Sadism (a.k.a. “Upping the Stakes”): The Heart of Every Drama
I’ve had a primitive incarnation of this meta, which was supposed to be the twin of this meta, festering on my hard drive for years. Because we’re encroaching on the end of yet another season, I thought it would be fun to dust it off and finish it. The original premise (from early S3 … doh!) was about upping the stakes in fiction and how SPN does a terrific job of this season after season (in fact, it’s pretty much textbook perfect, which amuses my dorky self to the nth degree). So for your consideration here are some thoughts regarding SPN’s story structure and a pattern-finding exercise that yields some predictions for S5’s end and possible directions for S6.
No spoilers for episodes past 5x21! \o/
Sadism (a.k.a. “Upping the Stakes”): The Heart of Every Drama
“Upping the stakes” is an integral part of any well-structured story. It’s partially responsible for maintaining the tension that’s required to keep an audience captivated, reveals important information about the characters, and, if done properly, helps to propel the plot forward by using character motivation as a catalyst. When a writer “ups the stakes”, they’re essentially torturing their characters. To do this, writers first ask themselves, “What do my characters want/love/need the most?” They’re not only establishing character motivation as the characters need an unattained desire in order for the story to get off the ground, but, at the heart of the matter, they’re really looking for things to slowly break their characters with. And as the story progresses, the writer will methodically and systematically endanger and even take away exactly what their characters want/love/need the most while simultaneously stringing them along (and audience) by doling out hope, half solutions, and the possibility of the characters saving whatever has been threatened (this agonizing and torturous process makes up part of something innocuously named “the plot”, haha). After a number of failings, missteps, and small triumphs (something has to give false hope, right?) finally, and usually at the last minute, the author does the unthinkable-they don’t reward the characters by giving them the carrot that’s been dangling on the stick. They snatch the beloved thing away, leaving the characters beaten down, bereft, and/or broken or conversely full of resolve, determination, and/or angry. The screen fades to black or the chapter ends, and we, the audience, scream, “Sadist!” then scramble for more. And the writer smiles because they’ve done their job successfully. And this is why we watch until the agonizing end. Upping the stakes makes things matter, pressurizes the story, gets the audience invested, and tests the emotional/physical endurance of the characters, but more importantly it helps stack the story in preparation for the big pay off, the climax.
Each season of SPN is an exercise in upping the stakes whereby a good number of events that comprise everything between the opening of each season’s story arc and the climax are purposefully and repeatedly dramatized in order to prepare for the end, a laying thread-by-thread of the hangman’s noose so to speak. It’s the upping of the stakes in the middle of the story that makes the end feel inevitable, logical, and earned. For this reason, S1 had to end with Sam and Dean reuniting with John with intentions of finishing off Azazel together because throughout the season they were repeatedly teased with near misses with John that systematically progressed from covert messages from him in “Wendigo” (1x02) and “Something Wicked” (1x18) to curt phone calls in “Asylum” (1x10) and “Scarecrow” (1x11) to spy!John in “Home” (1x09) to a brief reunion that ended with them staring at John’s taillights in “Shadow” (1x16). Similarly, tidbits about Azazel’s plan, which provided the entire motivation for the Winchester’s quest, were carefully doled out in progressively more significant reveals in preparation for the finale: we heard the pilot!demon whisper to Sam about Jessica in Phantom Traveler (1x04), we learned of Sam’s premonitions in “Bloody Mary” (1x05) and Home (1x09), discovered that he had a demon stalking him and then all three Winchesters in “Scarecrow” (1x11) and “Shadow” (1x16) respectively, saw his telekinetic powers manifest in “Nightmare” (1x14) while it was revealed there were other children “like him”. It wasn’t until the final scene of “Dead Man’s Blood” (1x20), the beginning of rising action for the climax, when John agrees all three of them should go after Azazel that we see the boys’ season-long goals finally achieved: Sam and Dean found John and as a family they were attempting to avenge Mary and Jess’s deaths. After that point, what happened was complication after complication that funneled into what had to be and what had been set up by the previous 21 episodes-the confrontation with Azazel (the inevitable, logical, and very earned climax).
For brevity I won’t recount other seasons like I did previously, but you can play this game with every season, including S5, and come up with roughly the same pattern. But something worth mentioning is that there are always two main goals per season (arguably S5 could have 3 depending on how you look at it, see my nerdy summary table thing below). Sometimes they are mutual exclusive (S1, S4, and S5) and sometimes they’re complimentary (S2, S3), but always the two goals become increasingly more tangled as the season progresses and their stakes are upped until they merge at the climax for a double dose of squee-inducing tension. \o/
But what’s more interesting is that, if viewed in the larger framework of the entire series rather than just within a single season, the climatic episodes that comprise SPN’s season finales are each progressive steps in upping the stakes on a grand scale. Each season, a bad situation is made worse while Sam and Dean get a small piece of what they want (at least one if not both of their goals is/are achieved) as the season-long story arc is concluded. Early in every season the quests are clearly set. S1 it was “find John and kill Azazel”, S2 “save Sam” (kill Azazel), S3 “save Dean” (kill Lilith), S4 “kill Lilith and prevent the apocalypse from starting”, and S5 it’s “stop the apocalypse and say “No” to Lucifer and Michael”. And every season we’ve seen at least one of the quests being achieved and that season’s story arc completed in roughly 22 or 23 episodes. In S1 Sam and Dean found John, S2 Sam survived Cold Oak and was “saved” and Azazel was killed, S3 Dean was rescued/“saved” from Hell (story wise “Lazarus Rising” (4x01) is arguably part of S3), and in S4 Lilith was killed. Every season we got an ending with definitive answers (and then a boatload of more questions). One goal was always achieved, Sam and Dean beat the odds, and, for that reason, we made victory arms at our TVs.
But that’s only half the story, and this is the part that has us screaming, “Sadist!” and the writer smiling as the screen fades to black. Always and without exception, the season-long goal was achieved at a greater expense. In S1 they found John but then John sacrificed his life for Dean’s in “IMTOD” (2x01). In S2 Dean ultimately “saved” Sam from Azazel’s showdown in Cold Oak but then he put his own life on the line in “AHBL-2” (2x22). In S3, which arguably story-wise concluded with “Lazarus Rising” (4x01), Dean was rescued/“saved” from Hell but in his absence Sam began his journey down the path of good intentions, metaphorically selling his soul to the enemy. In S4 Lilith was killed but the apocalypse began (“Lucifer Rising” (4x22)). Every season something more important to Sam and Dean is endangered or taken away as a direct result of getting what they previously wanted, and this new desire to save something more meaningful becomes one of the next season’s quests. And this is how SPN ups the stakes on a multi-season scale while simultaneously planting the seeds of next season’s story. \o/
To get even more brain bendier (is that even a word?), the attainment of the goal and then the subsequent loss of something of greater value as discussed previously is always preceded by a failure that results directly from a difficult personal decision made by either Sam or Dean or both boys. This personal and self-defining decision marks the Point of No Return, a moment at which all resources have been stripped away from the protagonist and the risk factors have been systematically raised to their highest pitch (Whoo! *points at the upped stakes*), and coincides with the plot apogee (Whoo! *points at the plot climax and the two merging season goals*). In S1 Sam decides to save John’s life and, therefore, the Winchesters fail at one of their season-long goals to avenge Mary and Jess’s deaths by killing Azazel (“Devil’s Trap” (1x22)). But this allows the boys’ to achieve the other season-long goal to reunite with John and hunt as a family. The expense? John’s life (“IMToD” (2x01)). S2’s decision was Sam choosing not to finish off Jake, which precipitated the failure of one of the season-long goals: Dean “saving Sam”. As a result Sam died (“AHBL-1” (2x21)). But this goal was ultimately attained when Sam was resurrected (and the other goal, kill Azazel, was also achieved). The expense? Dean’s life (“AHBL-2” (2x22)). In S3 both boys decide to go down fighting Dean’s way rather than to take Ruby’s advice for Sam to kill Lilith with his “psychic abilities” and Sam fails in his season-long quest to “save Dean” (“NRftW” (3x16)). However, ultimately this goal is realized when Dean is resurrected from Hell (“Lazarus Rising” (4x01)). The expense? Sam runs off the rails and begins honing his powers and cavorting with Ruby. In S4 the boys decide to take the hard-line and alienate each other (Dean calls Sam a monster and Sam abandons Dean), causing them to fail to stay united (something I think that at this point in the series has become a integral part of the story and a legitimate goal in and of itself) (“WtLB” (4x21)). Their estrangement allows one of the season’s goals, kill Lilith, to be achieved (“Lucifer Rising” (4x22”)). The expense? Sam and Dean’s relationship and Lucifer is released from his cage, starting the apocalypse.
So, if you’re still onboard (*taps microphone Hello? Hello?*), here’s a bare-bones summary of what has been discussed: each season’s quests, conflict, resolution (which of the two quests is achieved), expense (the stakes being upped), and the unfinished business for the following season (the upped stake).
S1 quest: Find John. Avenge Mary and Jess's deaths.
CONFLICT: Sam and Dean relearning how to be brothers. Dean’s desire to keep the family together, Sam’s desire for independence.
S1 resolution: John is found.
S1 expense: John's life (story wise 2x01 belongs in S1).
Unfinished business for S2: Avenge Mary, Jess, and John's deaths.
S2 quest: Avenge Mary, Jess, and John's deaths. Save Sam.
CONFLICT: Sam wants Dean to kill him if necessary. Dean won’t (can’t) do it.
S2 resolution: Sam is saved. Mary, Jess, and John’s deaths are avenged.
S2 expense: Dean's life
Unfinished business for S3: Save Dean.
S3 quest: Save Dean. Kill Lilith.
CONFLICT: Sam wants to break the deal. Dean doesn’t want Sam to break the deal.
S3 resolution: Dean is saved (4x01 could arguably be part of S3).
S3 expense: Sam begins using his powers (as revealed in 4x01).
Unfinished business for S4: Kill Lilith. Dean’s mission as commanded by higher powers (as revealed in 4x01).
S4 quest: Kill Lilith, prevent Lucifer from getting sprung (prevent the apocalypse as commanded by higher powers)
CONFLICT: Secrets between Sam and Dean (feeds into a subsidiary, tertiary quest: preserve the brotherly relationship).
S4 resolution: Lilith is killed.
S4 expense: The apocalypse starts, the brother’s relationship.
Unfinished business for S5: Stop the apocalypse.
Now for the fun! How does all of that stuff apply to S5, what does it imply for our upcoming season finale, and where could it possibly lead in S6?
Applying the Template: S5’s End and S6’s Beginning
First, this season’s main goals as I see them are “stop the apocaypse” and “say ‘No’ to Lucifer and Michael”. If you buy into this meta and if Krikpe and Co. follow their established formula, then one of these goals will be met at a great expense and it will be precipitated by a difficult and character-defining decision, resulting in failure. We already know from 5x21 which goal has to be met and likely what the difficult and character-defining decision may be. As far as the expense and the failure … well, in the past they often involved death and/or a sacrifice and Sam and Dean’s greatest fears were made real (S1: John dying, S2: Sam dying, S3: Dean dying, S4: Sam using his powers, S4: the apocalypse starting and Sam and Dean’s relationship in ruins). So for continuity, let’s frame S5’s plot in the same way the previous seasons were broken down:
Dean decides to consent to Sam’s plan and Sam decides to say “Yes” to Lucifer. The boys fail at their quest to resist becoming vessels (at least on Sam’s part but perhaps on Dean’s part as well), but this allows them to achieve their other season-long goal of putting Lucifer back in his cage and stopping the apocalypse. The expense? Sam and Dean’s greatest fears materialize.
And because this is the end of a five-year story arc, this is where the writers gleefully up the stakes to the highest point yet, when they smash the characters to smithereens with their sadistic pens of torture (hehe). What better way to do this than take what the characters want the most and make the inverse come true. Sam’s greatest fear that’s been cultivated since S1 is giving into the darkness inside of him and becoming the “Boy King” and the prophesized leader of a demon army. Dean greatest fear that’s been made glaringly apparent since S1 is failing at his job of “keep Sam safe” and losing his family. It would make for the ultimate climax, then if the writers make Sam become Lucifer’s vessel and if they take away the last of Dean’s family. Not only does this ratchet up the stakes to sky-high levels by putting absolutely EVERYTHING on the line, but both boys’ fears can easily come to fruition with a single, efficient plot twist, with one little word: Sam saying, “Yes.” And that, folks, is how you bring 5 years of storytelling to teeter on the head of a pin while simultaneously fueling the launch of the next season! \o/
To complete my nerdy table, here’s a summary of S5:
S5 quest: Stop the apocalypse. Say “No” to Lucifer and Michael.
CONFLICT: Trust between Sam and Dean.
S5 resolution: The apocalypse is stopped.
S5 expense: The boys’ greatest fears come true: Sam becomes "the boy king" and Dean fails to "keep Sam safe" (loses his family).
Unfinished business for S6: The S5 expense is plus another goal that will be revealed in the opening scenes of next season’s story or the ending notes of this season.
So I think it’s safe to say that Sam and Dean will once again succeed in their quest and stop the apocalypse, but how and at what greater expense exactly? It’s the details that make the story. Below are my quick and dirty regurgitations of the 5 W’s (and one H) of things we know from previous episodes, things that may be possible, and things that are options but aren’t likely to happen in the season finale. BTW, no spoilers, just a whole lot of arm waving and hot air. :)
What: the end (or the beginning of the end) of SPN’s five-year story arc
When: Thursday (duh)
Why: to stop the apocalypse
Where: If we’re looking at pre-planted anvils clues compliments of “The End” (5x04), perhaps Detroit. Or based on where Lucifer was unlocked from his cage in “Lucifer Rising” (4x22), St. Mary’s Convent in Ilchester, Maryland.
Who: Team Free Will: Sam and Dean and Bobby and Castiel (Bobby didn’t get the use of his legs back for nothing!). Lucifer will be there because the villain must show up for the climax. Based on Adam’s current status in limbo and the fact it was revealed he’s now Michael’s vessel in “TMtM” (5x21), it’s a given that Michael wearing Adam will be there. Now that Cas is mostly human (or totally human), Team Free Will likely need to be pointed in the right direction or need some sort of omniscient advice not privy to them, so Crowley and/or Chuck will likely make an appearance.
Longer shots are Rufus (who has been referred to on multiple occasions this season and showed up to scuffle in “Good God, Y’all” (5x02)), Raphael (who was left raging in a ring of holy-oil fire in Waterville, Maine in “FtbYaM” (5x03)), the Antichrist (who is, according to “IBTCAOF” (5x06), probably wearing boardshorts and tanning on the beach on Oz (WTH was up with that episode anyway?!)), Meg (who we last saw toasting on the floor in holy oil in “Abandon All Hope” (5x10)), God (who is apparently on Earth but “doesn’t think it [the apocalypse] is his problem” (“DSotM” (5x16) … what was the whole business of Dean’s amulet about if discussing God was only to address and close one story thread?), and Kali (why did she live when he death could’ve fueled the Gabester’s about-face with Lucifer in “HotG” (5x19)).
And long, long shots are the four Horsemen. They’re not dead, but withered husks (“TMtM” (5x21)), and presumably could be returned to their previous state with the return of their rings. Apparently Death will reap God and, therefore, would likely reap lesser Archangels like Lucifer (“TMtM” (5x21)) once they die. Which brings me to something that’s been bugging me all season. We’ve been repeatedly told that “you” (meaning the boys) can’t kill Lucifer. But if Lucifer’s just a fallen Archangel and not that different than Raphael, Michael, and Gabriel-who was easily killed with his own sword in “HotG” (5x20)-then why can’t Lucifer be killed with his/an Archangel’s sword and then reaped by Death? Have I missed canon’s justification for this? Has Lucifer done something to himself to make himself greater than the average Archangel or something equally convenient? Did being God’s favorite (“HotG” (5x20)) afford him exceptional powers … erm? Bhuz.
BTW, do we know many archangels there really are? For certain are they limited only to the 4 we’ve been introduced to (Lucifer, Raphael, Gabriel, and Michael)? If so, then which one is Chuck’s guardian Archangel? Raphael? So if Chuck showed up, technically so would Raphael? *has a mental image of a grouchy Raphael at fan conventions, tethered to Chuck by a leash* Heh.
How: This is where things get fun. How will the boys stop the apocalypse? Being that SPN tends not to pull its punches and based on the fact that the characters’ worst fears are usually realized, Sam will say, “Yes” and Lucifer will take over his body. Then what? Will Sam jump into the cage and then we fade to black? Will Dean jump into pit with Sam and then we fade to black? Will Dean also say, “Yes?” How will Michael figure into the mix? Bobby? Castiel? There’s probably some unforeseen reveal/twist that will stir things up, reverse the Winchester’s misfortune, and make us all stare at the TV with our chins on our feet. But exactly what and how this will happen is why we keep watching!
Of course, this being the final year of a five-year story arc, it’s possible that this season’s end may not follow the tried and true formula and instead tie everything up into a neat bow with no unresolved problems for next season (Sam and Dean driving off on a deserted highway with Metallica blaring). But this being SPN, the show of brother angst and single-tear manpain, I wouldn’t be surprised if we get another cliff-hanger finale with the story arc closing and the new arc being revealed in next season’s premiere very much like “Devil’s Trap” (1x22)/“IMToD” (2x01) and “NRftW” (3x22)/“Lazarus Rising” (4x01). After all, there’s got to be something to keep us on our edge of our seats all summer, and it’s not called “upping the stakes” for nothing. ;)
“What Did You Say?”: The CliffNotes Version of … Everything
Each season of SPN is a nice example of upping the stakes, putting something more dear and non-expendable at risk. Similarly, the entire series can been seen as a single exercise in upping the stakes whereby the end of each years’ story progressively makes a bad situation worse. Each season we see this accomplished by the boys failing at one of the two season-long goals as a result of their own difficult and revealing decisions. In the end, however, that goal is achieved but at an even greater expense. And it’s this outstanding, unresolved expense that lays the groundwork for the following season.
Upping the stakes ratchets up the intensity while catapulting us into next season’s story arc is SPN’s tried and true pattern (as it is of written character-driven fictional series and other TV shows). This pattern can be used as a predictive tool in which to blab about possible S5 endings and potential directions for S6. Based on the established pattern in all four previous seasons, I think Sam and Dean will once again succeed in their quest and stop the apocalypse. But the heart of the story is how and at what greater expense? I think the great expense will be a manifestation of the boys’ greatest fears: Sam’s fear of becoming evil and Dean’s fear of losing his family. The ramifications of this will likely be the main through line for S6’s story and catapult us into new adventures with the boys. Go Show!
No spoilers for episodes past 5x21! \o/
Sadism (a.k.a. “Upping the Stakes”): The Heart of Every Drama
“Upping the stakes” is an integral part of any well-structured story. It’s partially responsible for maintaining the tension that’s required to keep an audience captivated, reveals important information about the characters, and, if done properly, helps to propel the plot forward by using character motivation as a catalyst. When a writer “ups the stakes”, they’re essentially torturing their characters. To do this, writers first ask themselves, “What do my characters want/love/need the most?” They’re not only establishing character motivation as the characters need an unattained desire in order for the story to get off the ground, but, at the heart of the matter, they’re really looking for things to slowly break their characters with. And as the story progresses, the writer will methodically and systematically endanger and even take away exactly what their characters want/love/need the most while simultaneously stringing them along (and audience) by doling out hope, half solutions, and the possibility of the characters saving whatever has been threatened (this agonizing and torturous process makes up part of something innocuously named “the plot”, haha). After a number of failings, missteps, and small triumphs (something has to give false hope, right?) finally, and usually at the last minute, the author does the unthinkable-they don’t reward the characters by giving them the carrot that’s been dangling on the stick. They snatch the beloved thing away, leaving the characters beaten down, bereft, and/or broken or conversely full of resolve, determination, and/or angry. The screen fades to black or the chapter ends, and we, the audience, scream, “Sadist!” then scramble for more. And the writer smiles because they’ve done their job successfully. And this is why we watch until the agonizing end. Upping the stakes makes things matter, pressurizes the story, gets the audience invested, and tests the emotional/physical endurance of the characters, but more importantly it helps stack the story in preparation for the big pay off, the climax.
Each season of SPN is an exercise in upping the stakes whereby a good number of events that comprise everything between the opening of each season’s story arc and the climax are purposefully and repeatedly dramatized in order to prepare for the end, a laying thread-by-thread of the hangman’s noose so to speak. It’s the upping of the stakes in the middle of the story that makes the end feel inevitable, logical, and earned. For this reason, S1 had to end with Sam and Dean reuniting with John with intentions of finishing off Azazel together because throughout the season they were repeatedly teased with near misses with John that systematically progressed from covert messages from him in “Wendigo” (1x02) and “Something Wicked” (1x18) to curt phone calls in “Asylum” (1x10) and “Scarecrow” (1x11) to spy!John in “Home” (1x09) to a brief reunion that ended with them staring at John’s taillights in “Shadow” (1x16). Similarly, tidbits about Azazel’s plan, which provided the entire motivation for the Winchester’s quest, were carefully doled out in progressively more significant reveals in preparation for the finale: we heard the pilot!demon whisper to Sam about Jessica in Phantom Traveler (1x04), we learned of Sam’s premonitions in “Bloody Mary” (1x05) and Home (1x09), discovered that he had a demon stalking him and then all three Winchesters in “Scarecrow” (1x11) and “Shadow” (1x16) respectively, saw his telekinetic powers manifest in “Nightmare” (1x14) while it was revealed there were other children “like him”. It wasn’t until the final scene of “Dead Man’s Blood” (1x20), the beginning of rising action for the climax, when John agrees all three of them should go after Azazel that we see the boys’ season-long goals finally achieved: Sam and Dean found John and as a family they were attempting to avenge Mary and Jess’s deaths. After that point, what happened was complication after complication that funneled into what had to be and what had been set up by the previous 21 episodes-the confrontation with Azazel (the inevitable, logical, and very earned climax).
For brevity I won’t recount other seasons like I did previously, but you can play this game with every season, including S5, and come up with roughly the same pattern. But something worth mentioning is that there are always two main goals per season (arguably S5 could have 3 depending on how you look at it, see my nerdy summary table thing below). Sometimes they are mutual exclusive (S1, S4, and S5) and sometimes they’re complimentary (S2, S3), but always the two goals become increasingly more tangled as the season progresses and their stakes are upped until they merge at the climax for a double dose of squee-inducing tension. \o/
But what’s more interesting is that, if viewed in the larger framework of the entire series rather than just within a single season, the climatic episodes that comprise SPN’s season finales are each progressive steps in upping the stakes on a grand scale. Each season, a bad situation is made worse while Sam and Dean get a small piece of what they want (at least one if not both of their goals is/are achieved) as the season-long story arc is concluded. Early in every season the quests are clearly set. S1 it was “find John and kill Azazel”, S2 “save Sam” (kill Azazel), S3 “save Dean” (kill Lilith), S4 “kill Lilith and prevent the apocalypse from starting”, and S5 it’s “stop the apocalypse and say “No” to Lucifer and Michael”. And every season we’ve seen at least one of the quests being achieved and that season’s story arc completed in roughly 22 or 23 episodes. In S1 Sam and Dean found John, S2 Sam survived Cold Oak and was “saved” and Azazel was killed, S3 Dean was rescued/“saved” from Hell (story wise “Lazarus Rising” (4x01) is arguably part of S3), and in S4 Lilith was killed. Every season we got an ending with definitive answers (and then a boatload of more questions). One goal was always achieved, Sam and Dean beat the odds, and, for that reason, we made victory arms at our TVs.
But that’s only half the story, and this is the part that has us screaming, “Sadist!” and the writer smiling as the screen fades to black. Always and without exception, the season-long goal was achieved at a greater expense. In S1 they found John but then John sacrificed his life for Dean’s in “IMTOD” (2x01). In S2 Dean ultimately “saved” Sam from Azazel’s showdown in Cold Oak but then he put his own life on the line in “AHBL-2” (2x22). In S3, which arguably story-wise concluded with “Lazarus Rising” (4x01), Dean was rescued/“saved” from Hell but in his absence Sam began his journey down the path of good intentions, metaphorically selling his soul to the enemy. In S4 Lilith was killed but the apocalypse began (“Lucifer Rising” (4x22)). Every season something more important to Sam and Dean is endangered or taken away as a direct result of getting what they previously wanted, and this new desire to save something more meaningful becomes one of the next season’s quests. And this is how SPN ups the stakes on a multi-season scale while simultaneously planting the seeds of next season’s story. \o/
To get even more brain bendier (is that even a word?), the attainment of the goal and then the subsequent loss of something of greater value as discussed previously is always preceded by a failure that results directly from a difficult personal decision made by either Sam or Dean or both boys. This personal and self-defining decision marks the Point of No Return, a moment at which all resources have been stripped away from the protagonist and the risk factors have been systematically raised to their highest pitch (Whoo! *points at the upped stakes*), and coincides with the plot apogee (Whoo! *points at the plot climax and the two merging season goals*). In S1 Sam decides to save John’s life and, therefore, the Winchesters fail at one of their season-long goals to avenge Mary and Jess’s deaths by killing Azazel (“Devil’s Trap” (1x22)). But this allows the boys’ to achieve the other season-long goal to reunite with John and hunt as a family. The expense? John’s life (“IMToD” (2x01)). S2’s decision was Sam choosing not to finish off Jake, which precipitated the failure of one of the season-long goals: Dean “saving Sam”. As a result Sam died (“AHBL-1” (2x21)). But this goal was ultimately attained when Sam was resurrected (and the other goal, kill Azazel, was also achieved). The expense? Dean’s life (“AHBL-2” (2x22)). In S3 both boys decide to go down fighting Dean’s way rather than to take Ruby’s advice for Sam to kill Lilith with his “psychic abilities” and Sam fails in his season-long quest to “save Dean” (“NRftW” (3x16)). However, ultimately this goal is realized when Dean is resurrected from Hell (“Lazarus Rising” (4x01)). The expense? Sam runs off the rails and begins honing his powers and cavorting with Ruby. In S4 the boys decide to take the hard-line and alienate each other (Dean calls Sam a monster and Sam abandons Dean), causing them to fail to stay united (something I think that at this point in the series has become a integral part of the story and a legitimate goal in and of itself) (“WtLB” (4x21)). Their estrangement allows one of the season’s goals, kill Lilith, to be achieved (“Lucifer Rising” (4x22”)). The expense? Sam and Dean’s relationship and Lucifer is released from his cage, starting the apocalypse.
So, if you’re still onboard (*taps microphone Hello? Hello?*), here’s a bare-bones summary of what has been discussed: each season’s quests, conflict, resolution (which of the two quests is achieved), expense (the stakes being upped), and the unfinished business for the following season (the upped stake).
S1 quest: Find John. Avenge Mary and Jess's deaths.
CONFLICT: Sam and Dean relearning how to be brothers. Dean’s desire to keep the family together, Sam’s desire for independence.
S1 resolution: John is found.
S1 expense: John's life (story wise 2x01 belongs in S1).
Unfinished business for S2: Avenge Mary, Jess, and John's deaths.
S2 quest: Avenge Mary, Jess, and John's deaths. Save Sam.
CONFLICT: Sam wants Dean to kill him if necessary. Dean won’t (can’t) do it.
S2 resolution: Sam is saved. Mary, Jess, and John’s deaths are avenged.
S2 expense: Dean's life
Unfinished business for S3: Save Dean.
S3 quest: Save Dean. Kill Lilith.
CONFLICT: Sam wants to break the deal. Dean doesn’t want Sam to break the deal.
S3 resolution: Dean is saved (4x01 could arguably be part of S3).
S3 expense: Sam begins using his powers (as revealed in 4x01).
Unfinished business for S4: Kill Lilith. Dean’s mission as commanded by higher powers (as revealed in 4x01).
S4 quest: Kill Lilith, prevent Lucifer from getting sprung (prevent the apocalypse as commanded by higher powers)
CONFLICT: Secrets between Sam and Dean (feeds into a subsidiary, tertiary quest: preserve the brotherly relationship).
S4 resolution: Lilith is killed.
S4 expense: The apocalypse starts, the brother’s relationship.
Unfinished business for S5: Stop the apocalypse.
Now for the fun! How does all of that stuff apply to S5, what does it imply for our upcoming season finale, and where could it possibly lead in S6?
Applying the Template: S5’s End and S6’s Beginning
First, this season’s main goals as I see them are “stop the apocaypse” and “say ‘No’ to Lucifer and Michael”. If you buy into this meta and if Krikpe and Co. follow their established formula, then one of these goals will be met at a great expense and it will be precipitated by a difficult and character-defining decision, resulting in failure. We already know from 5x21 which goal has to be met and likely what the difficult and character-defining decision may be. As far as the expense and the failure … well, in the past they often involved death and/or a sacrifice and Sam and Dean’s greatest fears were made real (S1: John dying, S2: Sam dying, S3: Dean dying, S4: Sam using his powers, S4: the apocalypse starting and Sam and Dean’s relationship in ruins). So for continuity, let’s frame S5’s plot in the same way the previous seasons were broken down:
Dean decides to consent to Sam’s plan and Sam decides to say “Yes” to Lucifer. The boys fail at their quest to resist becoming vessels (at least on Sam’s part but perhaps on Dean’s part as well), but this allows them to achieve their other season-long goal of putting Lucifer back in his cage and stopping the apocalypse. The expense? Sam and Dean’s greatest fears materialize.
And because this is the end of a five-year story arc, this is where the writers gleefully up the stakes to the highest point yet, when they smash the characters to smithereens with their sadistic pens of torture (hehe). What better way to do this than take what the characters want the most and make the inverse come true. Sam’s greatest fear that’s been cultivated since S1 is giving into the darkness inside of him and becoming the “Boy King” and the prophesized leader of a demon army. Dean greatest fear that’s been made glaringly apparent since S1 is failing at his job of “keep Sam safe” and losing his family. It would make for the ultimate climax, then if the writers make Sam become Lucifer’s vessel and if they take away the last of Dean’s family. Not only does this ratchet up the stakes to sky-high levels by putting absolutely EVERYTHING on the line, but both boys’ fears can easily come to fruition with a single, efficient plot twist, with one little word: Sam saying, “Yes.” And that, folks, is how you bring 5 years of storytelling to teeter on the head of a pin while simultaneously fueling the launch of the next season! \o/
To complete my nerdy table, here’s a summary of S5:
S5 quest: Stop the apocalypse. Say “No” to Lucifer and Michael.
CONFLICT: Trust between Sam and Dean.
S5 resolution: The apocalypse is stopped.
S5 expense: The boys’ greatest fears come true: Sam becomes "the boy king" and Dean fails to "keep Sam safe" (loses his family).
Unfinished business for S6: The S5 expense is plus another goal that will be revealed in the opening scenes of next season’s story or the ending notes of this season.
So I think it’s safe to say that Sam and Dean will once again succeed in their quest and stop the apocalypse, but how and at what greater expense exactly? It’s the details that make the story. Below are my quick and dirty regurgitations of the 5 W’s (and one H) of things we know from previous episodes, things that may be possible, and things that are options but aren’t likely to happen in the season finale. BTW, no spoilers, just a whole lot of arm waving and hot air. :)
What: the end (or the beginning of the end) of SPN’s five-year story arc
When: Thursday (duh)
Why: to stop the apocalypse
Where: If we’re looking at pre-planted anvils clues compliments of “The End” (5x04), perhaps Detroit. Or based on where Lucifer was unlocked from his cage in “Lucifer Rising” (4x22), St. Mary’s Convent in Ilchester, Maryland.
Who: Team Free Will: Sam and Dean and Bobby and Castiel (Bobby didn’t get the use of his legs back for nothing!). Lucifer will be there because the villain must show up for the climax. Based on Adam’s current status in limbo and the fact it was revealed he’s now Michael’s vessel in “TMtM” (5x21), it’s a given that Michael wearing Adam will be there. Now that Cas is mostly human (or totally human), Team Free Will likely need to be pointed in the right direction or need some sort of omniscient advice not privy to them, so Crowley and/or Chuck will likely make an appearance.
Longer shots are Rufus (who has been referred to on multiple occasions this season and showed up to scuffle in “Good God, Y’all” (5x02)), Raphael (who was left raging in a ring of holy-oil fire in Waterville, Maine in “FtbYaM” (5x03)), the Antichrist (who is, according to “IBTCAOF” (5x06), probably wearing boardshorts and tanning on the beach on Oz (WTH was up with that episode anyway?!)), Meg (who we last saw toasting on the floor in holy oil in “Abandon All Hope” (5x10)), God (who is apparently on Earth but “doesn’t think it [the apocalypse] is his problem” (“DSotM” (5x16) … what was the whole business of Dean’s amulet about if discussing God was only to address and close one story thread?), and Kali (why did she live when he death could’ve fueled the Gabester’s about-face with Lucifer in “HotG” (5x19)).
And long, long shots are the four Horsemen. They’re not dead, but withered husks (“TMtM” (5x21)), and presumably could be returned to their previous state with the return of their rings. Apparently Death will reap God and, therefore, would likely reap lesser Archangels like Lucifer (“TMtM” (5x21)) once they die. Which brings me to something that’s been bugging me all season. We’ve been repeatedly told that “you” (meaning the boys) can’t kill Lucifer. But if Lucifer’s just a fallen Archangel and not that different than Raphael, Michael, and Gabriel-who was easily killed with his own sword in “HotG” (5x20)-then why can’t Lucifer be killed with his/an Archangel’s sword and then reaped by Death? Have I missed canon’s justification for this? Has Lucifer done something to himself to make himself greater than the average Archangel or something equally convenient? Did being God’s favorite (“HotG” (5x20)) afford him exceptional powers … erm? Bhuz.
BTW, do we know many archangels there really are? For certain are they limited only to the 4 we’ve been introduced to (Lucifer, Raphael, Gabriel, and Michael)? If so, then which one is Chuck’s guardian Archangel? Raphael? So if Chuck showed up, technically so would Raphael? *has a mental image of a grouchy Raphael at fan conventions, tethered to Chuck by a leash* Heh.
How: This is where things get fun. How will the boys stop the apocalypse? Being that SPN tends not to pull its punches and based on the fact that the characters’ worst fears are usually realized, Sam will say, “Yes” and Lucifer will take over his body. Then what? Will Sam jump into the cage and then we fade to black? Will Dean jump into pit with Sam and then we fade to black? Will Dean also say, “Yes?” How will Michael figure into the mix? Bobby? Castiel? There’s probably some unforeseen reveal/twist that will stir things up, reverse the Winchester’s misfortune, and make us all stare at the TV with our chins on our feet. But exactly what and how this will happen is why we keep watching!
Of course, this being the final year of a five-year story arc, it’s possible that this season’s end may not follow the tried and true formula and instead tie everything up into a neat bow with no unresolved problems for next season (Sam and Dean driving off on a deserted highway with Metallica blaring). But this being SPN, the show of brother angst and single-tear manpain, I wouldn’t be surprised if we get another cliff-hanger finale with the story arc closing and the new arc being revealed in next season’s premiere very much like “Devil’s Trap” (1x22)/“IMToD” (2x01) and “NRftW” (3x22)/“Lazarus Rising” (4x01). After all, there’s got to be something to keep us on our edge of our seats all summer, and it’s not called “upping the stakes” for nothing. ;)
“What Did You Say?”: The CliffNotes Version of … Everything
Each season of SPN is a nice example of upping the stakes, putting something more dear and non-expendable at risk. Similarly, the entire series can been seen as a single exercise in upping the stakes whereby the end of each years’ story progressively makes a bad situation worse. Each season we see this accomplished by the boys failing at one of the two season-long goals as a result of their own difficult and revealing decisions. In the end, however, that goal is achieved but at an even greater expense. And it’s this outstanding, unresolved expense that lays the groundwork for the following season.
Upping the stakes ratchets up the intensity while catapulting us into next season’s story arc is SPN’s tried and true pattern (as it is of written character-driven fictional series and other TV shows). This pattern can be used as a predictive tool in which to blab about possible S5 endings and potential directions for S6. Based on the established pattern in all four previous seasons, I think Sam and Dean will once again succeed in their quest and stop the apocalypse. But the heart of the story is how and at what greater expense? I think the great expense will be a manifestation of the boys’ greatest fears: Sam’s fear of becoming evil and Dean’s fear of losing his family. The ramifications of this will likely be the main through line for S6’s story and catapult us into new adventures with the boys. Go Show!