Misha Collins, who plays the angel Castiel on Supernatural, wants you and your friends to vote. He’s been sounding the call to get involved in this election since the primary. As Supernatural returned to our screens with the episode “Last Holiday,” By organizing the ultimate watch party, Collins brought together fans, cast, crew, and some folks who have run or are running for office. His Supernatural Watch Party for Democracy aims to help people understand why participation in important, make sure people vote, and have some fun.
Supernatural returned October 8 with the bunker focused episode “Last Holiday.” The long-running series is coming to an end with seven final episodes airing in October and November. The Supernatural Watch Party for Democracy provided an opportunity to hear from some political figures. As it turns out, Senator Cory Booker (NJ), Senator Doug Jones (AL), entrepreneur Andrew Yang, senatorial candidate MJ Hegar (TX), and congressional candidate Pam Keith (FL) aren’t just people who believe in public service, they’re also fans of Supernatural.
Along with Misha Collins, many of the Supernatural family showed up for the event. Jared (Sam) and Genevieve Padalecki (Ruby) were able to get into the zoom room early, while Jensen (Dean) and Danneel Ackles (Anael) arrived later, but in style. The Ackles filmed their zoom appearance from the back seat of Dean Winchester’s 1967 Impala referred to as “Baby.”
Other cast and crew in attendance during the zoom event included Supernatural creator Eric Kripke, showrunner Bob Singer, writer Eugenie Ross-Leming, Jim Beaver (Bobby Singer), Rob Benedict (Chuck), Ruth Connell (Rowena), Adam Fergus (Mick Davies), Rachel Miner (Meg), Sebatian Roché (Balthazar), Felicia Day (Charlie Bradbury), Shoshannah Stern (Eileen Leahy), Kat Ramdeen (Alex Johnes), Lauren Tom (Linda Tran), Briana Buckmaster (Donna Hanscum), Jake Abel (Adam Milligan), David Haydn-Jones (Arthur Ketch), Gil McKinney (Henry Winchester), Julie McNiven (Anna Milton), Amy Gumenick (Young Mary Winchester), Curtis Armstrong (Metatron), Alaina Huffman (Abaddon), Osric Chau (Kevin Tran), Sam Smith (Mary Winchester), Lisa Berry (Billie), Matt Cohen (young John Winchster), and Emily Swallow (Amara). After not being able to get into the meeting for some time, Richard Speight, Jr. (Gabriel) joined via facetime towards the end of the party.
Louden Swain band members Billy Moran, Stephen Norton, Michael Borja, who have gotten close with the cast through Supernatural conventions, also joined in. Fans were also able to watch the event on Zoom and youtube.
Since outing himself as a fan of Supernatural, Senator Booker has joined in with Collins and the Supernatural cast in their efforts to encourage people to vote and make a difference. At the watch party, Senator Booker joked that naming a major character after then director Robert Singer as a major act of self-gratification, pointing out that, “Not one member of the United States Senate made it in, but Bobby Singer did.” Eric Kripke, who was responsible for the naming decision, responded, “Yeah, Bob insisted on it. He was a monster of ego and he demanded it and it was awkward and I finally just gave it to him. He had actually seven other characters named Bob Singer, but I drew the line at that one.”
Given the choice, Senator Booker might have just talked about the series the entire time, but he also spoke on the important of voting. Senator Booker believes this is the most important election of our lifetime.
“Democracy is not a spectator sport. You may have not been asked to storm beaches at Normandy or do Freedom Rides or suffrage marches or you weren’t at Stonewall or Seneca Falls, but this is our moment. Our country is worth voting for. Martin Luther King said so eloquently, he said what we have to repent for is not the vitriolic words and violent actions of the bad people. It’s the appalling silence and inaction of the good people.”
Senator Cory Booker (NJ)
When Senator Booker jokingly announced a brand new season of Supernatural, senatorial candidate MJ Hegar responded, “Look at these politicians always overpromising.” But seriously, Senator Booker doesn’t want the series to end.
MJ Hegar, who is running for a Senate seat in Texas talked how Supernatural inspires the idea that ordinary people can do extraordinary things. Hegar was in pilot training the first year of the series.
“There was something about the show…that connected with this idea that the world would be saved by regular people. And ya’ll were, especially in those early seasons, taking on people with superpowers. And that’s how I feel all the time. I am a regular Texan taking on some very powerful forces in DC and very powerful rich, wealthy special interests. And I am fighting for regular people and I am fighting for my family. And I watched you guys fight for your family.”
Senatorial candidate MJ Hegar (TX)
Hegar described being shot down in combat and being surrounded by enemy fighters, “And I gotta tell you, I’m channeling the Winchester boys.” She also shared the story of when Misha Collins first direct messaged her campaign. After she read his message, she dropped her phone and told her staff, “An angel of God just DM’d me on twitter.”
Andrew Yang entrepreneur, philanthropist, and former presidential candidate had some technical issues getting into the meeting, to which Senator Booker noted was very off-brand for Yang. When he was able get on, Yang shared his admiration for the SPN Family.
“I just want to support the get out the vote effort and the enthusiasm. The Supernatural community, holy cow, you have all created such a vibrant set of fans that just love this show. 15 years that is incredible….This community should make you all very, very proud. And now look, you’re channeling the community into something so wholesome, like getting out the vote and saving our democracy, and giving us a chance to turn the page.”
Andrew Yang
Senator Booker suggested Collins run for office now that the series has ended. Padalecki teased, “Do you know what the [opposition] research will be? I mean I love the guy. I’ll vote for him, but I won’t admit it.” On a more serious note, Collins encouraged everyone to go to vote.org and check their registration status, and then get three friends to register to vote.
Senator Doug Jones joined by phone from Alabama. He encouraged people to vote early.
“This is an important election for America. We’ve got some opportunities to do things and to get this country moving in the direction that I think everybody wants. We’ve got an opportunity to pull out of this pandemic. To keep everybody safe, keep everybody healthy. But it is going to take everybody to get out and vote. Get your friends, get your family, get your neighbors, anybody that you come across. Get ‘em out there to vote whatever state you are because this is the most important election of our lifetime.”
Senator Doug Jones (AL)
There we so many people on the zoom call, congressional candidate Pam Keith couldn’t get in until after the episode watch party had started. Keith is an African-American veteran running against an incumbent and another independent candidate. She described the importance of the seat she is running for and how it could shift the balance in Florida.
“There just aren’t that many races that are tight in Florida because it’s so badly gerrymandered.”
Congressional candidate Pam Keith (FL-18)
Cast members engaged in the discussion throughout, but the second half of the watch party featured the cast talking about voting, catching up, and teasing each other. There were a lot of silly moments, interspersed with serious talk. Lisa Berry talked about her new baby, Sam Smith talked about her recovery from cancer, and Emily Swallow shared she’s been driving across the country. There wasn’t much talk about the actual episode, but Jared Padalecki made sure to show everyone his fingernail was fine. Genevieve Padalecki earnestly thanked Collins for his efforts, saying how important it is “to encourage everyone to vote, to educate, to laugh, and secure democracy.”
Let’s hope more watch parties are organized in the future. Watch the full video below:
The Supernatural Fox Sisters 