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gwaevalarin) wrote2012-05-05 12:14 pm
gwaevalarin) wrote2012-05-05 12:14 pm
Entry tags:
Angels Make Everything Better
First of all: Our archangels weren't actually archangels, were they? They were just regular angels from Castiel's garrison, Which makes so much more sense.
Cas wakes up and Meg waits an entire night before she calls Sam and Dean. Not exactly comfortable with that, but I'll try not to read too much into it. What she did definitely do during that time is manipulate him into trusting here more than anyone else. She is the only one there after all, and she can feed him whatever she likes. Smart girl. Can't really blame her for that.
I love that Cas wears the trench coat over his hospital gown. It was probably just the only piece of clothing they had but still, it almost feels like the trench coat is a part of his true form at this point. Like he is still an angel as long as the trench coat is around. I think it makes him feel safer.
He seems so calm and collected in that first moment when he sees the boys, almost like everything is alright. You can see and hear the relief when Sam greets him. Funny how naive Sam still can be at times, actually believing (or simply wanting to) that everything may just magically be okay. Just this once.
But then Castiel starts with his "pull my finger" joke and you can see in his eyes that something is different, that this isn't Cas as we know him. And when he starts laughing it breaks my heart. But at the same time he seems so... excited. Like a child who feels the need to talk about all the little wonders of the world he has discovered today. And even though it's difficult to see someone you love suddenly act so differently, I think I could be okay with that. If I could actually believe that he is really happy in this state. He may be, during the peaceful moments, but he is so vulnerable. There will be more than a few scenes that prove that as much as he may seem like a happy child most of the tome, he's a very scared and scarred child too. I think in Castiel's mind right now, everything is beautiful, usually, but the moment something turns just a little bit wrong, it's a really big deal for him and he has no ideal how to handle it.
So as much as I'd like to say: But hey, at least he's not in pain and happy, I'm afraid he's really not.
Then there is the hug, and I'm honestly not sure what to make of that scene. I don't think I can really blame Sam and Dean for not hugging him back in that moment. It is a little awkward and unexpected, and I don't think it would actually feel like they're hugging Castiel anyway. But when Cas tells them he loves them he means it. It is a weird moment and a weird way to say it, but this is Castiel trying to show affection the best way he can right now. And I think the boys should at least acknowledge this instead of going right back to using him as a source of information.
They should also be a little more aware that Castiel is broken. It may not manifest the way they expected, he may not visibly be in pain, but they know what he took into his head, Sam more than anyone else, so how can they expect him to just act normal? He's not acting this way to annoy them, he's acting this way because he sacrificed himself to save Sam's life. He redeemed himself. If they really still think he owes them, I suggest they go and recheck the balance. So how about trying for a bit of patience because Castiel is doing the best he can, which, if you ask me, is more than anyone has any right left to ask for.
When Meg and Dean start fighting, it becomes really obvious for the first time just how delicate Castiel's state really is. The first sign of conflict, and he can't take it and is off, to sit by himself in the day room where he can find the peace and quiet he very desperately needs.
That scene between Meg and Sam? That's why I suddenly find myself, well... maybe not liking, but respecting Meg. She admits that she wants Cas for nothing but his power. And hey, that power is still there, and with just a little bit of skill and patience, it's probably not too hard to make sure that power is at her disposal whenever she needs it. Meg doesn't care if she breaks Cas in the process, why would she? She doesn't actually care about him, nor does she pretend to. So yeah, I definitely don't want her anywhere near Cas, but I can respect her for being a consistent character who knows what she wants and tries to survive.
Sam on the other hand disappoints me in that scene, talking about a broken angel like a broken weapon. Claiming that Cas still owes them like this is all that matters. I try to pretend that this is because he's talking to Meg, but Sam's starting to walk on thin ice now as well. I don't like that. Please don't, Sam. Not you too.
Castiel and Dean in the day room starts as something that has the potential to bring them a little closer again. Dean seems almost sympathetic there, for a second. But then he pretty much destoys it by telling Cas to his face that all he wants is for Cas to help them against the Leviathans. Not 'I want you to be yourself again', not 'I want to be able to forgive you'. No, just I want you to be my own personal weapon again.
Cas on the other hand does almost seem like his old self again for a moment. Trying to soothe Dean when telling him that he knows that these are not the answers he wants but Castiel doesn't have anything else to offer. He looks so sad, sad for Dean because Dean just won't understand.
And then Dean plays the guilt card again which is just... seriously? After everything Castiel did and is still trying to do. He's giving everything he has left, but it's still just not enough for Dean Winchester, so he reminds an angel with a broken wall, a traumatised 'friend', of the things that left him in this state? In which reality could that ever be an okay thing to do?
And then Castiel is holding up the "Sorry!" board game, and asks Dean if he wants to go first. I love the symbology in this. It's basically Castiel trying to communicate that they both did a lot of wrong, and how about Dean apologises first this time? Because he has at least as much to aplogise for at this point as Castiel does. Probably more since Dean never even hinted that he was sorry, while Castiel said it over and over again.
During the game Castiel tries to rebond with Dean. He plays the game with him, and he talks to him, and this is important to Cas. This is Cas trying to say: 'Here, look, we can still be friends, we can rebuild what we had. Please let's just be friends again.' And I don't know if Dean doesn't get it, or if he doesn't care, but he still just goes on about their mission. I get that's important. But if nothing else counts, and Cas isn't worth more than the help he can be in this fight, then what exactly is it you're fighting for?
I also don't understand how Dean can confront Castiel with the Godstiel episode and then be surprised that Castiel shies back to the symplicity of the game in front of him. Does Dean realise that he's pushing Cas into hiding even more by bringing that stuff up? Does he realise that he is causing even more damage? I don't care what reasons Dean might have, and how angry he still is, that is not how you treat someone who has been traumatised. But I'm starting to repeat myself.
Just look at Castiel's face when Dean swipes the game off the table. He flinches, he's terrified. He doesn't know what to do and how to react. And yes, he IS sorry - he shouldn't have to be anymore, but he is - he just can't communicate it any better.
In that first moment, When Hester and Inias turn up, they seem like your average douchebag Raphael followers. Considering we learn later that they are really not... makes you wonder what all the other angels we never really got to know where really like, doesn't it?
Castiel on the floor trying to clean up the mess everyone blames him for even though others are just as much at fault. The symbolism in this episode is killing me. And then he feels his brother and sister, and there is pure joy on his face. It's a connection to his family. Someone try to tell me again that angels don't care about each other?
Look at how Castiel basically bounces into the room to greet Hester and Inias, and how truly glad Inias is to see him. Despite everything. Hester is pissed, but hey, that's understandable. She's more hurt though. I think she trusted him in a similar way Rachel used to. So after he came back to Heaven and just killed thousands of angels, she just doesn't understand. She has no idea what happened and why. She is not as easily forgiving as Inias is, but she wants things to be alright again just as much. I think that's why she listens, when Castiel starts trying to aplogise and make up for everything. And if Castiel was truly himself, it may have worked.
But the way things are, Castiel is just as confused and terrified himself, and Hester has no idea what to make of his behaviour. Mentally unstable angel just doesn't usually happen.
When Castiel starts rambling, and tries to lighten the mood with his "pull my finger" joke, that's the most heartbreaking scene of the entire episode. He just wants to leave everything behind them, and start new, and be a family again. And he is just so scared because he doesn't know how he can make it work.
"We'll all look back and laugh."
There is this desperate plea in his eyes when he says that. Just please, please, please sister, let's just go back. Let's just pretend this all never happened so things can be the way they were again.
And then Dean uses the angel sigil that, as he knows very well, will banish all angels. Considering Castiel was the only one threatened at that moment, and considering he could end up God knows where, possibly together with the other two, and in his state... thanks for nothing, Dean.
Erm... I also think the boys need to brush up on his angel knowledge. First: No wings? No visible wings, but they have wing shadows, and wings burn into the ground when an angel dies, so I'd say they do have wings. Second: Where did Dean get the 'junkless' from in the first place, anyway? (Yes, I'm aware that he probably didn't mean that one literally.)
'Detective Collins.' LOl.
Seems Castiel is as okay as can be expected, and did not end up with Hester. Thank... sheer dumb luck, I guess. Meg tricking Castiel into believing that she is the most trustworthy of the people around is not going to end well, is it? It's interesting though, that Meg, who doesn't actually care about Cas, is still the only one who at least understands how to play along and make him believe she does.
Was that meant as a Dogma reference? When Castiel is introduced to Kevin?
And then we have Castiel rambling again. About the good old times, when everything was okay. When he knew who he was, when he knew where he was going, when he had a family and a purpose. This entire episode he wants nothing more than to just go back. And again Dean just snaps at him, for being traumatised and acting accordingly. Yeah, that's going to make things better...
Castiel is so confused that Dean is angry at him, when he is telling them all these happy - and boring, but boring can be good - things, and tries to be nice, and open, and a friend. and just go back to good old times when they all were so much happier.
"I don't fight anymore. I watch the bees."
These are the words of someone who is so broken by the war, that he can't fight anymore. It's not just that he doesn't want to, he can't. He can't even consider it. He's in denial about why he doesn't fight anymore, or he'd just break down under the pessure and pain, but it's so clearly there, and that's pretty scary and just one more reason why Dean needs to stop verbally throwing punches, because one of them will break through, and I'm not sure there will be anything left to recover after that.
The way I see it, the boys have two choices: They can either let Castiel go to watch the bees and hope that he won't ever be confronted with anything that will break his walls down. If they do that, fine, then I say they are even - not really, but I'll accept it - and can fully concentrate on their own lives and problems. Or they can try and win Castiel back as an ally, ask him to use his powers for their goals, but then they have to accept the needs he has right now, and then they are responsible for keeping him stable because Castiel can't take responsibility for that himself at the moment, and they have to bring up as much patience as it requires. You can't have him just as a weapon. Either you get all of Castiel, including his current issues, or you leave him the fuck alone.
No one can force them to forgive him, but they have to decide if they still want him in their lives or not.
Fortunately, Sam is his kind and lovely self again and shows actual concern about Castiel. Do you notice how Castiel seems a lot more like himself again, all of a sudden? No jokes, no rambling, just calm and honest. But saying that taking on Sam's pain was a good thing for him... he actually does believe that right now, doesn't he? I mean yeah, it stopped hurting after that. But not because he got better, but because it got so bad that he just shut down. And now it's an even longer way back if Cas can even still find it.
It's so obvious in the way Castiel looks as Sam confused and asks him what he means by better. He is so far gone that he doesn't even realise he's lost anymore. And you know, that could be okay, he could at least have peace, if there was a way to ensure that it stays. If Balthazar (or Inias) could bring him to his favourite Heaven and make sure that he won't be disturbed. It would still be tragic and heartbreaking, but possibly the most "happy" ending that's left for Cas.
Still, a big thank you to Sam for bringing it up. For saying that he understands, and that he knows that Cas always only tried to help. Castiel may not understand it right now, but I think it will make a difference if (and when) the walls break down.
Dean's "angels don't have the equipment to care" speech seems really weird when you comapre it to the actions of every single angel we see in this episode. I mean, was that scene actually meant to contradict the rest of the episode? Or is the show actually still trying - and failing - to convince us that humans are better than everyone else? I honestly can't tell. Ben, what were you trying to achieve here?
Okay, Meg? Walking into that Devil's Trap was a tiny bit careless and stupid, wouldn't you say?
I love how Cas looks sorry. Like he wants to say: 'It wasn't my idea. I told them it was mean, but they wouldn't listen.'
And there are our two new angels again. Hester is still angry and confused, Inias tries to reason with his brother because no matter what Dean says, angels do care about each other, and Castiel looks so small, and Dean just snaps at everyone who might have wings, Hester as well as Castiel. Which makes Castiel look even smaller when he tries to pretend that everything that happened happened to someone else in another world, in a story probably, and he just pretty much retreats to saying what he thinks Dean probably wants to hear about that angel who did all that because his mind really cannot deal with the fact that this was him anymore.
And then it becomes really obvious that Hester is only so angry because she cares as well. He sees Dean as the one who took Castiel, their brother, from them and destroyed him. Everything was okay in Heaven, until Dean came along, and then everything fell apart. If you think about it, it's kinda true. As much as the show wants to be about free will, and about how it is worth the pain, I actually don't think it is for the angels anymore. I do believe they really were happier before. And that makes me sad.
Once again Castiel steps up for Dean, despite everything, and Hester just snaps. There is true sadness in her voice when he tells him no, and nothing but pain when she starts hitting him. Another angel broken. Castiel just accepts it. Because he can't fight anymore, because underneath the madness he still believes that he deserves this.
And then there is Inias, who just wants his family back together. Who just wants the few angels who are left safe. Who just wants his brother to come home with him.
I'm so sorry, Hester. I'm sorry it had to come to this.
And I'm sorry that Castiel and Inias had to lose another sister.
Most beautiful scene of the entire episode, probably the entire season: Castiel and Inias standing next to each other, talking calmly. Again, Castiel a lot more like he used to be, because he feels safe. The way Inias tells Castiel he wishes he'd just come home with him, touching his arm, giving him an affectionate little smile, but accepting that Castiel won't come home, at least not yet. Maybe one day, even though Castiel's words sound pretty final, but who knows. I hope he will go back to his family one day. Now that we know that there is at least one brother left who truly cares about Castiel, someone he can return home to. I think Balthazar would feel a huge weight lifted off his shoulders if he could see this.
I hope we see Inias again. Then again, I don't want him to get hurt. I also hope that he will take over Hester's place. He doesn't strike me as much of a leader, but I think he is exactly who the angels need right now.
"Well, you know me. Always happy to bleed for the Winchesters."
I equally love and hate how this episodes references all these important things. Not really serious, not really joking about it either. Almost throw away lines if they didn't have so much meaning. Ben, why are you doing this to me? It's like your dangling all those topics that I feel the show desperately needs to raise in front of us, but don't really talk about them. Except that you kinda do, and I'm not sure if it's good enough for now, or really not at all.
And then Castiel is off, and part of me wishes that could be it. The last we see of him on the show. That, broken as he is, he could still find some peace somewhere, that maybe Inias will come by to visit once in a while just to make sure he's doing okay. Maybe convince him to come home one day, when Castiel is ready. With this ending I could at least convince myself that maybe Cas has a chance to recover and heal again, some day. Eternity is a long time after all.
But I'm afraid that even this tragic is still too lucky for this show. Looking at how easily the two angels are slaughtered by the Leviathans, there still seems to be no peace for any of them.
Edit: One question: Why would the Leviathans dig up the one relic that tells people how they can be killed?
Cas wakes up and Meg waits an entire night before she calls Sam and Dean. Not exactly comfortable with that, but I'll try not to read too much into it. What she did definitely do during that time is manipulate him into trusting here more than anyone else. She is the only one there after all, and she can feed him whatever she likes. Smart girl. Can't really blame her for that.
I love that Cas wears the trench coat over his hospital gown. It was probably just the only piece of clothing they had but still, it almost feels like the trench coat is a part of his true form at this point. Like he is still an angel as long as the trench coat is around. I think it makes him feel safer.
He seems so calm and collected in that first moment when he sees the boys, almost like everything is alright. You can see and hear the relief when Sam greets him. Funny how naive Sam still can be at times, actually believing (or simply wanting to) that everything may just magically be okay. Just this once.
But then Castiel starts with his "pull my finger" joke and you can see in his eyes that something is different, that this isn't Cas as we know him. And when he starts laughing it breaks my heart. But at the same time he seems so... excited. Like a child who feels the need to talk about all the little wonders of the world he has discovered today. And even though it's difficult to see someone you love suddenly act so differently, I think I could be okay with that. If I could actually believe that he is really happy in this state. He may be, during the peaceful moments, but he is so vulnerable. There will be more than a few scenes that prove that as much as he may seem like a happy child most of the tome, he's a very scared and scarred child too. I think in Castiel's mind right now, everything is beautiful, usually, but the moment something turns just a little bit wrong, it's a really big deal for him and he has no ideal how to handle it.
So as much as I'd like to say: But hey, at least he's not in pain and happy, I'm afraid he's really not.
Then there is the hug, and I'm honestly not sure what to make of that scene. I don't think I can really blame Sam and Dean for not hugging him back in that moment. It is a little awkward and unexpected, and I don't think it would actually feel like they're hugging Castiel anyway. But when Cas tells them he loves them he means it. It is a weird moment and a weird way to say it, but this is Castiel trying to show affection the best way he can right now. And I think the boys should at least acknowledge this instead of going right back to using him as a source of information.
They should also be a little more aware that Castiel is broken. It may not manifest the way they expected, he may not visibly be in pain, but they know what he took into his head, Sam more than anyone else, so how can they expect him to just act normal? He's not acting this way to annoy them, he's acting this way because he sacrificed himself to save Sam's life. He redeemed himself. If they really still think he owes them, I suggest they go and recheck the balance. So how about trying for a bit of patience because Castiel is doing the best he can, which, if you ask me, is more than anyone has any right left to ask for.
When Meg and Dean start fighting, it becomes really obvious for the first time just how delicate Castiel's state really is. The first sign of conflict, and he can't take it and is off, to sit by himself in the day room where he can find the peace and quiet he very desperately needs.
That scene between Meg and Sam? That's why I suddenly find myself, well... maybe not liking, but respecting Meg. She admits that she wants Cas for nothing but his power. And hey, that power is still there, and with just a little bit of skill and patience, it's probably not too hard to make sure that power is at her disposal whenever she needs it. Meg doesn't care if she breaks Cas in the process, why would she? She doesn't actually care about him, nor does she pretend to. So yeah, I definitely don't want her anywhere near Cas, but I can respect her for being a consistent character who knows what she wants and tries to survive.
Sam on the other hand disappoints me in that scene, talking about a broken angel like a broken weapon. Claiming that Cas still owes them like this is all that matters. I try to pretend that this is because he's talking to Meg, but Sam's starting to walk on thin ice now as well. I don't like that. Please don't, Sam. Not you too.
Castiel and Dean in the day room starts as something that has the potential to bring them a little closer again. Dean seems almost sympathetic there, for a second. But then he pretty much destoys it by telling Cas to his face that all he wants is for Cas to help them against the Leviathans. Not 'I want you to be yourself again', not 'I want to be able to forgive you'. No, just I want you to be my own personal weapon again.
Cas on the other hand does almost seem like his old self again for a moment. Trying to soothe Dean when telling him that he knows that these are not the answers he wants but Castiel doesn't have anything else to offer. He looks so sad, sad for Dean because Dean just won't understand.
And then Dean plays the guilt card again which is just... seriously? After everything Castiel did and is still trying to do. He's giving everything he has left, but it's still just not enough for Dean Winchester, so he reminds an angel with a broken wall, a traumatised 'friend', of the things that left him in this state? In which reality could that ever be an okay thing to do?
And then Castiel is holding up the "Sorry!" board game, and asks Dean if he wants to go first. I love the symbology in this. It's basically Castiel trying to communicate that they both did a lot of wrong, and how about Dean apologises first this time? Because he has at least as much to aplogise for at this point as Castiel does. Probably more since Dean never even hinted that he was sorry, while Castiel said it over and over again.
During the game Castiel tries to rebond with Dean. He plays the game with him, and he talks to him, and this is important to Cas. This is Cas trying to say: 'Here, look, we can still be friends, we can rebuild what we had. Please let's just be friends again.' And I don't know if Dean doesn't get it, or if he doesn't care, but he still just goes on about their mission. I get that's important. But if nothing else counts, and Cas isn't worth more than the help he can be in this fight, then what exactly is it you're fighting for?
I also don't understand how Dean can confront Castiel with the Godstiel episode and then be surprised that Castiel shies back to the symplicity of the game in front of him. Does Dean realise that he's pushing Cas into hiding even more by bringing that stuff up? Does he realise that he is causing even more damage? I don't care what reasons Dean might have, and how angry he still is, that is not how you treat someone who has been traumatised. But I'm starting to repeat myself.
Just look at Castiel's face when Dean swipes the game off the table. He flinches, he's terrified. He doesn't know what to do and how to react. And yes, he IS sorry - he shouldn't have to be anymore, but he is - he just can't communicate it any better.
In that first moment, When Hester and Inias turn up, they seem like your average douchebag Raphael followers. Considering we learn later that they are really not... makes you wonder what all the other angels we never really got to know where really like, doesn't it?
Castiel on the floor trying to clean up the mess everyone blames him for even though others are just as much at fault. The symbolism in this episode is killing me. And then he feels his brother and sister, and there is pure joy on his face. It's a connection to his family. Someone try to tell me again that angels don't care about each other?
Look at how Castiel basically bounces into the room to greet Hester and Inias, and how truly glad Inias is to see him. Despite everything. Hester is pissed, but hey, that's understandable. She's more hurt though. I think she trusted him in a similar way Rachel used to. So after he came back to Heaven and just killed thousands of angels, she just doesn't understand. She has no idea what happened and why. She is not as easily forgiving as Inias is, but she wants things to be alright again just as much. I think that's why she listens, when Castiel starts trying to aplogise and make up for everything. And if Castiel was truly himself, it may have worked.
But the way things are, Castiel is just as confused and terrified himself, and Hester has no idea what to make of his behaviour. Mentally unstable angel just doesn't usually happen.
When Castiel starts rambling, and tries to lighten the mood with his "pull my finger" joke, that's the most heartbreaking scene of the entire episode. He just wants to leave everything behind them, and start new, and be a family again. And he is just so scared because he doesn't know how he can make it work.
"We'll all look back and laugh."
There is this desperate plea in his eyes when he says that. Just please, please, please sister, let's just go back. Let's just pretend this all never happened so things can be the way they were again.
And then Dean uses the angel sigil that, as he knows very well, will banish all angels. Considering Castiel was the only one threatened at that moment, and considering he could end up God knows where, possibly together with the other two, and in his state... thanks for nothing, Dean.
Erm... I also think the boys need to brush up on his angel knowledge. First: No wings? No visible wings, but they have wing shadows, and wings burn into the ground when an angel dies, so I'd say they do have wings. Second: Where did Dean get the 'junkless' from in the first place, anyway? (Yes, I'm aware that he probably didn't mean that one literally.)
'Detective Collins.' LOl.
Seems Castiel is as okay as can be expected, and did not end up with Hester. Thank... sheer dumb luck, I guess. Meg tricking Castiel into believing that she is the most trustworthy of the people around is not going to end well, is it? It's interesting though, that Meg, who doesn't actually care about Cas, is still the only one who at least understands how to play along and make him believe she does.
Was that meant as a Dogma reference? When Castiel is introduced to Kevin?
And then we have Castiel rambling again. About the good old times, when everything was okay. When he knew who he was, when he knew where he was going, when he had a family and a purpose. This entire episode he wants nothing more than to just go back. And again Dean just snaps at him, for being traumatised and acting accordingly. Yeah, that's going to make things better...
Castiel is so confused that Dean is angry at him, when he is telling them all these happy - and boring, but boring can be good - things, and tries to be nice, and open, and a friend. and just go back to good old times when they all were so much happier.
"I don't fight anymore. I watch the bees."
These are the words of someone who is so broken by the war, that he can't fight anymore. It's not just that he doesn't want to, he can't. He can't even consider it. He's in denial about why he doesn't fight anymore, or he'd just break down under the pessure and pain, but it's so clearly there, and that's pretty scary and just one more reason why Dean needs to stop verbally throwing punches, because one of them will break through, and I'm not sure there will be anything left to recover after that.
The way I see it, the boys have two choices: They can either let Castiel go to watch the bees and hope that he won't ever be confronted with anything that will break his walls down. If they do that, fine, then I say they are even - not really, but I'll accept it - and can fully concentrate on their own lives and problems. Or they can try and win Castiel back as an ally, ask him to use his powers for their goals, but then they have to accept the needs he has right now, and then they are responsible for keeping him stable because Castiel can't take responsibility for that himself at the moment, and they have to bring up as much patience as it requires. You can't have him just as a weapon. Either you get all of Castiel, including his current issues, or you leave him the fuck alone.
No one can force them to forgive him, but they have to decide if they still want him in their lives or not.
Fortunately, Sam is his kind and lovely self again and shows actual concern about Castiel. Do you notice how Castiel seems a lot more like himself again, all of a sudden? No jokes, no rambling, just calm and honest. But saying that taking on Sam's pain was a good thing for him... he actually does believe that right now, doesn't he? I mean yeah, it stopped hurting after that. But not because he got better, but because it got so bad that he just shut down. And now it's an even longer way back if Cas can even still find it.
It's so obvious in the way Castiel looks as Sam confused and asks him what he means by better. He is so far gone that he doesn't even realise he's lost anymore. And you know, that could be okay, he could at least have peace, if there was a way to ensure that it stays. If Balthazar (or Inias) could bring him to his favourite Heaven and make sure that he won't be disturbed. It would still be tragic and heartbreaking, but possibly the most "happy" ending that's left for Cas.
Still, a big thank you to Sam for bringing it up. For saying that he understands, and that he knows that Cas always only tried to help. Castiel may not understand it right now, but I think it will make a difference if (and when) the walls break down.
Dean's "angels don't have the equipment to care" speech seems really weird when you comapre it to the actions of every single angel we see in this episode. I mean, was that scene actually meant to contradict the rest of the episode? Or is the show actually still trying - and failing - to convince us that humans are better than everyone else? I honestly can't tell. Ben, what were you trying to achieve here?
Okay, Meg? Walking into that Devil's Trap was a tiny bit careless and stupid, wouldn't you say?
I love how Cas looks sorry. Like he wants to say: 'It wasn't my idea. I told them it was mean, but they wouldn't listen.'
And there are our two new angels again. Hester is still angry and confused, Inias tries to reason with his brother because no matter what Dean says, angels do care about each other, and Castiel looks so small, and Dean just snaps at everyone who might have wings, Hester as well as Castiel. Which makes Castiel look even smaller when he tries to pretend that everything that happened happened to someone else in another world, in a story probably, and he just pretty much retreats to saying what he thinks Dean probably wants to hear about that angel who did all that because his mind really cannot deal with the fact that this was him anymore.
And then it becomes really obvious that Hester is only so angry because she cares as well. He sees Dean as the one who took Castiel, their brother, from them and destroyed him. Everything was okay in Heaven, until Dean came along, and then everything fell apart. If you think about it, it's kinda true. As much as the show wants to be about free will, and about how it is worth the pain, I actually don't think it is for the angels anymore. I do believe they really were happier before. And that makes me sad.
Once again Castiel steps up for Dean, despite everything, and Hester just snaps. There is true sadness in her voice when he tells him no, and nothing but pain when she starts hitting him. Another angel broken. Castiel just accepts it. Because he can't fight anymore, because underneath the madness he still believes that he deserves this.
And then there is Inias, who just wants his family back together. Who just wants the few angels who are left safe. Who just wants his brother to come home with him.
I'm so sorry, Hester. I'm sorry it had to come to this.
And I'm sorry that Castiel and Inias had to lose another sister.
Most beautiful scene of the entire episode, probably the entire season: Castiel and Inias standing next to each other, talking calmly. Again, Castiel a lot more like he used to be, because he feels safe. The way Inias tells Castiel he wishes he'd just come home with him, touching his arm, giving him an affectionate little smile, but accepting that Castiel won't come home, at least not yet. Maybe one day, even though Castiel's words sound pretty final, but who knows. I hope he will go back to his family one day. Now that we know that there is at least one brother left who truly cares about Castiel, someone he can return home to. I think Balthazar would feel a huge weight lifted off his shoulders if he could see this.
I hope we see Inias again. Then again, I don't want him to get hurt. I also hope that he will take over Hester's place. He doesn't strike me as much of a leader, but I think he is exactly who the angels need right now.
"Well, you know me. Always happy to bleed for the Winchesters."
I equally love and hate how this episodes references all these important things. Not really serious, not really joking about it either. Almost throw away lines if they didn't have so much meaning. Ben, why are you doing this to me? It's like your dangling all those topics that I feel the show desperately needs to raise in front of us, but don't really talk about them. Except that you kinda do, and I'm not sure if it's good enough for now, or really not at all.
And then Castiel is off, and part of me wishes that could be it. The last we see of him on the show. That, broken as he is, he could still find some peace somewhere, that maybe Inias will come by to visit once in a while just to make sure he's doing okay. Maybe convince him to come home one day, when Castiel is ready. With this ending I could at least convince myself that maybe Cas has a chance to recover and heal again, some day. Eternity is a long time after all.
But I'm afraid that even this tragic is still too lucky for this show. Looking at how easily the two angels are slaughtered by the Leviathans, there still seems to be no peace for any of them.
Edit: One question: Why would the Leviathans dig up the one relic that tells people how they can be killed?
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Thank you so much for this, for taking the time to explain your views on the symbolism of that scene. I didn't see it the first time around and then all the people on my flist going on about how awesome the Sorry game was, without ever saying WHY, yeah, that was annoying. Gotta say, though, the game scene between Dean and Cas affected me much less than did the later scene between Sam and Castiel -- that one with actual talking and communicating, rather than all the subtext of the game. 7.21 will probably never go down as one of my top-10 SPN episodes, but that scene with forgiving!Sam and accepting!Castiel? Beautiful. I'll never forget it.
Why would the Leviathans dig up the one relic that tells people how they can be killed?
To keep their enemies from finding it first, probably. Alas for them, with Winchesters around, the best-laid plans of mice and Leviathan . . . ;)
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The board game scene could have been just as beautiful but unfortunately the communication didn't work at all. So it was mostly heartbreaking and sad to watch Cas try, and Dean just not get it.
I honestly can't tell you whether I love or hate this episode, which usually means that it was really good. I feel kinda uncomfortable with what happened, but that may be the idea. I guess it all depends on where the show goes from here. If they will address all the issues that were at least hinted in this episode again, or if it was a one time thing.
To keep their enemies from finding it first, probably. Alas for them, with Winchesters around, the best-laid plans of mice and Leviathan . . . ;)
Well, considering that no one even knew it existed, and it awakened a prophet and an angel, not destroying it right away may not have been the smartest move. Then again, Kevin may be both, the person who can help to kill them and the key to reach their goal. A little like the Colt was for Azazel.
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I like this. Very much. And would go a very long way towards explaining why the Leviathan felt the need to kidnap Kevin, because they really wouldn't have known that he had the stone tablet on him.
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Did Meg really openly admit to only wanting Castiel for his power, nothing more?
Because if so, that really puts more commentary between those who use Castiel and aren't hiding behind a facade of friendship between those who do, like Sam and Dean repeatedly throughout these last two seasons. And this episode in particular shined light on that precisely. I don't like Meg, and I find her presence irrelevant at this point, but if what you stated about her character is true than I definitely respect a certain level of character consistency; Meg is not the good guy, never pretends to be. She's a demon out for her own survival and will do whatever it takes with no apology whatsoever. Including manipulating a completely broken angel to achieve whatever goal she has.
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Not to Castiel, obviously. She's not stupid, but she did say it to Sam. Here is the quote I'm mainly getting it from, so you can decide for yourself.
The scene is Sam and Meg talking about whom Cas would probably follow right now if they both asked him:
Sam: "What do you want with a broken angel. Don't be stupid."
Meg: "I take power where I can get it. I've got myself to look out for."
There more I think about the episode, the more I'm under the impression that it was meant as hidden critizism of the show's standards.
When Castiel says "You know me. Always happy to bleed for the Winchesters." there is a hint of sarcasm there that's not conistent with his current state of mind.
Could be the suppressed, broken part of Castiel speaking. Could be Ben Edlund. Could be Misha. Or maybe a combination of all three.
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It's gonna backfire, of course. Horribly. Hopefully with smiting consequences.
Could be the suppressed, broken part of Castiel speaking. Could be Ben Edlund. Could be Misha. Or maybe a combination of all three.
Certainly a combination. How can it not be? Particularly the last two, since both Edlund and Misha care deeply about Castiel. It shined light on not only the unfair treatment of Castiel, but the double standards featured concerning the Winchesters. The show has been placing them on a high moral pedestal which is unrealistic to how they are portrayed, sometimes I wonder if the show is even aware they're doing it or if they even care because they haven't shown the boys acknowledging or learning from it. Even after certain characters call them out on their bullshit.
Here, Edlund made sure there was more to it than that; Castiel with the Sorry game, showing how much he apologizes yet neither Sam nor Dean have reciprocated. After Dean knocks over the Sorry game Castiel kneels down and picks up the pieces -- demonstrating that not only after every single time Castiel apologizes Dean dismisses it or gets angry, but that Castiel always has to clean up these messes for the boys. That line of "Always happy to bleed for the Winchesters" is an obvious snark at how they've been treating Castiel over these last two seasons that I just can't imagine anyone missing the intention of such a line. The fact that they ask him to sacrifice for them, doing their bidding, and while they never do the same for him when he needs help the most Castiel always does it. He always sacrifices himself for them.
It's almost painful seeing these things come to light. We all knew about it, but the way Edlund just brutally places these things into the episode, making it loud and clear, makes it even more heartbreaking. The fact it took this long for this shit to get called out on is a real damn shame because they could have dealt with it all season long, all last season too, without all these ridiculous fillers. Such a damn waste, really. We could have had all these amazing character explorations, but the show decided to wait until the last second to deal with them.
(I'm saying this as someone who hasn't watched the episode, but knows enough from the ~feels of tumblr gifs and people pointing it out and talking about it)
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My only fear is that it is just this one episode and that everything will be back to the way things were again next episode without ever being addressed properly.
But then I remember season 8 with Jeremy Carver in charge. I have enough faith in him to believe that these double standards - to that extent at least - will only last for two more episodes.
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If nothing else, I would like those double standards to be addressed more frequently, acknowledged by the Winchesters themselves, and for them to deal with it proper instead of ignoring it. The show has failed at making that an essential part of their character developments, which is why I am tired of Sam and Dean in general because they never learn and always think they are in the right while everyone else is in the wrong, or just plain writer inconsistency in general. That is not how you do characterization growth, and I'm hoping with Carver, a man who has done episodes were there's massive amounts of development happening, can manage to fix this fault which can make a huge difference with moving the show forward and progress naturally.
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how can they expect him to just act normal? He's not acting this way to annoy them [...] So how about trying for a bit of patience because Castiel is doing the best he can
I honestly think they GET that. They just... don't know how to handle it. They WANT him normal so bad they keep forgetting he's not. You can see this every time Dean loses it with Cas - he gets mad, then he'll reign himself in, close his eyes like he's berating himself and then start talking softer. They are TRYING to be patient and caring with Cas as best they can.
Meg doesn't care if she breaks Cas in the process, why would she? She doesn't actually care about him, nor does she pretend to
Doesn't she? Personally... I'm starting to wonder... but we'll see how this plays out. I think it might be kinda cool if it turns out Cas has really GOT to Meg and she ends up, IDK, making a sacrifice for him of something... and it would certainly be a kick in the teeth for Dean to see a DEMON doing better by his friend than him! But yeah, no certainties on that.
Sam on the other hand disappoints me in that scene, talking about a broken angel like a broken weapon. Claiming that Cas still owes them like this is all that matters.
I didn't really read that scene like that. It was more... Sam was pissed that Meg was effectively taking his friend away. She had him riled up, so he said some harsh things. She was the one who started out referring to Cas as a weapon, so he simply responded in kind... I don't think how Sam really feels about Cas is anywhere near like that. The conversation Sam and Cas have later shows that IMO.
he pretty much destoys it by telling Cas to his face that all he wants is for Cas to help them against the Leviathans. Not 'I want you to be yourself again', not 'I want to be able to forgive you'. No, just I want you to be my own personal weapon again.
Oh god, no, I don't think that's what Dean was saying AT ALL! 'I want you to button up your coat and help us fight' is Dean FOR 'I want you to be yourself again' and 'I want to forgive you.' He's not saying it coldly, he's PLEADING, he's DESPERATE. He wants things to be how they used to be between them, and how they used to be was as soldiers together. He doesn't get that Cas has, or is trying, to move away from that kind of life.
I don't know if Dean doesn't get it, or if he doesn't care
He doesn't get it. I can't watch this episode, watch Dean's FACE whenever Cas is in the room, watch him RUSH to Cas' defense when Hestor tries to kill him and possibly think Dean doesn't care. He cares HUGELY for Cas in this episode. But these two have always been about miscommunication, why stop now? Dean can't see what Cas is trying to tell him, because Cas has moved BEYOND him. Cas is thinking beyond mission, he's thinking for himself, LIVING for himself in a way Dean has yet to do.
Dean is still seeing a friend who betrayed him, a friend he lost, a friend who's broken and as such who he can't trust. He's, like, ten steps BEHIND Cas when it comes to moving on right now. It's going to take a while longer, I think, for Dean to trust Cas enough to be able to accept his apology as genuine.
Fucking stupid of Dean, I know. But as usual, I understand, if not condone. And you know what? I don't think Cas is as fragile as all that. He flinches when Dean rejects his apology by knocking the game away. But he's pretty calm in the aftermath of Dean's anger. Like he expected it. Like he can see Dean is struggling with things and Cas is... well, sort of okay with that. Dean might not be being patient with Cas, but I think Cas is being patient with Dean.
tbc..
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I figured they'd kind of already picked option #1 when they let him go at the end after he gave them his blood. Dean didn't demand he stay with them he just asked 'what are you going to do?' and let Cas get on with it... perhaps they may decide to call Cas before the finale but, for the moment, the way I understand it they've let him go. Which, yeah, I think is the best plan for everyone. Dean and Cas, certainly, need some space from each other right now.
saying that taking on Sam's pain was a good thing for him... he actually does believe that right now, doesn't he? I mean yeah, it stopped hurting after that. But not because he got better, but because it got so bad that he just shut down. And now it's an even longer way back if Cas can even still find it.
If you've read my review you'll know I actually think the opposite to this.
I think taking on Sam's Hell brought Cas to the lowest possible point mentally and emotionally. It broke him completely. And sometimes, things get so bad the only way to fix them is to break them, and then rebuild. Cas has been broken. Right now he's rebuilding himself. Sam's pain, in my mind, really was the best thing to have happened to Cas since his Godstiel experience. I think this is what Misha meant at JIB about Cas getting 'zen' about things. By suffering through Sam's pain and coming out the other side he's sort of transcended his grief and pain and trauma. That's way he's so childlike. Not because he's suffering right now, but because he's seeing the world anew. He's re-establishing his place in it and re-learning his identity... if that makes sense??
Dean's "angels don't have the equipment to care" speech seems really weird when you comapre it to the actions of every single angel we see in this episode. I mean, was that scene actually meant to contradict the rest of the episode?
Actually I thought the actions of the angels confirmed what Dean was saying from his POV. Cas, obviously, seems terribly broken right now, all because he foolishly started to care for Dean and Sam and humanity. Hestor clearly cares about Cas and you can see that's breaking her from the pain in her voice when she talks to him and the way she ends up snapping at Dean and ultimately having to be killed. Inias? Well, maybe he'll become the poster boy for an angel who can care and handle it :)
Dean's speech was really ONLY about Cas though. For that moment he was basing his opinion of all angels on what had happened to Cas, and Cas caring for people HAS broken him. That's not even in doubt. I really liked that moment. It was Dean revealing, albeit indirectly, what we've thought for a while - that he feels like he's ruined Cas, corrupted him, that it would have been better for everyone if Cas had never got close to him at all. It's part of Dean's lack of self-worth coming through. He's not worthy of an angel's affection, and if an angel tries to care for him it'll only end up bad for the angel.
What's INFURIATING about this logic though, is that all it would have taken to stop Cas breaking is for Dean to have ACCEPTED Cas' affections. To acknowledge them and welcome them. But instead Dean has been pushing Cas away, keeping him at a distance, keeping him a tool or a weapon, partly in an attempt to HELP Cas because he thinks that Cas being close to him is such a bad thing. It's like a self-fulfilling prophesy. Dean brought the pain he was dreading down on both of them himself, because he was trying so hard to avoid it. Rah rah Dean idiot!
One question: Why would the Leviathans dig up the one relic that tells people how they can be killed?
To stop anyone else getting their hands on it, I assume. Not to bright though, since the boys wouldn't have known about it UNLESS Dick had started digging it up. But, you know, that's a classic tragic plot. Self-fulfilling prophesy again :p
God, there really is so much in this episode! So many things to think about. So many ways to interpret. Oh, Ben, bless you, you've still got it :) I've babbled buckets here and everywhere, but I feel like there's still PLENTY left to say :)
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You know, I don't even deny that Dean still cares about Cas in some way, but I see that the way he acts keeps hurting Cas, while Cas keeps crawling back and aplogising over, and over and over again. And Dean still doesn't admit that he made mistakes too. Might well be that he knows it, but that doesn't change that he's been acting like a douche towards Castiel for the last two years. So, bottom line, I don't think I care anymore whether Dean still cares or not. I only care how his behaviour affects Cas.
I feel like I should aplologise for this, but I don't think I'm actually sorry.
About Meg: Hm, yeah she might care a little. I do hope, though, that they don't change her completely. She's a demon, and she's always followed her own agenda. Having her really care now and do something entirely selfless would be... almost insulting to her character.
I figured they'd kind of already picked option #1 when they let him go at the end after he gave them his blood.
I think they did for now, yes. I could be cynical and say: Of course, he gave them his blood, thay have what they need from him. But no, they let him leave, and Cas can now find his path again on his own. The big question is whether he will return because they call him again, or because he chooses too. I really, really hope it will be the second option. I want to see a moment when the boys need him but don't call because they decide he's been through enough, and then Castiel turns up anyway because he WANTS to help them.
That's way he's so childlike. Not because he's suffering right now, but because he's seeing the world anew. He's re-establishing his place in it and re-learning his identity... if that makes sense??
It does make sense. I don't think he's generally just suffering and hiding it under this childlike behaviour either. Most of the time, he IS okay and curious and... almost happy in a weird way. But he is also very, very vulnerable right now, despite his powers. Emotionally vulnerable. And as soon as there is conflict, I think that is when he IS suffering. Then there is suddenly pain and even more so fear. I have never seen Castiel afraid in this way. Every time he just starts rambling and pleading with his eyes for someone to tell him that things will be okay. That's when stuff starts bubbling back to the surface, not in the way it used to in the ealier episodes this season, but it's still pain and a lot of it.
But I agree that Cas can come out of this okay. He needs time, though, and, I don't know, safety, peace to rebuild himself. Not more confusion and pain and conflict.
I can understand why he decided not to leave with Inias, but I wish he had. Inias with his affection and forgivness, and acceptance is exactly the type of person Castiel needs right now so he can gain some self confidence again and come back, not to the angel he used to be. He will never just be who he used to be again. But to being whole again, and ready to face the world once more.
To stop anyone else getting their hands on it, I assume. Not to bright though, since the boys wouldn't have known about it UNLESS Dick had started digging it up.
Exactly. So for creatures who are supposedly so smart and cunning, right now it looks like that was a rather stupid move. But who knows, maybe they NEEDED to awaken the prophet because he is part of their master plan.
God, there really is so much in this episode! So many things to think about. So many ways to interpret. Oh, Ben, bless you, you've still got it.
Yes indeed. It's not an easy episode, but that's what makes it a good one. Ben brought so many things to the surface that desperately needed to be addressed, and I can only hope that the show won't just bury them again but be brave and finally face issues that have been dragged out for far too long.
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You don't need to apologise for how you feel or don't feel. You're human, not a machine :p
The big question is whether he will return because they call him again, or because he chooses too. I really, really hope it will be the second option. I want to see a moment when the boys need him but don't call because they decide he's been through enough, and then Castiel turns up anyway because he WANTS to help them.
This is also my ideal. This is what NEEDS to happy, really. To show Cas really HAS grown and started living for himself. To show the boys aren't using him anymore. We are totally on the same page there.
...and if Cas also rocks up in the Impala somehow, well... jackpot :)
he is also very, very vulnerable right now, despite his powers. Emotionally vulnerable. And as soon as there is conflict, I think that is when he IS suffering.
I'm not sure anyone else is thinking like this, but... I disagree.
I think you can be vulnerable without being in pain or suffering. And I think that's where Cas is now. Conflict and anger ARE making him nervous and frightened and confused. But I don't think that's HURTING him right now. It's like the pain you feel in your muscles when you are exercising - it's a good pain, telling you that you are improving yourself, that you are healthy.
And it's not like Cas is wholly shying away from conflict or difficult things. If he was, he'd have just run from Sam and Dean altogether. But no, he stuck around to talk to Dean and then stand up to Hestor. The way I see it, Cas is exercising his emotions. And in order to do that he actually needs conflict and difficult situations. To have gone with Inias would have brought him peace, yes. But he's not looking for peace, he's looking, like he always has been since siding with Dean, for freedom. And that will bring him some pain from time and time and I think he's finally accepted that.
acceptance is exactly the type of person Castiel needs right now so he can gain some self confidence again and come back, not to the angel he used to be. He will never just be who he used to be again. But to being whole again, and ready to face the world once more.
So yeah, I'd have to disagree with this too. Partly because I think Inias wouldn't have been good for him in the long run - he'd have ultimately drawn Cas into a quiet stupor and tried to return him to the angel he was (not intentionally though! Inias is lovely, he wants only what he thinks is the best for Cas ♥). But also because I think Cas HAS self-confidence already. It was his newfound self-confidence that enabled him to be so sincere about his apology to Dean, to be so calm when talking to Sam and offering his blood. That enabled him to say 'no' to Inias and brave going off into the world alone.
Again, you can be self-confident, while also being vulnerable, I think.
In fact... I'm even starting to wonder if Cas is actually on to Meg's manipulation. He's just sticking with her anyway because he appreciates what she's done for him, whatever the reason, and has developed a certain fondness... damn it. Next episode please, I need these things expanded upon!
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What you say about being vulnerable and self-confident at the same time, and about how Cas needs conflict to grow again, I agree that this is all true EVENTUALLY.
I think it's the timing where we disagree, because I don't believe that's what he needs RIGHT NOW.
He has been awake for a day in that episode, give the poor guy some time to breathe and regain some strength (again, not talking physical, he does have his powers after all). Yes, you could argue that he had days/weeks/however long it was in-show of rest, but considering he said he still saw Lucifer for a while and everything, I doubt that it was a very relaxing sleep.
When I say I wish he had gone with Inias, I don't mean for good, I mean for a while. But yes, maybe Inias wouldn't know when to let him go again. Maybe this right now is the better option, but only if he really does get a few weeks of drama-free roaming around, sitting on mountain tops, and watching plants grow.
And THEN we can start thinking about his coming back and joining the fight again.
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I think you're right about our disagreement. Fair enough, I totally see your argument :)
But yes, I think that Cas has had the resting part needed for his recouperation during his comatose state - when he talks to Sam he says he saw Lucifer at first, implying that was a long time ago to me and he's moved a long way beyond that.
Maybe this right now is the better option, but only if he really does get a few weeks of drama-free roaming around, sitting on mountain tops, and watching plants grow.
Actually, even though I think he's capable of facing conflict already, I want this for Cas right now too. Some time embracing the non-violent parts of the world would be the best thing for him. Something to fortify him for facing the fight to come.
Who knows, maybe we'll both get what we want...?
:/
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