When Supernatural‘s inevitable return happens, there is only one way season 16 should start. Sam and Dean Winchester’s journey came to an end in 2020, and its two stars, Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki, each went their separate ways. Padalecki had a long stint in Walker, Ackles appeared in the likes of Tracker and Countdown, and both actors will reunite in The Boys season 5.
Nevertheless, their return to Supernatural is sure to happen sooner or later. The two stars remain active among the Supernatural fandom, and have both spoken openly about how they envision a continuation of the Winchesters’ story.
Annoyingly, Supernatural’s ending made a revival somewhat tricky. Dean is dead, Sam’s future has already been glimpsed, and both brothers are pals with God, which puts them in a fairly well-protected position. As such, there is only one way Supernatural season 16 can begin that would perfectly set up the Winchesters’ next chapter.
Supernatural Season 16 Should Start With The New Villain Killing Jack
Jack laying down in Eden in Supernatural
It’s impossible to predict who the villain of Supernatural season 16 could be, but whichever paranormal pest arrives to haunt Sam and Dean, their first order of business should be killing Jack. This seismic event would serve as the perfect stage-setter for future adventures.
Put simply, Jack cannot be involved in any future Supernatural stories. As God, his immense power and status as a Winchester ally makes Sam and Dean far too strong, removing any kind of jeopardy season 16 would have. No matter the foe, being friends with God simply provides too much of an advantage.
Jack’s death would also be the perfect way for Supernatural season 16 to raise the stakes – something the original run has made difficult. Ending with the Winchesters vs. God left nowhere for Supernatural to go in terms of introducing bigger and badder villains, so season 16’s antagonist killing Jack within the opening 60 minutes would certainly make a statement.
Removing Jack from the board also solves the pesky issue of Dean being dead. Without God to bring order, Heaven would undoubtedly be plunged into chaos, allowing Dean the perfect opportunity to sneak back down to Earth for a reunion with Sam.
Lastly, avenging Jack is one of the few reasons Dean would renege on the agreement he made with Sam shortly before dying. After being taken down by a vampire, Dean resolved to end the brothers’ cycle of resurrection and misery by staying dead permanently. If a new enemy slaughtered Jack and set his sights on the realm of the living, Dean would surely have to reconsider his position.
Who Could Replace Jack As Supernatural’s New (& Final) God?
Misha Collins As Castiel In Supernatural
If Jack died at the beginning of Supernatural season 16, the logical ending would be the introduction of a replacement to once again safeguard Heaven and Earth.
The obvious choice for this task would, of course, be Castiel. Not only is Misha Collins’ character a father figure to Jack, he remains the only angel who truly views humans as equals to the divine beings dwelling among the clouds. Castiel would be a fair, just God, and has more than earned the promotion after a decade of trudging around haunted mid-western towns with two bickering brothers.
Castiel is unlikely to want the job (another reason he’s so perfect for it) but would perhaps be interested in honoring Jack’s memory by continuing his predecessor’s work.
Alternatively, one could argue that the most fitting ending for Supernatural would be abolishing the “God” position altogether. Jack was determined to grant humans free will after Chuck so ruthlessly toyed with them for millennia, but surely the best way to liberate Earth’s mortals from heavenly influence would be not having a God at all.
If Supernatural season 16 ended with Sam and Dean somehow rearranging the biblical furniture so that a God would never be needed again, their legacy as saviors of humankind would reach a whole new level.
8/10
Release Date
2005 – 2020
Showrunner
Eric Kripke