The Brothers Winchester are on the outs, and it could be some time before they’re back in.

In the wake of Dean and Sam’s split in last Tuesday’s Supernatural, Jared Padalecki predicts that “it’s going to take something big” to bridge the gulf between them.

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“They’re handling it as you expect them to,” Padalecki adds of the conflict. “Sam kind of goes introverted and Dean goes forward. Sam is more the kind of guy that thinks something out and says, ‘Well, you know, this is where you messed up [and] this is why I’m upset.’… It’s nice dichotomy to catch on camera and, hopefully, Jensen [Ackles] and I get a chance to do a good job with it.”

Meanwhile, Sam will be dealing with the residual effects from Gadreel’s stint in his body. “It’s more emotional than literal and physical, but he certainly is still feeling the bruises,” admits Padalecki.

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The future of Dean and Sam’s relationship may be cloudy, but the show’s outlook remains bright: Not only is Supernatural a lock to be renewed for Season 10, but a spin-off set in Chicago and featuring hunter and monster cultures is in-the-works.

“I think it’s great,” raves Padalecki of the offshoot. “Episode 20 [of Supernatural] is going to be the launch of [the] new show, and I think it’s awesome.

“We’ve seen other shows on our network be able to have successful spin-offs,” he continues. “I think it’s a cool story to tell. Supernatural fans have spoken and said listen, there aren’t 100 million of us, but those of us that do watch the show are passionate and want to hear more stories and read fan fiction and be a part of this world. So I think it’s great. Anything that makes them happy. It doesn’t put any money in my pocket, but I think it’s cool.” (With reporting by Scott Huver)