Sadism (a.k.a. “Upping the Stakes”): The Heart of Every Drama

[bowtrunckle]

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

Comments

[monicawoe]

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/

Personally, I'd love this as the end of the season. Oddly, I'm actually worried about the possibility of there not being a cliffhanger. Since season 5 is wrapping up the original arc I'm worried that this season's finale will have a resolution...and I find I don't want one! I want the most epic cliffhanger yet!

[bowtrunckle]

I'm actually worried about the possibility of there not being a cliffhanger.

Part of me feels this way, too. I love the tension (even though I'll probably scream at my TV). Cliffhangers always make great season premieres. The one time we got a non-cliffhanger finale (2x22), the next season premiere was a little flat. I also think nail-biting cliffhangers get the creative juices flowing, and from a completely selfish fangirl perspective, I'll take as much of crazy-exciting fic during the summer hiatus as I can get. :)