Well, what can I say?  I am and have been from day one a complete and utter sucker for Castiel.  He shows up on the scene for like .01 second and I am instantly on board with this entire season.  Let’s go.

We had a few major developments in this episode.  First and foremost, Cas set us up with the story arc for the rest of the season, which is that the angels are about to get their civil war on because Rafael and Co. (does that sound like a gay hair salon or WHAT?) are traditionalists who are determined to have the apocalypse one way or another, and then there’s everyone else who has better shit to do.  Meanwhile, God is, yet again, M.I.A.  Do you think we’ll ever really get to know God on this show?  Even as much as we got to know Death?  Because part of me wants to, and part of me thinks we never will and is cool with that.

The second major thing, of course, is that we finally got rid of Sam’s car.  I mean, it was a cool car, but it was sure as shit no Metallicar and I am glad to be done with it.  We need the boys in one car.

That’s the other thing.  We’re sort of back to the status quo, which is a generally good thing, although Billy said he’s getting tired of the whole, “I have a secret,” “What’s your secret?” “I can’t tell you, it’s MY SECRET!” thing, and I can see that.  But I was glad that it got addressed, and I feel like we definitely will get somewhere with it.  Also, did anyone else notice how much better this episode felt without the Scare Bear Cousins?  I’m already over them.  But I was over them from the get go, so that isn’t saying much.  I wondered briefly why they didn’t bring Cas back sooner to set the story up, but … I don’t know, I think I like this.  We got some suspense, we know now why Cas has been absent (also, how hilarious was his whole, “Well, my bond with Dean is more profound.  I wasn’t going to say anything, but–”?  Hee!  Cas is the greatest ever),  we’ve met the Campbells and gotten reacquainted with Sam enough to be thinking “What the fuck?”, and overall, I think the effect turned out just right.  We were getting a little information here and there, but mostly were thrown back into things with very little to go on and a lot of confusion, and I think that it leaves the audience feeling a lot like Dean.  It works for me.

Other things that worked for me: Balthazar.  Just in general.  And I like the idea of Heaven’s weapons floating around and angels now buying souls.  Nice twist.  Also?  The wendigo mask.  Hee!  We haven’t really talked much about Ben knowing the details of Dean’s life, but it’s cool.  It’s like an actual family, and yet without Dean’s fucked up upbringing.  And I liked Dean talking to Ben on the phone about how he can tell he’s lying because he lies professionally and to just tell his mom he broke whatever and “take it like a man”.

I do like this Dean having a family thing, because he does seem good at it, albeit in his own way.  And that’s why it makes me nervous every single time I see the words “Guest Starring” before Cindy Sampson (aka Lisa).  I know, I know.  It doesn’t mean anything.  Still.  You know this show ain’t afraid to cut a bitch.

What did you guys think?  I know I’m late on this but I was out of town for the weekend so cut me some slack and just play along with me.  This is my favorite show and it must be discussed!  Comments!