In perfectly evil fashion, season three ends with Dean dead and suffering in Hell while a grieving Sam is left behind with this “bomb” inside of him. Eric Kripke has already teased us by revealing that Dean will “emerge to a different landscape”. Care to elaborate a bit more on that? How bad off is Dean? Will Sam's abilities return in season four?
I can say that the world is different in part because Sam has had to go on without Dean. Sam's abilities? Tune in and find out. I'm pushing for fewer spoilers this season. I know, I know, it's a losing battle, everything ends up on the Internet these days. If it were up to me we'd put out all fake sides. Out of love for the fans. Because we want you to be as excited by the reveals as we were in the writers' room when we were figuring them out. We are seriously excited about this year's arc. It might be my favorite of the series. Either I totally drank the Kool-Aid or everybody's had really good ideas this season.
Are you currently writing a specific episode for season four?
I'm writing the second episode. It brings back some favorite guest stars - I hope! My fingers are crossed that the actors are available. Otherwise I'm going to have to scramble and rewrite a LOT.
What was it like in the writers' room, plotting out those final four episodes after coming back from the strike? Have the writers been able to continue that momentum into season four?
We looked at the big pile of story we had left to tell, and decided that some things could wait and some couldn't. Dean's contract couldn't wait, so we focused on that; it had the most juice for both boys. Some of the other stuff that fell away can't be recovered; but on the bright side, we have a lot of monsters lined up, because we had some cool ones we didn't get to do.
The hiatus was short - for me, a little less than four weeks; Bob and Eric never left. So the momentum didn't have much chance to drop. In between seasons, we picked up some new writers. I dig them.
There were some new writers in season three, particularly Jeremy Carver (loved “Mystery Spot”), while other favorites like Raelle Tucker and John Shiban left. I also heard there might one or more new writers for season four. What's it like adjusting to new writers? Does the creative energy change much?
John Shiban actually stayed on as a consultant until this year — he just left to run his own show. Yes, Jeremy Carver is particularly awesome, on paper, and also in person. And yes, there are new additions this year. I imagine that by season four, it's much more difficult for a new writer to jump into the culture of the show than for the show to get used to the new writer. I'm happy they're here. They bring new perspectives and ideas we never would have thought of. That's why an infusion of fresh blood is so important.
What happens when an idea is pitched? Who ultimately decides that it's a go? How are the writing assignments determined?
We go around the room. People toss out three or four ideas each. We play with the most promising notions. Eric decides which ones go. The writing assignments are sometimes determined based on who pitched the idea, but there's no guaranteed ownership. We figure out a rough order by pairing up the closed-ended stuff with bits of mythology, and then we assign episodes. It often comes down to scheduling, especially when time is tight.
Article comments
1 - galveston
Sera always knows how to whet the appetite. If they can somehow soothe Samantha Ferris' (rightly, IMO) wounded feelings and get Ellen back for an episode or two, the upcoming season looks to be close to perfection. PTSD Dean, a mystery, traumatized and heartbroken Sam, Rufus coming back--what could be better?
Tell Sera they should go ahead and put out fake sides/foilers. I don't read sides myself, but fans get sooooo worked up about them when they have no context to them. The negativity can be beyond annoying. Fake spoilers would fix that problem. ;) Everyone would be better off for it and enjoy the show more, anyway. The light tease, such as they're doing now, is much better.
2 - Alice Jester
I wanted to post my personal reactions to doing this interview. For one, this has easily been one of the biggest thrills for me since I started writing. Sera was so gracious, and her responses to my questions were stellar. This went far better than I could have imagined.
I told Sera I agree with her completely that there should be less spoilers. Episode summaries are the most I want to see, or the light hints that her and Mr. Kripke have been giving in interviews. As Galveston pointed out so well, the light tease is much better.
I also told her to keep torturing Sam all she wants, because we love it, and no one does it better than her. I was thrilled with her well described on comments about Jared and Jensen's acting abilities. I often try to come up with the right words to describe what these guys bring to the table, and she did it perfectly in a few sentences.
Finally, I told her she's an inspiration to all us writers out there. She's living the dream, and her comment "I feel like I won the lottery" gave me goosebumps. For being a successful writer on a long running show, she was very down to earth, passionate about her work, and encouraging to people like me who hope to do what she does someday. If anyone wants to read her FAQ's on television writing, just go to www.seragamble.com.
3 - Saltnburnem
THank you so much for this fantastic interview. Sera Gamble seems to be quite a talented gal.....and LMAO funny, too! Now we don't have to wonder why Dean's such a smart ass!!
4 - LindsayW
Alice, congrats on landing this interview and asking such great questions. :)
5 - galveston
Thank you, Alice. You did a wonderful job with the interview. The continuation of Sam torture is spot on. :) Jared is both talented and scrumptious when he's angsting. No doubt about it.
6 - Jules
Brilliant interview, and I love hearing from the writers. I think the work they do is incredible - balancing individual episodes with long character and story arcs, working within a budget and tight timelines and of course keeping the viewers happy! Thanks for this.
7 - Seren.
Thanks so much for this interview, I really enjoyed it. Loved the questions you asked. Sera's right, Jared really does rock a crying scene, he's so very good at the angst. And he's just so delicious when he's angsting too. :-).
Oh...and thanks for asking for more Sam torture. There's nothing better than Sam angst and some good Sammy torture. LOL!
8 - Ann Byassee
I have to admit I fangirl Sera Gamble almost as hard as I fangirl Supernatural! She is smart and funny and irreverant and I really think she understands what the fans like and can deliver it without going overboard and without sacrificing the integrity of Kripke's vision for the show. (We fans always want more, but deep down I think parceling out what really hits our buttons increases the impact.) This was a great interview. Questions I would have loved to ask myself. Sera is always awesome in interviews and this was the best ever.
9 - Mary (Bardicvoice)
Thank you for this, Alice! Great questions, and getting the chance to interview Sera? Stellar!!
Put me down on the list of those who strongly favor gentle teasing over overt spoilers! I'll happily take what Eric and Sera have been giving us in terms of a foretaste of season four, but I really don't want hard spoilers. I want the show to punch me in the gut and leave me breathless; I don't want that blow telegraphed. And I hate what spoiler anticipation does to sour the fandom, with people judging on the basis of a scant few pages that they (a) know exactly what's going to happen and how and (b) hate it even before they've seen it. That reaction has driven me off more forums than I care to think about.
This interview, however - and your other wonderful things, Alice! - are so very welcome, and make me utterly, blissfully happy! Thank you for conveying our love and respect to Sera and Eric-ward!
10 - Paige
I hope if they bring Rufus back it isn't to just kill him off. There is always a lot of talk about expanding the boys universe but then all of the best characters are killed off when it would be a much richer world if they were brought back occasionally(like one or two episodes a season). Bela's death however was not a death I would ever complain about. Except it should have come sooner.
11 - CarolAnnly
Oh, Alice! That was a great interview with great questions. How gracious Sera was to respond. I'm happy. And I just wanted to mention how much I enjoyed your review of 'No Rest for the Wicked'
Yes, it was the best finale, ever.
12 - bjxmas
Thank you for an insightful look behind the scenes. A show as spectacular as Supernatural is the result of many creative talents and I always love hearing their take on what makes the show work.
Sera has been a driving force behind the excellence of the scripts which is where it all starts. And I gotta say, she is so right about what Jensen and Jared do with that script. It must be the biggest thrill in the world to have those two saying your lines of dialogue. Not to mention what they can do with a moment of silence and just a look.
The entire creative team at Supernatural are not only the most brilliant people in TV, but also demonstrate how working as a team really does deliver the goods. Really terrific to hear how the show still excites her as it does us.
I am looking toward S4 as the best yet. I too only want to hear minor spoilers that she and Kripke deem appropriate. The real thrill of Supernatural is never being able to predict where the writers will take us. Thanks again, B.J.
13 - Amanda (MysticKitty)
Thanks so much for this awesome interview, Alice! Great questions and way to keep it spoiler-free...cuz goodness knows how tempting it must've been for you to ask the BIG questions! LOL.
It's funny you should mention Sera's penchant for torture...the teasing threat to 'sic Sera on you' is a running joke among many of my SN blog buddies, LOL. She sure is vicious! But brilliant at the same time...just like Kripke! LOL. I loved her comments about Jared and Jensen - absolutely true - and I'm glad to see that she's just as excited about season four as we are - as if I had any doubt she was. It sounds like they'll be putting our boys (and us, by default) through the wringer yet again! But hey, it wouldn't be our beloved SN if they didn't...melon ballers, indeed! LOL. If Jared does cringe every time he sees her name on a script, I sure don't blame him!
And speaking of, yes, you were right to tell her to keep up the Sammy-torture we all know and love, LOL...like she said, he hurts so good! Just...nothing permanent please, for him or Dean! That's not asking too much...is it?? *sincerely hopes not...gulps anyway* LOL.
Thanks again for sharing this, Alice! :-D
14 - Heather
EEP! SEASON FOUR!!!!! Can't wait... no seriously. I can't wait. Is it October yet?
15 - Patircia
I couldn't have said it better myself. Sara is an excellent whriter I love her work. Thank you very much for the quetsions.You pin pointed a lot of mine.Looking foward to season four.... Patricia,NJ
16 - BacktoKansas
I think you do a wonderful job championing Jared Padalecki. You certainly don't echo the sentiments of all fandom. Season three was not well received by many, myself included. Even Eric Kripke pronounced it his least favorite season. I'm afraid in all your enthusiasm for a sweet, hardworking actor you are helping to drum up hard feelings in a fandom already painfully split. Season four is sounding good. Let's hope we can enjoy the story and pull back on pushing one actor at the expense of the other.
17 - Alice Jester
BacktoKansas - Season three can't be compared to the others. It was derailed by a writer's strike. Losing six episodes, when the entire season was carefully plotted from the beginning, ruins everything. I think given the circumstances, the cast and crew recovered best they could and delivered something fantastic. The finale was the best one. I don't think anyone got a firm answer from Kripke if it was his least favorite because of the strike. I'm willing to bet it falls as one of his main reasons.
Thanks for your positive comments on how I promote Jared, but I honestly don't see myself promoting one over the other. I'll admit that I do a more deeper exploration of Sam in reviews, since he's so mysterious and not so obvious, but I think both Jensen and Jared are equally dynamic and valuable. My questions to Sera didn't involve a question about Jensen since she so aptly mentioned how great he is in her answer. I didn't feel the need to follow up such a fantastic and dead on comment.
You are so right, bring on season four, and hopefully the rift in this fandom will calm down a little.