SPN - "The Man Who Would Be King"
Finally. At long last, my long and rambly of last week's ep.
There's much to say, but I feel like I've already said most of it. Bear with me if I repeat myself.
Then . . . This one was an especially packed "Then." Everything we need to know about Sam, Lucifer, Castiel, holy oil, Crowley, Eve, Purgatory, souls, etc.
Now . . .
It's so good to see Castiel praying again. His crisis of faith has been kind of painful to watch, but it's so good to see that he hasn't given up completely.
His history in a nutshell is what I would expect it to be.
But I love the way he describes having averted the Apocalypse. (That particular turn of events could all be described as not being able to force God's hand. The angels, not God, wanted the Apocalypse at that time. Hence the "jump starting." That's a whole different tangent, but keep it in mind when you see things about the world ending on May 21. "“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father . . . " Matt. 24:36, NIV. The whole passage is Matt. 24:36 - 44.)
I also love the setting in which he's doing his praying. But I'll get into that later.
Cas wants to tell us everything.
Title smash.
Cas pops in on Dean in the Impala, and startles Dean as he usually does. He asks some questions, makes some comments, trying to suss out what Dean's found. Dean puts him off, asks Cas the same. Then here's the kicker that sets the tone (both forward and backward) of what's going to go down . . .
Dean asks Cas, "But, Cas, you'll call, right? If you get into real trouble?" Dean has suspicions that all is not right with Cas. He knows what Sam and Bobby suspect. And Dean offers Cas an out. Offers him help. Tries to let Cas know that Cas can call them if he needs help. Cas gives him a vague, non-committal nod, and disappears. Dean has reached out, Cas has retreated.
Cas goes to visit Crowley in his laboratory. Turns out that even though Eve is dead, she's still producing monster eggs. Blech. Also, she's still connected in some way to her monsters . . .
But the meat of the conversation is Crowley calling Cas out on his continued connection with the Winchesters. Crowley believes Cas has a conflict of interest, and he doesn't like it.
Internal monologue: Cas agrees. His interests are conflicted. He still considers himself their guardian. Aw, Cas.
Sam and Dean taught Cas what free will is. Taught him how to stand up, what to stand for, and what usually happens when you do.
And here's something kinda makes me flaily. When we have the flashback of Cas's head exploding, and then it goes all "3D" and CSI/Matrix-y . . . He says, "And then the most extraordinary thing happened." And we see a blood droplet splitting in two. Not unlike the cells we saw splitting in "Twihard." Or the twins we saw in the same ep. "I was put back." What does it mean???? Is this Cas a clone of Jimmy's body? A twin? Does it matter? Are they just toying with me?
They stopped Armageddon, but at a terrible cost. Cas heals Dean, brings back Bobby, and he knows what he has to do next. He pulls Sam from the Cage. Or thinks he has. In hindsight, he realizes his mistake. He recognizes his "sense of mission" and pride, arrogance, hubris.
"Sometimes, we're lucky enough to be given a warning. This should have been mine." Cas should have recognized the warning against pride and overconfidence. Proverbs 16:18 . . . Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. (Proverbs actually has quite a bit to say about it.) But he doesn't heed the signs, doesn't even recognize his mistake yet. But it does kind of beg the question . . . why did he lie to Sam and Dean about not knowing who brought Sam back? At what point did he recognize his mistake? Or at least recognize that something was wrong.
And thus, the web of lies begins. But I'm getting ahead of myself.
To Crowley's credit, he doesn't take it for granted that the Winchesters can't kill him. He might be arrogant and scheming, but he doesn't underestimate the boys. Cas? Listen to that list: Lucifer, Mike, Lilith, Alistair, Azazel. Together or separately, the Winchesters have taken them all down. (You can also add Ruby and Zach to that list.) Just . . . keep that in mind. Hindsight and all of that.
Singer Salvage. Demons are now hunters. Bobby and Sam interrogate one such, having figured out that Crowley is now using demons to do his hunting for him.
Dean joins the party and calls a conference in the kitchen. The emotions is this ep are just so richly angsty, and Jensen, as always, brings the goods. Sam and Bobby hope they're wrong about Cas, but Dean. This cuts Dean to his core. Because he values loyalty, and it's tearing him apart that they're lying to Cas. "He's the Balki Bartokomous of Heaven." Meaning, he's naive, honest, makes mistakes, but certainly not malicious and double-dealing. Dean has called Cas "a child" multiple times this season. Which I'll touch on a little later.
And while Sam and Bobby are warning Dean of the dangers of a Superman gone dark side, Cas is standing there, invisible to them, listening to their conversation.
Yes, Cas, they're suspicious. Remember all those demons Crowley said underestimated the Winchesters? And a couple of archangels? Seems like you've underestimated them yourself.
"And the worst part was Dean, trying so hard to be loyal, with every instinct telling him otherwise." Oh, Cas. What a tangled web, eh?
Red tells Bobby and the boys that he never deals with Crowley directly. He deals with The Dispatcher. A demon called Ellsworth.
Ellsworth, as it turns out, it the demon equivalent to Bobby Singer. Complete with ball cap and phone bank. Only his phone bank is bowls of blood lined up on his desk. Ha! (Also? Apparently Ellsworth is an inside shout-out to the character Jim Beaver played on Deadwood.)
Cas knows that Ellsworth would find the boys and take them to Crowley, so Cas makes a pre-emptive strike. Can I just say how satisfying it is to see Cas smite some demons? Because it totally is. It reminds me of the awesomeness that I love about Cas.
Winchesters arrive at Ellsworth's, but everything has been stripped away. No evidence of demon activity anywhere. And Cas is there watching.
More flashbacks.
Cas looks puzzled that Sam didn't go to Dean upon finding him, but apparently he's not too curious or put out because he returns to Heaven. Specifically, his favorite Heaven--the eternal Tuesday afternoon of an autistic man who drowned in the bathtub in 1953. Sunshine, light rain, flowers, and enough of a breeze to fly a kite. This seems so very . . . Cas. Peaceful. Beautiful. Simple. Cas has never been a "complex" personality. He's always been loyal and determined. Needing some sort of guidance. In the absence of a commanding leader, then an understanding of principle. That's the part that he really needs to learn.
And here's where things get a little complicated. Cas is greeted by angel friends, friends who are so glad to see him, very confident that God is the one who brought Cas back. Brought Cas back so he could lead them. Cas quickly denies it, saying that God wants them to be free. Now, this gets into an issue of the free will of humans versus that of angels that I'm not nearly equipped enough to discuss. So I'll just let that tangent lie for now.
Freedom is an extremely complex topic to try to tackle. With freedom comes responsibility, for example. A variation of which Dean tries to explain to Cas later. But I'll get to that in a bit.
And of course, there's Raphael. It's nice to see Demore Barnes again. (And he is so freakin' far from Hector "Hammerhead" Williams that I'm again impressed.) Raph gives Cas an ultimatum. And herein lies a problem. A big problem. Raph accuses Cas of rebelling against God, Heaven and him. Cas rebelled against the archangels, yes. Heaven, perhaps. But God? The type of rebellion Raph is talking about, I'm not so sure. Raph also has the arrogance to equate what he wants with God's will. Raph doesn't want God's will; he wants what he wants, then disguises it as God's will. That's a very dangerous game that I think everyone has at one point or another played. And Raph's arrogance tells me that Cas's take on saving the planet is the proper choice. Raph doesn't care about God's creation. Raph cares about Raph. Uck.
And if it's accurate, what Raph says about angels being designed to follow, that they do need a leader, they need a leader who will put God's will above his own. And that ain't Raph.
Raph knocks Cas into next week, then tells him he will kneel or die.
[/flashback]
Back at Ellsworth's digs, Dean, Sam, and Bobby are discussing how suspiciously clean the place is. Dean points out that this is the point where they'd call Cas, but Sam and Bobby are reluctant. "We talked about this," they say. "No, you talked. I listened," says Dean. And honestly, his loyalty is one of his most endearing qualities. He sticks up for Cas, is more than ready to give him the benefit of the doubt. So Sam says a prayer. No go. Dean calls Cas. Nada.
Cas is there, but he doesn't appear. Because he knows they'll ask questions he can't answer. Oh, that tangled web of deceit.
"I guess he's busy," says Dean.
"That's okay. So are we," says Sam. "Come on." And he claps Dean on the arm. You know? One of my favorite things about Sam since he got his soul back is his solicitousness toward Dean. This is a more mature Sam than I think we've seen before. He seems more in tune to his brother than he has in a long time, letting Dean take the lead, but trying to protect him at the same time. It's very satisfying to see.
Oh, no! Demon attack! First Dean, then Sam and Bobby. Crowley's best, Cas says. He was as much surprised as the guys. A choice to be made: reveal himself and save the boys (which Crowley would not like), or remain silent and let them be killed. Cas makes the right choice and smites the demons.
Demon smiting! \o/ Yes, it is awesome.
"For a brief moment, I was me again." Oh, Cas.
Dean calls Sam and Bobby on their doubting Cas, and everyone apologizes to Cas for doubting him, and ask for his forgiveness. This amazes Cas, as he proceeds to continue to lie to them. Another chance to come clean, and Cas just digs himself in deeper; he overplays his hand. And Dean is crushed.
Cas confronts Crowley about the hit on the Winchesters, and words are exchanged. Crowley calls Cas on his self-deception. Cas makes it clear that if Crowley does anything to the Winchesters, he will "tear it all down."
"I'm still an angel," he says. "And I will bury you." And I gotta say, it's rather satisfying to see Crowley scared of Cas when he's in a smiting mood. Hee!
Flashback:
After getting whumped by Raph, Cas knows he wouldn't win in a straight fight. "So I went to an old friend for help." Cas's first, best instinct was to go to Dean for help. "But watching him, I stopped. Everything he sacrificed, and I was about to ask him for more." Cas's first, best instinct was to ask Dean for help, and even knowing what Dean had lost, Cas had every intention of asking him.
Until Crowley appears on the scene. Crowley is the one who approached Cas with the deal. It never even crossed Cas's mind to seek help anywhere but from Dean. He should have stuck with his first best instinct.
Crowley tempts, and twists. In his pride, Cas believes he can manage the situation, and with one last look at Dean, he departs with Crowley.
Crowley has redesigned Hell as a never-ending standing in line. How very Far Side. Heh.
Cas is not impressed.
Now, here's where Crowley gets really, really tricksy. He appeals to Cas's ego . . . with what I think are truths. I think God did bring Cas back, and I think God brought him back for a reason. To lead in Heaven? Maybe. That's something Cas needs to ask God--which he hasn't done up to this point. It's Crowley's idea to start the civil war in Heaven. Crowley talks sweet, and strokes Cas's ego, gives him a "quick" fix to the problem. Purgatory.
How can Crowley find Purgatory when no one else has ever been able to, Cas asked. With help from experts, of course, Crowley says. "I know two eerily suited Team B models with time on their hands."
"No," Cas says in no uncertain terms. "Not Dean. He's retired, and he's to stay that way." And this makes me love Cas in spite of his upcoming idiocy. The fact that he wants to protect what little peace Dean might have acquired. Does this imply, however, that Sam is hunting? And Cas knows he's hunting? Hm . . . .
"Fine. Then I know of a certain big, bald patriarch I can pull off the bench." Huh. So this means that Crowley (and possibly Cas?) orchestrated Sam and Samuel's meeting? Along with the rest of the Campbells? Hm . . . .
Crowley pulls out all of his manipulations. Either this or the Apocalypse. Destroy everything that Cas has worked for, everything that Sam and Dean have worked for. "You can save us," he tells Cas. "God chose you."
If only Cas heeded the moral of "The Snake" . . .
It's all a twisting and a temptation, and in his pride, Cas agrees.
Cas goes to face Raph, and gives an ultimatum of his own.
[/flashback]
"And so goes the long road of good intentions," Cas says. And we all know where that road leads. No one better than the Winchesters.
Sam, Dean, and Bobby have set a trap for Cas. And it's so evident in Dean's eyes how much this hurts. And he's the one who lays the bait--says the prayer to call Cas.
Once they have Cas trapped in the ring of holy fire, they start questioning Cas. He tries to evade the questions. But Dean, ever skilled at cutting to the chase, tells Cas, "Look me in the eye and tell me you're not working with Crowley." And Cas can't do it. And the realization of this betrayal in Dean's eyes just rips at the heart.
Cas tries to explain that he did it for them, for all of us, with the souls he can beat Raphael, etc., etc. What he failed to take into consideration was what unleashing a Purgatory full of monsters would do to the planet. If his goal is the save the world from Armageddon, he chose a really, REALLY risky way of doing it. Look at all the destruction Eve alone caused.
But Cas insists he's still Cas, he's still their friend.
He's the one who raised Sam from Perdition.
Which begs the question: Why did Cas lie about not knowing who brought Sam back? Or Samuel? (Well, Crowley brought Samuel back, and telling the Winchesters that would be problematic. But still. Why lie about Sam?)
And though Sam's next words hurt, they're not exactly untrue, either. Because Cas did do a poor job of raising Sam. And when it occurs to Sam that Cas might have brought him back soulless on purpose? That cuts so deep. Because Sam might not know everything he did, but he knows some of it. He knows that he hurt Dean. That he almost killed Bobby. That he was responsible for a lot of innocent lives being lost. And to think that Cas might have facilitated that on purpose . . .
Over a year and a half of lies and deception. And for Dean, this is all too reminiscent of Sam and Ruby.
Cas says that Raphael will turn the world into a graveyard. That he had no choice (but to go in with Crowley). But Dean counters with a very accurate observation. Cas did have a choice. Because we always have choices. Always. And Cas made the wrong choice.
"It's complicated," says Cas.
But Dean cuts it to its simplest terms. Why would Cas keep it a secret unless he knew that it was wrong?
"When crap like this comes around, we deal with it. Like we always have. What we don't do is we don't go out and make another deal with the Devil."
Now, I've heard Dean catch a lot of flack for this. Mostly being called an arrogant hypocrite. At that I have to ask: So Dean's not allowed to learn from his experiences? He's not allowed to be angry when he sees a friend making the same mistakes he did? He's not allowed to call him on it? That's not hypocrisy. That's gaining wisdom the hard way. And as for Dean and Sam working with Crowley this season? That was blackmail. Blackmail that, if we look too closely, we see Cas had a hand in, however unintentionally or indirectly. But we won't look that closely.
"It sounds so simple when you say it like that," Cas replies. "Where were you when I needed to hear it?" Trying to deflect the blame back onto Dean, or at least make Dean share the blame.
"I was there. Where were you?" Dean says.
Cas was there, turning his back on Dean and going to listen to Crowley.
Demons are coming. Cas says it's too late to turn back now. And Dean still offers Cas a way out. "It's not too late," Dean says. "We can fix this."
"Dean, it's not broken!" Cas exclaims. Again he turns down Dean's offer of help. Denies that there's anything to fix. So sure he's doing the right thing, even when confronted by his closest friends.
Cas tells them to run, and so they do. But a look passes between Dean and Cas. They both know this can't end the way they want it to. And Dean doesn't want to leave his friend behind, but he must.
Crowley arrives and lets Cas out of the holy fire. He then proceeds to sow the seeds of doubt in Cas where Sam and Dean are concerned. But Cas will have none of it. He is repulsed by the demon.
Crowley poses some probing questions to Cas before departing. "What are you? What exactly are you willing to do?"
Bobby's house, and there's angel proofing on the windows. But apparently, it doesn't work, because Dean wakes up to find Cas standing there. (Bobby got a few things wrong, it turns out.) As Dean says, "Too bad we've got to angel proof in the first place." And doesn't that just speak volumes that they feel so betrayed by Cas that they try to keep him out of their living quarters, away from their planning.
I wish I could transcript this whole conversation, because there's so much to delve into. But for now, I'll go straight to Dean's admonition and remonstration of Cas where Cas's perception of freedom is concerned. Cas's understanding of freedom is immature. In many ways, Cas is the child Dean says he is. Freedom comes with responsibility.
Dean: Just because you can do what you want, doesn't mean you get to do whatever you want!
Cas still insists that he knows what he's doing. Rather like a teenager who thinks he knows more than those who have actually been through it before.
Dean continues: I'm not gonna logic you. I'm saying, don't. Just 'cuz. I'm asking you not to. That's it.
I've heard Dean catch a lot of flack for this, too. But really, what else is he supposed to do? He knows that Cas knows what he's doing is wrong. He knows that Cas thinks he can handle it. And Dean knows from experience how far south deals with the devil can go. The only thing left is to ask Cas to stop, simply because Dean has asked.
Cas even starts . . . I don't understand--
Dean: Next to Sam, you and Bobby are the closest things I have to family. That you are like a brother to me. So if I'm asking you not to do something, you've got to trust me, man.
Castiel: Or what?
Cas is posing an ultimatum to Dean? Really? Really, Cas?
And once again, for a third time Cas is refusing Dean's help and advice.
Dean can't quite believe what Cas just said. "Or I'll have to do what I have to do to stop you.
Castiel: You can't, Dean. You're just a man. I'm an angel.
Cas? Are you really threatening Dean? For trying to save the planet from Purgatory, and maybe save you from yourself?
Dean: I don't know. I've taken some pretty big fish.
He has, Cas, and you know it. Whether with Sam or on his own, Dean has taken down Azazel, Ruby, Zach, Mike, Lucifer, and Mother. He helped you trap Raphael when you asked for his help (remember that?), and he and Sam trapped Gabe. And that's not counting the regular monsters he's dispatched. Trap an angel in some holy fire and give Dean a blade . . . It can be done.
And by the look on your face, Cas, you know he could do it.
And you should know it would kill him to have to harm you.
"I'm sorry, Dean," Cas says.
"Well, I'm sorry, too, then," Dean replies.
And so, the lines appear to be drawn. They're each going to do what they believe they have to do, and time will tell who prevails.
As an aside, go read this fic. It strikes so deeply to Dean's character, especially.
And so, we finish where we started, in the park, praying. Snow covering the ground, cold in the air, and yet . . . flowers blooming in the snow. The colors of spring, of hope amid the cold.
And Castiel begs his Father for a sign. But Cas? God has already given you a sign. He's given you better than that; he's given you a guide. Dean, you silly angel. Dean is your sign.
There's a conversation I ran across last week asking whether or not folks consider Dean to be an instrument of God. And I'm thinkin', gee. He's trying to parent and guide a wayward angel. If that's not being an instrument of God, I don't know what is. Dean has been important to God ever since "Faith," when Roy le Grange told him as much--that God chose Dean for healing because he had important work to do, and he wasn't finished yet. It would seem that this still holds true.
Now, I know I spent a lot of time riding Cas's case in this recap, but I don't want you to think I'm dissing him. I totally understand why he's doing what he's doing, both the altruistic reasons and the prideful ones. But I've got to go with the guy who's been there, done that, has the emotional scars to prove it.
Because, Cas? Word of advice: You should always, always talk to your trusted friends before you make deals with demons. Preferably, you do it instead of making deals with demons.
For future reference.
There's much to say, but I feel like I've already said most of it. Bear with me if I repeat myself.
Then . . . This one was an especially packed "Then." Everything we need to know about Sam, Lucifer, Castiel, holy oil, Crowley, Eve, Purgatory, souls, etc.
Now . . .
It's so good to see Castiel praying again. His crisis of faith has been kind of painful to watch, but it's so good to see that he hasn't given up completely.
His history in a nutshell is what I would expect it to be.
But I love the way he describes having averted the Apocalypse. (That particular turn of events could all be described as not being able to force God's hand. The angels, not God, wanted the Apocalypse at that time. Hence the "jump starting." That's a whole different tangent, but keep it in mind when you see things about the world ending on May 21. "“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father . . . " Matt. 24:36, NIV. The whole passage is Matt. 24:36 - 44.)
I also love the setting in which he's doing his praying. But I'll get into that later.
Cas wants to tell us everything.
Title smash.
Cas pops in on Dean in the Impala, and startles Dean as he usually does. He asks some questions, makes some comments, trying to suss out what Dean's found. Dean puts him off, asks Cas the same. Then here's the kicker that sets the tone (both forward and backward) of what's going to go down . . .
Dean asks Cas, "But, Cas, you'll call, right? If you get into real trouble?" Dean has suspicions that all is not right with Cas. He knows what Sam and Bobby suspect. And Dean offers Cas an out. Offers him help. Tries to let Cas know that Cas can call them if he needs help. Cas gives him a vague, non-committal nod, and disappears. Dean has reached out, Cas has retreated.
Cas goes to visit Crowley in his laboratory. Turns out that even though Eve is dead, she's still producing monster eggs. Blech. Also, she's still connected in some way to her monsters . . .
But the meat of the conversation is Crowley calling Cas out on his continued connection with the Winchesters. Crowley believes Cas has a conflict of interest, and he doesn't like it.
Internal monologue: Cas agrees. His interests are conflicted. He still considers himself their guardian. Aw, Cas.
Sam and Dean taught Cas what free will is. Taught him how to stand up, what to stand for, and what usually happens when you do.
And here's something kinda makes me flaily. When we have the flashback of Cas's head exploding, and then it goes all "3D" and CSI/Matrix-y . . . He says, "And then the most extraordinary thing happened." And we see a blood droplet splitting in two. Not unlike the cells we saw splitting in "Twihard." Or the twins we saw in the same ep. "I was put back." What does it mean???? Is this Cas a clone of Jimmy's body? A twin? Does it matter? Are they just toying with me?
They stopped Armageddon, but at a terrible cost. Cas heals Dean, brings back Bobby, and he knows what he has to do next. He pulls Sam from the Cage. Or thinks he has. In hindsight, he realizes his mistake. He recognizes his "sense of mission" and pride, arrogance, hubris.
"Sometimes, we're lucky enough to be given a warning. This should have been mine." Cas should have recognized the warning against pride and overconfidence. Proverbs 16:18 . . . Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. (Proverbs actually has quite a bit to say about it.) But he doesn't heed the signs, doesn't even recognize his mistake yet. But it does kind of beg the question . . . why did he lie to Sam and Dean about not knowing who brought Sam back? At what point did he recognize his mistake? Or at least recognize that something was wrong.
And thus, the web of lies begins. But I'm getting ahead of myself.
To Crowley's credit, he doesn't take it for granted that the Winchesters can't kill him. He might be arrogant and scheming, but he doesn't underestimate the boys. Cas? Listen to that list: Lucifer, Mike, Lilith, Alistair, Azazel. Together or separately, the Winchesters have taken them all down. (You can also add Ruby and Zach to that list.) Just . . . keep that in mind. Hindsight and all of that.
Singer Salvage. Demons are now hunters. Bobby and Sam interrogate one such, having figured out that Crowley is now using demons to do his hunting for him.
Dean joins the party and calls a conference in the kitchen. The emotions is this ep are just so richly angsty, and Jensen, as always, brings the goods. Sam and Bobby hope they're wrong about Cas, but Dean. This cuts Dean to his core. Because he values loyalty, and it's tearing him apart that they're lying to Cas. "He's the Balki Bartokomous of Heaven." Meaning, he's naive, honest, makes mistakes, but certainly not malicious and double-dealing. Dean has called Cas "a child" multiple times this season. Which I'll touch on a little later.
And while Sam and Bobby are warning Dean of the dangers of a Superman gone dark side, Cas is standing there, invisible to them, listening to their conversation.
Yes, Cas, they're suspicious. Remember all those demons Crowley said underestimated the Winchesters? And a couple of archangels? Seems like you've underestimated them yourself.
"And the worst part was Dean, trying so hard to be loyal, with every instinct telling him otherwise." Oh, Cas. What a tangled web, eh?
Red tells Bobby and the boys that he never deals with Crowley directly. He deals with The Dispatcher. A demon called Ellsworth.
Ellsworth, as it turns out, it the demon equivalent to Bobby Singer. Complete with ball cap and phone bank. Only his phone bank is bowls of blood lined up on his desk. Ha! (Also? Apparently Ellsworth is an inside shout-out to the character Jim Beaver played on Deadwood.)
Cas knows that Ellsworth would find the boys and take them to Crowley, so Cas makes a pre-emptive strike. Can I just say how satisfying it is to see Cas smite some demons? Because it totally is. It reminds me of the awesomeness that I love about Cas.
Winchesters arrive at Ellsworth's, but everything has been stripped away. No evidence of demon activity anywhere. And Cas is there watching.
More flashbacks.
Cas looks puzzled that Sam didn't go to Dean upon finding him, but apparently he's not too curious or put out because he returns to Heaven. Specifically, his favorite Heaven--the eternal Tuesday afternoon of an autistic man who drowned in the bathtub in 1953. Sunshine, light rain, flowers, and enough of a breeze to fly a kite. This seems so very . . . Cas. Peaceful. Beautiful. Simple. Cas has never been a "complex" personality. He's always been loyal and determined. Needing some sort of guidance. In the absence of a commanding leader, then an understanding of principle. That's the part that he really needs to learn.
And here's where things get a little complicated. Cas is greeted by angel friends, friends who are so glad to see him, very confident that God is the one who brought Cas back. Brought Cas back so he could lead them. Cas quickly denies it, saying that God wants them to be free. Now, this gets into an issue of the free will of humans versus that of angels that I'm not nearly equipped enough to discuss. So I'll just let that tangent lie for now.
Freedom is an extremely complex topic to try to tackle. With freedom comes responsibility, for example. A variation of which Dean tries to explain to Cas later. But I'll get to that in a bit.
And of course, there's Raphael. It's nice to see Demore Barnes again. (And he is so freakin' far from Hector "Hammerhead" Williams that I'm again impressed.) Raph gives Cas an ultimatum. And herein lies a problem. A big problem. Raph accuses Cas of rebelling against God, Heaven and him. Cas rebelled against the archangels, yes. Heaven, perhaps. But God? The type of rebellion Raph is talking about, I'm not so sure. Raph also has the arrogance to equate what he wants with God's will. Raph doesn't want God's will; he wants what he wants, then disguises it as God's will. That's a very dangerous game that I think everyone has at one point or another played. And Raph's arrogance tells me that Cas's take on saving the planet is the proper choice. Raph doesn't care about God's creation. Raph cares about Raph. Uck.
And if it's accurate, what Raph says about angels being designed to follow, that they do need a leader, they need a leader who will put God's will above his own. And that ain't Raph.
Raph knocks Cas into next week, then tells him he will kneel or die.
[/flashback]
Back at Ellsworth's digs, Dean, Sam, and Bobby are discussing how suspiciously clean the place is. Dean points out that this is the point where they'd call Cas, but Sam and Bobby are reluctant. "We talked about this," they say. "No, you talked. I listened," says Dean. And honestly, his loyalty is one of his most endearing qualities. He sticks up for Cas, is more than ready to give him the benefit of the doubt. So Sam says a prayer. No go. Dean calls Cas. Nada.
Cas is there, but he doesn't appear. Because he knows they'll ask questions he can't answer. Oh, that tangled web of deceit.
"I guess he's busy," says Dean.
"That's okay. So are we," says Sam. "Come on." And he claps Dean on the arm. You know? One of my favorite things about Sam since he got his soul back is his solicitousness toward Dean. This is a more mature Sam than I think we've seen before. He seems more in tune to his brother than he has in a long time, letting Dean take the lead, but trying to protect him at the same time. It's very satisfying to see.
Oh, no! Demon attack! First Dean, then Sam and Bobby. Crowley's best, Cas says. He was as much surprised as the guys. A choice to be made: reveal himself and save the boys (which Crowley would not like), or remain silent and let them be killed. Cas makes the right choice and smites the demons.
Demon smiting! \o/ Yes, it is awesome.
"For a brief moment, I was me again." Oh, Cas.
Dean calls Sam and Bobby on their doubting Cas, and everyone apologizes to Cas for doubting him, and ask for his forgiveness. This amazes Cas, as he proceeds to continue to lie to them. Another chance to come clean, and Cas just digs himself in deeper; he overplays his hand. And Dean is crushed.
Cas confronts Crowley about the hit on the Winchesters, and words are exchanged. Crowley calls Cas on his self-deception. Cas makes it clear that if Crowley does anything to the Winchesters, he will "tear it all down."
"I'm still an angel," he says. "And I will bury you." And I gotta say, it's rather satisfying to see Crowley scared of Cas when he's in a smiting mood. Hee!
Flashback:
After getting whumped by Raph, Cas knows he wouldn't win in a straight fight. "So I went to an old friend for help." Cas's first, best instinct was to go to Dean for help. "But watching him, I stopped. Everything he sacrificed, and I was about to ask him for more." Cas's first, best instinct was to ask Dean for help, and even knowing what Dean had lost, Cas had every intention of asking him.
Until Crowley appears on the scene. Crowley is the one who approached Cas with the deal. It never even crossed Cas's mind to seek help anywhere but from Dean. He should have stuck with his first best instinct.
Crowley tempts, and twists. In his pride, Cas believes he can manage the situation, and with one last look at Dean, he departs with Crowley.
Crowley has redesigned Hell as a never-ending standing in line. How very Far Side. Heh.
Cas is not impressed.
Now, here's where Crowley gets really, really tricksy. He appeals to Cas's ego . . . with what I think are truths. I think God did bring Cas back, and I think God brought him back for a reason. To lead in Heaven? Maybe. That's something Cas needs to ask God--which he hasn't done up to this point. It's Crowley's idea to start the civil war in Heaven. Crowley talks sweet, and strokes Cas's ego, gives him a "quick" fix to the problem. Purgatory.
How can Crowley find Purgatory when no one else has ever been able to, Cas asked. With help from experts, of course, Crowley says. "I know two eerily suited Team B models with time on their hands."
"No," Cas says in no uncertain terms. "Not Dean. He's retired, and he's to stay that way." And this makes me love Cas in spite of his upcoming idiocy. The fact that he wants to protect what little peace Dean might have acquired. Does this imply, however, that Sam is hunting? And Cas knows he's hunting? Hm . . . .
"Fine. Then I know of a certain big, bald patriarch I can pull off the bench." Huh. So this means that Crowley (and possibly Cas?) orchestrated Sam and Samuel's meeting? Along with the rest of the Campbells? Hm . . . .
Crowley pulls out all of his manipulations. Either this or the Apocalypse. Destroy everything that Cas has worked for, everything that Sam and Dean have worked for. "You can save us," he tells Cas. "God chose you."
If only Cas heeded the moral of "The Snake" . . .
Click to viewIt's all a twisting and a temptation, and in his pride, Cas agrees.
Cas goes to face Raph, and gives an ultimatum of his own.
[/flashback]
"And so goes the long road of good intentions," Cas says. And we all know where that road leads. No one better than the Winchesters.
Sam, Dean, and Bobby have set a trap for Cas. And it's so evident in Dean's eyes how much this hurts. And he's the one who lays the bait--says the prayer to call Cas.
Once they have Cas trapped in the ring of holy fire, they start questioning Cas. He tries to evade the questions. But Dean, ever skilled at cutting to the chase, tells Cas, "Look me in the eye and tell me you're not working with Crowley." And Cas can't do it. And the realization of this betrayal in Dean's eyes just rips at the heart.
Cas tries to explain that he did it for them, for all of us, with the souls he can beat Raphael, etc., etc. What he failed to take into consideration was what unleashing a Purgatory full of monsters would do to the planet. If his goal is the save the world from Armageddon, he chose a really, REALLY risky way of doing it. Look at all the destruction Eve alone caused.
But Cas insists he's still Cas, he's still their friend.
He's the one who raised Sam from Perdition.
Which begs the question: Why did Cas lie about not knowing who brought Sam back? Or Samuel? (Well, Crowley brought Samuel back, and telling the Winchesters that would be problematic. But still. Why lie about Sam?)
And though Sam's next words hurt, they're not exactly untrue, either. Because Cas did do a poor job of raising Sam. And when it occurs to Sam that Cas might have brought him back soulless on purpose? That cuts so deep. Because Sam might not know everything he did, but he knows some of it. He knows that he hurt Dean. That he almost killed Bobby. That he was responsible for a lot of innocent lives being lost. And to think that Cas might have facilitated that on purpose . . .
Over a year and a half of lies and deception. And for Dean, this is all too reminiscent of Sam and Ruby.
Cas says that Raphael will turn the world into a graveyard. That he had no choice (but to go in with Crowley). But Dean counters with a very accurate observation. Cas did have a choice. Because we always have choices. Always. And Cas made the wrong choice.
"It's complicated," says Cas.
But Dean cuts it to its simplest terms. Why would Cas keep it a secret unless he knew that it was wrong?
"When crap like this comes around, we deal with it. Like we always have. What we don't do is we don't go out and make another deal with the Devil."
Now, I've heard Dean catch a lot of flack for this. Mostly being called an arrogant hypocrite. At that I have to ask: So Dean's not allowed to learn from his experiences? He's not allowed to be angry when he sees a friend making the same mistakes he did? He's not allowed to call him on it? That's not hypocrisy. That's gaining wisdom the hard way. And as for Dean and Sam working with Crowley this season? That was blackmail. Blackmail that, if we look too closely, we see Cas had a hand in, however unintentionally or indirectly. But we won't look that closely.
"It sounds so simple when you say it like that," Cas replies. "Where were you when I needed to hear it?" Trying to deflect the blame back onto Dean, or at least make Dean share the blame.
"I was there. Where were you?" Dean says.
Cas was there, turning his back on Dean and going to listen to Crowley.
Demons are coming. Cas says it's too late to turn back now. And Dean still offers Cas a way out. "It's not too late," Dean says. "We can fix this."
"Dean, it's not broken!" Cas exclaims. Again he turns down Dean's offer of help. Denies that there's anything to fix. So sure he's doing the right thing, even when confronted by his closest friends.
Cas tells them to run, and so they do. But a look passes between Dean and Cas. They both know this can't end the way they want it to. And Dean doesn't want to leave his friend behind, but he must.
Crowley arrives and lets Cas out of the holy fire. He then proceeds to sow the seeds of doubt in Cas where Sam and Dean are concerned. But Cas will have none of it. He is repulsed by the demon.
Crowley poses some probing questions to Cas before departing. "What are you? What exactly are you willing to do?"
Bobby's house, and there's angel proofing on the windows. But apparently, it doesn't work, because Dean wakes up to find Cas standing there. (Bobby got a few things wrong, it turns out.) As Dean says, "Too bad we've got to angel proof in the first place." And doesn't that just speak volumes that they feel so betrayed by Cas that they try to keep him out of their living quarters, away from their planning.
I wish I could transcript this whole conversation, because there's so much to delve into. But for now, I'll go straight to Dean's admonition and remonstration of Cas where Cas's perception of freedom is concerned. Cas's understanding of freedom is immature. In many ways, Cas is the child Dean says he is. Freedom comes with responsibility.
Dean: Just because you can do what you want, doesn't mean you get to do whatever you want!
Cas still insists that he knows what he's doing. Rather like a teenager who thinks he knows more than those who have actually been through it before.
Dean continues: I'm not gonna logic you. I'm saying, don't. Just 'cuz. I'm asking you not to. That's it.
I've heard Dean catch a lot of flack for this, too. But really, what else is he supposed to do? He knows that Cas knows what he's doing is wrong. He knows that Cas thinks he can handle it. And Dean knows from experience how far south deals with the devil can go. The only thing left is to ask Cas to stop, simply because Dean has asked.
Cas even starts . . . I don't understand--
Dean: Next to Sam, you and Bobby are the closest things I have to family. That you are like a brother to me. So if I'm asking you not to do something, you've got to trust me, man.
Castiel: Or what?
Cas is posing an ultimatum to Dean? Really? Really, Cas?
And once again, for a third time Cas is refusing Dean's help and advice.
Dean can't quite believe what Cas just said. "Or I'll have to do what I have to do to stop you.
Castiel: You can't, Dean. You're just a man. I'm an angel.
Cas? Are you really threatening Dean? For trying to save the planet from Purgatory, and maybe save you from yourself?
Dean: I don't know. I've taken some pretty big fish.
He has, Cas, and you know it. Whether with Sam or on his own, Dean has taken down Azazel, Ruby, Zach, Mike, Lucifer, and Mother. He helped you trap Raphael when you asked for his help (remember that?), and he and Sam trapped Gabe. And that's not counting the regular monsters he's dispatched. Trap an angel in some holy fire and give Dean a blade . . . It can be done.
And by the look on your face, Cas, you know he could do it.
And you should know it would kill him to have to harm you.
"I'm sorry, Dean," Cas says.
"Well, I'm sorry, too, then," Dean replies.
And so, the lines appear to be drawn. They're each going to do what they believe they have to do, and time will tell who prevails.
As an aside, go read this fic. It strikes so deeply to Dean's character, especially.
And so, we finish where we started, in the park, praying. Snow covering the ground, cold in the air, and yet . . . flowers blooming in the snow. The colors of spring, of hope amid the cold.
And Castiel begs his Father for a sign. But Cas? God has already given you a sign. He's given you better than that; he's given you a guide. Dean, you silly angel. Dean is your sign.
There's a conversation I ran across last week asking whether or not folks consider Dean to be an instrument of God. And I'm thinkin', gee. He's trying to parent and guide a wayward angel. If that's not being an instrument of God, I don't know what is. Dean has been important to God ever since "Faith," when Roy le Grange told him as much--that God chose Dean for healing because he had important work to do, and he wasn't finished yet. It would seem that this still holds true.
Now, I know I spent a lot of time riding Cas's case in this recap, but I don't want you to think I'm dissing him. I totally understand why he's doing what he's doing, both the altruistic reasons and the prideful ones. But I've got to go with the guy who's been there, done that, has the emotional scars to prove it.
Because, Cas? Word of advice: You should always, always talk to your trusted friends before you make deals with demons. Preferably, you do it instead of making deals with demons.
For future reference.