Oh yes indeed. I think Dean most definitely needs someone like Cas to share the load with and I do think their relationship has been interesting. Often solid, sometimes painful but always shifting and trying to find the balance.

The bond between them is very clear and it's nice that Dean can have someone else (mostly...;D). I suppose because I am less interested in that relationship I usually find Dean and Cas scenes not so engaging. Though I did enjoy the ones in this episode. I really, really want to like Cas because he's in the show and I suspect he will be around for a while. I've just struggled to connect with him because I find the whole "angel" thing problematic. But I know that's purely personal.

I also think it's great other fans CAN enjoy a different ship to say Sam/Dean is they want one. :DD