Robin’s Rambles: “The Man Who Would Be King”
“Good to see you, Cas,” says Dean, catching his breath. “You all right?” asks Cas. “Yeah,” says Dean. “Perfect timing,” remarks Sam. “I’m glad I caught you,” says Cas, “I come with news–I firmly believe Crowley is alive.” “Ya think, Kojak?” says Dean with irony, then turns to Bobby and asks, “What do you think of Cas saving our asses–again?” “I think we owe you an apology,” says Bobby. “Why?” asks Cas. “We’ve been hunting Crowley this whole time,” confesses Sam, “and keeping it from you.” “We thought you were working with him,” says Bobby. “You thought WHAT?” asks Cas. “I know, crazy, right?” asks Dean. “It’s just that you torched the wrong bones,” says Bobby, “it doesn’t matter, we were wrong.” “You know,” says Cas, “you could’ve just asked me.” “We should have,” agrees Dean, “we never should have doubted you. I just hope you can forgive us.”
“Wonders never cease,” narrates Cas, “they trusted me again. But it was just another lie.”
“It’s forgotten,” Cas assures them. “Yeah, thanks Cas,” says Sam. Bobby nods. “It is a little absurd, though, says Cas. “I know, I know,” says Bobby. “Superman going to the dark side,” teases Cas, “I’m still just Castiel.” “I guess we can put away the Kryptonite, right,” grins Dean. “Exactly,” smiles Cas back.
(Ednote: Ah ha, this is where Cas slipped up! He mentioned Superman and recognized Kryptonite, words mentioned when he was listening to them while invisible! Whoops, Cas!)
“Of course I didn’t realize it at the time,” narrates Cas, “but it was all over, right then, just like that.”
Castiel bursts into Crowley’s lair, doors banging noisily open on either side of him. “You sent demons after them?” he shouts. “You kill mine, why can’t I kill yours?” asks Crowley. “They’re MY friends,” says Cas. “You can’t have friends,” says Crowley, “not anymore–my God, you’re losing it!” “I’m fine,” insists Cas. “The very picture of mental health,” sneers Crowley, “come on, you don’t think I know what this is all about?” “Enlighten me,” says Cas. “The big lie,” says the demon, “the Winchesters still buy it, the good Cas, the righteous Cas, as long as they believe it, YOU get to believe it. Well I got news for you, kitten, a whore is a whore is a whore,” Furious, Cas shoves Crowley against a stone wall, getting smack dab in the demon’s face as he warns, “I’m only going to say this once. If you touch a hair on their heads, I will tear it all down–our arrangement, everything. I’m still an angel, and I will bury you.” He flies off, the beating wings sounding angry. Crowley turns around to look at the punched-in stone wall behind him.
“I asked myself what I was doing with this vermin,” says Cas, “as if I didn’t already know the answer.” “This is NOT how synergy works!” yells Crowley, brushing dust off his jacket.
Lying on the grass from the previous scene where his brother attacked him, Raphael gazing down at him like a crushed bug, Cas says, “Raphael was stronger than me. I wouldn’t survive a straight fight. So I went to an old friend for help.” (We see Dean, raking leaves in his yard during his year with Lisa). “But watching him, I stopped–everything he sacrificed, and I was about to ask him for more.” Suddenly, Crowley is standing beside him. “Ah, Castiel, angel of Thursday,” he says mockingly, “it’s not your day, is it?” “What are you doing here?” Cas asks, annoyed. “I want to help you help me help ourselves,” says Crowley. “Speak plain,” says Cas. “I want to discuss a simple business transaction,” says Crowley.” “You want to make a deal–with ME?” says Cas–“I’m an angel, you ass, without a soul to sell.” (LMAO!–do angels normally curse, or did Dean teach Cas to do that?) “That’s it, isn’t it?” says Crowley, “it all comes down to the souls in the end, doesn’t it?” “What in hell are you talking about?” asks Cas. “I’m taking about Raphael’s head on a pike,” says the demon, “I’m talking about happy endings for all of us, with all possible entendres intended–come on, just a chat.” “I have no interest in talking with you,” says Cas. Behind them, Dean bags what he’s raked. “Why not?” asks Cas–“I’m very interesting– come on, hear me out–five minutes, no obligations, I promise. I’ll make it worth your while.”
“I was no fool,” narrates Cas, “I knew who Crowley was, what he did, but I was smarter than him, stronger. I see now that I was prideful, and in all likelihood, a fool.”
Crowley takes Cas down to Hades, which looks like a dark, ugly bakery where the Blue Danube Waltz plays on a permanent loop. You take a ticket, wait on an endless line, reach the front, go to the end and wait on line all over again. (That would certainly be hell for me, and many others, I’m sure!) In the old place, explains Crowley, the people were already masochists. “No one likes waiting in line,” says Crowley, “that’s efficiency.” “You have four minutes left,” says Cas. “What are you planning to do about Raphael?” asks Crowley. “What can I do, besides submit or die?” asks Cas. “Submit or die?” says Crowley, “what are you, French? How about resist?” “I’m not strong enough, and you know it,” says Cas belligerently. “Not on your own you’re not,” says Crowley, “but you’re not on your own, are you? There’s a lot of angels swooning over here, God’s favorite, buddy boy, you’ve got what they call sex appeal.” “Thank you,” says Cas sarcastically, “get to the point.” “Angels need leaders,” says Crowley, “so be one– gather your army and kick the candy out of each and every angel that shows up for Raphael.” “Are you proposing that I start a civil war in heaven?” demands Cas, horrified. “Ding ding ding,” says Crowley, “tell him what he’s won, Vanna.” “You’re asking me to be the next Lucifer!” cries Cas. “Please, demurs Crowley, “Lucifer was a petulant child with Daddy issues, you, Cas, you love God. God loves you. He brought you back, didn’t it occur to you, so you could be the new sheriff upstairs?” “This is ridiculous,” says Cas, “the amount of power it would take to mount a war. . .” “More than either of us have ever seen, yeah,” agrees Crowley, “but what if I said I knew how to go nuclear?” “What do you mean?” asks Cas. “Purgatory, my fine feathered friend,” says Crowley, “Purgatory–just think about it, an untapped oil well of every fanged, clawed soul–what is that?–30 million, forty?–plump and rich for the taking.” “And how would you find it when no one ever has?” asks Cas. “We’ll need expert help,” says Crowley. “From whom?” asks Cas. “From experts,” says the demon, “I know two eerily seated Teen Beat models twirling their hats.” “Not Dean,” insists Cas, “he’s retired and he’s to stay that way.” “Fine,” says Crowley, “then I know of a certain big, bald patriarch we can take off the bench–the point is, they can get us to the monsters, the monsters can get us to Purgatory, I know it.” “And what’s your price in all this?” asks Cas. “Just half,” answers Crowley. “Half?” repeats Cas. “My position isn’t all that stable, Ducky,” says Crowley, “those souls would help, just like they’d help you–besides, wouldn’t you rather have me in charge down there–the devil you know.” Cas turns away. “This is pointless,” he says, “your plan would take months, and I need help now.” “Granted,” says Crowley, “but just to show you how serious I am about this game, how about I float you a little loan, say, 50 large? Fifty thousand souls from the pit–you can take ’em up to heaven–make quite a showing. It’s either this or the apocalypse all over again–everything you worked for, everything that SAM and DEAN have worked for–gone. You can save this, Castiel.” The angel turns to look at the demon, who adds, “GOD chose you to save us, and I think, deep down, you know that.”
(Ednote: Crowley knows how desperate Cas is, and he’s working him like a drug addicted woman he’s trying to turn to tricks to support her habit. He brings in God, Sam and Dean, three things Cas loves the most, telling him he can stop the apocalypse from happening all over again. How can the angel refuse such a deal, especially presented by someone as smooth-talking as Crowley?)
“I wish I could say I was clean of pride at that moment,” narrates Cas, or the next.”
At the big meeting the next day, Cas sends a fireball at Raphael and the other high angel muckimucks and announces, “There will be no apocalypse! And let it be known, you’re either with Raphael or you’re with me!” Cas storms out.
“And so went the long road of good intentions, the road that brought me here.”
Ellesworth Cabin – “Castiel,” says Dean, clearly upset, “we need you for a little powwow down here.” Cas immediately joins them. Bobby, who has been drinking, praises his speed: “Johnny on the spot.” “You’re still here,” notes Cas. “Yeah,” says Dean, “we found a little whiskey. Thanks for comin’.” “How can I help?” Cas asks. Sam opens a notebook and explains they have a new plan: “We finally figured out a way to track down Crowley.” “What is it?” asks Cas, stepping forward eagerly. “It’s you,” says Dean, throwing out a match. A second later, Cas is surrounded in a ring of holy fire, their prisoner. He looks at their faces and knows his secret is out.
(Ednote: I’m reminded of Sam after Bobby and Dean have locked him in the panic room following the revelation he’s been drinking demon blood. Just as heartbreaking!)
Being in a fox hole with somebody yes they all were together. But this Season can anybody honestly say Dean has been caring about Castiel? or Castiels plight. this Season..?.
Lets see Dean gets the surrogate father and now a brother .Sam would be better off going behind his wall and staying there.
Robin, thanks for your enjoyable article.
Some quick thoughts.
[b]1. What did you think of this episode? Does it seem a re-telling of Sam-Dean? Is Cas REALLY as close as a brother to Dean? That part I don’t agree with and feel it’s an insult to Dean and Sam’s relationship.[/b]
I think it’s fairly obvious that there are similarities between Season 4 Sam and Season 6 Castiel.
I do think that Cas is – well, was – like a brother to Dean. Like men who go through war together on the same side, I’m not at all surprised Dean and Castiel developed a brotherly bond that is comparable to blood brothers.
[b]2. What did you think about Crowley’s offer to Cas? Does it sound good or too good to be true?[/b]
Crowley’s a demon 😛 – I’m fairly sure that if he and Castiel had found a way to break open Purgatory, Crowley would have found a way to siphon all the soul power for himself, cutting off Castiel. I do not think Crowley likes to share, if he can possibly help it.
[b]3. Crowley wants the Winchesters dead. Cas wants them alive. Which of them is going to win that now that Dean and the angel have come to a parting of the ways?[/b]
Tough call – it could go either way, especially with the much touted cliffhanger at the end of Season 6 (whatever it may be).
[b]4. I’ve said before that it was no coincidence that Sam’s soul was left behind. I was sure that Cas raised Sam from perdition, too—where’s his hand tattoo like Dean has? Can we safely assume Crowley ordered Sam’s resurrection?[/b]
I’m a bit confused about this part – there appears to be a number of possible explainations. Maybe rescuing Dean from Hell is different from breaking Sam out of Lucifer’s cage ?
[b]5. Do you think Cas made his slip-up with Superman because he had too much pride or too much humanity?[/b]
I think Dean described Cas best a couple of episodes ago – Cas is, in many ways, still like a child. 😛 He simply did not think fast enough on his feet.
[b]7. What is the outcome of this tragedy going to be? Speculate.[/b]
Everyone appears to die at the end of the Season 6 – including Dean and Castiel appearing to kill off each other in a bloody knife fight ? 😛
1. I enjoyed this episode immensely. It was full of such angst and heartbreak. All of our suspicions as viewers were largely confirmed. It was to an extent a repetition of season 4 between Sam and Dean concerning Ruby, and yet different. I think, in Dean’s POV, that Cas is a brother to him. It’s Dean’s nature—considering how lonely the hunter’s life can be. He’s adopted Bobby as his father. He’s finally returned to his big brother role for Sam in all its glory. He took on the role—even if he had to give it up—father to Ben. Bobby said it best: Family don’t end in blood, boy. Does this elevate Cas above Sam? I don’t think so. For me, it isn’t so much an insult as much as it is a demonstration of how loyal Dean can be to those he allows into his heart. And when they break it, it shatters. This is the second time a “brother” has chosen a demon over him. It’s going to give poor Dean a complex!
2.Cas should have known better. Crowley is a demon, the self proclaimed King of the Crossroads, now King of Hell. His job is to be a smooth talker. As an Angel of the Lord, Cas should have seen what Crowley was doing. I think he was so desperate, knew that Crowley needed the Apocalypse to stay off the rails as much as he did, and assumed that he could somehow keep this in his control. He’s still an Angel, and they thrive upon structure. He had made his own choices while helping Sam and Dean in season 5, but even there Dean called a lot of the shots. Here, Cas was on his own. Because he had decided to tackle it alone, he had no true sounding board to fall back on and reassess a decision before making it. It’s hard to say how it might have been different if he had gone to Dean right away—we’ll never know.
3. Dean might have turned Cas away, but I don’t think Cas will stop protecting him and Sam as he can. Crowley pointed out Sam and Dean’s lengthy demon body count himself—and I have no doubt that the boys will find a way to add him to that list if given the chance. I don’t think Crowley will succeed in killing the brothers. And even if he does, he should now better than that by now. They don’t stay DEAD. Seems the only demon they’ve never managed to kill is Meg! She survives largely by staying far, far away and having escape plans. Either way, I don’t see the boys enduring another death—-the crumbling of Sam’s wall on the other hand—
4. I don’t think Crowley ordered Sam’s resurrection. I do think Cas had good intentions in pulling Sam from the Cage, but I do think he may have left the soul behind on purpose. He just didn’t seem to try hard enough to deny it and the shamed look on his face gave me the impression that he had done so on purpose. Crowley managed to find a way to exploit the situation, however. Soulless Sam, love him or hate him, was good at what he was doing—at least from the King of Hell’s POV. He didn’t have that pesky thing called empathy to get in the way. He hunted creatures, he handed them over, he didn’t ask questions. He was, to Crowley, the perfect hunter for his purposes. Grandpa was just his knowledge fountain. Soulless Sam was his hammer. It is possible that Cas had intended to try and find away to bust Sam’s soul out in a second attempt at jail breaking the Cage, but was persuaded to leave it there only a little longer until they had Purgatory in their grasp. As much of a fast talker as Crowley was in convincing Cas to start the Civil War in the first place, he could have convinced our wayward angel that it wouldn’t be for long and then he could reunite Moose and Soul. It makes sense when you consider JUST how adamant both Cas and Crowley were against the return of Sam’s soul. There’s also whatever power source it provided—-the big question I truly want answered. What if Crowley, in his convincing of Cas to keep it in the Cage, had found a way to tap into Sam’s soul? It’s the questions we have left on the table lingering from this episode.
5. I think Cas wanted to get caught. On some level. Rather it was conscious or not, he wanted to get caught. He knew he was in too deep. He knew that he needed help. He also knew that the likely hood of getting it by a full on confession to Sam, Dean, and Bobby was likely not to go over well. He had to slip up some other way. I think he has become much more human—and thus more prideful as well. I think he’s been twisted around and turned upside down this season in so many ways that he just didn’t know how to stop anymore. He had already lied repeatedly about Sam and his soul. He had deceived the brothers with Crowley. And now that they’ve managed to—judging from this episode—kill the Mother of All for good, left him with little hope to open that door to Purgatory. I think he is realizing that his deal with Crowley is falling apart and fast and that it is time to find another avenue to winning the war in Heaven. The question is: is he too little too late in going to the Winchesters for real this time?
6. I think Raphael is what Cas once said he is early on in the season—a traditionalist. There were, once upon a time, four Arch Angels: Michael, Gabriel, Lucifer, and Raphael. Now there’s only one free. Gabriel was slain by Lucifer. Michael and Lucifer are together trapped in the Cage. I think Raphael wants the prize fight, but not because it’s the script God set forth. He makes Cas’s pride and hubris look tame—despite its tragedy. Raphael has assumed the mantel of God for what it’s worth. I think he wants Michael and Lucifer to have their prize fight so that he can eliminate the winner and fully cement his place as the new ruler of Heaven. Cas was simply a small insect and now thorn in his side to accomplishing that goal. As long as both Michael and Lucifer are alive and in the Cage, Raphael’s position is precarious. If he can find a way to somehow get them to kill each other or kill the winner, they are no longer a hovering threat to his rule. First, though, he has to stomp out this freedom nonsense and the leader of that movement—-Castiel. I somehow think he might not succeed at this venture.
7. I think the outcome of this tragedy will have a wide reaching effect for the end of this season and the majority of season 7. I think it will take a long time for Dean to recover from this second betrayal. And with the other events we know are to come in terms of Sam’s Wall, it’s likely that Castiel will be pushed aside in Dean’s world in favor of Sam. Do I think Cas will find a way to redeem himself—even perhaps before the end of the season? Perhaps. I think he could smite Crowley at any time—Crowley just has him tied up in so many knots that it keeps the angel from doing it—until now. Cas has lost a lot, possibly everything. If he feels Crowley is a threat to Sam and Dean, he’ll kill him—for REAL this time. It’s probably the one thing he can do at this stage to restore any speck of trust Dean might have for him. It’ll be very interesting to see how it plays out whatever the outcome.
And I thank you again for providing us such wonderfully thought provoking questions. It’s always a treat to answer them and see what might come from them.
Far Away Eyes
[b]1. What did you think of this episode? Does it seem a re-telling of Sam-Dean? Is Cas REALLY as close as a brother to Dean? That part I don’t agree with and feel it’s an insult to Dean and Sam’s relationship.[/b]
This was a really heavy episode. It was the first episode we’ve seen from SPN to be told like a confessional (and was it also the first episode where flashbacks actually told a story, they weren’t just there to supplement it?) and one I really enjoyed. Conflicted Castiel is good Castiel.
I’m going to go with Castiel is like a brother to Dean and vice versa. Dean considers him a brother and I don’t think he’d say those words lightly. He said as much in ‘And Then There Were None’ when he said blood doesn’t make you family. Bobby is Sam and Deans father and there’s no blood relationship there. Dean and Castiel fought together, saved each others lives and averted the Apocalypse together. Yeah, I’d say they’re brothers (or were brothers).
[b]
2. What did you think about Crowley’s offer to Cas? Does it sound good or too good to be true?[/b]
The sleazy demon does talk sense! That being said, you couldn’t trust Crowley as far as Castiel could throw him (and I imagine that’s pretty far). Crowley will sell out Castiel first chance he gets. Castiel still seems to think that Crowley is a bit beneath him, something that can be offed in a heartbeat but Crowley has much more experience than Castiel in manipulating people/situations etc to suit himself.
[b]3. Crowley wants the Winchesters dead. Cas wants them alive. Which of them is going to win that now that Dean and the angel have come to a parting of the ways? [/b]
They’re gonna be alive. There is a season 7 after all!
[b]4. I’ve said before that it was no coincidence that Sam’s soul was left behind. I was sure that Cas raised Sam from perdition, too—where’s his hand tattoo like Dean has? Can we safely assume Crowley ordered Sam’s resurrection?[/b]
I though Castiel bought Sam back ever before he met Crowley? Where is the handprint indeed? I assume we’d have seen it in Two and a Half Men (unless there’s a big handprint on Sams ankle. Oh, the indignity!)
I don’t think he (Sam) has one. There are differences between Sam being raised and Dean being raised. Dean’s physical body was on earth therefore it must have been his soul that was raised. Sam was in hell body and soul. Castiel has touched Sam many times during the seasons and it’s never burnt. Perhaps when Dean was raised, Castiel grabbed hold of his soul and this was reflected in the burn on his shoulder. He didn’t do this for Sam. Could also explain why it’s such agony when the soul is handled; it burns.
[b]5. Do you think Cas made his slip-up with Superman because he had too much pride or too much humanity?
[/b]
I think Castiels guilty conscience led him to overcompensate a lot ie he was much more ‘Cas’ than a new, improved, ultra angelic ‘Castiel’ should be (does that make sense?). Look at his manner after Swan Song, all business, no unnecessary words and/or actions.
Now he is saying/doing things that reinforce the more human side of him; throwing in extra quips and jibs etc that Castiel (especially a more souped up Castiel) wouldn’t have done. Even Cas of the past would not have looked to engage in extending a conversation, once he got the apology he’d have vamoosed.
I think the relief of getting away with it caused him to talk without thinking.
[b]6. Why do you think Raphael decided to take over in hell and roll over Castiel the way he did?[/b]
Hierarchy. Michael, Lucifer and Gabriel are gone so Raphael is the only archangel left. Kind of like being fourth in line for the throne, you never assume it’s going to get so far that you would actually have to lead. Therefore, he doesn’t know how to rule so he is overly dominant and aggressive. The whole rule by fear and not love scenario.
Raphael hasn’t a clue what he’s doing, is probably as uncertain as Castiel about the future but he cannot show any weakness whatsoever therefore it’s ‘my way or the high way’. Castiel and Raphael have a lot in common.
[b]7. What is the outcome of this tragedy going to be? Speculate.[/b]
So many tragedies, whichever do you mean!!
Ah, short term, Crowley is going to sell Castiel up the river. Castiel isn’t doing what Crowley wants (kill the Winchesters), he’s threatened him on more than one occasion. Crowley is going to see this as a weakness, realise his situation is precarious and sell him out to a bigger gun (ie Raphael). When Castiel is in trouble, I think Sam and Dean will help him, that’s what family/friends do.
Will Sam and Dean forgive Castiel? Yeah, I think so. Might take a good while before they (esp Dean) trust him again but I think they will.
What will happen long term? No clue but guaranteed it’ll drive us all bonkers over the summer break.
Disclaimer: these are only the tragedies we’ve seen so far. Next week could tell a different story with a whole new set of tragedies!
Thanks for these, Robin.
[b]1. What did you think of this episode? Does it seem a re-telling of Sam-Dean? Is Cas REALLY as close as a brother to Dean? That part I don’t agree with and feel it’s an insult to Dean and Sam’s relationship.[/b]
I loved this episode! It totally rocked! 😆
As for the brotherly relationship between Dean and Cas, I feel that this is the case. I mean, I have a sisterly relationship with my BFF. So why can’t Dean have the same kind of relationship? I don’t think it insults Sam and Dean’s true brotherly bond. Sam doesn’t see it as a threat.
[b]2. What did you think about Crowley’s offer to Cas? Does it sound good or too good to be true?[/b]
The offer was definitely in the category of too good to be true or don’t trust deals made with a snake oil salesman. Crowley is a snake oil salesman if ever I’ve seen one! I think Cas made it because it didn’t have the benefit of an opposing view point having decided to not to go to Dean.
[b]3. Crowley wants the Winchesters dead. Cas wants them alive. Which of them is going to win that now that Dean and the angel have come to a parting of the ways?[/b]
I want Cas to win and I think he will, but the cost will be great.
[b]4. I’ve said before that it was no coincidence that Sam’s soul was left behind. I was sure that Cas raised Sam from perdition, too—where’s his hand tattoo like Dean has? Can we safely assume Crowley ordered Sam’s resurrection?[/b]
I believe that Cas did raise Sam. However, Dean and Sam were in Hell under totally different circumstances. Dean’s soul was in Hell, but his body was still on Earth. So, when the two were joined together, that’s how the hand print on Dean came into being. However, Sam’s whole body and soul was in Hell with Michael and Lucifer. I think Cas had the mojo to get Sam’s body out, but not his soul. With Dean, he wasn’t alone in the rescue, but with Sam, he seems to be on his own. Cas couldn’t get it away from Michael and Lucifer. Those two would have been very interested in keeping Sam’s soul and punishing it for their loss of completing the Apocalypse to its conclusion.
[b]5. Do you think Cas made his slip-up with Superman because he had too much pride or too much humanity?[/b]
On this, I think the answer is both. Cas wanted to be caught. He was running out of answers and the answers that he was coming up with didn’t seem to satisfy him anymore.
[b]6. Why do you think Raphael decided to take over in hell and roll over Castiel the way he did?[/b]
I think you actually mean Heaven. Anyway, Raphael is really no different than Meg. By that I mean Raphael wants the Apocalypse to continue and so does Meg. Both want their chosen champion to win and take over. Crowley and Castiel have both put a monkey wrench in those plans. So, Raphael and Meg are not going to just stand by and take it. They both have agendas to fulfill. I know that Meg wasn’t mentioned, but I feel she has just as much a vested interest in this situation as Raphael. Both are power hungry and ambitious.
[b]7. What is the outcome of this tragedy going to be? Speculate.[/b]
Well, that’s the big question. I don’t envision a happy ending coming up. I mean, it’s going to take a lot to straighten out this mess and I think there are many more casualties to come. I fully expect to see the Angel of Death again. It may come down to God and Death being the only ones able to set things right and correct the natural order. At least we all can take comfort in the knowledge that there will be a Season 7 in the fall. 😀