SPN 6x21
OK, I must preface this by saying, I loved this episode unconditionally. So...if you did not, this probably isn't the post for you.
There were hearts being ripped out all over this episode. I don't even know where to start. OK, how about with Ben, Lisa and Dean??? OH MAN. When Dean sort of...disintegrated emotionally for a second in the middle of Ben's desperate phonecall, and Sam's face as he watched him, and then Sam not letting Dean go find them alone NO MATTER WHAT, OMFG. And then when they finally found them, I have to say, Cindy Sampson was amazing as a demon. I can't remember the last time a demon spewed that much innuendo and lies in service to trying to break someone down emotionally. That was completely old school. Demons lie, but they tell the truth, right? We all know which parts of that were lies. I'm just not sure which parts were the truth. Is Dean Ben's dad? HE OBVIOUSLY THINKS SO. Or at least, he thinks of Ben as a son, and I'm not sure there's any difference at this point. Does Lisa think meeting Dean is the worst thing that ever happened to her? My money is on yes, because at the moment the demon spewed that nugget out, Lisa was trapped inside her own body and holding a knife to her son's throat, all because they are important to Dean.
So. Yes. Stuff about Ben? All lies. Stuff about Dean? Probably mostly true. DUDE. And then when Dean exorcised the demon, knowing he might be signing Lisa's death warrant right in front of her son? And Ben had to pick up the gun and become an instant hunter, to save his mom? SHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW OMG. D:
But the worst part is that Dean erased himself from their lives. In essence, he reached in and cut his own heart out, because no one can tell me he doesn't love both of them. He does. Enough to leave them forever, for good. Enough to make them safe without him. Enough to stop breaking Ben's heart by not being there, and not being enough. Enough to stop Ben from going down the wrong path. And Sam, GOD, I LOVE THAT SAM CALLED HIM ON IT. RIGHT AWAY. Like, Sam is just...not liking the Dean he was seeing in this episode WHATSOEVER. Because he wanted to help Dean, so much, as he was descending slowly into torturer mode...and becoming more and more lost...and Dean would not let him, at all. Not at all. And now, Ben and Lisa are just going to be...out there. (It might have been smarter for Castiel to burn some people-hiding sigils on their ribs instead, or in addition to. *g*)
I will say, I was not fond of Sam being relegated to second string here. Especially the part where he was hit over the head and locked in, because - really?? He couldn't be a hero with Dean and help save the day? However, Sam and Dean together in this - hunting, supporting, etc - were awesome. So in tune, even when they disagree, and that is what matters.
My heart snapped right in two, when Dean broke Castiel's there in the shed and refused to stand behind him. I mean. Wow. Castiel comes back. He saves Dean. He points out that he feels they are family. He asks for Dean's trust. And Dean just, you know. Can't. And I don't actually blame Dean, because once betrayed, he really has a difficult time moving past it -- it took him TWO YEARS, with Sam, dude, and he loves Sam more than his own life! -- but, wow. THERE WERE TEARS IN BOTH THEIR EYES. And Castiel came back, over and over...to the hospital, finally, to say he's sorry yet again.
I'm going to say it. I think Castiel is right. I do think he's earned Dean's trust and loyalty. He does always come when Dean calls. Should he have lied to them about being in league with Crowley? Hell no. Is that unforgiveable?...I don't know. Apparently in Winchesterland it is, but. He's always there. He saved Lisa. He saved Dean. I'm not really able to see Castiel as evil, only misguided, and he and Dean are breaking my heart. D:
Random stuff:
Dean and Sam were not wrong about Balthazar, and they were not wrong about Castiel, either. They both are good and decent, and the very fact that Balthazar was concerned about Castiel blowing up half the planet, just. Yes. Those were the right questions. He didn't ask enough of them, tho.
It didn't take Crowley long to get around Cas, did it? Castiel is the man on the beach who found the bottle, made a deal to release the genie in exchange for three wishes, and made his wishes without thinking through the consequences -- and Crowley is the genie who takes full advantage of Cas not being specific enough in his desires. *g*
Castiel doing his own detective work in the tried and true Winchester/hunter way!!! Now that was kind of awesome, hearing second-hand that he's been poking around. They have taught him all kinds of things, haven't they. *g* And Bobby, also being fantastic and investigatory, and, oh, dude, this stupid show, the old man in the nursing home made me cry. Still grieving his mom, and responding to Bobby's compassion by offering to show him a picture. Oh, show. D:
Bobby's old fling being an age-old monster from purgatory was kind of random. But okay.
ON TO PART 2. I need some booze. I'm worried that this won't end well. *flail*