This story contains MINOR SPOILERS for the Oct. 23 episode of "Supernatural." Anyone who listened to SyFy Radio last week learned what some fans think of William Shatner (hint: he's a dick). But Eric Kripke, executive producer of The CW's "Supernatural," wanted to assure fans that Jensen Ackles' character of Dean Winchester was nothing like the old Capt. Kirk.

Apparently, fans have been a little upset by how Dean was acting in the Oct. 23 episode, and Kripke wanted to set the record straight.

"So, I've never before responded directly to the fandom's comments about an episode, and I don't plan on making a habit of it, but I couldn't resist dropping in a though about the episode 'Yellow Fever,'" Kripke said. "Which is this: Dean is not a dick."

The rare public insight about a character, especially from Kripke, is fascinating, if not direct. But the message is clear.

"None of the writers, or anyone on the creative team of 'Supernatural,' think Dean's ever been a dick, past, present or future," Kripke said. "He's a hero. Dean did not contract the ghost sickness because he's a dick. Victims contract the illness because they use 'fear as a weapon.' Dean asks Lilith (Katie Cassidy) at the episode's end, 'Why did I get infected?' And she cryptically responds, 'You know why. Listen to your heart.' "We, as the writers, probably should have emphasized this mystery more, [and] I take responsibility for that omission. But the point is: The reason he was infected is because of a secret he's keeping. A dark secret that will be revealed in Episode 10. And not at all because of any dickishness, implied or otherwise." So there you have it. Dean Winchester is not a dick, and it has nothing to do with him being infected. So what's this big secret he's harboring? Fans will find out in just a few weeks. "Supernatural" airs Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET on The CW.