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gwaevalarin) wrote2010-06-25 07:17 pm
gwaevalarin) wrote2010-06-25 07:17 pm
Castiel - Between Heaven and Earth (Part 4)
Just so you understand why I can't help you... (4x18)
Castiel is such a fanboy when it comes to the Winchester Gospel. He can't take his eyes off those books, barely listening to Dean and just distractedly explaining the importance and future glory of the series to him while he's busy admiring Chuck's bad writing.
Castiel is at the point now where he starts to carefully try out Dean's use of phrases. "I am not - kidding you." He explores how it feels to say things like that and if it's a choice of words he might use himself in the future if the oportunity arises. He also has such an amazing, dry sense of humour, mainly because he isn't even aware of having it.
Cas seems slightly annoyed when Dean asks him how they can prevent the prophecy from happening. Every fool knows that a prophecy can't be changed so how can Dean even ask? Don't those humans even know the most simple of rules? Does Castiel have to explain everyting to Dean? And why do they never read their bible?
But obviously Dean's question gets Castiel thinking about another rule he's never questioned. But what if it can be changed. Has anyone ever really tried? Castiel even has an idea how it may work in this case. Of course he can't disobey. But he can bend the rules. Especially if Dean sends a prayer to noone in particular. And who would be more a more obvious choice to answer this prayer then Dean's guardian angel?
When he turns up, Castiel hasn't quite made up his mind if he should really be so daring as to consciously circumvent the rules. But when Dean begs Cas to help the angel can't refuse. I think he makes his decision to help Dean at that point even though he might still need Dean's angry outburst to muster up the courage to go through with it.
I love this little conspiring moment between them because it so clearly shows the trust they have (re-)built by now. Castile will help Dean in every way he possibly can and dares to. And Dean does appreciate it because he knows how far Cas is going for him by giving him this hint about the archangel.
I serve heaven. I don't serve man. (4x20)
Castiel enters Dean's dream because it is the only place where he might have chance to slip Dean the directions to a place where they can talk without the other angels finding out. Wow, that's a rather complicated tactic. And it doesn't even work.
It looks like Castiel has thought about the whole changing a prophecy deal. He has seen that destiny can be changed after all. And he has finally decided to tell Dean the whole truth. It's an immensely huge risk Castiel is taking and he pays the price for trying. When Dean and Sam arrive at the meeting point, Cas is gone, dragged back to heaven, but not without a fight, and the Winchester boys only find Jimmy.
Side note: I know I said it before but I'm still impressed by how clearly you can see the difference between the characters. Jimmy wakes up, says one word and you know that's not Castiel.
Anyway, Jimmy's side of the story gives us a chance to go back to around the time Castiel saved Dean from hell and see how he convinced his vessel to say yes:
He tries a similar approach as he did with Dean and it doesn't work that well with Jimmy either. Is Castiel sure that there are humans who can understand (or even bear) his voice at first try?
It seems that Jimmy gets used to it somehow but Castiel still has a bit of convincing to do. I have to say, though, convincing him by asking him to put his arm into boiling water is a little odd. But hey, it works. And it's still a not nicer than some other angels' approaches. At least Jimmy says yes without being threatened. But I don't get the impression that Castiel told him all about the small print of their little contract, like the part about feeling like you're chained to a comet.
This whole having a body business is all very new to Castiel. He has the head tilts down from the start. Facial expressions, on the other hand, seem to be a lot more complicated. As are human needs an emotions. But he'll slowly learn about that, too. A year later, I'm sure, he wouldn't have left Claire standing like that without giving her any sign of sympathy or at least an explanation.
Back in the present, Castiel can't answer Jimmy's prayers but he comes back just in time to keep his promise and save Jimmy's family. Looks like it was very easy to convince Claire to say yes. And whatever he says later about only serving heaven, he still does care about the humans close to him. Sam's little vampire re-enactment, however, certainly plays more into heaven's hands when it comes to securing Castiel's loyalty.
But the most important person to take care of now is Jimmy, who's done everything Castiel has asked of him and deserves his "reward". I don't think Castiel is aware what his presence does to his vessel's original owner. When he tells Jimmy that Claire is with him it sounds like he's trying to tell him she's fine. Then again, Castiel is aware that the year was painful for Jimmy, so painful that he wants to spare him any more of it. So he must know that it's going to be equally painful for Claire. But the point is that he responds to Jimmy's wish, this time after making very sure that it really is what Jimmy wants out of the few options he has. And this time he at least gives them an apologetic look. He understands a little better by now what he did to this family and I'm sure he will take as good care of Jimmy as he can.
Before Castiel leaves he tells Dean that he has learned his lesson. But really? He looks defeated rather than brainwashed. A little bitter maybe because he feels Dean is the reason he had to go through this. But deep down his believes haven't changed. You can see it in the way he treated Jimmy and his family. Yes, he has learned his lesson but I don't think what he learned is that heaven is right and he is wrong. He only learned that disobedience will get him into deep trouble and it is a fight he doesn't believe he can win. So he'll rather lock away his doubts and feelings again. You might say that makes him a coward. But then again, it is tough to stand up for something that's so confusing and has so little chance of success when you just suffered a major setback and the alternative is to continue doing something you've done for thousands of years.
All screencaps from Misha-Collins.Net and Screencap Paradise
no subject
I love that you pointed this out because I truly adore how they've marked out the way in which Castiel expresses himself through the use of language, how he "bends" English to suit his persona and he uses all those words of latin origin. And it must really stand out even more for a native speaker (which unfortunately I'm not!).
Great job so far, I'm enjoying this so much!
no subject
And it must really stand out even more for a native speaker (which unfortunately I'm not!).
Me neither. And I think it's amazing how his use of language still stands out.
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