When Supernatural premiered on The WB in 2005, no one thought it would last 10 seasons, let alone more than that. The show wasn't a monster (heh) success right out of the gate, first facing cancellation in Season 2 and then having to deal with the curve ball of the now-infamous Writers’ Strike during Season 3. Series creator Eric Kripke didn't start out with a five-year plan (much less a 10-year plan), and has admitted on several occasions that what drove Supernatural in 2005 and which still drives it today in 2014—the Winchesters' relationship and brotherly love—was conceived on the fly when his original pitch for the show wasn't quite selling.



Can you imagine? Supernatural without the Winchesters behind the wheel would not be Supernatural. Plus, for a series that originally existed within the horror subcategory of niche television, and on the tiny WB network to boot, the show's now-global audience is a major feat for pop culture and genre TV in general. Its longevity is not only worthy of recognition, but investigation. What does Supernatural have that so many other shows don't? It's not exactly a ratings juggernaut, and yet it continues to live on.



So what makes the Winchesters such an important part of the TV landscape? It really boils down to three incredibly important elements that, when combined, make the show a force to be reckoned with. Ahem:





1. Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles / Sam and Dean



Most shows (though not all) that've run as long as Supernatural have experienced a fair amount of cast turnover, which prolongs their "freshness" and opens up new story possibilities as new actors and characters come and go—think Grey's Anatomy, ER, Law & Order, etc. But Supernatural, which is heavily steeped in mythology yet still follows a basic procedural format, has managed to succeed without bringing in many new characters at all. In fact, the show can only exist in its current form, and that's what makes it feel like a special little unicorn.

With a new setting and new supporting roles each week, the show's success rests solely on the backs of its leads. Supernatural IS Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles. Their chemistry, deep bond, and willingness to endure the series' own trip to purgatory (Seasons 6 and 7, which aired on Fridays in what was then still considered to be the Friday-night death slot) to come out the other side (Season 8, when the show moved to Wednesdays) are one of the main reasons the show now has 200 episodes under its belt. Ackles and Padalecki believe deeply in the show, they're still excited about it after all these years (just look at the gag reels to see how much fun they have during filming), and that has a trickle-down effect; their dedication seeps into their characters and the show's fans.



After all, the show isn't reinventing television or itself, but it knows what works and what keeps fans tuning in. The Winchester brothers' relationship, while often strained and driven by recycled conflicts (no one's ever said Supernatural is perfect), makes the show feel relatable even as it tackles the unbelievable. The family business of saving people and hunting things is merely a support structure for the bond between Sam and Dean. Technically, Supernatural doesn't even need anyone else to survive; while it's lucky to have Misha Collins (Castiel), Jim Beaver (Bobby Singer), and Mark Sheppard (Crowley) and they've all played important roles in the Winchesters' lives, Sam and Dean will always be the series' backbone.

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