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gwaevalarin) wrote2011-02-26 04:02 pm
gwaevalarin) wrote2011-02-26 04:02 pm
Change of plans, kinda.
Before I actually watched the episode, I was planning on an epic post about the hilarity and the meta and all that, which, yes, brilliant. Not as over the top as I was expecting but absolutely brilliant. I worship the ground Ben Edlund walks on. I want him to take over the show and write every single episode.
But all the meta stuff, pales, absolutely pales in comparison to
Cas and Balthazar are working together! Genuinely working together, as a team, aslovers friends.
I died and went to heaven, right? &hearts &hearts &hearts
Let's start with that very first scene, shall we?
Balthazar turning up at Bobby's and starting the ritual, without any explanation. Just running around, gathering ingredients, pretty much ignoring the boys and acting like there is nothing weird about him helping them. That last part aside, it reminds me so much of the way Castiel acted when he did that ritual to find Bal in 6x03. Just that Bal is even more all over the place, talking about the "Godfather", and Dean and Sam are completely dumbstruck.
Bal seems slightly amused but even more annoyed by their reactions. Like he doesn't really like to help them, and much less for them to ask stupid questions when there is no time because Raphael is after them. But he seems worried too, and he does try to help them, and I knew in that moment that Cas had sent him.
"Where is Cas?"
"Cassie? He is deep, deep underground."
So, after Dean stole his nickname for Cas from him - yes, in my personal canon Bal totally called him that long before Dean was even in the picture - Bal found a new one. I do prefer "Cas" though, so let's stick with that, okay Bal?
Anyway, I don't know if Bal knows exactly where Cas is, but there is obviously some newfound trust between them. When Cas had to go into hiding, Balthazar was the one he went to to ask for help. Like I said before, Cas and Bal have some things to work out, but this friendship they have, this connection, it is still there. It didn't go away. When it really matters, they still have each others' backs, just like in old times. This is clearly more than a "the enemy of my enemy..." thing.
Bal cannot admit to anyone, including himself, how far he'd go to keep Castiel safe, can he? In 6x03 he acted like coming back was no big deal, now he pretends that the wound is nothing when I'm sure that it was a damn close call. He brushes it away. He almost desperately tries to keep it all light and carefree in this scene, but, behind all the talk and nonchalance, he's actually terrified.
I believe there are two reasons why he changed his mind about not getting involved. One, he genuinely cares about Cas. I don't think there's any doubt about that. But it's also starting to dawn on him that he can't escape the war. If he tries to ignore it and hide, the war will still find him. He's right in the middle of it, whether he likes it or not. Because that world he's just starting to explore and that offers him his freedom? That world is in danger. And Cas is his only hope. Cas was the one who opened the door to freedom and free will in the first place, and now he's the only one who can keep this dream alive.
The confrontation between Raphael and Balthazar later makes it crystal clear that Bal still doesn't give a toss about the Winchester boys. This is probably something he and Cas won't agree on, in no small parts because Bal cannot get over the fact that his Cas chose that stupid hairless ape over him once. But the hate is gone. Cas is, at least partly, his again. And as long as that is the case, he'll somehow accept that Dean is Cas' little pet human. He may not like it, but whatever.
We learn that the key was just a decoy, but a decoy for what: To give Castiel the weapons! Let's repeat that: Balthazar gave Castiel the weapons! He is putting all his trust and faith in Cas. They are on the same side now and then Balthazar stands there, facing Raphael, pretty much defenseless and just trusts Cas to turn up and save them. He literally trusts Cas with his life. I think Balthazar underestimated Cas before, but now he truly sees what his nerdy brother is capable of.
And holy crap, Cas. How could anyone resist that truly angelic aura surrounding him, that otherworldliness. There's almost something divine about him in that scene. If you ever wondered why Dean asked him if he was God in the season 5 finale, this is why. The voice, the natural authority that has an archangel stop dead inhis her tracks, the wings. While I love pretty much everything about Castiel, from his bamfness to his cluelessness when it comes to humans, this right there is why I am so devoted to this character.
Dean looks just as in awe as I feel, and Balthazar looks so proud. &hearts That short scene between them, that has to be my favourite scene of the episode. Cas still looks righteous and powerful, but his eyes get a little softer when Bal walks over to him.
"Well, Cas, now that you have your sword, try not to die by it."
This is such an amazing little moment between those two. There are so many emotions fighting each other in Castiel's eyes. There is love and pride, but he also looks sad. Like he doesn't expect them both to survive this war. Like he expects (knows?) that he'll lose Balthazar again, so shortly after they really found back together. And Balthazar seems to know it too. His smile is genuine, but there is some sadness in there too. I dearly hope that they'll both make it out of this in one piece, but I do fear for Balthazar's life, and I partly fear for Castiel's as well. But they wouldn't dare to kill Cas off, would they?
The way Dean has a go at Cas again for using them like that, and Cas apologising once more for doing what he had to do, because he's frakking fighting a civil war here that isn't just a threat to heaven but the whole world, all that makes me appreciate the moment between Cas and Bal even more.
But all the meta stuff, pales, absolutely pales in comparison to
Cas and Balthazar are working together! Genuinely working together, as a team, as
I died and went to heaven, right? &hearts &hearts &hearts
Let's start with that very first scene, shall we?
Balthazar turning up at Bobby's and starting the ritual, without any explanation. Just running around, gathering ingredients, pretty much ignoring the boys and acting like there is nothing weird about him helping them. That last part aside, it reminds me so much of the way Castiel acted when he did that ritual to find Bal in 6x03. Just that Bal is even more all over the place, talking about the "Godfather", and Dean and Sam are completely dumbstruck.
Bal seems slightly amused but even more annoyed by their reactions. Like he doesn't really like to help them, and much less for them to ask stupid questions when there is no time because Raphael is after them. But he seems worried too, and he does try to help them, and I knew in that moment that Cas had sent him.
"Where is Cas?"
"Cassie? He is deep, deep underground."
So, after Dean stole his nickname for Cas from him - yes, in my personal canon Bal totally called him that long before Dean was even in the picture - Bal found a new one. I do prefer "Cas" though, so let's stick with that, okay Bal?
Anyway, I don't know if Bal knows exactly where Cas is, but there is obviously some newfound trust between them. When Cas had to go into hiding, Balthazar was the one he went to to ask for help. Like I said before, Cas and Bal have some things to work out, but this friendship they have, this connection, it is still there. It didn't go away. When it really matters, they still have each others' backs, just like in old times. This is clearly more than a "the enemy of my enemy..." thing.
Bal cannot admit to anyone, including himself, how far he'd go to keep Castiel safe, can he? In 6x03 he acted like coming back was no big deal, now he pretends that the wound is nothing when I'm sure that it was a damn close call. He brushes it away. He almost desperately tries to keep it all light and carefree in this scene, but, behind all the talk and nonchalance, he's actually terrified.
I believe there are two reasons why he changed his mind about not getting involved. One, he genuinely cares about Cas. I don't think there's any doubt about that. But it's also starting to dawn on him that he can't escape the war. If he tries to ignore it and hide, the war will still find him. He's right in the middle of it, whether he likes it or not. Because that world he's just starting to explore and that offers him his freedom? That world is in danger. And Cas is his only hope. Cas was the one who opened the door to freedom and free will in the first place, and now he's the only one who can keep this dream alive.
The confrontation between Raphael and Balthazar later makes it crystal clear that Bal still doesn't give a toss about the Winchester boys. This is probably something he and Cas won't agree on, in no small parts because Bal cannot get over the fact that his Cas chose that stupid hairless ape over him once. But the hate is gone. Cas is, at least partly, his again. And as long as that is the case, he'll somehow accept that Dean is Cas' little pet human. He may not like it, but whatever.
We learn that the key was just a decoy, but a decoy for what: To give Castiel the weapons! Let's repeat that: Balthazar gave Castiel the weapons! He is putting all his trust and faith in Cas. They are on the same side now and then Balthazar stands there, facing Raphael, pretty much defenseless and just trusts Cas to turn up and save them. He literally trusts Cas with his life. I think Balthazar underestimated Cas before, but now he truly sees what his nerdy brother is capable of.
And holy crap, Cas. How could anyone resist that truly angelic aura surrounding him, that otherworldliness. There's almost something divine about him in that scene. If you ever wondered why Dean asked him if he was God in the season 5 finale, this is why. The voice, the natural authority that has an archangel stop dead in
Dean looks just as in awe as I feel, and Balthazar looks so proud. &hearts That short scene between them, that has to be my favourite scene of the episode. Cas still looks righteous and powerful, but his eyes get a little softer when Bal walks over to him.
"Well, Cas, now that you have your sword, try not to die by it."
This is such an amazing little moment between those two. There are so many emotions fighting each other in Castiel's eyes. There is love and pride, but he also looks sad. Like he doesn't expect them both to survive this war. Like he expects (knows?) that he'll lose Balthazar again, so shortly after they really found back together. And Balthazar seems to know it too. His smile is genuine, but there is some sadness in there too. I dearly hope that they'll both make it out of this in one piece, but I do fear for Balthazar's life, and I partly fear for Castiel's as well. But they wouldn't dare to kill Cas off, would they?
The way Dean has a go at Cas again for using them like that, and Cas apologising once more for doing what he had to do, because he's frakking fighting a civil war here that isn't just a threat to heaven but the whole world, all that makes me appreciate the moment between Cas and Bal even more.