To spin-off or not to spin-off?

[rogueslayer452]

Joss Whedon created Angel as a spin-off from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. And while I know there were certain opinions regarding the differences between the two shows, there was a level of development of the characters that transferred from BTVS to Angel. They actually underwent some fascinating character growths and transformations that wouldn't have happened had they remained on BTVS, since they would have been minor characters and, not that minor characters didn't have growth over there, but on Angel it was a different level of development. The transition from one to another really did help these characters to have such rich material (Angel, Cordelia, Wesley and Faith respectively) that otherwise wouldn't have been thoroughly explored had they remained on BTVS.

So why can't the same happen for Castiel from Supernatural?

Judging from the comments that have been made, not just from today via the recent interviews but in general, there is a massive split between the fandom about whether the show should have characters like Castiel staying or that it should always be about the brothers and no one else. The show has always been neglectful with their minor characters, many of which had much potential and they just never fully developed them or took advantage of such amazing opportunities. Having a spin-off would bring those opportunities to life that the show wouldn't even consider, let alone allow them to have. Which doesn't make sense since SPN isn't even a huge ensemble show anyway so this shouldn't be a common occurrence of abandoning/killing off characters just for the because factor, but I digress.

Castiel is a fan favorite, the majority of the fandom fell in love with him the moment he was introduced and have been rallying, campaigning and showing love and support for him ever since. You'd think that they would take the hint that perhaps people want more Castiel elsewhere instead of on the show where his storylines often get pushed off-screen. And since this is all about the money nowadays, this would double their chances at more viewership and the ratings, which is precisely what the network wants.

I mean come on, if the Ghostfacers can have their own webseries I'm sure Castiel can most definitely have his own spin-off. I'm just saying.

Comments

[jakwezst.livejournal.com]

This makes so much sense that it's pretty much a given that the PTB would never even consider it as an option!

I have been quietly seething since the finale, but the funniest thing? It's the fans who are hating on Castiel (not even the vitriol extended to those fans who think differently to them because I can shrug that one off)who really make me want to get really, really vicious and bitchy. The PTB? Like I said in another comment, I just have to accept that they're prats who will do what they will do whether it makes creative or commercial sense and further accept that it doesn't pay to give them the satisfaction of thinking that what they choose to do with the characters in canon actually matters, in the sense of perverting OUR sense of who these characters are. I see them as akin to fanfic writers who have a certain take on the characters that while valid doesn't really affect the way YOU see the characters. I mean, since it was one writer (right? Ben Edlund?) who created Castiel why then should we all of a sudden decide that what any other writer chooses to do to that character is actually 'canon'? We don't when it comes to fanfic do we? We just see each fic as an individual interpretation of the character, an exploration of one possible storyline, which we are, after all, under no obligation to accept and adopt in our read of said character(s)(outside the act of reading that fic). To me, canon works the same way. It really just becomes one possible direction the story could go - it doesn't affect MY interpretation of the material, of the actual character traits... I mean by now we ALL have a nice pile of backstory, character traits etc etc from which to build coherent, interesting stories in the SPN universe. Some writers writing for the t.v show choose to pervert, curtail, do a great disservice to the incredible characters at their disposal take it in one direction. I just don't see that as primary the way most people do. I'm of the belief that making it on screen doesn't necessarily make it more real or legitimate. I think that's where I might differ from a few fans, though. :D ;)