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gwaevalarin) wrote2012-12-21 09:49 am
gwaevalarin) wrote2012-12-21 09:49 am
Entry tags:
Unpopular Opinion Time
People keep telling me (or the world in general) that that "whether you look at it platonically or romantically, you cannot deny that Castiel loves Dean" and I'm starting to get really tired of it.
So let me give you a different, 100% shipping free interpretation of canon:
Castiel is the Winchesters', and more specifically Dean's guardian. He very clearly states so in "The Man Who Would Be King".
I'd say it's reasonable to assume that protecting and supporting your charge is something that is about as deeply rooted in an angel's instincts as obeying your superior is.
Side note: That does NOT mean that I don't think Castiel ever cared about the Winchesters, or that he wasn't friends with them. I believe he was in the second half of season 4, and for the most part in season 5, though I do already see first hints of Castiel being snapped back by this guardian-charge bond when he doesn't really want to during season 5.
Before his rebellion, all of this wasn't much of a problem because these two instincts (protect your charge and obey Heaven) kept each other balanced when they needed to. Heaven's old order was by no means a good thing, but it wasn't entirely pointless either.
But then Castiel lost his connection to Heaven in more than one way, by rebelling, by rewriting the rules, by cutting himself off because he can't deal with his guilt. Add to that Castiel's need to belong, the way he used to with his family, and things inevitably get out of control.
There are quite a few moments where he wants to fight it, and gets frustrated that he can't, because he has nothing left to use as a counter balance. Mainly, because he has nothing left.
"Of course, your problems always come first."
"Always happy to bleed for the Winchesters."
Just to name two examples.
Whether he actually WANTS to help the Winchesters in some of the cases becomes pretty much irrelevant because he doesn't really have a choice.
This isn't love by any definiton I will accept, and, to be entirely honest, I believe that the Winchesters are the one thing that still stands between Castiel and actual free will.
The good news is that it seems he's starting to find the strength he needs to pull away, and "rebell" against this second force in his life, in himself - sometimes, tragically, in his own pain: Staying behind in Purgatory for himself. Deciding to face his biggest fear and returning to Heaven, and then, when Naomi doesn't allow it, staying in the retirement home. I have hope that Samandriel may be able to help him as well when/if they finally find each other again. Or Inias, should he ever return. Basically anyone who can give him something to hold on.
The bad news is that I doubt the show will ever truly let him pull free. Which is a shame, really, because this is the ONLY way I see how Cas may actually be able, some day, to build a friendship with the Winchesters again. Just like Heaven needed to change in order to prove that the angels do care about each other, and that they are a family, beyond the former order that gave them no choice, Castiel's relationship with the Winchesters has to change to see if they can actually still be friends (which I sincerely doubt at this point but that's a different topic).
(This post was supposed to go on Tumblr because that's mainly where I've read this in the past. But I realized that if I post it there, it will probably be ripped out of my hands faster than I can say "unpopular opinion", and will most likely regret posting it for as long as it gets notes. As much as I love Tumblr, there is reason why I still prefer LJ for these kinds of posts.)
So let me give you a different, 100% shipping free interpretation of canon:
Castiel is the Winchesters', and more specifically Dean's guardian. He very clearly states so in "The Man Who Would Be King".
I'd say it's reasonable to assume that protecting and supporting your charge is something that is about as deeply rooted in an angel's instincts as obeying your superior is.
Side note: That does NOT mean that I don't think Castiel ever cared about the Winchesters, or that he wasn't friends with them. I believe he was in the second half of season 4, and for the most part in season 5, though I do already see first hints of Castiel being snapped back by this guardian-charge bond when he doesn't really want to during season 5.
Before his rebellion, all of this wasn't much of a problem because these two instincts (protect your charge and obey Heaven) kept each other balanced when they needed to. Heaven's old order was by no means a good thing, but it wasn't entirely pointless either.
But then Castiel lost his connection to Heaven in more than one way, by rebelling, by rewriting the rules, by cutting himself off because he can't deal with his guilt. Add to that Castiel's need to belong, the way he used to with his family, and things inevitably get out of control.
There are quite a few moments where he wants to fight it, and gets frustrated that he can't, because he has nothing left to use as a counter balance. Mainly, because he has nothing left.
"Of course, your problems always come first."
"Always happy to bleed for the Winchesters."
Just to name two examples.
Whether he actually WANTS to help the Winchesters in some of the cases becomes pretty much irrelevant because he doesn't really have a choice.
This isn't love by any definiton I will accept, and, to be entirely honest, I believe that the Winchesters are the one thing that still stands between Castiel and actual free will.
The good news is that it seems he's starting to find the strength he needs to pull away, and "rebell" against this second force in his life, in himself - sometimes, tragically, in his own pain: Staying behind in Purgatory for himself. Deciding to face his biggest fear and returning to Heaven, and then, when Naomi doesn't allow it, staying in the retirement home. I have hope that Samandriel may be able to help him as well when/if they finally find each other again. Or Inias, should he ever return. Basically anyone who can give him something to hold on.
The bad news is that I doubt the show will ever truly let him pull free. Which is a shame, really, because this is the ONLY way I see how Cas may actually be able, some day, to build a friendship with the Winchesters again. Just like Heaven needed to change in order to prove that the angels do care about each other, and that they are a family, beyond the former order that gave them no choice, Castiel's relationship with the Winchesters has to change to see if they can actually still be friends (which I sincerely doubt at this point but that's a different topic).
(This post was supposed to go on Tumblr because that's mainly where I've read this in the past. But I realized that if I post it there, it will probably be ripped out of my hands faster than I can say "unpopular opinion", and will most likely regret posting it for as long as it gets notes. As much as I love Tumblr, there is reason why I still prefer LJ for these kinds of posts.)
no subject
I'm still holding out hope that Naomi is there to help and heal Castiel, rather than for more shady angelic shenanigans. (It would be most cool if she were actually God, finally returned home to fix both Castiel and the mess that Heaven has become.)
And you know? Sometimes, diverging from canon is what you've got to do -- sometimes fanfic is the only way to give your character what he really needs. Perhaps more cathartic conversations between Castiel and Inias need to be written . . . (and I know just the person to write them.) :)
no subject
My guess is that she's Metatron, but either way it would be amazing if her entire story line was part of the "nothing is what it seems" Carver mentioned, and she is honestly trying to help Cas.
sometimes fanfic is the only way to give your character what he really needs. Perhaps more cathartic conversations between Castiel and Inias need to be written
I think you may be right. You don't have any prompts by any chance?
no subject
Metatron?!? Ooh, WANT! And yes, I think Carver's being sneaky/tricky again, making Naomi appear slightly dangerous. I'm really hoping that she's there to repair wounded Castiel.
Prompts? Oh, gosh, how about more quiet observations between Cas and Inias, like in "Parting Day"? Or Castiel thinking upon his friendship with Balthazar? Or Balthazar not really being dead? Or Castiel rescuing Samandriel? There's so much to play with . . .
no subject