Fun
Frisky
Nostalgic
Intense
Adventurous
Choked Up
Curious
Romantic
Weird
There was no real way the Supernatural cast was going to visit San Diego Comic-Con for their final season panel without bringing the entire crowd to tears. And naturally, they delivered, with Jared Padalecki, Jensen Ackles and Misha Collins bringing down the con’s massive Hall H into sobbing messes on the final day of the convention.
The CW’s record-breaking show is entering its fifteenth and final season this Fall, as Dean (Ackles), Sam (Padalecki) and Castiel (Collins) face down a horde of hellish creatures sent by God to destroy the world. You know, simple stuff. And the 20 episode season, which will debut October 10, looks to be as big and epic as you’d expect from the end of one of the longest running shows in TV history.
But as much as the show has been about what happens on screen as the Winchester Boys drive around in their Impala killing beasties, it’s been about the fans. Over the years the Supernatural fanbase has grown to be one of the most supportive groups in all of geekdom, rallying around everything from Padalecki’s frequent openness about mental health issues, to Collins globe-spanning charity work with Gishwhes, an annual (totally ridiculous) scavenger hunt.
Suffice to say, if you’re a fan of Supernatural, you are involved in Supernatural on a deep, gut level. The cast knows that, and they’re part of that, too. There’s no real way you could work on the same show for 15 years without it feeling like you’re part of a big, global extended family. And coming to San Diego Comic-Con for one, final round, the cast knew this part of the goodbye tour meant something special.
“It’s been quite a ride,” Ackles noted, as the cast, moderators and crowd fought back tears. “It’s hard to express what we’re gonna take away from that… After this long on a show, to still truly love what we do, and be proud to hang my hat on that, on the day. That’s what I’m gonna take with us.”
Collins had a clearer idea what he’ll take away, stating, “I consider these guys life-long friends, and you guys life-long friends. I could have never have dreamed that with that came this incredible fandom.”
Added Padalecki later on, ““My friendships won’t go away, and Sam Winchester, for me, won’t go away for me. He’ll be a part of me forever.”
Bringing it once again back to the fandom, Collins stated, “I hope in the future this fandom continues to function as a family after the show is over. You’ve been a force of good and companionship in the world. You’ve been so supportive of one another, and of us.”
…and as if to drive the point home (literally), the panel ended with one fan winning a replica of the show’s iconic Impala, Baby, down to the weapons box in the dashboard.
There are still a few more months until the final season debuts, and then a whole year(ish) until Supernatural Season 15 finishes up. By the time they are done, there won’t be a dry eye in the house.
