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- The "Supernatural" Fan's Strike Survival Guide
- Home
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- The "Supernatural" Fan's Strike Survival Guide
The "Supernatural" Fan's Strike Survival Guide
- By CP Cochran
- Published 11/3/2007
- Supernatural
-
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Are Sam and Dean on a highway to rerun hell?
If you're up to speed on Supernatural, you know the mytharc has been brewing and bubbling away in Eric Kripke's cauldron, the show has been bringing the scares, and the brotherly interaction between Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) Winchester is more complicated than ever as they travel the country saving people and hunting evil things. But this winter, an impending writer's strike could interrupt season three.
Unless a hoped-for resolution happens over the weekend, the Writer's Guild of America is set to begin a strike at 12:01 a.m. Monday. The way seasons are produced, most shows have enough episodes in the can to last well past November sweeps, but networks are expected to hold back episodes to have enough for February sweeps. Which means a long, cold wait for fans in December and January. After February, it's a big question mark.
What's Supernatural's status? According to the L.A. Times, Supernatural has at least up to 3x10, possibly as far as 3x12, already in the can, and maybe five other scripts completed. So if the strike is a long one, Supernatural fans could (but we don't know for sure) get through episode 3x17 before the worst hiatus in twenty years sets in. The bad news is that while Supernatural's ratings are looking solid and holding steady, they're relatively small and the show can't afford to lose even a small portion of its audience. The good news is, the series has devoted viewers who will wait...and definitely return (I know I will). And almost all prime-time scripted shows will be in the same boat, even the ones with huge audiences.
The other good news is Supernatural has a thriving, creative online fandom.
First up is the livejournal community spndirectory, which lists livejournal communities by category for every type of creative fan work, and has subcategories for every kind of taste. Also on livejournal, there's the comprehensive Supernatural newbie guide, which includes several links to fanfic archives beyond livejournal. Both directories include links to communities for fanfiction, discussion, fanvids, graphics, as well as communities dedicated to specific characters, pairings, and genres. There's also information on plenty of Supernatural fan meet-up opportunities and conventions all over the country, and the world.
On the web at large, there's Supernatural.tv, a fun site with news, an episode guide, and image galleries, among other goodies. The smart WinchesterBros.com features interviews as well as details on the myths, legends and monsters of the series, while the Winchester Journals is a terrific site with more interviews, information and background on the show. Supernatural fandom has also been active in charity work. Check out Fandom Rocks for more information on how to donate, and to listen to some cool podcasts.
Supernatural currently has new episodes Thursdays at 9 pm ET/8 CT on The CW. Season one and season two are available on DVD.
[Edit: Even if five additional episodes have been written, it would be difficult to film them under a strike. As per the WGA strike rules, writers who are also directors or producers (known as "hyphenates") are not permitted to cut scripts for time, change stage directions, or alter or reassign dialogue. Again, we don't know for sure whether those five remaining scripts will be filmed during the strike or not.]
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Comments
Comment #1 (Posted by Bardicvoice)
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Thanks for the "Supernatural" love and the very balanced take on the news! Here's hoping that both sides see reason and avert a strike, and that, no matter what, "Supernatural" survives, because it certainly deserves to do so.
Comment #2 (Posted by Jenine)
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Awesome review, I know I'll wait too for my fave show and thumbs up for highlighting the supernatural amazing sites
Supernatural is the best show on Tv
Comment #3 (Posted by susannah eanes)
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thanks so much for clear, concise reporting and letting fans know how they can keep the Supernatural fires burning.
Comment #4 (Posted by clarksmuse)
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Thank you for reporting on Supernatural. I have been looking for something that outlines how this show might potentially be affected by the looming writer's strike!
Comment #5 (Posted by jake stevens)
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Thank you so much, I've been trying to find out more info about how badly this could affect Supernatural for the last week. And I feel a little better after being reminded about the devoted fanbase it has.
Comment #6 (Posted by Justin)
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NO! SN IS <3. It cannot be canceled. I really do hope that the show wont end after season three. Ive been a long term fan ever since the show started - havnt missed one and now if this happens it will be all GRRR
Comment #7 (Posted by saraa)
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yay i hope it comes back soon i loveee supernatural best show ever !

