Chuck Shurley

Well, there's only one explanation. Obviously I'm a god… How else do you explain it? I write things and then they come to life. Yeah, no, I'm definitely a god. A cruel, cruel, capricious god. – Chuck Shurley, 4.18 The Monster at the End of This Book

History

Chuck Shurley is the pseudonym used by God when he was living as an author who wrote the low selling Supernatural book series, which he wrote under the nom de plume Carver Edlund.

Initially Chuck claimed to the Winchesters that he foresaw events that concerned Dean and Sam, with Castiel revealing that Chuck was a prophet. He tells the Winchesters that he goes through some kind of a "process" when he has visions -- a severe headache occurs, and then he takes aspirin and drinks until he passes out. While unconscious, he says he sees and interprets prophecy.

After his sister Amara was released, Chuck returned to reveal to Metatron that He is in fact God in human disguise. He told Metatron that he had taken on human form so he could "hide in plain sight", as he likes having front row seats.

When Castiel prays to Chuck to help him with a soulless Jack, Chuck returns and gives Sam and Dean The Equalizer which can kill anything at the cost of the shooter's life. When Dean refuses to kill Jack, Sam realizes that Chuck has been manipulating their lives as part of a sick story. When they no longer want any part of his story, Chuck reveals his true colors and kills Jack himself via smiting. Sam shoots his shoulder with the Equalizer and Chuck decides to end the world by releasing all the souls in Hell and raising an army of zombies to kill Castiel and the Winchesters.

Personality

As Chuck Shurley, God took on the role of a nebbish and neurotic writer. He would carry on many of Chuck's characteristics as he traveled the universe, but beneath the Chuck veneer remained the same God that flooded the earth and had Sodom and Gomorrah destroyed, a God that created as much as He punished. Metatron having described His memoirs as "angry with a side of bitter." While writing his memoirs, Chuck would show his more wrathful side to Metatron. Both Amara and Lucifer describe him as narcissistic.

Chuck took an interest in Sam and Dean Winchester, claiming out of all the Sam's and Dean's in all the multiverse, they were his "favorite show." And as a writer, Chuck would place Sam and Dean in situations for his own entertainment. Upon Dean Winchester refusing to kill Jack, going against Chuck's script, Chuck revealed his true nature to the Winchesters for the first time, killing Jack himself and unlocking all the gates of Hell, including Lucifer's Cage.

Episodes

Chuck's writing space, compromised of a computer, sheets of paper, drafts and alcohol.

4.18 The Monster at the End of This Book

"I am so sorry. I mean, horror is one thing, but to be forced to live bad writing… if I would have known it was real, I would have done another pass."

Sam and Dean find a series of books written about them, and through the publisher track down the author Carver Edlund -- the pen name of writer Chuck Shurley. He reveals the stories come to him in dreams, and that he's continued writing even after the books stopped being published.

Chuck reveals his latest dream is of Sam and Lilith having "a night of fiery demonic passion." Sam asks Chuck if he knows about him drinking demon blood, which he does, and he confronts Sam about why he is doing it. Later Dean accuses Chuck of withholding information and attacks him, but is stopped by Castiel who reveals Chuck is a prophet of the Lord, who is protected by an archangel.

Later Castiel gives Dean information on how to stop Lilith, and by putting Chuck in the same room with Lilith, a scenario that Chuck had not predicted, the archangel threatens to appear and Lilith flees.

Following the confrontation with Lilith, Zachariah appears to Chuck after he has another vision. While it is not revealed what Chuck saw, he wants to warn Sam and Dean, but Zachariah tells him not to. Chuck threatens to kill himself, but Zachariah says they will only bring him back to life. In despair, Chuck asks what he should do. Zachariah replies "Do what you always do. Write."

Chuck and Castiel face-off with an archangel.

4.22 Lucifer Rising

"Lady, sometimes you got to live like there's no tomorrow."

Dean and Castiel appear at Chuck's place, just as he is ordering some hookers to see out the end of the world. He tells them where Sam and Lilith are, but says they are not "in the story." Castiel retorts that they are making it up as they go. The archangel, and other angels, appear in pursuit of Castiel and Dean, and Castiel stays with Chuck to let Dean try and stop Sam.

Media Tie-in: On the computer screen before Castiel and Dean show up, there is an e-mail address for Chuck: carveredlund@gmail.com. This address seems to be valid and active, although there has been no response, automated or otherwise, to date.

Chuck during his IM conversation with Becky Rosen.

5.01 Sympathy for the Devil

"Is that a molar? Do I have a molar in my hair? This has been a really stressful day."

Sam and Dean arrive in Kripke's Hollow to find Chuck's house more chaotic than usual and also quite bloody. They ask if it's true that Castiel is dead. Chuck tells them, that Castiel practically exploded (one of Castiel's molars seems to have lodged in Chuck's hair). Zachariah and some of his "bodyguards" show up, and after a brief conversation in which they try to convince Dean that he should work with the angels again, because they want the same thing, namely Lucifer gone, Dean banishes them with the angel banishing sigil.

Later, Chuck messages Supernatural fan Becky Rosen, interrupting her work on her Wincest fan fiction, asking her to pass along a message to Sam and Dean. The message reveals that the angels are looking for Michael's Sword (later to be revealed to be Dean, with the vision having been apparently planted by Zachariah), and that it is to be found "in a castle, on a hill made of 42 dogs" (which turns out to be John's Lock-up).

5.04 The End

"Some free advice? You ever get back there, you hoard toilet paper. You understand me? Hoard it. Hoard it like it's made of gold. 'Cause it is."

In 2014, Lucifer's minions re-released the Croatoan demon virus - in this post-apocalyptic world, most humans have been reduced to murderous zombies. Future!Chuck is at Camp Chitaqua with Future!Dean, Future!Castiel and other survivors. Future!Chuck is in charge of supplies. Toilet paper, he informs Dean, is "like gold."

A hoarding on a dilapidated movie theater advertises "Route 666" indicating that one of Chuck's Supernatural books was made into a movie.

5.09 The Real Ghostbusters

"I'm not a good writer. I've got no marketable skills. I'm not some hero who can just hit the road and fight monsters, Okay? Until the world ends, I gotta live, all right? And the Supernatural books are all I've got. What else do you want me to do?"

Chuck is present at a Supernatural Convention, which fan Becky Rosen invites Sam and Dean to. When real ghosts start attacking people, Chuck has to step up and help keep everyone safe while Sam and Dean and Demian and Barnes fight the ghosts. His bravery impresses Becky who abandons her pursuit of Sam for a relationship with Chuck.

5.22 Swan Song

"No doubt – endings are hard. But then again, nothing ever really ends, does it?"

Chuck begins his final book, titled "Swan Song," with an explanation of the Impala's history and significance. He is later called by Dean for the location of Lucifer and Michael's final battle, which he readily gives; Stull Cemetery.

He finally appears dressed in white, musing on the difficulty of getting endings right. He then disappears, evaporating into thin air.

Chuck typing "Swan Song" - The last book in the Supernatural book series.

Chuck reads over the finished book.

7.08 Season Seven, Time for a Wedding!

Becky mentions Chuck when she talks to Sam while he's tied to the bed. She says that she's pursuing Sam in part because Chuck broke up with her, saying she may have "intimidated him with my [her] vibrant sexuality."

8.07 A Little Slice of Kevin

Chuck is mentioned briefly by the Winchesters whilst discussing prophets after many of the "potentials" are being captured worldwide by Crowley. As there can only be one prophet at any given time, Castiel suggests that Chuck is most likely dead, thus allowing for Kevin Tran to become one.

8.20 Pac-Man Fever

Charlie Bradbury mentions having read all the Carver Edlund Supernatural books, in her preparations for starting hunting.

10.05 Fan Fiction

"Not bad."

Chuck appeared at the theater after the musical after claiming the ticket that Marie left for "the publisher." When asked by Marie what he thought of the play, despite it's problems, he replied with a "Not bad."

11.20 Don't Call Me Shurley

"Now… I've been called many things -- 'absentee father', 'wrathful monster.' But 'coward?' I am not hiding. I am just done watching my experiments' failures."

Chuck reveals himself as God to Metatron and asks for help in writing a book and Metatron asks Chuck many questions and Chuck finally decides to be himself as God instead of just being Chuck. He appears in every other scene with Metatron. The scenes switch from Sam and Dean and everyone in the town they are in and then it goes to Chuck and Metatron and then keeps switching between them. Chuck reveals himself as God to the Winchesters at the end of the episode through Dean's Amulet.

11.21 All in the Family

"You're frustrated. I get it. Believe me, I was hands-on -- Real hands-on, for, wow, ages. I was so sure if I kept stepping in, teaching, punishing, that these beautiful creatures that I created… would grow up. But it only stayed the same. And I saw that I needed to step away and let my baby find its way. Being over-involved is no longer parenting. It's enabling."

The Winchesters are stunned to learn that Chuck is, in fact, God, causing Chuck to teleport them to the Men of Letters Bunker where he calls upon the ghost of Kevin Tran to confirm his claims. Chuck then sends Kevin's soul to Heaven where it belongs. Metatron later reveals that Chuck intends to sacrifice himself to Amara to save the universe which Chuck tells Dean he feels is an even trade. After the Winchesters rescue Lucifer, Chuck teleports the Impala from the middle of the road where Amara is attacking into the Bunker itself, saving them. There, Chuck and Lucifer meet for the first time since Lucifer's fall and comment on how much the other has changed. To Lucifer's surprise, Chuck heals his injuries from Amara with a snap of his fingers.

11.22 We Happy Few

"I was supposed to love all creation equally. I wasn’t supposed to have favorites. But you… You were mine. I gave you the Mark because I loved you the most, because I thought you were strong enough to bear it. And when I saw that I was wrong… When I watched my choice devour my most cherished son, I hated myself, and so I punished you. And I am so sorry."

With the aid of Lucifer, Crowley, and Rowena, the Winchesters and Chuck pool together the resources of Heaven and Hell to take the fight to Amara.

11.23 Alpha and Omega

"Earth will be fine. It's got you… and Sam.

After Amara mortally wounds Chuck, it causes a disruption in the balance in the universe that will lead to the end of all existence once Chuck dies. A plan is hatched to gather as many souls as possible to create a soul bomb capable of killing Amara and balancing the scales by removing both Chuck and Amara from the Cosmic Balance.

While Dean confronted Amara in his suicide mission, Chuck, along with Sam, Rowena, Castiel and Crowley wait things out at a bar. Chuck is eventually teleported to Amara and Dean's location, where he reconciles with his sister. Chuck is then healed by Amara and departs with her to renew their relationship, telling Dean as long as he and Sam are around, the world will be safe before he ascends to the heavens with Amara.

14.20 Moriah

"I'm a writer. Lying's kinda what we do."

Chuck reappears to help Sam, Dean, and Castiel deal with Jack. After revealing that he heard Castiel's prayer, Chuck undoes the chaos caused by Jack after transporting everyone back to the Bunker. There he reveals that Jack is a "Me level" problem that needs to be dealt with and creates a handgun He claims can kill anything, at the cost of killing the shooter. While Sam, Dean and Castiel debate to do with Jack, Sam finds Chuck playing with the archangel blade. Sam goes on to confront Chuck about Michael's claim that He creates and abandons alternate universe's as failed drafts, and asks if He is doing the same to them. Chuck assures Sam that he isn't and that they are His "favorite show".

Realizing that Chuck is afraid of Jack, Chuck admits as much to Sam, revealing that Dean had already left to go and kill him. As Sam races to stop Dean from shooting Jack and killing himself, Chuck teleports into the cemetery to watch, his enjoyment of the scene playing out catches Sam's eye. But when Dean refuses to kill Jack, Chuck becomes agitated that Dean is going against the story, going so far as to offer to bring Mary back if he shoots Jack. Sam reveals to Dean how Chuck had been manipulating them their whole lives as part of some sick story. Angry at the revelation, Dean steadfastly refuses to kill Jack, telling Chuck to go to Hell. Frustrated, Chuck takes things into his own hands and snaps his fingers, smiting Jack. As he attempts to walk away, Sam picks up the Equalizer and shoots Chuck in the shoulder, injuring himself and causing not real harm to Chuck. Having had enough, he relents to the Winchester's wishes and declares the story over, welcoming them to "the End". As Chuck teleported away, day became night and a doorway to Hell opened up in the cemetery, unleashing the souls of the damned into the world and raising a horde of zombies to kill the Winchesters.

15.02 Raising Hell

"Hey, don't test me. I front the group. You sing backup."

In Reno, Amara is enjoying a massage when Chuck turns up, casually smiting her masseuse so He can surprise her. Chuck says He wants to check on her but Amara is skeptical about his sudden visit. Chuck talks about teaming up together again and about leaving the planet and creating a new species. Amara realizes that something's wrong with Chuck, that he is scared and not at full power. He's depending on her support to get away, which amuses her.

Later Chuck is alone in the room and checks his shoulder in a mirror. He carefully touches his wound, which is still painful. In the same moment, Sam feels a sharp pain in his shoulder, but tells a worried Dean he's okay.

Amara leaves Chuck, having no interest in spending time with him. She notes how she has changed and become the better version of herself, while Chuck remains the same petulant narcissist He always has been. She notes that he is weakened by his gunshot wound and while he can still perform a few parlor tricks, he can no longer leave the world he is trying to end.

15.04 Atomic Monsters

"Yeah. I don’t know how I’m gonna get there, but I know where I’m goin’."

Chuck Is God

Was Chuck God?

Following 5.22 Swan Song, which concluded with Chuck's mysterious vanishing, there was much debate amongst fans to whether Chuck was in fact God, and whether he had been so all along.

Writer and Producer Sera Gamble on the God debate refused to either confirm or deny the speculation

"Don't ask me to squish the God debate! How many TV shows can say their fans are talking about THAT stuff?"

As a writer, Chuck is the creator of the story of Sam and Dean Winchester in the form of the Supernatural book series. He sarcastically says when confronted with the real Sam and Dean that he "is a god," for all that he puts them through in the books happens in real life. This is explained by Castiel as Chuck being a prophet of the Lord. Castiel says the Supernatural books will one day become known as the Winchester Gospels.

Chuck's pseudonym is Carver Edlund, a reference to Supernatural writers Jeremy Carver and Ben Edlund. The character is an avatar for Kripke himself (Source) and is used to comment on the text and process of writing with reference to specific past episodes of the Show. This metaphor would also hold then is God, the creator, was also the writer. We have a trinity here - Chuck, Kripke and God.

Sam and Dean find out from the angel Joshua that God is on Earth.

In 5.01 Sympathy for the Devil, Chuck says that he can feel the angels' presence in his house, which is not an established power of the prophet.

In the finale there is further foreshadowing of Chuck's true identity: When Dean calls Chuck, Chuck answers the phone "Mistress Magda," and we briefly see a newspaper ad for a blonde women in a bikini named "Miss Magda" on Chuck's desk before he puts his glass on it. This may be a reference to Mary Magdalene who Jesus healed of demons. She then become a follower of his, and an early Christian leader.

Another thing about Chuck's true identity is his visions. In 4.18 The Monster at the End of This Book,when he met the Winchesters for the first time, he acts like he doesn't know them, although in his visions at the beginning of this episode he clearly saw Sam and Dean and the Car.

Chuck, after narrating the events that take place, finally appears dressed in white musing on the difficulty of getting endings right. He then disappears. This leads many to speculate that he is the supreme being.

Fans arguing against Chuck's divinity point primarily to the fact that Dean's amulet, which Castiel says will "burn hot" in God's presence does not react when Dean and Chuck meet face to face in 4.18 The Monster at the End of This Book, 4.22 Lucifer Rising, and 5.01 Sympathy for the Devil. However, Joshua tells Sam and Dean in Heaven "Magic amulet or not, you won't be able to find him."

Other arguments include the failure of others to recognize God's true self, including Raphael the archangel assigned to protect Chuck. In 5.03 Free to Be You and Me, he tells Dean and Castiel that God is "dead" and they are living in a "Godless universe."

Castiel is also ignorant of Chuck's true identity. He held off Raphael at Chuck's house while Dean went after Sam in 4.22 Lucifer Rising, and met Chuck several times. However, God is able to hide himself even from Angels (as evidenced in 5.16 Dark Side of the Moon by Joshua).

At the Rob Benedict Panel at Jus In Bello Italy 2011, Rob confirmed that Chuck is in fact God. He explains that other members of the cast, as well as Eric Kripke himself had asked him how it felt to play God. Source

After 5.22 Swan Song fans began using "Chuck" rather than "God" in phrases such as "Thank Chuck," "Chuck Be Praised" and "Chuck bless you!"

In season eight, some fans speculated that Chuck may have been a manifestation of the angel Metatron, who was known as God's scribe.

In the 200th episode, 10.05 Fan Fiction, Chuck appeared at the end (commenting "not bad" when asked if the musical had been good). Castiel noted earlier in the series that Prophets can only become Prophets if the previous one has died. Since Kevin Tran had become a Prophet, yet Chuck was alive, it suggests he is, at the very least, not a normal Prophet and somewhat out of the ordinary.

In 11.20 Don't Call Me Shurley, Chuck reveals himself as God to Metatron, and that he used "Chuck" to 'hide in plain' sight. He states that he had turned the amulet off, which is why it didn't alert the Winchesters or Castiel to his presence. Chuck also confirms that he was the one to resurrect Castiel each time he died. Chuck later reveals himself as God to the Winchesters and confirms it with the help of Kevin Tran.

Trivia

• The character is also an avatar for Eric Kripke.
• Rob Benedict talks about Chuck as Eric at Salute to Supernatural Chicago 2009 (Source).
• Chuck's pen name "Carver Edlund" is a portmanteau of two of the shows writers: Jeremy Carver and Ben Edlund.
• In episode 3 of the Ghostfacers Web Series, the Ghostfacers work out that the ghost is not trapped in the mirror like Bloody Mary which Maggie Zeddmore said she read about in a "cheesy Carver Edlund book."
• The last names of Sam and Dean were never entered into the Supernatural books. Chuck even told Dean and Sam that he never told anyone about their last names, nor did he write it down on side-notes.

See also

• The Supernatural Books

External links

• @12StepChuck - Chuck Shurley on Twitter
• spn_chuck - A LiveJournal community dedicated to Chuck Shurley
• Fanfiction featuring Chuck on Fanfiction.net
• @ChuckShurley - Chuck Shurley on Twitter
• notchuckshurley - Chuck Shurley RP Tumblr Blog