Can Supernatural manage Sam’s depression properly?
After Dean initially admitting to not being “fine,” Sam is now the one struggling with the reality of the job.
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During Supernatural Season 13, Episode 11, Sam admitted that the weight of the job is getting to him. Without even saying anything, Dean knew that his brother was in the dark place he had been at the start of the season. Now the big question is whether the show will handle Sam’s depression properly or not.
Many half expected Dean to change his feelings the minute Castiel came back. Dean made a point of saying that he just needed a win and that’s what he classed Castiel’s return as. However, fans who have suffered or know of someone who’s suffered from depression know that getting through depression isn’t that simple. It’s not a case of one week you’re depressed and the next week you’re back to normal.
This makes many fans worried that Sam’s depression won’t be handled properly. Can the Supernatural writers show the reality of mental health now when they haven’t before?
It’s requires more than just a win
Depression takes more than just something good happening to overcome. I write this as someone who has suffered from depression and still works daily to prevent a relapse. It takes effort to look for early warning signs and take steps to avoid the negative emotions taking over. Sometimes it can be an uphill struggle and other days it can seem like there’s nothing wrong, but inside it’s a minefield all the time.
Dean recovering within an episode didn’t ring true. While the good thing would have helped see some sort of light, it wouldn’t have helped Dean go back to the hunter that he was in Season 12.
Re: sam is depressed since the bad place. Ive oft wondered why they dont make more of S and/or D having bouts of depression or nightmares what w/ all theyve seen and done. They show it sometimes, but not enuf. Would make for great broments. #SPNFamily #Supernatural
— KimC27 (@KimTheOdd) January 26, 2018
Supernatural has a chance to correct that mistake. Focusing on Sam’s mental health will bring a reality to the series. After all, actor Jared Padalecki has said that he’s suffered from clinical depression. Just a few years ago he took time out of a convention circuit to look after his mental health. The writers made a start adding the reality to the mental illness by showing Sam really wasn’t into the case. He wasn’t thinking straight when it came to just how fast the FBI guy managed to track the address.
There’s a little hope that with Padalecki’s help the Supernatural writers will be able to tackle depression properly; bring a light to the reality of it.
Agreed, depression can show up at ANYTIME. But it is important for Sam to feel this way I had a feeling he would hit his wall and realize that he can’t keep up this positive disposition just for Dean sake. #Supernatural #Breakdown https://t.co/9wY92nLCCR
— 🕊❤️Just Soldiering On…🦋 ➰ 🏴☠️🐍 🫡 🪖🤠 (@NicolesFandoms) January 26, 2018
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Showing the realities could be a problem
When it comes to show ratings, showing the full issues with depression could cause problems. On the outside it can just look like a character is boring. Depression is mostly an internal struggle. A person on the outside looks unenthusiastic, bored and a fragment of what they once were. They are negative about everything, even the good things.
Dean pulled Sam up on things said to Donna, but this just highlights how a person can change because of this mental illness. Someone who is usually the optimistic half of the duo has become the one with little fight left in him; little hope of the future. This can be extremely hard to portray in a way that connects with fans.
Sam not being to get out of bed, looking at the clock reflects moments I've had with my depression.
— FA-LA-LA-LA-LARA🎄 (@Larrs9325) January 26, 2018
Breaks my heart to see him feel that way.#Supernatural #WaywardSisters
However, Supernatural owes it to the fans to portray depression fully; to show the bad and the struggle it can be to get out of the darkness. There are many members in the SPNFamily struggling with their own mental health and they need to see that with support it’s possible to pull out of the darkness. That they’re not alone in this struggle and the steps they can really take to get out of the darkness they’re in.
Whether the writers can manage it is another thing. It’s not going to be easy.
Next: Ranking the Supernatural Season 13 episodes so far
Do you think the Supernatural writers need to tackle depression properly? Is Jared Padalecki the key to this? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Supernatural continues on Thursday at 8/7c on The CW.