These are great thoughts. I didn't think about how the dog race could be symbolic of something much larger. I think Dean has wanted Cas to be the big powerful angel for a while. He spent a lot of the end of last season and early this season calling Cas a child in an unflattering way. Dean got stuck with the hyperventilating teenage prophet in this episode too so throw one more kid his way
( ... )
Dean got stuck with the hyperventilating teenage prophet in this episode too so throw one more kid his way.
Yes! I forgot to mention that. The episode really does push Dean into a parental role, in more ways than one.
Cas still has his powers that could help but has stepped back from the fight, in his words "to watch the bees". That leaves Dean to watch an available weapon or source of power sideline himself in a fight that Dean has never treated as a game. And I think this is what makes it frustrating for Dean, as opposed to just sad. Cas still has a choice. And he's choosing not to fight with them. He's choosing to step into that child-like role, and put Dean in that position (even if that's not how he sees it). Honestly, I think he's letting his fear control him in much the same way Dean's fear controlled his actions at the end of last season when he asked Cas to wipe Lisa and Ben's memories. Like Dean, Cas is afraid that he'll only continue to cause more damage to the ones he cares about if he keeps playing "
( ... )
He needs that strength and force of a terrifying Angel at his side that Cas once so willingly gave him.
Oh, yes, this. So much. It was bad enough for Dean to lose both Bobby and Cas within a few months. But having them back (kind of) is even worse for him. He knows he'll have to sort out the Bobby problem and adding to that he realized, both through his own reasoning and through what Hester said, that he is ultimately responsible for all the shit that's happened to Cas. And he still has to sort out the Leviathans
( ... )
But having them back (kind of) is even worse for him. He knows he'll have to sort out the Bobby problem and adding to that he realized, both through his own reasoning and through what Hester said, that he is ultimately responsible for all the shit that's happened to Cas. And he still has to sort out the Leviathans.
That the crap he endures and survives has a payoff - maybe not for himself but that it affects others, makes it better.
Yep. That's part of what makes him so awesome. That he can be so incredibly driven, when he knows it's quite likely that he won't be the one directly benefitting. That's plain human heroism, right there.
I just want someone to actually NOTICE and to pull out the all stop and let Dean fall apart and to be there to hold Dean together and pick up the pieces.
ABSOLUTELY. Although I'd be happy (and I think it would be more realistic) if Dean were the one to pick up the pieces himself. I think he just needs to feel like he's in a safe enough place to let those pieces finally fall.
Comments 23
Reply
Dean got stuck with the hyperventilating teenage prophet in this episode too so throw one more kid his way.
Yes! I forgot to mention that. The episode really does push Dean into a parental role, in more ways than one.
Cas still has his powers that could help but has stepped back from the fight, in his words "to watch the bees". That leaves Dean to watch an available weapon or source of power sideline himself in a fight that Dean has never treated as a game. And I think this is what makes it frustrating for Dean, as opposed to just sad. Cas still has a choice. And he's choosing not to fight with them. He's choosing to step into that child-like role, and put Dean in that position (even if that's not how he sees it). Honestly, I think he's letting his fear control him in much the same way Dean's fear controlled his actions at the end of last season when he asked Cas to wipe Lisa and Ben's memories. Like Dean, Cas is afraid that he'll only continue to cause more damage to the ones he cares about if he keeps playing " ( ... )
Reply
Oh, yes, this. So much. It was bad enough for Dean to lose both Bobby and Cas within a few months. But having them back (kind of) is even worse for him. He knows he'll have to sort out the Bobby problem and adding to that he realized, both through his own reasoning and through what Hester said, that he is ultimately responsible for all the shit that's happened to Cas. And he still has to sort out the Leviathans ( ... )
Reply
I KNOW. It's just soooo much. Aggghhhhh!
Reply
(The comment has been removed)
That the crap he endures and survives has a payoff - maybe not for himself but that it affects others, makes it better.
Yep. That's part of what makes him so awesome. That he can be so incredibly driven, when he knows it's quite likely that he won't be the one directly benefitting. That's plain human heroism, right there.
I just want someone to actually NOTICE and to pull out the all stop and let Dean fall apart and to be there to hold Dean together and pick up the pieces.
ABSOLUTELY. Although I'd be happy (and I think it would be more realistic) if Dean were the one to pick up the pieces himself. I think he just needs to feel like he's in a safe enough place to let those pieces finally fall.
Reply
(The comment has been removed)
Reply
Traumatized by the repercussions his actions have had on Sam, Dean and the world, he chooses inaction.
This!
Thank you for a very insightful meta.
Reply
Reply
Reply
Reply
Leave a comment