Now I know what a masochist goes through...

Season 6 for supernatural has been welcomed with a lot of criticism by fans and non-fans as well. This lack of faith is not exactly kept in the dark by the fans, in fact, most of them have been very vocal about it. I'm one of those fans.

This episode is just a flat out disappointment.The storyline has been used and abused by fanfiction writers since the series started. It's just...*sigh* I don't know how to express my disappointment anymore...

Granted, there were parts of the episode that were just hilarious (like Kripke's death and the glorification of his character who kept on walking even though he was shot twice with a shotgun; the portrayal of Sera's character as a slightly clueless new producer who's trying to make her mark and prove to everyone else that she can do it; the insane photographs of Jared in his home and the seemingly bad acting by Dean and Sam) but most of the time, it was just painful to watch. I have to commend Misha though. I think he was the only one there who still has the enthusiasm and passion.

The characters have become so 2 dimensional. Seriously, Raphael comes back? How? Why did Balthazar finally decide to surrender the weapons to Castiel? And if they were in a world where there's no God, no Supernatural and no magic, how the hell did Virgil call Raphael? The whole thing is just too riddled with more holes than Swiss cheese.

And yet, I still watch the show every week. I watch it because I hope that there's a saving grace somewhere and I don't want to just judge them and end it at one episode. I want to make an informed decision and I want to be GBF. But trust me, it ain't looking good...

This has to be said and I say this with all the love in my heart for Eric Kripke and the writers and staff of Supernatural; This was the grossest episode thus far. They weren't kidding when they titled the episode as "My Bloody Valentine" I found myself to be squirming and making faces and turning green at several intervals of the episode.

Gross stuff aside, I liked this episode for several reasons:

1. We're back on track. I was waiting when one of the freaking horsemen would come on in, seeing that Lucy has decided to resurrect them. The plot and the arc has finally come together and I'm hoping that they keep the ball running. Although there were rumors that the show will be on hiatus AGAIN. Seriously? WTF is up with that?

2. Incredible acting from Famine, Heartbreaker Jared, Jensen and Misha. Although this week's acting award goes to Famine. He was really freaking creepy. There's something about evil geriatrics with bad teeth that gets to me. I keep on remembering that creepy dude from the cartoon "Courage, the Cowardly Dog" *shivers* The best/creepiest scene for me was when Famine said "Delicious..." after he devoured a demon. That scene right there had the same creepiness level as to when Dr. Hannibal called Clarice in Silence of the lambs. *shudder*

Dean was already showing signs of exhaustion. I think this was the plan of the angels all along - just run him down until he says "yes". It was truly heartbreaking to discover that his hollow was just too deep that his hunger is practically non-existent... Dean, baby... Just so you know, a lot of us Gutter Girls would like to fill that hollow - just say the word (Eh, Tammy?)

3. The re-introduction of demon blood is, I think, an inevitable variable for the show. It had to come up again, sooner or later. I can't quite put my finger on it but I'm pretty sure that there is an important pivot to the plot that revolves around demon blood. I was screaming at the screen for Heartbreaker Sam not to do it.

Awesome episode, if I say so myself. It left me asking more questions, theorizing and just wanting more. That's how it should be...

I want to see Bobby now, please.

I wanted to be able to give a decent review this time. Unfortunately, life has got me by my neck with work and sick kids and a sick parent to boot.

So, I'm just going to put in a couple of points for this episode:

1. Finally! We're back on track with the whole apocalypse thing. It's about damn time, Kripke!

2. The constant emphasis on how destiny is something that is immutable and unmovable is almost too blatant now. We get it, Kripke...Destiny. No. Change. But. We'll. Try.

3. What did I say before about the whole Cain and Abel thing? I've said it before and I'll say it again... it really is going to be Winchester vs. Winchester.

I really would like to go indepth with the analysis of the bloodline of the Winchesters being the chosen one and all that but that would require time that I currently don't have. I do have this theory of bloodlines and the Winchesters - being descendants of David and Cain or Abel or even Seth! I'm still researching on it and I will make sure to share my findings once I get to streamline it.


*click on view orignal post to see the video*

***

Damn you, Eric Kripke...Add to my depression, why won't you?

Told you, the very funny episodes are preparations for the next heavy episodes.

I can't write a review right now as I am emotionally drained...

You know, I'm starting to think that on his free days, Kripke goes on the internet and just googles the top fans of the show. I could be stupidly vain when I think this episode was a thank you to all the parent and Australian fans of the show. Don't get me wrong, I think it's awesome!

Oh, and I just would like to be a little smug about the whole anti-Christ being misplaced and all - didn't I mention this before? Well, technically, I didn't - it was a book by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett (Good Omens). But I did call it, so there. *sticks tongue out*

This was a very light episode - sort of like a breather. I have my reservations when episodes like these come into play. Almost always, the next episode is something that blows our hearts into tiny little bits. It's like your breath is always hitched...and then...hiatus...(Damn you, Kripke)

I couldn't stop laughing at Dean's hairy palm. *Chuckles* I'm still laughing now... The comedic timing on that guy is superb. The writers have done an excellent job here too.

What really caught me (and has successfully lodged my heart in my throat) was Dean's litany at the end of the episode. I've said it time and time again - being a parent is the most stressful, most gratifying and most thankless job there is in the world. There's no manual on how to be a parent and there's not second guessing it and there's no reset button. I constantly live in fear that I'm somehow going to fuck my children's lives up. We lie to our children for a variety of reasons - one, as Dean has so eloquently put it, is because we want to protect them from the real evil things out there. Two, we want to keep their naivety for a little bit longer. No use in saying the Tooth Fairy isn't real if it makes them happy. (Although, my daughter had the same reaction when I told her about the Tooth Fairy. Then she complained that the coins I gave her weren't shiny)

I wish my parents lied to me on some parts of my life but I value the sincerity of cruel honesty now that I'm an adult because they didn't. I guess, it all depends...

Great episode...now if it isn't too much to ask, may I please have my shirtless Sammy now? *big grin*

***

Disclaimer: I apologize if the quality of my review falls short of your usual expectations. I'm just caught up with so many things right now that I may not be able to deliver the same kind of quality. I will try though.

***

In my opinion, this entire episode is all about redemption (as what Sam had mentioned.) Think about it: even the most hardcore atheist has that small amount of thought at the back of his head that when he dies, he'd like to know what was that one thing that he did to change the world for the better. I'm agnostic and I think about that a lot. "The End" does not necessarily mean a stop or a closure or even a death. The end could actually be a good thing - ending a vicious unhealthy cycle, ending a bad habit, putting an end to apathy or the like. In the end, don't we all just want salvation?

Okaay....moving on (got a little waaay too existential there. LOL!) I chuckled at the sketch of Castiel's humanization. However, this episode left me totally slapping my knee and guffawing at how "human" Castiel has become. Although it also broke my heart to see him so broken and empty and helpless (exactly like a human) when he realized that not only did he not have Heaven's blessings, he doesn't have anything that resembles heaven anymore. He was trying to create his own version of heaven with the drugs, women and alcohol. How very human he has become. We strive to be like angels and now, Castiel searches for Heaven in pills and in between women's folds...

I highly doubt that this future IS the future destined for the brothers. I don't trust Zachariah at all so for me, this is just an elaborate and expensive ploy to get Dean to say yes to being Michael's vessel. Lucifer|Sam was mighty creepy. Kudos to Jared for his very understated yet effective acting. It was very disturbing to see Sam's face and his subtle facial expressions showing but his eyes were the ones that held the power. You could literally feel Lucifer in those eyes. It must also be so hard for Jensen to deliver an effective characterization. Great acting from his end too - although the technicality of the set up was more pronounced (Same character, in the same room two different motivations and back stories. That thought alone is giving me a massive nosebleed)

Going completely off tangent for a bit though - What if we had an episode where we see different futures or different universes of the Winchesters? Like, there's a universe where the Winchesters are sisters, instead of brothers. Or we have a universe/world where they're the ones who are evil and they're the ones being hunted, or where Sam's the older one and their roles are reversed. Sorry...just thinking out loud...And no, I'm not taking any kind of medication - I'm just sleep deprived. *sticks tongue out*

Going back to our regularly scheduled program: I'm happy that Dean made the right decision and I'm happy that Sam humbled himself. It doesn't make any sense for them to be apart anyway.

There's something about the humanization of Castiel that just makes me happy. ;D

This has got to be the freakiest opening sequence ever. Well, the sight of a shirtless Sam will always cause a lot of women trying to get their freaks on, but that's not the reason why I say freaky. (I have a point...) The re-appearance of Jessica opened a torrent of emotions for Sam. It must be very confusing and scary to see your dead ex right next to you in bed, however, this is Supernatural and I'm pretty sure this is how people from that world would handle the situation. If I were in Sam's shoes, I would've already screamed my lungs out or would have ran like a bitch outside the room. If your spidey sense is tingling about the whole Jessica statments, hold on to that thought.

I want to commend the director and the way he handled the parallelism between Sam's "new" life and Dean's solo hunting adventure. They could be in different states, doing different things, but if you look at the camera angles and the treatment, it's like they're doing the same things. (Hello, kaya nga parallelism, di ba? Ano ba?!) To quote "Jess": 'Same song, different verse'. The editor also did a great job with that sequence. I love it!

Castiel fans will love this episode as this may be the start of the "humanization" of Castiel. I'm sure Rachael will agree with me that a badass Castiel is a very attractive Castiel. (Are you sure you're allowed to cuss?) Very cute sequence in the brothel and the police station. He's such an adorable dork! He's ADORKABLE!

A lot of eureka moments for this episode. I don't want to reveal them as I want you to see it and do the same thing I did, which is basically a half jump and a mild attempt at finger stabbing with matching "I knew it! Sunovabitch!"

Great episode. I give it 5 Castiel feathers.

I'd like to think of this episode as a prelude to the bad news. You know how it is when you set a person up when you've got to give him or her the bad news? You start with a check on the current status of said person, you try to convince them to sit down or at the least, find a place where they can faint safely. Then you premise everything as something that's not too big of a deal and then give the death blow - hoping that it wouldn't be too harsh.

All that? That's how I summarize this episode.

This is the starting line, my friends. Apocalypse was given the green flag and the first in line is War. Honestly speaking though, I find this episode as a catalyst for a lot of philosophical discussions. Think about it: we are supposed to be the most intelligent of all God's creatures here on Earth. We're gifted with higher brain functions that allow us to analyze and anticipate actions and situations. This higher brain function, logically speaking, makes us the best candidate for being a vanguard to the planet and all its creatures. But what do we do? We've somehow managed to not only slowly destroy our planet but we've taken it upon ourselves to kill each other as well. What War said was so true - he didn't have to do anything, all he did was plant a few strategic thoughts and it was all about us. Oh and the Mustang? Nice touch - although you gave the twist far too early.

Once again, the tension between the brothers has us fans at the edge of our seats, nibbling on our nails. It's the end of days and it could be the end of the brotherly love between the surviving Winchesters. Although, you could still see the kind of attachment and love Dean has for Sam when Castiel asked for the amulet. The sentimentality that represents that amulet runs deep than just a Christmas present. But you can't help but be rendered hapless seeing them like that. As a parent, I'm very affected by the entire situation.

God, or at least his presence and existence has been introduced. I wonder who they'll cast...

I'd have to say as well that this episode tackled some pretty serious issues. Sam's addiction to demon blood and the way he was acting is pretty much how an alcoholic or a drug addict would act. For those who had some experience in the matter (just like yours truly) it was quite heart wrenching to see all the common reactions and actuation Sam was manifesting. I seriously wanted to just hold him in my arms (for the right reasons, I swear! Sheesh...) Hats off to the researchers and writers who've managed to incorporate that in the story. Kudos to Jared who gave a very realistic and emotional representation.

Damn you, Kripke for making us cry. That ending has probably caused a lot of alcoholic consumption. I heard that tissue sales also went up.

Another great episode. I give it five Castiel feathers.

Click here to watch the season Premiere of Supernatural Season 5

I'm typing a review as I watch along so bear with me...

Opening montage/recap of season 4 - music by ACDC (Thunderstruck). I know a lot of people were probably expecting Kansas' "Carry on Wayward Son" which in essence has become the show's theme song, but I appreciate the symbolism of the song used for the montage. It was a very good choice and a great way to foster in the season's mood.

We start where we left off last time which was pretty much Lucifer's grand returning entrance into the world. Great opening sequence and I'm loving the new OBB! This is pretty much "the aftermath" sequence where, Kripke (genuflects) allows us to let go of a fracking long breath that we've been holding since Season 4 ended. I so love how Zachariah uses the word "synergy" - like this is one big corporate takeover instead of the apocalypse. Christ (no pun intended) I've heard that word being tossed around in the office like it was supposed to mean something. Trust me, Dean - I have the same sentiment. Just a quick question though on continuity - when did Dean make the symbol?

Dean has made breaking hearts while looking good possible. (I think Tammy and the other Dean GGs would agree) The internal conflict was too impalpable that you can almost touch it. On one side, he's relieved that their relationship is "back to normal" so to speak - with Sam rightfully by his side. I guess that's why he's trying to ignore the whole slip up Sam did. Well, it's kind of a HUGE slip up - letting the Devil out and all... But in true Dean fashion - he focuses on the job and not the "chick flick" moment.

If vessels for angels were chosen from a certain criteria. I wonder what makes Nick so special...
And I guess we all know what makes Becky so "special". *chuckles and sighs* Fangirls...gotta love 'em. Although, Becky better have great reflexes when the Sammy Girls pounce on her for pawing Sam like that and she's gotta watch out for the Dean ladies wanting to pounce on her for scoffing at Dean like that, that's all I'm saying...

So, I'm guessing that this season's "Colt" is the sword of Michael the Archangel. I think I wrote this down previously - about Dean being pegged as THE Saint Michael. Biblical mythology states that it was Michael who grappled and battled with Lucifer ergo, Dean being the Michael needs his trusty weapon. So, there's Sammy with a shotgun and Dean with the swordplay....I like. And I think I'll have my FB status changed to "That's Michael? He looks like Cate Blanchett!"

In true Sam fashion as well, he chooses to ignore the subtexts that Dean was sending out. But Sam is Sam and if there's something that Sam does just as well as his brother does, it's self-punishment. He wants to be punished for what he's done and he knew that Bobby would be the one to dish out the hurting once he pushed all the right buttons. Bobby seems to be so quick on the draw to play the part! Didn't he want to save Sam? Wasn't it he who tried to tell Dean that Sam must be saved no matter what? It breaks my heart...

And there's the "What the...?!" moment. Bobby?? Possessed?? Didn't he take precautions for this NOT happening?? *facepalms* Oh, and hey Meg...I liked you better as a blonde, but I gotta give props for this 2.0 version. She's got the brains to actually study the character the way Nicki Aycox left her. (note to self - make sure to get an agent in LA, bring the jackets - one for Helena and one for me...on to our regularly scheduled program)

Noooo!!!! BOBBY!!!!!

Okay...this is where I'll be all incoherent and undecipherable. So, lemme get this straight...Dean's an angel condom, also a symbolism for the sword and....WTH?!

And cue my squeal please as Castiel makes an entrance. (Rachael's squeal is also heard from a thousand miles away) Although I'd rather have Enochian symbols on my skin rather than on my ribs, thank you.

HA! Ha! and double HA! What did I tell you about Lucifer being a woman? Huh? Huh? HUH?! *gloats and does the dance of joy* Okay...so maybe just for this time, she's a woman...but thank you, Kripke - you DO love me. *bats eyelashes*

Here's where I get the whole idea of Sam ignoring Dean's subtexts - it's because he really does know what those subtexts are. Dean ignoring the situation about sam bringing on the apocalypse is really Dean ignoring the fact that he might not be able to forgive Sam - not this time. I guess that's why Sam wanted Bobby to punish him and not Dean; because he can take Bobby's punsihment but he can't take his own brother's... *holds heart* Ugh....Damn you, Kripke...

All in all - this season looks pretty amazing...

This is an awesome preview. Looks like we'll see a lot of conflict and a lot of twists. I'm very much curious about that scene where Sam's dressed up all in white with his shoe at Dean's throat. I'm still not happy about the Paris Hilton episode but I'm trusting Kripke enough to make sure it comes out splendid.

Please make September come faster...

Supernatural returns on September 10, 2009 on the CW.

Skip this if you hate spoilers, and I do mean NOW! I will not be held responsible for any of your rants and whiny complaints about why I gave spoilers out. Take it up to Kripke.

Okay...I had to contain myself in the worst possible way when I was reading the spoilers on a fan forum. However, seeing it on video made me lose whatever dignity and self restraint I had left. Granted, the quality of the video kinda reminds me of a Russian pirated movie on DVD but to us fans, we have absolutely no intolerance. Bring it! (And somehow, we develop super hearing and quickly attain the skill of lip reading)

The first scream happily busted out of my throat when I saw my Sammy on screen. After the mini orgasm subsided, I screamed again when the Prophet Chuck banged a toilet plunger on my poor Sammy's head. Oh, and the molar sequence? Gross but priceless.

I think this season's going to be spectacular. After all, Kripke planned to go out with a bang. According to blog and internet reports the whole Apocalypse thing is of a Wal-Mart nature. I don't think I take any offense to that. It's understandable, I mean, with the recession and all. I'm pretty sure they can justify it with amazing writing and acting.

I like the idea that Lucifer is described as "nice". I have always been a staunch supporter of Lucifer. (Put down the freaking holy water and novena prayer books, dammit...) My stand is, Lucifer is and has always been misunderstood - but that's a whole different blog entry altogether. The point is, the situation is all fucked up. God is MIA, the angels screwed up (impatience is apparently a recessive trait in angel DNA); so it only goes to show that Lucifer is...well, charismatic.

This season should be able to help the brothers rebuild their relationship again. It should also be able to bring closure to so many open ended situations/thoughts/theories (ie, where did John really go? If Mary is truly gone, where did she go?, etc). Reports also state that there will be a lot of characters returning (Jess, Ellen, Jo and rumor even has it, John and Meg)

So, starting September 10th, 2009, I will not be available for any kind of human contact or communication every Friday....unless there's hellatus.

Misha, I want you to know that I love you. I love you so much that I think you're almost perfect. You're intelligent, hilarious, hot, sexy, talented and gorgeous. Even if you get to be 75, I'll always think of you as hot and intelligent and I'll always lust after you.

However, never ever wear this outfit again. Lito Atienza called and wants his shirt back. I know you're not into pretentious things like fashion and superficial beauty and high profile expensive brands but still...sweetie, baby, honey...

Now, take those clothes off...slowly...that's right...okay...now, c'mere...

Click here to watch the season finale of Supernatural.

Sonuvabitch. Sonuvabitch!!!!

That has got to be the best season finale yet! The clifhanger-y air of it! ( I know there's no such word but bear with me. My vocabulary has left my brain)

Okay...on with the review:

Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett wrote a book titled "Good Omens" where the Anti-Christ was misplaced and was taught to be a decent human being instead. Kinda like what happened here, huh? Plus, I think the name of the convent/orphanage was St. Mary's. Very Gaiman-ish. I highly approve.

I think the set designers had a blast with this episode's set. The whole European hotel room was both impressive and tongue in cheek. The details they put in the room was creepily impressive. (The gilded frames, the little statuettes and the harp! Oh the harp! That floored me!)

I also loved the camera shots and techniques. The unfocused slide to clarity ECU (Extreme Close Up) shot deserved a little applause and a quiet "whoa" from me. It makes the emotions from both Winchesters more focused (ironic, isn't it) and more powerful. It conveys confusion, internal conflict and then disambiguated clarity. Visceral shots for visceral emotions. Applause, applause.

The overall set showed the extremes which is the foundation of the show: good, evil, angels, demons, light and dark. However, it's what lies beneath that is all gray! There are gray areas! I mean, Lilith in white? The apparent quintessential token sacrifice? Angels who kill other angels, angels who want to break free from their bonds of military obedience. The only constant there is that demons will always be demons. Kinda makes me think in retrospect that Sam should've just jumped Lilith's bones. (Oh by the way Mr. Kripke, I'm still waiting for Dean Winchester hot sexin' action. Sam's up to 3 with Dean's 2. And would there be any chance for us fangirls to see Castiel naked? No? How about half naked? Still a no? A nipple? Okay, OKAY! I'm stopping!)

I loved the mirror scene. It's so simple and yet so freaking poetic! It's the illusion of endlessness, a vicious cycle of creation and destruction. And who are there all the time? Who's the constant? Angels. Damn freakin angels. Of course demons are a given.

On the acting side, it was Jared Padalecki who got the laurels for this one. I was starting to think that Sam was stagnating into a two dimensional character with two major emotions (Sam has two settings: bitchface brooding emo and arrogance). He has given a stunning performance in terms of expressing conflict, desperation for his brother's approval, a sense of duty and doubt in what was truly righteous and downright evil. It was a maelstrom of emotions that he had to show and pull up like a freaking deck of cards so fast that I'm pretty sure he had to detox after each shot. I mean, I've never seen actors come out of that kind of a characterization unscathed. (And believe me, I've seen a lot)

Jim Beaver deserves a Best Supporting Actor award. The pain and frustration was very much felt and it was a personal relief that he did what he did and said what he said. I mean, it was always there like the damn sword of Damocles but he had the guts and the right to let it out like that (About John being a coward and all) Hats off to you, Jim.

I was asked why I'm not reacting to the supposed ill placed humor in the script. Well, honestly, this is how Dean handles stress and tension. His quips, sarcasm and snarkiness is what he's got as the first line of defense. Never mind that we find it funny (seeing that we're on the other side of the fishbowl), if you were in his shoes, you'd be making those quips as well. Besides, the whole episode is dark and heavy enough, you need the Dean Winchester patented defensive humor to lighten the mood a bit. But Dean as Michael de Arcanghel? Badass. I think I read a fanfic about that. It was mostly crack but yeah, I can see how that's possible.

Finally! FINALLY! Ruby is no more. (Please, please let me believe she isn't coming back because I can't stand it if she's resurrected.) I knew she had an ulterior motive to everything. That freaky little skank almost got me believing her. I think the closest I can get to a Winchester threesome is that scene, and truth be told, I think I wet my panties a little. (Okay so maybe it's not exactly how I want my Winchester sandwich to be because I'd like to keep the blood in my body, within my body, but you get the point, right?)

***

I think Kripke et al are into some sick form of Dom and Sub, wherein we fans are the Subs and he's the sadistic Dom. The fact that we know next season is going to be the last season excites and depresses us. We know he's going to make it good, so good for all of us (and for his benefit as well) and the reason why he's going to make is exquisite is because it's the last season. It's like the last night with your lover: You want it to be the best.

So, I'm guessing we'd just have to sustain ourselves with fanfiction while waiting for Season 5.

***

I'm still available for a screen test, by the way. You need an Asian on the show. A FILIPINA.

I'm just saying...

I know I didn't review for the last episode. Tell you frankly, it was okay for me but it wasn't that impacting. Plus, I was going through a personal existential crisis that I had to deal with first. I love the Winchesters and Castiel but they're of no use to me when I'm just a drooling heap of emotional mess.

You've got to love Bobby here. What he said was so true. Family may bring you joy but they also bring you misery. It's a universal constant and a great big cliche.

I'm still not liking Zachariah. He's got something up his sleeve and I don't think it's a fluffy white bunny.

And Sam! Sammy... why'd you have to go and hurt your brother over and over again? Didn't he go through enough already? Arrogant, selfish and well intentioned (not to mention blindingly hot!) Sammy...

I can't wait. Can you?

As it turns out, I have a day job and it's not in any way, shape or form connected to Supernatural or any of Kripke's production companies. Which, really sucks. The Devil wa busy working in Vegas and In LA that she missed this episode. Thank goodness for internet, otherwise I would've gotten someone killed.

***

I like this episode for a few reasons, but primarily, I liked that they were able to give Misha an opportunity to flesh out his character - Jimmy, the visage/vessel. It was refreshing to see a different angle to how Misha acts. This was a smart move from Kripke and his merry little band of writers and works wellt o Misha's advantage. It prevented Castiel from being boxed into his purported character and it also provides a great transition to how he is now towards the Winchesters. It is essential to the actor as it is essential to the character and the story.

It's also a realistic take of how normal people deal with faith and religion - I mean, at least how Jimmy handles it. How do you deal with the test of faith when you're but a normal person, at least without being labelled a few fries short of a happy meal?

Also, it's very evil to make Misha do sounds like that (while he was eating). It's very gutter girl material, and you know it.

***

I'm a bit concerned about how Sam is reacting to the lack of demon blood in his system. It's like an addiction but the adjustment tot he change of demon blood levels in his seem to be too abrupt and too extreme. I'm pretty sure they've got a very good explanation for it and I'm just going to wait. (Because honestly, my brain is still on the fritz and I'm so hating jet lag and sinusitis right now)

It looks like it's going to be Winchester vs. Winchester but I hope it doesn't have to come to that. It's very Cain and Abel - like one of them needs to kill the other one or something like that. (I've lost all coherency and vocabulary.)

***

I'm waiting for the next episode. I'm hoping I'll have more brains and neurons working then.

Until then, it feels great to be back home to the kids. It feels to be refreshed.

There are a lot to be said about this episode. I'm thinking to use the word "eclectic" but then there's also "lazy" and "genius". Let's get the obvious thing out of the way first: This is most definitely Kripke, Gamble, et al saying thanks to the fans. (If Dean or Sam said "Gutter Girls" after Dean girls and Sam girls right before the slash girls, Tammy would've died and gone to Winchester heaven) I am very impressed that they aren't too averse in thanking the fans this way - yes, even the slash fans.

I think I died laughing when I saw the cover of the first book. Fabio? Seriously? I mean, talk about parody and obtuse comparison. Just because a lot of fangirls write Sam's fictional sex scenes (with his brother or not) that focuses a lot on his hair doesn't mean we freaking put Fabio as a personification. I literally fell off my chair laughing. Genius though - comedic genius! Stefoff must have been on something when he was writing this. (Dude, whatever it was you took, I want some of those!) Okay, the next sentences can be interpreted as either my bitter and jealous self ranting or it could be an honest to goodness tiny critique. Honestly, I prefer the second one. The thing is, it's a little snobbish to put a Kurt Vonnegut reference in the episode. It was done in a very nonchalant way and passed off as humorous but still, it kinda felt snobbish to me. Stefoff, please don't hate me. (Ian hides behind a stack of Collier's encyclopedias)

The laundromat sequence is a killer as well. "I'm sitting in a laundromat reading about myself sitting in a laundromat reading about myself." Classic! The sentence is poetic in itself. I think this is by far, my favorite sequence ever. (Not counting the sex sequences, of course. Naked Winchesters first before anything else. Dude, I've got priorities)

I've got two very strong nagging feelings regarding this episode, ergo the descriptive words I've been thinking about using as I've aforementioned. One, I think it's very lazy, not toss-in-a-few-edible-ingredients-and-then-call-it-a-casserole-or-stew-lazy but more of hey-let's-use-some-existing-plot-bunnies-on-fanfiction-and-make-it-better kind of lazy. The art imitating life imitating art imitating "real life" is kinda lazy. I'm not sure what kind of message is being sent but I'm hoping I can figure it out. It was kind of surreal and slightly creepy to read the real titles of the episodes as the book titles too. The second nagging feeling is of course the disbelief of the sheer genius of the writers and Kripke. The modern prophet and the Winchester Gospels. Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant. Though it may be quite incredulous, it was woven in a smooth and believable transition. (Do I detect some sort of animosity towards M. Knight? Hmmm?)

I like the change that happened to Castiel. He's not so much black and white anymore. He's more realistic now and less idealistic. I'm pretty sure this new attitude will cost more than lost innocence. The fact that this change will eventually cause him to "feel" can be deemed as some sort of punishment, in a way. Now, isn't that poetic? From an angel who just knew how to follow God, to an angel who can now feel like a human. Oh, and his attempts at humor... (You should've seen Luke)

Oh, and next to the Castiel intro, this is probably the only one that can top it - "I am the prophet Chuck!" Looks like I've got another message alert tone to do.

And lastly, the boss angel Zacharia makes another appearance. Something about him just rubs me the wrong way. It's not that I hate him, it's just that my spidey senses say that he's got something else up his sleeve that I don't like.

I really like Misha Collins as an actor. I think his self-control to run off his mouth with sarcastic comments is a gift. It's there, teetering at the edge but he just lets it do that - dangle.

The second interview was more relaxed, like he's on an adrenaline high or something. The vocabulary though...he doesn't disappoint.

I wonder if he's gotten pranked yet.

I love the pacing for this episode - It's fast enough to keep your interest and enthusiasm at the helm but it's not too fast that it makes you feel like you're watching a tennis match. The premise was already there (thanks to the millions of fans watching the promos and talking about it at the water cooler the entire week) so it was about setting the pacing and the emotions.

The twist in the story was very Neil Gaiman-y. I think I wrote something about this a long time ago. I've always thought that Lucifer was misunderstood. All this stems from love and worship and some misplaced notion of it. Lucifer has a hard time bowing down to humans (as God commanded) as she (Lucifer will never be a man) was created to worship God and only God. It's like being forced to love your husband's mistress. Hey, some people get off it but it's kinda hard not to feel sympathy for the wife is and when she physically incapacitates the mistress, right?

I honestly felt fear watching Dean torture Alistair. Jensen Ackles' acting was wonderful here - it was raw and gripping and it felt like he was incandescent with emotions. (I know, I used the phrase before but thre's really no other way of explaining it) I felt that if I were to touch him, I'd burn, that's how intense Dean was. The shift of emotions and internal conflict was so prevalent, seamless and truthful. Truthful! That's the perfect description of it. It really felt real. It was another perspective, rather than just seeing the "whiny, oh pity me" rant Dean has been having for the past 15 episodes.

Now, let's move to Sam. If I were to look at the progression of the character since Season 1, I'd say that he did ease in and finally accepted what he is - a hunter coming from a family of hunters who are legendary because of certain myths that are about them and surround them. If I were to choose, I'd rather that Tessa would've said the "Don't lie to yourself" part to Sam instead of Dean. Sam is enjoying this, he thrives upon it. The vanity and arrogance that is Sam Winchester finds a natural habitat within the confines of his demon blood, the prophesy and the powers that come with it. You can lie to anyone you want, but never to yourself.

See, here's another thing. 16 episodes into Season 4, and I still can't appreciate Genevieve Cortese's rendition of Ruby. She lacks the edge, the bite to put Ruby into that level that Katie Cassidy left her at. We all know Ruby's up to something and it's something big, but must you butcher the character while you're at it?

Castiel... so conflicted and so beautiful while doing it. He truly wants to dot he right thing, not because he's expected to do so, but it's just his make up. Anna makes a comeback and thank goodness that she didn't touch Dean this time otherwise the Gutter Girls and the hardcore fanchicks would raise arms and declare war. If Anna were truly doing something wrong, don't you think God would've smitten her already? She's the voice of reason to an angel who just sees obedience. It's waxing poetic, really.

It seems to be Dean's third time in the hospital with a serious injury (Faith, In my time of dying and this). Methinks it's becoming a Supernatural tradition as well: "Tradition #4 on Supernatural - at least one Winchester must be seriously injured, comatose or near death that would result in a hospital bed scene in every season."

It's a great episode. I can dissect it some more but domestic duties come first.