What's Really Bugging Supernatural Fans About the Winchesters
The Winchesters, a highly anticipated prequel to the dark fantasy drama Supernatural, which aired from 2005 to 2019 and comprised 15 seasons, focuses on the story of John and Mary, the parents of Sam and Dean, the original show's protagonists.
With just one season and thirteen episodes so far, a second season is still up in the air, seeing how the franchise's fans have generally been unhappy with the direction The Winchesters has taken.
Many fans feel that the prequel pays too much attention to its supporting characters, such as Carlos, Latika, and Ada, who John and Mary team up with from time to time. While Latika and Ada are generally considered ok, Carlos has divided fans. The way the show's been focusing on these supporting characters has met with criticism from fans.
Within the Supernatural fandom, there is a general expectation for how supporting characters should be developed — slowly and with depth. For example, in the original series, characters like Donna or Jody were introduced gradually, their off-screen histories revealed throughout the show's run rather than dumped on the viewers all at once.
“The show needs to focus more on Mary and John for Season 2,” wrote Redditor Ki11s0n3.
One major complaint among fans is The Winchesters' plot is unfolding too fast. Viewers question how John and Mary, living in the 1970s, can investigate cases and confront monsters so quickly without the modern tools and technologies that Sam and Dean had at their disposal.
This perceived inconsistency further magnifies the show's unrealistic elements, making it less appealing to viewers. Some fans suggest that the producers should concentrate more on developing the show's two protagonists and their storylines rather than filling the show with numerous side characters.
On the other hand, some argue that John and Mary might have to rely on other people more because they don't have the charisma that carried Sam and Dean through thick and thin.
“I don't think that the 2 leads would have been strong enough to carry this show like Sam and Dean were in Supernatural,” Rezolution20 said on Reddit.
Unfortunately, most spinoffs tend to fall short of the original, and perhaps, The Winchesters is just one of those more mediocre attempts.