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Theres also a presidential election that is contested after the votes are counted.
Kripke also hints how a certainWalking Deadalums addition to the series may have a much longer runway.
DEADLINE:So, whats up with you and wanting to end shows after five seasons?
(L-R) Jeffrey Dean Morgan & Karl UrbanAmazon
ERIC KRIPKE:(LAUGHS) Five seasons is a good round number.
I just like five.
So, youre not really out, right?
(L-R) Jessie T. Usher, Chace Crawford, Jack Quaid, Eric Kripke, Claudia Doumit, Laz Alonso & Antony Starr (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images)
KRIPKE:I mean, I still want to be involved.
But, at least for those shows, I wont be the day-to-day showrunner.
So, in the penultimate season, where does he and Butcher go?
DEADLINE:For good reason …
KRIPKE:Well, yeah.
Basically, in effect, we started talking about needing another Butcher, and thats obviously no easy task.
Thank God this was all around the time that Jeffrey and I were texting.
We had been looking for a part for him for while.
DEADLINE:What about a Sage spinoff?
Another new character, the smartest person on Earth.
Whats that all about?
Theyre just so brilliant, but theyre always reedy White dudes …
So, what if it was a Black woman from a poor neighborhood?
And because of that she would have a really hard time of anyone listening to her taking her seriously.
We thought that was something that was really intriguing.
It also helped me understand why shes such a misanthrope.
In that there is a Presidential election that kicks off Season 4.
By the way, a version of this story is one of the major storylines from the comic books.
I think its another lineup of reality in the show.
You know, I hope people dont think that its too much or too real.
So, you know, were just kind of expressing how we feel.
Im not trying to change minds.
Im just trying to communicate my own fear and anxiety about this upcoming year.
DEADLINE:As they used to say, it is once again, ripped from the headlines.
KRIPKE:Yeah, unfortunately, the real world has evolved to reflect more of the show.
I mean Season 5 is easily a two-year stretch.
So, I havent spent an incredible amount of time worrying about whats next yet.
A little early to figure out totally whats next.
What kind of bloody mess is this all going to end in?
KRIPKE:Were just figuring it all out now with the writers.
DEADLINE:Broad strokes?
KRIPKE:In the broadest possible strokes, and what we want to have happen in the finale.
I can really write the last 10 pages of this story right now.
The rest, you know, we have broad strokes, but well figure it out.
DEADLINE:Is that always your method?
KRIPKE:Honestly, I think theres a danger in figuring too much out.
You know, before youre actually breaking the episodes you want a little room to maneuver.
You want your writers to feel like they can surprise you with something.
You dont want to screw it down too tight.
DEADLINE:Thats Season 5, but what about your cameo packed Season 4 that just dropped?
KRIPKE:I love it!
Two and a half years from when we just started it to it being complete.
Look, it makes me laugh.
I cover my mouth in horror multiple times.
I think it delves really deep into every character.
This is from Day One, Season 4.
Now almost 2 years later, we unleash#TheBoysS4 on the world.
Love them all & this job so much.
Hope you love S4 as much as we do, NOW LIVE!
@TheBoysTVpic.twitter.com/UUYcR75tkq
DEADLINE:But you must have had a blueprint.
But the penultimate season is the end of Act Two in a movie, right?
Its like the darkest point, the most introspective point.
Its the one where the characters have to emotionally face their existential trauma.
So then theyre able to jump onto the roller coaster ride that is the climax of the movie.
DEADLINE:Very cinematic.
But I also have to say, its also really, really funny.
I have to say were as dark as people have accused the show of being, and it is.
At the same time, I think I laughed harder this season than I think I ever have before.
That might speak to my own personal sickness, but I think Season 4 is really funny.
