While the pressure is still on for the Supernatural finale to adequately conclude Sam and Dean Winchester's 15-season saga, the episode title includes a reference that perfectly wraps up the show. Since 2005, Jared Padalecki (Sam) and Jensen Ackles (Dean) have faced off with various paranormal entities on the CW's horror dramedy. The penultimate episode of the drama already tied up the season's major plot arc, leaving fans uncertain about where this Thursday's finale will go.
Classic rock features prominently on the show, from its soundtrack to the music Sam and Dean listen to while driving cross country in Dean's 1967 Chevy Impala. Dean, specifically, is partial to blasting metal, prog-rock, and arena rock in his car—Ackles has blessed Supernatural fans with countless highly GIF-able expressions during his epic jam sessions. The Supernatural soundtrack is full of well-known anthems from bands like AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, and Lynyrd Skynyrd, with a few particular favorites reappearing at key moments. "Carry On Wayward Son," a hard rock hit by the 70s arena-rock band Kansas, is used 17 times over the course of the show and has become its unofficial theme song.
A tweet from TNT, a network that airs Supernatural reruns, points out an uncanny connection between the finale title and the song. The episode is titled "Carry On," which is presumably an homage to "Carry On Wayward Son," considering its recurrence in the show. The similarities don't stop there: Supernatural will air November 19, 2020—exactly 44 years after the song was released on November 19, 1979. The members of Kansas (who are still touring and making new music today) were just as mindblown by the connection:
Chances are likely that the eerie commonality isn't a coincidence—if it were, that would be much spookier. Showrunner Andrew Dabb has admitted that the idea for the apropos title actually came from an assistant. Orchestrating the date of the finale to coincide with the anniversary of the song's release would have to be a much trickier ordeal. Considering all of the factors involved in scheduling the season, it's not impossible that the perfect timing is truly a coincidence. Maybe this is all happening at the Mystery Spot.
Ending Supernatural with a reference to Kansas also harkens back to the brothers' origins. Those who have been watching from the beginning will remember that the Winchester brothers are originally from Lawrence, Kansas. Fans can probably expect to hear "Carry On Wayward Son" one last time during the finale, but it remains to be seen whether its lyrics will hold any meaning for the fate of the characters. Whatever happens to Sam and Dean, the title is a fitting end that brings the beloved show full circle.
Source: Kansas/Twitter