Fans of Supernatural's demon-hunting, ghost-busting brothers, Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean Winchester (Jensen Ackles) can heave a sigh of relief. As Maureen Ryan of the Chicago Tribune reported on her blog, the CW has issued a press release about the renewal of a number of its shows, Supernatural among them.

Season four of the horror drama has been a tense one. You can add "world-saving" to the list of the Winchesters' jobs, as the show expanded its mythology, adding angels, the existence of God, and an impending apocalypse to the mix. There's been a rift growing between the brothers, in part because of Sam developing his psychic powers under the guidance of the demon Ruby, who may or may not be as benevolent as she appears. The last episode before hiatus, "Sex and Violence," set Sam and Dean against each other, as under the influence of a siren they let loose with their repressed resentments and wound up in a full-out brawl. What a note to start winter hiatus on. (New episodes of season four return March 12).


Show creator and executive producer Eric Kripke has often mentioned that he has a five year plan for the series. However, with season five in doubt until now, it was starting to look like season four might end very darkly for the Winchester brothers. Of course season four could still end dark, particularly with another season making a cliffhanger a viable possibility--so make that a temporary sigh of relief before the storm.

Season three ended with Dean dead and in hell, strung up on meathooks, and he got out of that predicament. Sam died at the end of season two, but he didn't stay dead. The show's honest, emotional storytelling style, where an entire conversation can take place without dialogue, and packs as much of a wallop as a tearful speech, keeps us worrying about Sam and Dean, even if we know they'll survive.

Odds are Eric Kripke will come up with something brutal to cap off the season. At least with a season five lined up, we're pretty sure Sam and Dean will carry on somehow, whatever heaven, hell, angels, or demons can throw at them.

Source:
Chicago Tribune