Few TV shows get to live and die on their own terms, and that's particularly true when it comes to genre hits like Supernatural.

What began as two brothers fighting monsters nationwide in their dad's old Chevy Impala has evolved into a multiverse-spanning epic that has stretched out for over a decade. In fact, the record-breaking length of the run is perhaps the most "supernatural" thing about it.

Given that, as well as the show's reluctance to engage with the permanence of death, the internet is rife with theories on how the show's 15th and final season will end. Chiefly, will the boys go out in a blaze of glory, à la Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, or will they actually get a happy all-American ending?

The CW

In true road trip fashion, however, it's not the destination that fans should be concerned about: it's the journey. Whatever ending Supernatural has in store doesn't actually matter, because just giving it an ending, at last, has already rewarded us with one of the show's best seasons in years.

Supernatural's original ending was supposed to arrive in season five with the conclusion of the show's overarching 'Apocalypse' arc. Heading into the post-Apocalyptic years of season six – without creator Eric Kripke at the helm – left the show (and its fans), on shaky ground.

Instead of sticking to a clear through-line, Supernatural started to meander, adopting a villain-of-the-season format in the same vein as Buffy the Vampire Slayer's early years.

But things weren't all bad: Dean acted as Crowley's demon wing-man, Castiel become an adoptive angel daddy and Lucifer took on a new role as President of the United States. And, in another Buffy touch, the 200th episode's musical special was a touching tribute to the show's legions of fangirls and boys. (As well as an unexpected treat for "Destiel" shippers.)

But we also had to endure misfires like soulless Sam, the Leviathan and Lucifer's stint as an ageing rockstar. For quite some time, the magic of Supernatural hasn't been in its plot-lines but in the charm of its central characters. You only have to look at the trail of failed spin-offs to appreciate that.

Without the stakes of the 'Apocalypse' arc, which put a time limit on Sam and Dean's journey, the show quickly became little more than comfort viewing for its established audience.

The CW

While there's nothing wrong with strapping into the passenger seat for an easy ride, just knowing that the end of the line is on the horizon in season 15 has given Supernatural the shot in the arm it needed. Not only are the stakes real again, but this deadline has clearly spurred the show's writers to put their feet back on the gas, creatively speaking.

Supernatural has long played around with breaking the fourth wall, but season 15 has pushed things to the limits of meta-storytelling in a way that even Rick And Morty's creators would be impressed by.

The idea of "plot armour" for instance, where characters survive certain-death scenarios simply because they're important to the plot, was a criticism Game of Thrones' final season received. In a recent episode called 'The Heroes' Journey', Supernatural actively addressed and unpacked this idea when God reduced the Winchesters to side characters in their own story — creating one of this season's most entertaining storylines in the process.

Alongside that, the season has also been drilling to the heart of what makes Sam and Dean heroes in the first place: their will to keep fighting, no matter the cost or the reward.

Giving Supernatural an ending has also made season 15 something of a celebration for the show. 300+ episodes are enough to build a larger world than even most book series manage, and Supernatural has been showing this off throughout the final season.

It hasn't just been about bringing back fan-favourite characters (although we always love to see them), but also mining the show's expansive lore — even if it's just for an off-hand joke.

Ed Araquel The CW

Between Star Wars, the Avengers and Game of Thrones, a number of huge, long-running franchises have recently come to an end. Some have done this more successfully than others, because, as God says in Supernatural, "No doubt, endings are hard."

Thankfully, the run-up to Supernatural's big finale has already assured its legacy. However death finally comes to the Winchesters — and Supernatural itself — they'll go out swinging.

Supernatural season 15 airs on Thursdays at 8/7c on The CW in the US. In the UK, the show airs on E4.

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