Sometimes this show just blows my mind. Lucky for me, it’s been doing that a lot this season. It’s been awhile since we talked about the tablets, Naomi, Cass or Crowley. So to have all these threads come together in one episode was really exciting.

I knew “Goodbye Stranger” was going to be good from the opening scene. I’m pretty sure my mouth hung open for that entire first commercial break. Finally our questions were answered about what exactly Naomi wanted from Cass. She wanted him to kill Dean. And she made him practice. A lot. So here’s my first question; why Dean? Well, I guess the question should actually be, why JUST Dean? Cass was supposed to be protecting the angel tablet from getting taken by Crowley. That makes sense. The angels wouldn’t want demons holding the instruction manual from closing heaven. But why keep the information from Sam and Dean? Is it just because Naomi wanted Cass to bring the tablet straight to heaven without any trouble from them? I think there’s more to it than that. It seems Cas was instructed to keep that tablet away from Dean specifically. And his training seemed pretty Dean-specific. So what does this tablet have to do with Dean? My initial thought was that maybe he could read it. But that would make him a prophet and there aren’t supposed to be more than one of those at a time. Plus, Dean was touching the tablet at one point and nothing happened. There was no grand light or shaking earth. But Dean has been connected to heaven and angels since Cas gripped him tight and raised him from perdition. And if you believe in the idea of his destiny, the connection started much earlier than that. So a connection to the angel tablet wouldn’t be too surprising. I just can’t for the life of me figure out what that connection may be. What do you guys think? Why was Naomi so focused on Cass killing Dean? And why did Cass want to protect that tablet from Dean?

There is always the possibility that I’m reading too much into this. The answer could be more simple. Maybe Naomi and Cass are more concerned with Dean because Sam is in a weakened state. Cass said that Sam was damaged in ways even he couldn’t repair. So maybe Sam is no longer seen as a threat? I personally can’t believe that. Even if he’s physically weakened his mind is sharp as ever. And let’s be honest, Sam Winchester’s weakened state is still a heck of a lot stronger than most people’s regular state. Still, it’s a possibility. So, is anyone else worried that Sam’s weakened physical state will spread as the trials go on? Sam has quite a history of mental issues and I worry that these trials will prey on that weakness. Either way it sounds like he’s going to need to lean on Dean. And Dean has promised to carry his little brother through this. Let’s just hope that isn’t too literal.

As worried as I was about Cass’ own mental state, I was still happy to see him. It’s been far too long since we saw our favorite feathered friend and there were a lot of questions that needed answering. While in the abandoned warehouse with Dean I did find myself thinking we’d lost Cass forever. He was fighting Naomi but I didn’t know if it was a fight he could win. I didn’t think he would actually kill Dean, I knew he could resist that but I didn’t think he would be able to break the connection with Naomi. The whole scene was very reminiscent of Swan Song, don’t you think? And once again Dean was able to get through to Cass the way he did with Sam. And thank goodness he did because Cass was one strike away from killing Dean. But he was able to break the connection somehow. How did he do that by the way? It seems like touching the tablet was all it took for him to break free. So why would Naomi send him to retrieve it? She must not have realized what touching the tablet would do. Now that Cass is in possession of the tablet, and on the run, I wonder when we’ll be seeing him again. Sam and Dean could really use his help with the trials and Crowley.

I never thought I’d say this but I was happy to see Meg again. You know it’s a twisted world when I see her as an ally. Not that I trusted her completely but I’ll take friends for the Winchesters wherever I can find them. I was so happy that she and Cass had a chance to sort out their tension a bit.

Cass: “If you’re referring to the pizza man, then yes, I remember the pizza man and it’s a good memory.”

I should have realized that this conversation meant Meg’s imminent death. But I really didn’t see it coming. (We all agree that she is dead, right?) To think that Meg died protecting Sam, Dean and Cass just blows my mind. What a change from the Meg we knew before! She even gave Sam a chance to talk about his desire for a normal life with the woman he loves. Not only did Meg sympathize, but she actually seemed to relate to his desire to be with his “unicorn”. And crazier still, she even referred to Cass as her own “unicorn”. I wonder how Cass will take the news of Meg’s death. What do you guys think? Were you sad to see Meg die? Do you still hate her guts?

I can’t believe I’ve gotten this far without mentioning Lucifer’s crypts. I can’t even begin to imagine what might be hiding in some of those underground caves. I wonder if Sam and Dean will attempt to find the others? Now that the tablet has been recovered I think Crowley and the demons are more concerned with getting their hands on that then tracking down the other crypts. Still, I think there could be some interesting and useful stuff in those crypts.

I feel like I could go on and on about this episode but that would be no fun for you. Needless to say, I loved every second of it. I was completely engaged and entertained. What did you guys think? Any predictions about upcoming episodes? (Let’s keep things spoiler-lite or at least warn everyone!) There are so many possibilities for the rest of the season and I am excited to see how things turn out!
Voluptuous Asian Lovelies. This had me laughing.

Cass: “I’m hoping the strange-haired demon in the kitchen is more knowledgeable than the others I’ve interrogated.”

Cass: “You know, I can hear you both. I am a celestial being.”

Meg: “Hi I’m Meg, I’m a demon.”

Sam: “Wait, did you say ‘angel tablet’?”
Meg: “You know, I get why Crowley calls you ‘moose’ now.”
Am I the only one who forgot Sam and Dean didn’t know about the angel tablet?

Cass: “These wounds have festered.”
Meg: “You really do know how to make a woman’s nethers quiver.”
Cass: “I do know how to do that. Only it doesn’t usually involve cleaning wounds.”

Crowley: “What’s that old expression? If you want something done right...blah, blah, blah.”

I thought it was funny how offended Meg was that Sam and Dean didn’t even look for her.

Meg: “Deep down in parts you never let see the light of day, you want to live a long life away from creepy things like me.”

I cringed watching Cas beat Dean. It was very gruesome. Not needlessly so, but it was hard to watch.

When Dean dropped the tablet, did half of it break? Or was that the rock surrounding the tablet?

Crowley: “Castiel. So that’s who’s been poking my boys, and not in a sexy way.”

Cass: “I just know that I have to protect this tablet now.”
Dean: “From Naomi?”
Cass: “And from you.”

Dean: “Listen man, I can’t take anymore lies from anyone.”
I was happy that Sam apologized. I feel like these guys are in a good place right now and that makes me happy.

Dean: “I may not be able to carry the burden that comes along with these trials, but I can carry you.”
Sam:”You realize you kinda just quoted Lord of the Rings, right?”