6.18 Episode reaction/review

[ash48]

Dear Show,

How are you so awesome?!!!

Yours rhetorically.
xx

I swear the GRIN did not leave my face the entire episode. It's still there... :D :D

Wheeeeee....... what a ride that was! (Hence icon). Though the icon was also chosen because I did have to relax my brain a little because the paradoxes of time travel are fraught with problems. But hey! We don't have to go there because that was all about THE RIDE! \o/

This episode was apparently "a letter to the fans" according to Sera. And I got that. There were numerous shout outs, tons of humour, gorgeous boys, BROMANCE and a sense of giving us something that really forms the basis of our Show - The Western genre.

The only other thing they could do is a Star Wars take off to pay homage to the source this show borrows from. (And why do I think this may actually happen one day?!?! They gave us Jared and Jensen for god's sake! They can DO ANYTHING!).

Anyway... let's count....

1. Hot!boys. Particularly Jensen. (yeah, yeah I know... I'm usually all over Jared but DAMN! Jensen stole my heart tonight). Holy hell.... how is he so god damn GORGEOUS and why hasn't he been in a Western before?! He suits that genre so perfectly. <33333

2. Dorky!boys. Oh Dean... I just... *HEARTS* I have to be serious here for a minute because I did worry they may take Dean out of character for this but this Dean harkens back to "Hollywood Babylon" Dean. Gung-ho and right there. This is almost a late S2 Dean - joyful in his pursuit of hunts. Cocky, confident.... happy. Ok. So he stuffed up with the outfits but (relaxes brain) his heart was in the right place and provided some good laughs. We also got canon evidence that Dean as a western fetish. FIC PLEASE! (something with him lassoing Sam would be fine....*g*)

And Sam. So out of place... and yet....not. He was in the hunt and loving it. I think Sam is happiest when Dean is goofing around - when he's enthusiastic about a hunt, when he's making a fool of himself. There was a moment when Sam genuinely smiled at a comment made by Dean and my HEART EXPLODED!

Horse shit on Sammy's shoe! \o/ What's with Sam and shoes?!... :D:D

3. I'm not going to recount all the wonderful lines because I know you know them... (AND WHEN WILL WE GET THE POSSE T-SHIRTS?! A fan will produce that won't they....?! yesyes THEY WILL!!). Though I will say Dean's smugness in finding the journal was sheer JOY as was the tussle between the boys that followed. THAT'S what brothers do. :D

4. The opening titles! LOVED!

5. The soundtrack. \o/

6. Sam on a horse...'nuff said. Though yes...poor horse. HA! (I was totally waiting for him to fall off of course. But Sam it TOO COOL FOR SCHOOL! \o/

7. Castiel. Again with Castiel. (stop making me squeeful Cas....!)

More evidence that something is up with Cas. Something's wrong. He has an ace up his sleeve and it ain't entirely ethical. Or something.

I LOVE that we have mystery surrounding Cas and how he's fighting this war.

I keep coming back to the question about WHY he's hanging around the Winchesters. It HAS to be more than "friendship". Rachel was apparently a "friend" and he killed her. (I actually believe she was a friend and a true follower... so Cas has to be up to something fairly dubious to have her turn). So.... this begs the question. What lengths are he prepared to go to for the sake of this war?! It has to be tied into Sam and Dean....and souls..... dun dun duuuuunnnn...

ARGH!! I hope so... I want meat for Cas. I love the snippets we are getting of a bigger moral and ethical dilemma for him. Castiel (for me) has always been about his struggle with ethics and what's "right". His "sorry" was genuine when he killed Rachel I felt.... he knows it was wrong, but he also knows it's what he had to do. Reminds me of when he handed Anna over. I love that they are being consistent with Cas in this.

8. Bobby and Castiel. (And NO ... please. I can't imagine these two being slashed../o\) but I love how prepared both of them were to save the boys. Bobby will do ANYTHING because he genuinely loves and cares for these two. But Castiel..!? Hmmm..... time will tell I suppose. But it seems curious to me that the friendship between Cas and the boys does indeed seem rather one sided at the moment. I dunno. Again, I might be reading too much into it.

9. Continuity. It makes perfect sense to go back to meet Samuel Colt and it was great that Elkins was mentioned again. Remember him from Dead Man's Blood? Cool.

10. Shades of grey. I LOVE that show often harkens back to those shades of grey first mentioned in Blood Lust. A monster who didn't need to be hunted and yet had to because he was "a monster". The human was worse it would seem.

11. So much more. But YOU know what they are so I'll stop there.

Other stuff.

Sam remembered something to do with his time with the Campbells. My first thought was that it was tampering with the wall. But it seems not.

Really? A parcel survived in the postal system all that time?! *slaps wrist* I wasn't going to go there.

The Mother story line is somewhat baffling. Though I don't mind because I don't feel like it's been set up as this HUGE problem (say like the YED or the apocalypse). I thought it was well addressed tonight with Sam's almost off hand comment with "this monster we are hunting". She's there but I don't get the sense (YET!) that she's any sort of real threat. I dunno. Either it's been poorly handled or deliberately kept low key to give us a big surprise as we near the end.

I have to admit that I would have loved to have seen them really get dirty and fit in in this era. Of course, they couldn't and that in itself was telling. But god...to see the boys get really gritty in a Western would have been my dream come true.

But then... I have that in every other episode don't I?

I felt this was a breather before the approaching storm. It was entertaining, the boys were IN STEP, it was bloody hilarious and planted little seeds for future episodes.

Damn it! I love my show. Even when my suspension of disbelief is pushed to its LIMITS... I love you! <33333

Comments

[heidi8.livejournal.com]

Bobby and Castiel. ... But Castiel..!? Hmmm..... time will tell I suppose. But it seems curious to me that the friendship between Cas and the boys does indeed seem rather one sided at the moment. I dunno. Again, I might be reading too much into it.

I actually got the feeling that there was an extra benefit for Castiel in touching Bobby's soul - it would heal him, and give him Something Extra because a mortal human willingly let him touch his soul. And I think Castiel knew that Bobby would summon, trap and shatter him if he got That Touch but then didn't try to bring the boys back, so regardless of his personal feelings (and I think they're still there) it was something he had to do to get access to Bobby's soul.

[debbiel66.livejournal.com]

I love every freakin thing about this episode (except for Rachel ?? really not understanding all the angel stuff, not a big deal to me) Loved the faces... their wide-eyed happy little faces, especially Dean's not-so-secret smiles and Sam as the "giant from the future with a magic brick."

I wanted it to be twice as long as it was, and that still probably wouldn't have been enough.

See! It told you it would be all right, and now we're all enjoying the ride! ((((hugs))))

[ash48.livejournal.com]

ooooh yes... excellent point. Actually that whole touching of Bobby's soul was very telling and important I think and I love your idea here - that he needed to touch a human soul.

Cas is so connected to souls I feel. It's the third time know he's gone "the feel" and it must be significant.

I'm so interested to see where they will take this.

Thanks hun. More food for thought... <3

[missyjack.livejournal.com]

This episode will be my happy place for a long long time!

I think Cas does still care deeply for Sam and Dean and they "keep him human" to coin a phrase.It was obvious last week how worried he was about them understanding his motives, and guilty about about what he's up to.

I think the Eve arc has been a great one for keep things moving with a slow sense of increasing threat, but not an adversary they need to be occupied with every moment. That was a challenge I think last season, when any episode not spent pursing Lucifer had to explained why they were taking time out from the Apocalypse.

[ash48.livejournal.com]

*smish*

Oh honey... yes. So prophetic! Your saying has many meanings it would seem. :D

Rachel was lacking yes? And not through any fault of the actress but wow... she appeared from no where didn't she? It would have been great if they had established her as a friend to Cas a lot sooner. I mean, she came in all guns blazing, all serious business and then Cas kinda undermines her by helping the boys anyway. Curious. Then she calls him out on his "secret" and has to kill him?! Wow.... must be pretty heavy.

Though yeah. Mostly the Cas and war in heaven story line is a little yawny to me... but I am hoping they do something REALLY interesting with it in the next few episodes.

And yes... that yep could have been a lot longer!! I could wallow in them living in that era.

<33

[ash48.livejournal.com]

This episode will be my happy place for a long long time!

Oh indeed! How is show so happy making...?! And I love the vibe I got from Jensen - he seemed to be having an absolute ball. I hope we get some gag reel stuff from this ep.

Yeah, Cas is very curious to me at the moment. I suppose a little bit of me kinda hopes he tries to do something really morally questionable for the sake of the war but then can't... or something. I dunno. I think I might need to see more from the boys in their feelings for Cas. I like the way the Show is keeping Cas close to their chest... I think there will be some juicy reveals to come.

And yes re Eve. I like the way this has so far been played out. She's there and she matters but not in an all encompassing way. Though if she's meant to be an "end of the world" threat I think we'll need to see more of this pretty soon. Which I'm sure we will.

YAY SHOW! How awesome has this season been?! \o/

[el1ie.livejournal.com]

I loved it, loved it, ok, there were a few things I didn't quite GET and I wish I hadn't been spoilt for this one, that I'd gone into it as totally blind as last week - HOWEVER, they pretty much blew that all away with their own teasers didn't they?

Honestly if we get THIS Sam and Dean all the way to the end, I'll be happy - screw the plots - who needs plots with all that brotherly teasing/joy/love THING they have going now - god the looks on their little faces are to be treasured!

I'm going to watch it again tonight on the big TV - one thing I need to catch, I honestly thought Rachael stabbed Castiel on the other side....no biggy, just confused me for a moment, sure I'm wrong, no matter at all, actually what the heck - phhhht, I'm mainly watching the boys do their THING.

[ash48.livejournal.com]

I wish I hadn't been spoilt for this one

OMG! How was that even possible?! Seriously... it was EVERYWHERE... I'd say the only way is to not be on LJ or YT or anywhere.

I would love to have been unspoiled because I would have squealed very loudly when they actually went there. Though I did that when I found out any way. :D

And yeah... the boys doing there thing. How friggin happy making is it? I mean... it's been over 2 seasons in the waiting and I think by having them SO far apart it makes them being on the same page like this all the more fabulous. I think ( I HOPE!) they will continue like this right to the end of the season. I can't see what could have them at odd again (though... ack! we still have Sam's wall to worry about...)

Hee... now I will have to go and check the stabbing. .. just to see. :D

[bowtrunckle.livejournal.com]

I really enjoyed this episode, too! And for too many reasons to count. :)

I was so excited to see Rachel (a new angel!), but then she died. :( Boo. But I'm liking where Castiel's arc is going. Complexity and moral dilemmas = well-rounded characters ... hurray!

She's there but I don't get the sense (YET!) that she's any sort of real threat.

I remember feeling exactly this with Lilith in S3. We didn't even know her name until 3x09, and after which she only showed up on screen twice until the end of the season. But then look at the nicely spun plan with Lilith and Ruby that took 2 seasons to play out. So I'm hoping that the writers have some exciting plans laid out for Eve that we've yet to see.

[maenad.livejournal.com]

I have to be serious here for a minute because I did worry they may take Dean out of character for this but this Dean harkens back to "Hollywood Babylon" Dean. Gung-ho and right there. This is almost a late S2 Dean - joyful in his pursuit of hunts. Cocky, confident.... happy. Ok. So he stuffed up with the outfits but (relaxes brain) his heart was in the right place and provided some good laughs.

I quite liked that bit, actually - it played well into the appearances-versus-reality theme that they had going on with Castiel, Colt and the phoenix. It's so very Dean to get into the tangible aspects of an experience - try the food! poke it with a stick! - and as much as he may have whinged about the costumes when Sam first made him use them, I think they do help him play the roles he has to play. So it's natural for him to want the costume. But it's also very him to filter all his life experiences through his favourite films, so most of what he knows is wrong. The way he had to reconsider all his beliefs about his 'fetish', starting with the blanket, was probably very useful, given that one of his best friends seems to be up to his eyeballs in something dodgy. It's also reassuring to see how quickly he shed the things that weren't working - he's never been overfond of things that are fake or misleading.

Shades of grey. I LOVE that show often harkens back to those shades of grey first mentioned in Blood Lust. A monster who didn't need to be hunted and yet had to because he was "a monster". The human was worse it would seem.

Clever, I think, in the way it highlighted the way important roles can conflict. As the town sheriff, it was Dean's job to protect Finch: his wife had been murdered, he'd been framed and people had tried to kill him. He may have indulged in a bit of vigilantism, but given his circumstances he had few other options: you can't get justice when the sheriff and the judge are against you. But as a hunter, his job was to collect the ashes of the only phoenix he knew existed in order to destroy a monster who intends to slaughter as many as she can get her hands on. As the rebel angel, Castiel's role has been to do right by humans. But now he seems to think he has another role ...

The Mother story line is somewhat baffling. Though I don't mind because I don't feel like it's been set up as this HUGE problem (say like the YED or the apocalypse). I thought it was well addressed tonight with Sam's almost off hand comment with "this monster we are hunting". She's there but I don't get the sense (YET!) that she's any sort of real threat. I dunno. Either it's been poorly handled or deliberately kept low key to give us a big surprise as we near the end.

Personally, I think the Mother is something of a red herring. They've been doing that all season, with Dean (and now Sam as well) on the hunt for the real villain of the story. Is it Sam, all cold, strange and prone to feeding people to vampires? No - he's fine, now, and it wasn't really his fault anyway. Is it Balthazar? No - he's certainly dodgy, but he's acting under Castiel's orders, so he's not the root of the problem. Is it Crowley, king of hell? No - more easily dealt with than you might think. Samuel Campbell, with all his knowledge and his dangerous quest to retrieve Mary? Deader than a dodo.

Eve is just the latest person they've set up as our big evil monster for the season, no really, and I don't particularly believe it. I'm sure she'll be tough, but I don't think she's it. I think they're going to dispose of her sharply, like they have all the other potential villains, and turn around and look at whatever Castiel is up to.

This is speculation, not spoilers, by the way, just in case - I don't know anything, I just obsess a lot. :)

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Heee.... Rachel. The shortest lived new character. Show is killing them off before we even get to know them. :)

Though yeah... I really took an interest in her, I think she was doing right thing. But Cas... yeah..... interesting times ahead.

I remember feeling exactly this with Lilith in S3

oooh yeah. Good point. I think she might creep up on us. I mean, she's been around since the very first episode - the whole "new" monster arc etc. She's been this underlying threat and maybe she'll show her true colours as the season draws to a close. (YAY!).

And is there any chance that being called Eve has anything to do with an absent Adam? Probably not... but I am seriously hoping that Adam hasn't been completely forgotten.

xx

(love your icon. reminds me of when Gen poked Jared's ear with her finger...)

[redteekal.livejournal.com]

So glad you enjoyed it - sounds like you had as much fun as me watching it! So much love for the continuity in this episode and such great casting for such a pinnacle character of the boys' story in Samuel Colt. That actor did a great job. Ahhh yes poor Cas. I get the feeling our feathered friend is in much conflict now - not only out on battlefield Heaven but also within himself. I've sensed something dodgy going on with him since the last episode and maybe even earlier with Balti dropping hints all over the shop.
Zeee plot does zeee thicken!

Anyway it was all a very enjoyable romp and I have dedicated a picspammy entry to it because really - sooooo much pretty. But yes seeing the boys get all down and dirty and GRITTY would have been very good (add that one to my long list of featurelength movie ideas for this show).

And on a last note I have come up with a new slogan for US Post - US Postal Service We're better Than You Thought We Were. Astounding service there I tell you *vbg* ;-)

[growyourwings.livejournal.com]

Love Dean's little-boy happiness in this episode!

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Hey hi!

and as much as he may have whinged about the costumes when Sam first made him use them

Of course. Dean's first experience of costumes was hiring that suit in... *yikes* Phantom Traveler? Complaining about having to dress up and now it's almost a reversal. Dean eager to wear the costume and Sam less so.

I think they've really built on Dean's character since then - giving him the knowledge of films and hence wanting to kind of live those un-realities. (Man... there's meta there I'm sure.).

I actually gave some thought to why Dean would be SO familiar with films. I figure a hunters life has a lot of down time (between jobs) and therefore there's a lot of time to watch TV. Especially movie matinees - which consist of westerns. (yep! I think WAY too much about this stuff...).

was probably very useful, given that one of his best friends seems to be up to his eyeballs in something dodgy

ooh.. I'm curious about this. Do you mean Castiel? See - I struggle with seeing Cas as a real friend to Dean. I mean... yes. They have a bond. They've been through some stuff but I haven't seen Dean actually care much about what Cas is actually up to in heaven. At the moment we are only seeing a Dean that calls on Cas when he needs something. We are also only seeing a Cas who will appear when it's in his interest (ie..not when Sam needed help....). I dunno... the Cas / Boys relationship is really interesting at the moment.

I love your comparison between Dean and Cas and their "roles" and how that could change according to their circumstances. Man, there's some series meta there. Cas and Dean playing out these roles of what they know is "right" and what they have to do in the names of their jobs. Cool.

I think the Mother is something of a red herring.

Oh really?! Interesting. I can accept that. Though I think there would have to be a major turning of tables to make Eve redundant - in that she somehow becomes a pawn in someone else's game. Hmmm... Castiel's??? Interesting!

Lovin' your thinky thoughts here hun. Thanks so much for sharing. Can't wait to see where this heads. I think the Dean and Cas mirrors are particularly interesting..

xx

[stir-of-echoes.livejournal.com]

I just can't seem to gather my thoughts because I'm too busy bouncing about the room. This episode just made my day and OMG! BOYS!

I was totally unspoiled for this and right now I'm just blown away but I love what you wrote and OMG! BOYS!

*bounces*

[greyowl88.livejournal.com]

Wheeeeee....... what a ride that was!

INDEED! I so agree. :D

Wasn't Dean incredibly hot in that opening scene? I was like: OMG!- *faint*.
And that blanket joke. lol.

I love where they are going with Cas, since I like him a lot and I wouldn't want to see him as the always perfect angel, popping in to magic for the boys and leave again. So, to see him so on edge now, with secrets, and sort of lying (he didn't really say why Rachel tried to kill him, and it seems he didn't tell Bobby all the reason for touching his soul) makes a great story arc for him, I find.

For some reason, it really made me laugh to see the mobile phone coming out of that box after 150 years. It looked like it had been buried in the soil or something. Dirty and so obviously unfunctional. lol.

Anyway, great episode! I'll have to watch it again! :D

[august-monsoon.livejournal.com]

Basically everything you said.

It's definitely a breather before the storm and by the looks of things, boy is that storm going to be big.

Feels so good to have Show back on track and at it's best again!

[destina.livejournal.com]

HAPPY PLAAAACE. *flail* I think Sam is happiest when things are back to normal. Dean goofing around is part of that, but -- god, you know, going back three years now, things haven't been right with them at all, and this is like the FIRST GLIMPSE of it being not just better, but almost like it was for them before. I AM THRILLED.

[cece-away.livejournal.com]

I got the idea that Cas admitting that using a soul as a power source that could explode is a huge hint at what Cas is up to and why Rachel called it his dirty little secret.

I have this image now of Cas exploding a million souls as a huge power burst against Rapheal, not caring about the souls. That really is a dark path, Cas.

[amnisias.livejournal.com]

For some reason it made me rediculously happy that Dean called himself a slash sheriff....I don't even know why.

[bowtrunckle.livejournal.com]

maybe she'll show her true colours as the season draws to a close

I hope so. It would be nice if she was more calculating with a smart plan rather than just a nefarious monster mother set on destruction.

she's been around since the very first episode

My brain must be deader than I thought, I thought she was introduced in 6x12. *bonks head*

is there any chance that being called Eve has anything to do with an absent Adam?

I know! Did monster mama just make all those monsters by spontaneous generation or what? Consequently, we saw her stick her face on the truck driver's ear in 6x16 (presumably creating the Kahn Worm), but how did that work exactly? Does she need humans to somehow help make her monsters (which may explain why she wants to rule the human race)? Hmm, sounding awfully like a succubus but without the horizontal tango...

reminds me of when Gen poked Jared's ear with her finger...

They're too cute for words. :)

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Oh yes... so much fun. I honestly did not stop grinning the whole way through.

Yes... poor Cas...something is indeed going on. This war is taking its toll on him. Looks like he may be prepared to do something seriously dodgy to get the upper hand in heaven.

Oh man! A feature length western style SPN would be incredible. I'd LOVE to see that.

LOLZ new slogan. Indeed... that US postal service is Damn GOOD!

<33

(I'll check out your picspam. SO much pretty in that one..)

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Yeah. He was full of glee wasn't he?! Like a kid in a candy store. I've missed this Dean.
:)

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Wow... totally unspoiled? well done! That would have been some feat considering how much peeps were saying about it.

Totally *bounce* worthy episode. I think I'll have to watch it again today.
<33

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Oooooh yes honey. You have to watch it. No angst, just good old fashioned SPN fare.. and lots of good one liners.. :D :D

[ash48.livejournal.com]

\o/

Dean was rocking the western outfits!

Oooh yes... touching a human's soul seems to give angels more power. I think this will be very important in the future. oooooh.. I wonder if he'll have to touch the boys' souls to give him an extra boost or something? Though he did say he never wanted to do that again...He was referring to soul touching wasn't he?

Hmmm... curious to see where they go with this.

Hee... Sam's phone. I remember seeing Samuel Colt keep the phone and wondered what part it was going to play later. I can't say I was entirely thrilled with the ending - but *shrugs* it was a way out. And now they have the ashes so we'll see how they work against Eve.

\o/ Still 4 eps to go. :D

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Yeah... I'm predicting (well hoping!) for a big storm as we near the end. I'm really hoping to be surprised. I now just have to remain unspoiled....*g*

Show \o/

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Yes. Finally... FINALLY... they seem to be back on the same page. I mean, I figured they would be one day and looking back it's been an amazing journey but THANK GOD we have reached that point now. \o/

xx

[ash48.livejournal.com]

I thought she was introduced in 6x12.

Ah yes. That's true. I suppose I was thinking more in a sense of her overall story arc. There were new monsters being collected from the very beginning - I thought that tied into her (?). The "first" monsters... like the vampire.... but maybe I misunderstood that. (hee... easy done for me *g*)

Consequently, we saw her stick her face on the truck driver's ear in 6x16 (presumably creating the Kahn Worm), but how did that work exactly

yeah. It will be very interesting to see if this is explored further. I figure it will be. The human race will have to be in major peril for the bros to save them :)

xx

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Oooh yes. Interesting idea.... certainly souls will come into play for the final power play between Cas and Raph. It'll be interesting to see how far Cas is prepared to go. I think there is a dark path laid out before Cas - but will he take it? I look forward to finding out that's for sure.

<33

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Hee! I do. It's friggin' hilarious.

(with some slash pairings we may just need a Slash Sheriff..*g*)

xx

LOL... icon!

[turquoisetumult.livejournal.com]

Sarah, you took the words out of my mouth.

You just said it a lot more eloquently!

FANTASTIC EPISODE! ♥

[dotfic.livejournal.com]

This is the first dubbed "love letter to the fans" they've done that, well, actually felt like a love letter to me (because you know my track record on those eps. They just...traditionally don't work for me)! My curse is broken! This was such a shiny present. <3

Dean's confidence and badassery and cuteness, and Sam and Dean being so brotherly and their sheer adorable geekery together. Hearts for eyes forever. It's great the show is getting back to this, finally.

I don't know what's up with Castiel, he's scaring me and I also hurt for him. Rachel would've killed him if he hadn't killed her first, which makes me ask, why didn't she try to imprison him, and destina asked what could Castiel be doing so awful and it warrants execution from one of his trusted people.

With Sam and Dean it seems like Castiel has a dual thing going on, the wheels are always turning on the civil war and whatever his end goal is, while he is personally attached to them.

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Hee... \o/ It's hard not to be totally squeeful and bouncy with that one yeah?!

:D :D

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Yeah. Agreed about the "love letter". I think the last one was The French Mistake...yeah?! I'd rather them give us a shout out by making an awesome, fun episode than make something that they "think" we want to see.

Anyway. I'm glad your curse is broken. :D

what could Castiel be doing so awful and it warrants execution from one of his trusted people.

Oh yes. I think this was really brought home in this episode. Cas is really, really struggling with this "thing" he is doing. So it must be bad. You could see he didn't want to have to kill Rachel - but it was like he saw that he didn't have a choice. Oh Cas... :((

It'll be interesting to see if they take the route of Sam and Dean somehow pulling him back from the brink of doing something really bad. Maybe that's why he's sticking around them.. he knows they will (perhaps) be his moral compass when the time comes. Maybe. Grasping at straws because I have NO idea how this will play out.

<3

[dotfic.livejournal.com]

"Much of the time, I'd rather be here." It's both that he just likes them -- they're easier than his angel family -- and hm, yes, maybe he sort of believes in the back of his mind that they'll be a moral compass. I got a strong sense Castiel is scared of himself, and Sam and Dean offer him a touchstone. Meanwhile they're tainted role models themselves, while essentially good.

No, IDEK where they're going. *flails*

[stir-of-echoes.livejournal.com]

I knew there was a lot of excitement about the episode I couldn't help but pick up the buzz but I didn't know any details.

I've watched it three times already :)

[maenad.livejournal.com]

Hi! Sorry - I shouldn't post comments when I'm in high-speed-must-analyse mode. It makes me forget things like, well, manners. :)

Of course. Dean's first experience of costumes was hiring that suit in... *yikes* Phantom Traveler? Complaining about having to dress up and now it's almost a reversal. Dean eager to wear the costume and Sam less so.

Yes, but he was still grouching about it in Shadow. I think in the early episodes they were still establishing who they were, and for Sam trying on different hats was a natural part of that. For Dean even putting on a suit felt like a betrayal of the way things had always been (though I would love to know how he and John got by without them).

But over time, being able to adapt to a variety of bizarre situations has proved to be one of Dean's great strengths. It's a little sad that he has fantasies rather than options, but at the same time I think he derives a lot of pleasure from being able to try on different hats, and it has considerable practical value - he still screws up the occasional interview, but he's much better at playing the cop than he was when mocking everyone was his first instinct. And Sam has had so many assaults on his identity that a lot of the fun has gone out of playing dress up. He's comfortable in a suit because that's the job - but I think he'd rather just be Sam. And I think that was what played out here - it was Dean's job to belong to the town; it was Sam's job to convince someone that he didn't belong.

At the moment we are only seeing a Dean that calls on Cas when he needs something. We are also only seeing a Cas who will appear when it's in his interest (ie..not when Sam needed help....). I dunno... the Cas / Boys relationship is really interesting at the moment.

Well, yes - I think any friendship between the Winchesters and a supernatural being is bound to be complex, because the interests of supernatural beings have been at odds with those of humans. I think they were closer when Castiel was closer to human, but I think that for the moment they're still friends.

The trouble, I think, is that, having known Castiel as mostly human, Sam and Dean forget that at his most angelic he isn't very good at intuiting things - and that Castiel is suffering from hubris. The Winchester code of friendship seems fairly simple: they will drop everything to answer a distress call, and they expect the same in return. But you have to ask. They've gone to great lengths even for loose connections like Deacon and Martin, and for someone like Bobby there are very few requests they'll refuse.

Hunters seem to work alone, in pairs or in small groups and groups only come together if somebody rings and says 'A monster just chewed my leg off, please come', even if everybody is friendly. They called on Castiel a lot during the soulless arc, because as far as Dean was concerned that was a huge crisis and a damn good reason to call in everybody. They've called on him very little since then. Dean offered help once and was turned down ... and I think that's as far as they'll pry unless the world is in danger. This is Castiel's case: if he wants help, he'll ask.

And I think that shame, a sense of responsibility and an inability to grasp that he can and should ask has kept Castiel from calling on them. He gets tetchy when they interrupt him because he doesn't get that they expect him to descend on their heads and yell 'Help! Raphael is chewing my leg off!' if that's what's happening. The more things he tries other than asking for help, the darker it gets.

Oh really?! Interesting. I can accept that. Though I think there would have to be a major turning of tables to make Eve redundant - in that she somehow becomes a pawn in someone else's game. Hmmm... Castiel's??? Interesting!

Possibly - because Castiels doings are the biggest mystery. Their 'baddies' seem to be part of conspiracies and I don't think we've hit the top yet. Sam was Samuel's pawn and Samuel was Crowley's - and who knows quite how Crowley's master plan was supposed to play out, because Castiel offed him. Balthazar is under Castiel's orders.

And Eve in many ways seems to be the result of all the current strangeness in the world, rather than its cause.