*HERE BE SPOILERS ABOUT SUPERNATURAL*
As I sat down to start writing this, my Supernatural themed playlist (Winchester Forever) decided it was the perfect time to play Brother by NEEDTOBREATHE ft. Gavin DeGraw. If you are a Supernatural fan and you haven’t heard this song, then stop reading and listen to it right now.
I am absolutely serious, right now.
If you have, then you know why I’m having a meltdown. Seven years ago, Netflix recommended I watch Supernatural. I was bored and it was summer so I gave it a shot. I ended up being completely caught up in three weeks (I was basically a zombie, which terrified my mother) and haven’t looked back since.
For seven years, I have memorized the lines, played the music, bought the fanart. I still own a holey t-shirt with Dean Winchester’s mugshot. Now, Supernatural is officially ending and I just can’t.
What does a person do when their fandom ends?
I have had the experience of being a fan of something that ended, Harry Potter being one, but nothing has felt like this. I have actively been avoiding social media because I do not need to see posts from the actors on Instagram right now. *cough cough* Jensen Ackles showing us the script of the last episode poignantly ending with “The End.”
Didn’t have to go after my heart like a werewolf, Jensen!
One of the things that has been helping is YouTube. Watching my all time favorite fan-videos and reliving the best moments makes things more tolerable (which if you’re reading this and you make videos, kudos to you, because that is some awesome talent). Another key healing balm has been fanfiction. I have read more fanfiction in the past several months than I have in years. And, of course, the previously mentioned customized playlist definitely helps. But if I hear Carry On one more time, I will burst into tears.
A lot of people have been recommending just finding another show, one that is similar or not. And sure? I guess?
But when you are this big of a fan, letting go, much less, replacing isn’t that easy. I have watched Supernatural grow (let’s all admit that season 7 wasn’t their best) and I have grown with it. Saying goodbye to a show isn’t easy, but it’s best to remember that it isn’t goodbye.
The show may be ending, but the fans aren't going anywhere. The episodes will be there and can always be experienced again (on re watching season three myself and I cannot get over how young they were. I just keep screaming that they’re babies). The fandom is what truly keeps something going. There will always be fans of Supernatural, new and old. I think it is also best to remember that just because something you love is ending, it doesn’t mean you have to stop loving it.
That is the best thing about being a fan. If you love a book series, a show, movie series, etc., you are what keeps it going. The creators give us this awesome world we can experience and we can keep it alive even when it ends. So, I will continue to watch videos, listen to my music (Eye of the Tiger currently playing) and will re watch the episodes till I know every season by heart. If you are a fan of anything that may be ending, I recommend you do the same thing.
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