Because I wanted to do the math ... (Spoilers for last night's SPN)

[apocalypsos]

Okay, so the characters who've been in more than one episode and are either definite to return in future episodes or definite maybes:

Sam
Dean
Castiel
Bobby
Zachariah
Gabriel
Lucifer
Michael
Chuck
Meg
Becky

Subtracting all of the characters who, while still alive, were brought back after violent onscreen deaths:

Sam
Dean
Castiel
Bobby
Zachariah
Gabriel
Lucifer
Michael
Chuck
Meg
Becky

Subtracting the angels, who are biggies and, correct me if I'm wrong, I'm somehow still sleepy and yet tired from going to the gym, but all of the angels so far have been killed by other angels, IIRC:

Sam
Dean
Castiel
Bobby
Zachariah
Gabriel
Lucifer
Michael
Chuck
Meg
Becky

That leaves two male characters and two female characters who are still in a die-violently-and-not come back position. So ... we're even, I suppose.

Although it still sucks balls that they went and killed Anna. Fuck, SPN, either give us more female characters who actually survive or give us the AU!asskicking Mary-and-John spinoff of our dreams.

I will admit, however, that I may be missing someone, so feel free to pipe up with anyone I've missed.

EDIT: This is, I don't think I have to tell you, entirely unscientific. Not the least of which because math and science were my worst subjects. ;)

Comments

[missyjack.livejournal.com]

while i appreciate quantity has a place in looking at female characters, for me the 'head count' approach isn't particularly informative. As a feminist what i am after is diversity in the way women are represented, and there are plenty of shows that have lots of female characters but they exist within a very narrow and limited range. Also, as a statistician your sample size is too small for a statistically meaningful analysis ;D

I also think the way Supernatural screws with death as a trope - every recurring character except Bobby has died or is dead! - certainly means that death per se is not a negative for a character. I mean look at Mary who died in the opening scene of the Pilot and has gone on to be developed into this amazing character.

Sad to see Anna go though - and I would love a 1978 Mary as hunter series. Thoguht both Amy adn Matt did a brilliant job.

[apocalypsos.livejournal.com]

Also, as a statistician your sample size is too small for a statistically meaningful analysis

Heh. Too true. This is me, grasping at any straw I can to find something positive in the midst all the sexist bullshit. :D

[cherrymmm.livejournal.com]

I don't care that Anna is dead. I liked her until she pulled a Gordon Walker and then I was all "Anna must die!".

I don't care about them killing off the women. Hell, they kill off everybody. It's not a political show, it's a show about my boys! As long as they survive, I'll follow along.

Obviously I'm not a feminist. I'm an old, jaded veteran of how fucked up life really is so I can't bring myself to get worked up over the lack of pc-ness in a tv show.

But hey, I also support everyone's right to feminism and pc-ness.

And....do we really count Becky as a recurring character?

[memphis86.livejournal.com]

Ooh, this was rather interesting to see it come out sorta even? However I might just tip the scale...

I do believe you've omitted our beloved Ghostfacers: Ed Zeddmore and Harry Spengler! (IDK if Spruce and Maggie count as recurring yet. They've shown up in that viral season 5 promo web thingie? With Corbett!)

Oh, and would Lisa (Ben's mom) count since she showed up in Dean's dream? Longshot I know...

Ach, last edit I swear: RUFUS!

[telaryn.livejournal.com]

Ah, Friday brain!

As far as last night goes - I think focusing on Anna's death as being sexist cheats the fact that she was the only angel badass enough to consider taking such a step. All the rest are either "Apocalypse YAY!" or dealing with trying to stop things in the here and now.

In the broader picture, I was thinking about this very topic this morning regarding Ellen and Jo. I was totally okay with their deaths - I really was - even though several people pointed out that there were male characters available whose deaths would have served the same purpose.

Problem is, I'm spoiled for an upcoming character return - and if this character gets to *live* after everything that's gone down, it's going to affect how I view the state of things on the show sexism-wise.

Not in a flouncy kind of way, but in a "how can you people simultaneously be so awesome and so clueless as to your audience?" kind of way.

[liliaeth]

Thing is, there aren't any male characters that could have served the same purpose as Ellen and Jo. Well maybe Bobby, but that's about it.

Ellen and Jo were close to being family, they weren't just any old ally, they were people the viewers knew, respected and cared about. Name any other hunter char besides Bobby that would have fit that role. And they already put Bobby in a wheelchair and killed off John. (so killing Bobby would just be a repeat of John's death)

Killing of just any other char would not have had the same impact on Dean and Sam as Jo and Ellen's deaths did.

I mean, sure you got Rufus and Deacon, but honestly, none of them would have as big of an impact as Jo and Ellen did.