Sofia’s Review: Supernatural 9.03, “I’m No Angel”
Coming into this episode it was clear that it was going to be Cass-centered, primarily focused on the angel’s search for him. I was expecting a few knock down, drag out fights between Cass and whatever angel dared to hunt him down. What I got was actually quite sad and sobering. Cass is not an angel anymore. I knew that, but I wasn’t connecting the dots. I didn’t realize just how vulnerable he would become. I don’t think he realized it himself. And man, was it sad to watch.
I’m telling you, this episode made me want to go out and find every homeless person in the city of Chicago and give them a sandwich and a hug. Being homeless is rough. Cass was depending on the kindness of strangers for his next meal. That has to be rough for someone who used to not even need food.
Cass seems to be learning quite a bit from this experience. It’s no secret that he’s never fully grasped human conventions. It’s been a great source of comic relief over the past seasons. And selfishly I hope he doesn’t ever totally grasp these social norms because that would mean less quotes like this:
Cass: “Do you ever tire of urinating? I’ll never get used to it.”
But I do enjoy watching his self exploration. I found his conversation with the woman in the church the most interesting.
Cass: “What if you were to find out that no one is listening. That God pretty much left. That Heaven had gone out of business, what would you do?”
This seemed like less of a question for the woman and more like Cass seeking her advice. And her advice was to not give up faith. That someone is up there listening. I’m not sure that Cass found any real comfort in her sentiments but I do wonder if she might be right. Is God still up there listening? What did you all think about this scene? Do you think Cass took her words to heart?
The angels are assembling and they really have quite the arrangement, don’t they. Bartholomew is heading up a special faction of angels that uses a televangelist to secure strong vessels for the angels. As we saw, not any vessel will do. It takes a special kind of person to contain and angel. And Bart did not seem to sweat a few casualties here and there.
He is also hell-bent on hunting down Castiel. I really like the idea of these freelance reapers. It’s something we saw last season in “Taxi Driver”. I liked it then, and I like it now. What’s interesting about reapers is that they don’t really fall into a category. They aren’t “bad guys” because they’re just doing their job to keep the natural order of things. But they aren’t really “good guys” either because they take your life which is not cool.
However, this particular reaper’s freelance choices landed him in the “bad guys” category in my book. I was actually surprised to see how long it took Sam and Dean to realize he was trailing them. I guess it would be no fun if they discovered it right away. Thankfully, they were able to use him to get intel on Bartholomew and the angel’s plans. Unfortunately, the reaper was right, there would be others to take his place. Enter: April.
Poor Cass. He has his v-card taken away under false pretenses. I’ll admit I was a little suspicious of April. She was a little too nice to a strange man she met in the alley. But I chalked it up to his good looks and called it a day. Before we realized who she was I was feeling kind of happy for Cass. He had food and shelter and a sweet girl to talk to and confide in.
Cass: “I thought I was more important, more effective than I am. That I could fix everything. And now all I can do is keep running.”
Cass opened up to her and then she stabbed him in the back. Or actually, the chest. Am I the only one who let out a long and agonized “Noooo!” when I realized Cass was dead? It took me about three seconds to realize that Zeke would heal Cass but those were the longest three seconds ever.
I wonder if Cass was right? Is he the key to undoing whatever spell Metatron used to close the gates of Heaven? It was his grace that finalized the spell, so if he found Metatron and managed to get his grace back, would the spell be reversed? What do you think? I personally think he can’t stay human forever and this is the logical way to get his wings back.
While I’m happy that Cass is alive and Sam is alive, I’m getting more and more worried about just how comfortable Zeke is getting in Sam’s body. And the more he intervenes, the more lies Dean tells and the deeper the hole he’s digging becomes. Dean even commented on it himself.
Cass: “You lied.”
Dean: “I do that.”
I find myself questioning why Dean isn’t asking Ezekiel about a timeline. I would want to know how far along the healing process is and how much longer Zeke thinks he’ll need to be possessing Sam. So far there’s just been a lot of Zeke saying that Sam is feeling better but that he’s not healed yet. And now he’s threatening to leave Sam’s body if Cass stays around. That about broke my heart. I understand that they are all in danger with Cass around. And I understand that Ezekiel is doing Dean a favor by healing Sam, but let’s not forget that Sam is returning the favor by giving Zeke a place to heal himself. I also find myself wondering if Ezekiel wants Cass to leave so that he doesn’t find out that Zeke is possessing Sam. Because he doesn’t know, right? Correct me if I’m wrong, but Cass vouched for Ezekiel when Dean asked about him, but Dean never told him about the agreement. Something tells me Cass would not approve.
This lie just continues to snowball, doesn’t it? And Sam is starting to get suspicious. I am dreading the day that everything comes to light. On the one hand Sam deserves to know, on the other hand I want him to heal before he ejects Zeke and I worry that if he knew he wouldn’t care about healing. But I’m beginning to worry that the stronger Zeke becomes, the more difficult it would be for Sam to eject him. He did say “yes” to being a vessel, even if he didn’t understand what he was saying “yes” to. This whole situation makes my head spin.
What did you all think of the episode? What are your thoughts on Bartholomew? Any ideas about where Metatron might be hiding out and if Cass is the key to reversing his spell?
It looks like we’ll be taking a bit of a break from this main story arch for next week’s episode. Charlie will be back for some kind of bizzaro Wizard of Oz episode. I’m actually happy to have a standalone episode so that I can catch my breath. And this looks like it’s going to be a good one.
Last but not least, some quotes and random thoughts.
Where was Kevin? We ended the last episode with Dean convincing him not to leave and then he’s gone with no explanation.
How awesome was Jared this week? He transitions seamlessly between Sam and Ezekiel.
Cass: “I find that often the people with the least to give are the most generous.”
Cass: “I’ve tried falling asleep. It’s quite a process isn’t it.”
Cass going by “Clarence” is the sweetest thing. The fact that Dean doesn’t know the significance behind the name blew my mind.
Woman in the church: “Your lack of faith doesn’t cancel what I believe, that’s not how it works.”
Bart: “I’ve got one word for you, Winchester.”
Cass: “I stabbed him. He exploded.”
Oh Cass, you have to learn what to keep to yourself.
April: “That was ok?”
Cass: “Very much so.”
Cass: “What I did, it was correct?”
April: “Very much so.”
As worried as I am about Ezekiel, Dean trying to communicate with him made me laugh a lot.
Dean: “I’m letting you know.”
Dean: “Never do that again!”
Cass: “Alright. I’m confused, she stabbed me but I don’t appear to be dead.”
Dean: “It ain’t all just burritos and strippers, my friend.”
Dean: “Did you have protection?”
Cass: “I had my angel blade.”
Cass: “Dean, you know I always appreciate our talks and our time together.”
And this is where my heart broke knowing what Dean was about to say. I just pray that Dean sent Cass away with some money. I can’t bear the thought of him hiding out in rainy alleyways.
Love your review. My heart was breaking for Cass. I love Jared’s transitions from Sam to Zeke.
About Zeke, I think I like him. I really want to. But, Zeke does know how to get what he wants, and I really hated that Dean is turning Cass out because Zeke says so. But, what choice does he have? I’m thinking Sam will be upset when he finds out Cass is no longer with them in the bunker, and I can’t imagine it would be so easy for Dean to cover up. I can’t wait to see how Dean explains this to Sam. It had better be a good one.
I loved this ep too, they have all been great this year. I actually felt sorry for Cas, and Jared was amazing as always. Can’t wait for next week.
Great review and once again, you mirror most of my views and feelings. Lots of those! I’m not used to screaming at my tv (I’m a newbie). These shows are so intense, I feel completely emotionally rung out by the end. Man!
Jared is just amazing, as Sam and Zeke and switching back and forth between the two. Zeke is really starting to make me worry though. The intensity of what seemed like anger to me at the end where he tells Dean that Cas can’t stay cause alarm bells to go off. What’s he so worried about? I fear that it’s going to be difficult if not impossible for Sam to get ride of him and then what will Dean do to fix it? The lies are just going to keep compounding. Dean will have to make something up to explain Cas being gone – if he does in fact make Cas go. That seems so out of character for him, except of course, he’s protecting Sam. Jensen is also doing an amazing job of portraying all the guilt and discomfort Dean feels for going along with this set up.
Whew! I’m ready for a leave of emotion here. Looking forward to next week, but I hope they start off with the Cas situation, since we HAVE to know whether he goes or not. And I too wonder where Kevin went off too, although it is a pretty big place.
Great recap.
There’s one thing that doesn’t quite make sense to me when it comes to the whole sam/eze story line. If angels can’t posses people without their permission how come ezekiel is possessing Sam without his knowledge. I know they showed ezekiel going in as Dean and convincing Sam to ‘let him in’ and let him help Sam, but in this case isn’t same saying yes to Dean and not to Ezekiel?? He doesn’t really give any angel permission to posses him and him not having any knowledge of it makes it very far from consent doesn’t it?
Also if this is the case why can’t all the angels just get into peoples heads and trick them into giving their consent by looking like their loved ones?
This has been bugging me for a while now.. lol
Thank you Sofia!
Reapers, yes… I can see three big categories – creepy white-faced old men from Faith and Abandon All Hope, more decent-looking Tessa and Bobby’s reaper, and rogue reapers who seemed to have lost their invisibility and have to earn for their “living” doing odd jobs. These rogues look battered and seedy, being freelancers tells on them badly. I wonder what made them quit their prestigious job and position, take off their respectable suits? I take it they were created by Death, right? But what was the original material? Are reapers made of people’s souls, and if so, what’s the principle of selection? That is, some people have the makings , or what? And the reapers turn out to be rather vulnerable – anyone can find a spell and make a reaper to choose a different victim; they are easily tempted. Bribes! All in all, very intriguing creatures, I’d like to learn more about them. And who reaps the reapers?
😡
know this I am a dean girl and a cas girl. having said that I find it very hard to believe that cas has been watching all mankind since the beginning and he has not learned any of the social norms or lingo. yes it CUTE and comic relief but now he has a chance to REALLY use it because he now is HUMAN.
tell me how can sam jog around and zeke bring cas BACK FROM THE DEAD but he cant leave. BS
sorry but sam and zeke should both be healed by now.
DEAN BETTER GIVE CAS THE KEYS TO RUFUS’ CABIN. NO MORE LIVING IN THE STREETS period
:sigh:
dean can play a DOCTOR, FBI AGENT, HOMELAND SECURITY AGENT, GYM TEACHER and does not know CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG, MARY POPPINS and IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE 😕
seriously if any of you know an ELEMENTARY site like this, I would appreciate it. later SPNfamily
I am pretty sure Dean does know the significance of Clarence. Meg used it in BAI in front of Dean and he appeared to get it. I chalk that up to the fact that this writing duo is terrible. in the excremental MBFwB Dean didn’t know what a familiar was.
it also appears that they do not know that Reapers and angels were different entities with distinct properties and attitudes. There is too much about the rogue reaper nonsense which smacks of lazy writing. Hopefully they will leave the show when Singer leaves after 10, which he already announced. Of course I am assuming the brave new world can go beyond 10.
I can’t take anything in this episode seriously.
I did think the televangelist connection was smart.
Jensen is bringing his A game.
8 castile cat
its not that other actors are not good, it just that JENSEN and MARK SHEPPARD are Exceptional actors. throw in JULIAN [death] for the cherry on top 😛
[quote]8 castile cat
its not that other actors are not good, it just that JENSEN and MARK SHEPPARD are Exceptional actors. throw in JULIAN [death] for the cherry on top :P[/quote]
LOL! I see I misspelled my name, so your humor is particularly apropos. As Castiel’s cat I have to add Misha to the list. However, I wasn’t slighting anyone
. Dean has been shouldering the emotional storyline since the pilot. His body language and facial control amazes me, as does his delivery.
[quote]Thank you Sofia!
Reapers, yes… I can see three big categories – creepy white-faced old men from Faith and Abandon All Hope, more decent-looking Tessa and Bobby’s reaper, and rogue reapers who seemed to have lost their invisibility and have to earn for their “living” doing odd jobs. These rogues look battered and seedy, being freelancers tells on them badly. I wonder what made them quit their prestigious job and position, take off their respectable suits? I take it they were created by Death, right? But what was the original material? Are reapers made of people’s souls, and if so, what’s the principle of selection? That is, some people have the makings , or what? And the reapers turn out to be rather vulnerable – anyone can find a spell and make a reaper to choose a different victim; they are easily tempted. Bribes! All in all, very intriguing creatures, I’d like to learn more about them. And who reaps the reapers?[/quote]
The fact is reaper lore has always been pretty underwritten/muddled.
Jeepers creepers, my head is spinning @ reapers!
So, I want to think about a couple of the almost poetic moments mentioned. Cas’ quote about those with the least being the most generous. No one ranted and raved about the condition of the poor & homeless. Just a casual observation which made it more moving to me. I also loved the woman in the church and I really hope some of her words are lingering in Cas’ subconscious. It reminded me of the young women at the end of Faith. Faith is believing when things don’t go your way.
[quote]Love your review. My heart was breaking for Cass. I love Jared’s transitions from Sam to Zeke.
About Zeke, I think I like him. I really want to. But, Zeke does know how to get what he wants, and I really hated that Dean is turning Cass out because Zeke says so. But, what choice does he have? I’m thinking Sam will be upset when he finds out Cass is no longer with them in the bunker, and I can’t imagine it would be so easy for Dean to cover up. I can’t wait to see how Dean explains this to Sam. It had better be a good one.[/quote]
I hadn’t even thought about how Dean would explain kicking Cass out to Sam. That’s gonna be tough. I’m guessing he’ll tell Sam that everyone is safer this way. Either way, I’m sure it will raise Sam’s suspicions even more.
[quote]Great recap.
There’s one thing that doesn’t quite make sense to me when it comes to the whole sam/eze story line. If angels can’t posses people without their permission how come ezekiel is possessing Sam without his knowledge. I know they showed ezekiel going in as Dean and convincing Sam to ‘let him in’ and let him help Sam, but in this case isn’t same saying yes to Dean and not to Ezekiel?? He doesn’t really give any angel permission to posses him and him not having any knowledge of it makes it very far from consent doesn’t it?
Also if this is the case why can’t all the angels just get into peoples heads and trick them into giving their consent by looking like their loved ones?
This has been bugging me for a while now.. lol[/quote]
I agree that it doesn’t feel like Sam ever [i]really[/i] consented to Zeke possessing him. But I think when Dean/Zeke was in Sam’s head and he asked a final time “is that a yes?”, that was Sam’s consent. He was saying yes to whatever the plan was, and that was the plan.
[quote]Thank you Sofia!
Reapers, yes… I can see three big categories – creepy white-faced old men from Faith and Abandon All Hope, more decent-looking Tessa and Bobby’s reaper, and rogue reapers who seemed to have lost their invisibility and have to earn for their “living” doing odd jobs. These rogues look battered and seedy, being freelancers tells on them badly. I wonder what made them quit their prestigious job and position, take off their respectable suits? I take it they were created by Death, right? But what was the original material? Are reapers made of people’s souls, and if so, what’s the principle of selection? That is, some people have the makings , or what? And the reapers turn out to be rather vulnerable – anyone can find a spell and make a reaper to choose a different victim; they are easily tempted. Bribes! All in all, very intriguing creatures, I’d like to learn more about them. And who reaps the reapers?[/quote]
All great questions! I assumed that these freelance reapers are working these jobs in their off time and that they still work directly with Death. Whether he knows about their freelance work or not is another question…I don’t know how he’d feel about it.
As for who reaps reapers, in the rare case that one may die, I would guess Death would be the one to reap them. From there, it would seem they go to Purgatory, right? Who knows, but it’s fun to speculate.
Nice review Sofia, thanks. I had occasion to watch the episode a second time, and I must admit I did like it. I liked how Castiel’s story developed. The scene just before he goes into the church, he’s standing in front of some Chinese market, and the noise and everything around him is so overwhelming, the look on his face, my heart just about broke. 😥 And yes, I thought the scene in the church was really good. The rogue reapers, maybe not so much. I have no problem with the lore, because we don’t really know that much about it, but the fact that you can torture them like an angel, and then kill them just like an angel doesn’t sit right with me. April was too much like an angel to me. I don’t remember Bartholomew telling the reaper he hired to kill or even torture Castiel, so why would she? It seemed so personal.
Something that really pissed me off was Dean not knowing “It’s a Wonderful Life”! Come on! These writers screwed up big time with that one, and I know it’s only a detail, but they’ve been with the show how long now? I don’t believe in a million years that someone who has Dean’s knowledge of pop culture wouldn’t know such a staple of Americana. ‘Nuff said. 😉
[quote][quote]Thank you Sofia!
Reapers, yes… I can see three big categories – creepy white-faced old men from Faith and Abandon All Hope, more decent-looking Tessa and Bobby’s reaper, and rogue reapers who seemed to have lost their invisibility and have to earn for their “living” doing odd jobs. These rogues look battered and seedy, being freelancers tells on them badly. I wonder what made them quit their prestigious job and position, take off their respectable suits? I take it they were created by Death, right? But what was the original material? Are reapers made of people’s souls, and if so, what’s the principle of selection? That is, some people have the makings , or what? And the reapers turn out to be rather vulnerable – anyone can find a spell and make a reaper to choose a different victim; they are easily tempted. Bribes! All in all, very intriguing creatures, I’d like to learn more about them. And who reaps the reapers?[/quote]
All great questions! I assumed that these freelance reapers are working these jobs in their off time and that they still work directly with Death. Whether he knows about their freelance work or not is another question…I don’t know how he’d feel about it.
As for who reaps reapers, in the rare case that one may die, I would guess Death would be the one to reap them. From there, it would seem they go to Purgatory, right? Who knows, but it’s fun to speculate.[/quote]
Sofia, it really is! I love reapers, they are neither bureaucratic like angels, nor sadistic like demons. just people who want to get money easy way. Almost humans,eh? If they knew that it would be Death reaping them, they’d’ve behaved much better, I suppose. Only maybe Death doesn’t care. I’d say that mild curiosity is his strongest emotion, but he may be very angry (with Lucifer for example) and looks so. I’d vote for some special place for reapers in Death’s realm.
[quote][quote]Great recap.
There’s one thing that doesn’t quite make sense to me when it comes to the whole sam/eze story line. If angels can’t posses people without their permission how come ezekiel is possessing Sam without his knowledge. I know they showed ezekiel going in as Dean and convincing Sam to ‘let him in’ and let him help Sam, but in this case isn’t same saying yes to Dean and not to Ezekiel?? He doesn’t really give any angel permission to posses him and him not having any knowledge of it makes it very far from consent doesn’t it?
Also if this is the case why can’t all the angels just get into peoples heads and trick them into giving their consent by looking like their loved ones?
This has been bugging me for a while now.. lol[/quote]
I agree that it doesn’t feel like Sam ever [i]really[/i] consented to Zeke possessing him. But I think when Dean/Zeke was in Sam’s head and he asked a final time “is that a yes?”, that was Sam’s consent. He was saying yes to whatever the plan was, and that was the plan.[/quote]
The question of consent gets a little tricky with angels. If you remember back in S5, Zachariah was resorting to every trick in the book to get Dean to say yes to being Michael’s vessel. Under normal circumstances, I think once the human has said yes (even under duress) and the angel possesses them, the human is suppressed and loses the ability to have any say in the matter – the angel just needs an opening. In Sam’s case, he did technically say yes to Dean/Zeke but, except for the moments that he “Zekes out”, he is in control of himself and isn’t aware he is possessed. Under those circumstances if he found out he was possessed, he could eject Zeke.