To spin-off or not to spin-off?
Aug. 21st, 2011 08:13 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
rogueslayer452Joss 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.
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.
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Date: 2011-08-22 05:48 pm (UTC)I don't quite know or understand how network budgeting works, although you'd think that they would have had least given them more money if they were wanting more seasons so they could at least do something more epic if they needed to. I'm surprised they haven't yet, both on the budget increase and for the show to do something that bold.
I noticed the division between the fans and it sucks that one side gets to be happy. A spin-off would make a bunch of people happy too. I feel like it would strengthen the franchise if anything. They could make bank off of it.
Exactly. Granted I know money is an issue, as I said above I don't know how it all works regarding networks upping the budgets for shows, but it would make so much sense considering. It would make all the fans happy, those who want only the Winchesters can have their show, while those of us who want more of Castiel and other minor characters can have a spin-off. Perhaps occasional cross-overs and such can happen, like how BTVS and Angel did. Seeing as how the network likes to milk everything it's worth, why aren't they taking this chance?
Never mind let's take a look at how influential Misha has been to the show since. Many people got into SPN because of Castiel, season four was the highest rated season because of the angel storyline/Castiel due to that very fact. Castiel and Misha have been winning in online polls ever since, making the show getting more recognition elsewhere.
So really, it's a no-brainer, right?