Angels Make Everything Better
May. 5th, 2012 12:14 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
gwaevalarinFirst 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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Date: 2012-05-05 06:02 pm (UTC)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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Date: 2012-05-05 06:21 pm (UTC)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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Date: 2012-05-05 06:36 pm (UTC)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.