Apart from my personal obsession, Supernatural deserves attention because it is the longest running fantasy series ever (15 seasons, 327 episodes). It beat the X-Files (11 seasons, 218 episodes) by far and is only topped by crime or hospital shows (e.g. CSI, Grey's Anatomy) and animated series (The Simpsons, American Dad). I guess those formats are considered more 'real', because they deal with 'everyday' problems in 'normal' people's lives, whereas the Winchester brothers fight monsters. [They still do on DVD, streaming services and countless TV reruns, so I'll stick to the present tense.] Never mind that the monsters are just manifestations of our subconscious, our inner demons – and perfect punching bags. It may be socially acceptable to feel happy when a vampire gets his head chopped off, but don't do it to your boss, even if he is the one sucking out your life force.
The Winchesters allow us to live by proxy and feel good about ourselves. So what if we are damaged, unable to get rich or maintain a stable relationship? Look at the fucked-up lives of our heroes! Supernatural came into existence thanks to the childhood trauma writer Eric Kripke imposed upon his two main characters. The violent loss of their mother put Sam and Dean on the road to glory, avoiding the apocalypse, thwarting the devil's plans and pushing God Almighty off his throne. This illustrates W. H. Auden's take on trauma as not mere catastrophe, but possibility to grow:
'the so-called traumatic experience is not an accident, but the opportunity for which the child has been patiently waiting [...] in order to find a necessity and direction for its existence, in order that its life may become a serious matter.'
After 15 years I have the chance to deal with the big empty the show left behind and find a way to spend my time with something else than escapism. Therapists know to only take away a patient's illusion when he is ready, or to replace it with another crutch. Has anyone checked with the audience? According to Lyn Zubernis' books, people involved in the show have overcome loneliness, anxiety, and depression. Apparently, it has had therapeutic effects on a variety of conditions. What the Winchesters suffer from must be called Complex PTSD. They have been traumatized in series. Now their serial trauma has come to an end. Good for them. Fans like I may experience the loss of a support system, a reliable source of gratification, something to look forward to. Yet all that pales in comparison to the ordeal the Winchesters went through. Hence, wanting them back is very egoistic. Rest in peace is be the healthy thing to say.
The Winchesters allow us to live by proxy and feel good about ourselves. So what if we are damaged, unable to get rich or maintain a stable relationship? Look at the fucked-up lives of our heroes! Supernatural came into existence thanks to the childhood trauma writer Eric Kripke imposed upon his two main characters. The violent loss of their mother put Sam and Dean on the road to glory, avoiding the apocalypse, thwarting the devil's plans and pushing God Almighty off his throne. This illustrates W. H. Auden's take on trauma as not mere catastrophe, but possibility to grow:
'the so-called traumatic experience is not an accident, but the opportunity for which the child has been patiently waiting [...] in order to find a necessity and direction for its existence, in order that its life may become a serious matter.'
After 15 years I have the chance to deal with the big empty the show left behind and find a way to spend my time with something else than escapism. Therapists know to only take away a patient's illusion when he is ready, or to replace it with another crutch. Has anyone checked with the audience? According to Lyn Zubernis' books, people involved in the show have overcome loneliness, anxiety, and depression. Apparently, it has had therapeutic effects on a variety of conditions. What the Winchesters suffer from must be called Complex PTSD. They have been traumatized in series. Now their serial trauma has come to an end. Good for them. Fans like I may experience the loss of a support system, a reliable source of gratification, something to look forward to. Yet all that pales in comparison to the ordeal the Winchesters went through. Hence, wanting them back is very egoistic. Rest in peace is be the healthy thing to say.
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