It wasn't meant to.

Anyway, Ben and Sera are awesome writers - always my fave episodes.

kat | Jul 27, 2008 3:19:24 PM | #

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They haven't made mistakes over and over again. I have to admit I didn't like Bella that much but this season was kick a**! So stick that in your pipe and smoke it! I love Sera Gamble I think she's awesome. And the Ghostfacers episode was great. Even though the video camera deal made me a bit queasy.

Gillian | Jul 27, 2008 3:28:29 PM | #

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It’s “mediocre” and I concur with Alex. Sera Gamble is a terrible writer, at least on this show. She has ruined it and so has Mr. Edlund, but most of all Kripke himself, as a show runner, well he sucks at plotting, story arcs, continuity and most of all lying to his ‘adoring’ fans. They never learn from their mistakes and they don’t have a proven track record of improving this season.

Dana | Jul 27, 2008 3:31:00 PM | #

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I've gotta go with Dana - Kripke track record sucks. This show has gotten progressively worse every season. He had a great thing in season 1, and he has totally dismantled it with crappy writing, huge plot holes, and a total lack of continuity. He took a great, simple story about two brothers and their "family business," and turned it into a convoluted, cliche, dumb mess of kitchsy writing and clunky apocalyptic good versus evil "storytelling." I feel like I'm watching Buffy, not Supernatural. And that's not a good thing.

Rachel | Jul 27, 2008 3:38:43 PM | #

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I think Sera's a pretty good writer but she really needs to have someone co-writing her episodes with her. She did best when working with Raelle (sp?) back in S1. Mainly because I think Sera has a habit of getting a little too soapy and cliche when she doesn't have someone there to pull her back on some of those moments. I believe she was the writer for the Kids are Alright and I thought it was a creepy episode but the character of Ben was a huge annoying cliche to me. I didn't really care for how she wrote the interaction between Madison and Sam back in S2's Heart either. She's a little too into the romance idea for me. Edlund is also pretty good when he wants to be. My only real problem with Ghostfacers was the lack of serious Dean and Sam time which was a little too much when we were just coming off having no episodes after the strike.

Love seeing a glimpse of the boys together. Hee, Jared has dibs on Jensen's placecard. (Yeah it's Jared, not Jered).

Jack | Jul 27, 2008 3:45:49 PM | #

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Then why do you people continue to watch it? I mean if you hate the show so much just stop watching it and ruining it for everyone else.

God this fandom is annoying and stupid, they don't like character growth they want everything to stay the same.

Eric lies to the fandom because they freak out about everything. Because most in this fandom are stupid.

Enough | Jul 27, 2008 3:47:06 PM | #

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Enough - everyone has a right to their opinion. If mine is ruining things for you, instead of namecalling I would suggest you grow a thicker skin.

Alex | Jul 27, 2008 4:05:08 PM | #

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Well, I for one have loved this show from the very first episode. Yes there have been a few that didn't rock my world, but hey... nobody's perfect right?

For those of you haters out there... why don't you run along and try a kiddie show like Reaper that might be more your style.

Kripke and his entire crew are awesome!

Shadow | Jul 27, 2008 4:08:22 PM | #

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Im gonna have to go with Alex on this one. Sara is ok when she has a cowriter to override her faults, but Ben is a moron. Pretty much everything that the fans have complained about can be traced back to him.

The worst part is that because he wrote for Angel (a show wo was known for boring MOTW, grey morality, long convoluted arcs, and cheesy humor: the exact opposite of this show) Kripke gives the guy a long leash to rewrite continuity a he sees fit.

The only reason we complan is becuase we love the show so much and want to see it be what we know it can be, and what we have seen it be in season 1.

Chris | Jul 27, 2008 4:21:32 PM | #

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"The Queen of Writers" LMAO!!!

Meg | Jul 27, 2008 4:48:29 PM | #

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I agree that Sera has written some of my favorite episodes. I also agree that she can let her romance erotica tendencies get in the way of a great episode if she is not restrained.

I really wish that Eric and all the writers would go back and watch the special features they did for the Season 1 DVD, and rewatch the Paley Festival panel they did (which was included in Season 1 at Best Buy). They will see how far their current comments stray from what they say about how the show is conceptualized and produced and written.

I hated Bela with a passion and I'm glad she's gone but I do NOT trust Sera not to try and squeeze her into Dean's arms in some ridiculous plotline no matter what. I loved many other female characters, like Ellen; and I'm not a young twit who is jealous of females on show whether they're love interests or not. I'd love to see Sarah Blakely and Lisa back as interests for Sam and Dean.

This is such a great show with so many wonderful aspects to it, and I'm so glad that Kripke and crew got it on the air. They (and the awesome Jensen and Jared) have made me care about what happens to Dean and Sam, and that is the mark of a good story, whether it's on TV or in a book. It's why I get bothered when they do it a disservice with the sloppy character development like Bela.

As for the 5 year plan, I say that unless they go for at least 6 seasons, we'll really only get 4 1/2 because of the writer's strike. So, they can give us 4 1/2 or 5 1/2. I think we deserve 5 1/2.

bestshowfan | Jul 27, 2008 5:04:25 PM | #

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Thanks for the info.
i wish i could have gone myself. I'm glad the people on here who say they hate the show didn't go to the panel. They would have embarrassed the whole fandom. If you don't like the direction of the show like someone said, then take a hike. All the negativity is stifling. Fact of life is, not everyone will agree on anything. The problem is, it's only those small percent that voices their opinion the loudest.
I do agree that continuity is one of the problems they need to fix. All this can be said in a civilized manner instead of childish name-calling and insult.

Sylvia | Jul 27, 2008 5:18:36 PM | #

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I happen to think the show rocks and Jensen and Jared do an amazing job portraying their characters regardless of the script they are given!!

Shanna | Jul 27, 2008 5:55:15 PM | #

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Love sera and ben they are great writers, and ya they have writen some i love and others that i just was not into. You cant please everyone but hey i think they have done one hell of a job so far. I dont understand why people come on here and bash the show or the writers, if you dont like the show then dont watch it and just shut up. well as for the writers Keep them coming guys and i will be there watching.

vanessa | Jul 27, 2008 6:07:43 PM | #

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Thanks for the Comic Con panel details!

I think Raelle Tucker had alot to do with some of the best episodes of season 1 and 2, but I'm not going to comment further on what folks think about Sera Gamble or Ben Edlund's contributions.
At the end of the day it's all on Eric Kripke as to what we ultimately see on screen.

The fans are so passionate because they love the show. For some folks, Kripke's track record is uneven. I have more faith based on how Season 3 finished up that Season 4 will live up to my high expectations.

I hope Kripke does show us something new in Season 4. Both Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalacki are up to whatever acting challenges the Show comes up with, so Show, don't let us down. Blow our minds, please!

rosewood | Jul 27, 2008 6:32:23 PM | #

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I totally agree with rosewood and bestshowfan on everything you guys said. Season 4 announces to be one heck of a ride, and all the cast and crew of the show know that they have to make sure to give out their best because of how "powerful" the fandom is. Because of the lack of publicity this show gets the only way the show is known is by the fans. So I don't really worry about season four; I've read some of the season spoilers and it sounds to be like the greatest season yet!!!
I did like season one but I've gotta be honest (and this is MY point of view) when I say that season 2 and 3 were the best yet. I love the whole family business with evil, and after watching a few episodes in a row of only hunting and nothing else going around it makes you wonder where the story is heading... so that's why I think it was best to find some kind of other storyline than only hunting urban legends across the country... Now they have their own storyline, and they are still chasing evil in between!
So anyways I cannot wait to see what happens next... and I do wish we could see maybe a 6th season, but if Kripke thinks that 5 is enough, than I'll go with his decision because after all he IS the Master!!!! :D
Waiting anxiously for season 4!!!!!!

Julie | Jul 27, 2008 7:27:32 PM | #

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Okay well... my rant time yay!!

As a fellow screen play writer, I look up to Sera Gamble and Ben Edlund. They are amazing at writing, realistic, not annoying dialogue. The show still has a chance with mythology, ghost facers also had mixed reviews. As a Fourth-wall junkie I thought it was genius.

I think that the writers, and especially Eric get more flack then they deserve. It's like taking Batman and saying "Go be superman.. oh you can't fly. Kiss my ass" well come on. Everyone knows Batman can't fly.

In comparison to shows like Buffy, Angel, Charmed, and Roswell; Supernatural totalled that genre and created its own. Its amazing, it does wha Firefly could have done with more engaging characters. And that was taking two genres and mixing them, hell, making them believable and running with it.

This show deserves the comicon panel and deserves everything that it gets as far as praise. But I think that they all take way more flack then they deserve.

~Bri

Brianna | Jul 27, 2008 7:33:37 PM | #

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this is a smart show; one of the smartest on tv today. Eric says his fans are smart, but i'm not so sure i believe it...

Enough is right, that the fans don't want character growth. they want the same formula that worked in S1 and 2. they don't want girls on the show, they don't want an outside network. they want just the boys and the impala.

but that's not what this show is about anymore. there's a whole network of hunters out there. there's not-so-moral people out there; there's people who might take advantage of Dean and Sam's naivete (yes, they are naive in some things; John did keep them sheltered)

i love this show, and i've loved all the characters (with one exception, but hey, no one's perfect), and i'm buckled up for this next roller coaster ride Eric sends us on!

Trys | Jul 27, 2008 8:17:16 PM | #

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I have watched Supernatural since Sept.13th,2005...and in the first season only one episode seemed out of place...that was ''BUGS''. In season 2 ''No Exit'', was the bad seed...and that became Jo's story. Season 3 however to me was Hell. Rubella arrived and it left a chill among many fans. Some episodes were way off base. Red Sky Morning was Bela's story and I really didn't care. Bedtime story was a bad trip to nowhere land. The Writer's strike cut us to 16 minus 6 epies. I just hope 4 is a better number?

OLGA IRIS CHICO | Jul 27, 2008 8:39:28 PM | #

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I love Supernatural and Sera and Kripke totally rock! I love Jo, Ruby, Bela, and I love Ghostfacers (GF). I think GF was poorly timed because it came right after a big break. We were starved for some Winchester action and the show did not feature either one of them, so many fans were disappointed. I think that if it was played in the middle of a normal season, it would have been able to give the boys a bit of a break and it also would have been more widely appreciated.

Many of the vocal critics of Kripke and Sera feel that Season #1 was the best season and that the show has declined since then; I happen to disagree thoroughly. Now, I absolutely loved Season #1, but there are only about 4 episodes that I watch over and over again. Season #2 was way better in my opinion. Then, season #3 just about blew my mind and except for the lack of music and missing episodes, it may have come close to knocking Season #2 out of the top spot. Come on Season #3 had Mystery Spot, Bad Day at Black Rock, Jus in Bello, Fresh Blood, and the nerve racking No Rest for the Wicked. The only episode I wasn't fond of in all of Season #3 was Bedtime Stories and I didn't mind that episode. Another episode people complain about is Red Sky at Morning, and that one was hilarious in my opinion. I think all of the Seasons have been incredible and the show just keeps getting better! Go Kripke!

Debbie C | Jul 27, 2008 9:29:18 PM | #

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Thanks for the report; I can't wait for season 4 to start!!! For me, season one was the best season overall, but season 2 had more episodes that I really enjoyed, and season 3 was my least favourite season, so I'm hoping that S4 can combine all the best aspects of one and two and avoid the pitfalls of three.

Sera Gamble is a hit or miss for me; I used to love her writing, especially when she was partnered with Raelle Tucker (who I do think is a superior writer, who is much missed), but she got REALLY uneven in S3 for me. The Kids are Alrght was just terrible and Fresh Blood, while it had a few good scenes, had plot holes that you could drive a truck through. She seemed to start to get her groove back with Jus In Bello, and she completely nailed it with Time is On My Side, so I'm hoping she can keep that kind of quality up.

As for Edlund, I've enjoyed all of his episodes (but he hasn't been able to top Nightshifter, yet), but I can't his idea of ALL demons use to be human. Right now, I'm hoping he'll just stick to writing episodes and not trying to influence the mythology of the show. On the other hand, I LOVED Ghostfacers, and am hoping that it does get picked up for webisodes.

immie_8 | Jul 27, 2008 10:24:35 PM | #

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I Love Supernatural.
Go Supernatural.

Rider | Jul 27, 2008 11:15:33 PM | #

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