I'm glad that there's no risk of me changing your opinion on the episode. Just because I didn't like it doesn't mean I want to ruin it for you as well. That would be stupid.

I can sort of see your points but they didn't come across for me in the episode which, I guess, gets us back to my issues with the way the episode was written. And there's just nothing to be done about that. But it probably also means that the overall storyline still works for me and it is just an issue I have with this particular episode. That's encouraging.

Also, Cas wasn't in control of his vessel in Bloody Valentine, and while there were extenuating circumstances there that makes it canon enough for me that very strong human sensation might catch an angel unawares sometimes. Meaning I don't think a surprise boner contradicts anything.
In My Bloody Valentine, I always felt the point was that Cas wasn't in full possession of his powers and that was why Famine could get to him. But again, I guess that's just my interpretation.
I'm not trying to say that the boner really contradicts anything that has been stated in the show but it still felt out of place to me.

Anyway, with any luck Balthazar will be back soon and that will make everything better :D
Yes, I can't wait to have him back. :D