analyzingdestiel

[analyzingdestiel]

DESTIEL REVIEW FOR 8X17: GOODBYE STRANGER

To begin, I want to make a few things clear about my views toward Destiel vs Megstiel because at times I am going to be comparing the two. Honestly I don't feel or see any reason for one side to be against the other, and even if I do mention how one scene favors Destiel while one scene favors Megstiel, ultimately I am not against either side and I want to make that clear. I am not against any of those who feel one pairing is more believable than the other, this is just my own personal interpretation of the series/these scenes. I love all of you and all of you deserve to be respected and heard. If you have an opinion that differs from mine, voice it. I will not react with anger or hostility. Please feel free to converse with me at all because at the end of it, I am posting these reviews for the fans of Supernatural, whether they are Destiel or Megstiel fans, and I would be interested in knowing what you think, personally.

I also want to take the time to mention that I feel that just because one pairing is believable, it doesn't mean the other pairing isn't. Not everyone is monogamous, and in fact, both Dean and Castiel have engaged in polygamy (Dean mentions it to the priest in a later episode and Castiel did it with the orgies in the alternate future). Sometimes two, or more, people can be loved at the same time, equally.  And sometimes, even, one may go with someone they love to a lesser degree simply because they feel the one they love most is not interested. Then there is also love vs sexual desire, where one partner may be viewed as a source of physical pleasure where as another partner may be viewed as a source of love. There are so many different scenarios. Relationships are never black and white, and that is very important to remember.

My main message here, I suppose, is that, just because one pairing may be believable, it doesn't mean the other is cancelled out. Not even if Castiel were to kill Dean to save Meg would it cancel out Destiel, it would mean he cares more for Meg than Dean, although it wouldn't mean he didn't love Dean, just that he loved him less than Meg.

Either way, I suppose my goal here is to determine whether or not Castiel favors Dean above all else, and honestly, I do feel that is the case. Again, this is in no way against Megstiel shippers, it is just my belief based on what I've seen from the series thus far.

With that being said, on we go. Prepare yourselves, it's a long one.

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SCENE 1

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INT. WAREHOUSE - NIGHT

DEAN comes around the corner in a darkened warehouse, gun drawn. He brings his gun up but it's struck down. He is struck down. CASTIEL appears over him.

DEAN No, Cas. No! [DEAN raises his hand towards CASTIEL, but CASTIEL breaks his wrist, we hear the bone snap. DEAN groans in pain.]

DEAN No, Cas, don't. [CASTIEL looms over DEAN, raises his angel blade.] Please. [CASTIEL buries the weapon into DEAN's chest. DEAN chokes. CASTIEL wrenches the blade from DEAN's chest, DEAN falls back, dead. Focus is on DEAN's face, blood running out of his mouth. We hear the click of switches, the buzz of electricity, the lights come on. NAOMI walks into the room.]

NAOMI No hesitation. Quick. Brutal. [NAOMI and CASTIEL stare down at DEAN.] Everything's back in order. [NAOMI smiles at CASTIEL.] Finally. [We see a close-up of CASTIEL, his face expressionless.] You're ready.

POV pulls back from DEAN to where we can see the entire floor of the warehouse covered with bodies in various positions, all bloodied, all dead, all DEAN.

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REVIEW OF SCENE 1

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So we're shown that Castiel is being forced to kill Dean clones over and over again. This in itself is telling because he had to kill 1,000 versions of him before he even got it right. The fact that it was Dean that he has to kill over and over could mean something. The angels know Dean's Castiel's weakness, although Dean is also the one they assume will be the one to stand in Castiel's way. So it is not only because Dean is Castiel's weakness that they've had him kill Dean 1,000 times but also because he's the one that will be standing between Castiel and the tablet. Even though that is the case, the fact that it took him 1,000 tries before he succeeded in killing him properly says how against it Castiel truly is. Which is to be expected at this point.

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SCENE 2

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SAM Wait a second. Cas. How about you answer some questions first? Like, where the hell have you been?

DEAN You heard me, didn't you?

SAM You prayed to him?

CASTIEL Yes, I heard you. But that's not why I'm here. [CASTIEL sits down, sighs.] I've been hunting demons.

SAM So this is you. Why?

INT. NAOMI'S OFFICE - DAY

CASTIEL What should I tell them? [Flash to CASTIEL seated in front of NAOMI in her stainless steel, white office.]

NAOMI The truth. Most of it, anyway. [She gets up and walks around to sit on her desk in front of CASTIEL.] Maybe they can get us closer.

INT. WENDY RICE'S LIVING ROOM - DAY

CASTIEL I've been searching for the other half of the Demon Tablet. [Switch to CASTIEL sitting with the WINCHESTERs in WENDY RICE's living room.]

DEAN Without us?

CASTIEL I've been trying to help, Dean. And in my search, I uncovered that Crowley has sent out demons to find Lucifer's crypts.

DEAN Lucifer had crypts?

CASTIEL Dozens of them, apparently.

SAM But why the storage wars? I mean, what the hell are they all looking for?

INT. NAOMI'S OFFICE - DAY

CASTIEL It would be more helpful if they knew everything. [CASTIEL is once again seated in NAOMI's brightly lit office.]

NAOMI They cannot be trusted.

CASTIEL But --

NAOMI Lie, Castiel. Tell them what we discussed.

INT. WENDY RICE'S LIVING ROOM - DAY

CASTIEL They're looking for a parchment that would allow them to decipher Crowley's half of the Demon Tablet without a Prophet. [Switch back to WENDY RICE's living room, CASTIEL mimics NAOMI.]

DEAN A demonic decoder ring? In Crowley's hands? Awesome.

CASTIEL The crypts were, uh, lost over time. Only those closest to Lucifer knew their whereabouts.

SAM Then how did Crowley find them?

CASTIEL His demons have been possessing locals who may have some special knowledge.

SAM That would explain the crazy room at Ann's house. [DEAN sniffs.] But how did they know where to start looking in the first place?

CASTIEL I don't know. I'm hoping the strange-haired demon in the kitchen is more knowledgeable than the others I interrogated. [CASTIEL gets up from the easy chair, goes into the kitchen through the swinging door.]

DEAN Well, he puts the "ass" in "Cas," huh?

SAM He's definitely off.

DEAN Off? He hasn't been right since he got back from Purgatory. We still don't know how he got out of there.

SAM I don't know, Dean. If he's so sketchy, then why were you praying to him?

CASTIEL (V O) You know, I can hear you both. I am a celestial being.

****************************************************************************************************REVIEW OF SCENE 2 ****************************************************************************************************

The way Sam questions Dean about praying to Castiel, and Dean reacting as if he'd been "caught", was interesting. It felt similar to one finding out about an affair taking place despite the person knowing that the other was 'bad' for them. Dean also praying to Castiel even though he knows he's off says a lot too. Even with Castiel being 'off', he tries to get in contact with him, and it shows that he dislikes separation and dislikes not knowing what's going on with Castiel. He wants to keep him safe, much like he wants to keep Sam safe. He wants to hold onto Castiel.

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SCENE 3

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INT. NAOMI'S OFFICE - DAY

CASTIEL She's gonna tell them the truth. [switch POV to CASTIEL standing in NAOMI's office, he's standing, arms crossed.] Do I have to kill her?

****************************************************************************************************REVIEW OF SCENE 3 ****************************************************************************************************

Despite Castiel no longer being "insane", he still seems to harbor some feelings for Meg. He doesn't want her to die and doesn't want to kill her. I found some fans saying that, because he was able to kill Dean in the "simulation", and didn't want to kill Meg, that that meant he cares more about Meg. But we have to take into consideration the fact that Castiel is being brain-washed; Castiel was not trained into killing 1,000 versions of Meg. He was trained into killing 1,000 versions of Dean. We are, again, not in a situation where Castiel is entirely himself, and it seems indeed that it is mainly during these moments that Castiel's feelings are redirected. That is not to say that he doesn't have feelings for Meg, even though he is brain-washed, but I can't in this circumstance say that he feels more for Meg than Dean.

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SCENE 4

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INT. MORTON HOUSE, LIVING ROOM - DAY

CASTIEL These wounds have festered. [CASTIEL wraps gauze around one of MEG's wrists.]

MEG You really do know how to make a girl's nethers quiver, don't you? [MEG is sitting on the couch, holding an open bottle of booze, she's been cleaned up a bit.]

CASTIEL I am aware of how to do that. Although it doesn't usually involve cleaning wounds.

MEG Why are you so sweet on me, Clarence?

CASTIEL I don't know. And I still don't know who Clarence is.

MEG Would it kill you to watch a movie, read a book? [She takes a swig directly from the bottle of alcohol.]

CASTIEL A movie, no. But a book with the proper spells -- yeah, it could, theoretically, kill me.

MEG You know, you're much cuter when you're shutting up. So, which Cas are you now? Original make and model or crazy town?

CASTIEL I'm just me.

MEG So, your noodle's back in order?

CASTIEL Yeah, my... noodle remembers everything. I think it's a pretty good noodle.

MEG Really? You remember everything? [She looks fondly at CASTIEL.]

CASTIEL If you're referring to the pizza man... Yes, I remember the pizza man. And it's a good memory.

****************************************************************************************************REVIEW OF SCENE 4 ****************************************************************************************************

Here is Meg wondering if now that Castiel is back to normal, if he is still interested. And he shows that, indeed, he is. He, at the very least, is fond of her and not against the kiss. He is also taking care of her the way she took care of him when he was mentally ill; perhaps deliberate reciprocation?

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SCENE 5

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DEAN Good times. You really think we can trust, uh, Meg-stiel?

****************************************************************************************************REVIEW OF SCENE 5 **************************************************************************************************** I don't think Dean is saying this out of jealousy. He doesn't seem, to me, to be particularly jealous (this could be because he’s not romantically interested in Castiel or because he does not disapprove of polyamorous relationships). If anything, he seems distrusting, and that's understandable. Meg is a demon, and Castiel's been "off". He doesn't know what could happen, and he knows that in in the past, Castiel was fond of Meg and vice versa.

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SCENE 6

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MEG You ever miss the Apocalypse? [She's drinking the liquor straight from the bottle.]

CASTIEL No. Why would I miss the end of times?

MEG I miss the simplicity. I was bad. You were good. Life was easier. Now it's all so messy. I'm kind of good, which sucks. And you're kind of bad -- which is actually all manner of hot. We survive this... I'm gonna order some pizza and we're gonna move some furniture around. You understand?

CASTIEL No, I-I -- [MEG smiles suggestively] wait -- actually... Yes, I --

DEAN All right. Let's roll, campers. [DEAN and SAM come into the room, look at MEG and CASTIEL staring at each other, the brothers leave.]

****************************************************************************************************REVIEW OF SCENE 6 **************************************************************************************************** Castiel seems, here, like he would have willingly "moved some furniture around" with Meg. He willing kissed her back when she kissed him, so this does not surprise me. Though I don't think it's something that Castiel himself would have asked for or considered. I don't think he would have asked for it or considered doing it with Dean, either. Castiel, being as he is, needs someone else to initiate, and Meg just so happens to be an initiator, as well as interested. She is interested in him, and he is interested in her. There seems to be some sort of understanding between the two, despite their being on opposite sides, though it seems that Meg is more passionate about it than Castiel. This could be a difference in personality, perhaps, but if I take Castiel's feelings for Dean in previous episodes into consideration, it doesn't feel quite as intense. There's more of a comfort between Meg and Castiel, less passion (at least, it feels, on Castiel's end).

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SCENE 7

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SAM Dean, I'm telling you -- I'm okay.

CASTIEL No, you're not. Sam... You're damaged in ways even I can't heal. Dean's right. You should stay here and protect Meg.

MEG Since when do I need protecting?

CASTIEL Since you were held captive and tortured for over a year.

MEG Touché. ****************************************************************************************************REVIEW OF SCENE 7 **************************************************************************************************** Castiel shows us again that he is protective of Meg. It feels, still, that his focus has been redirected from Dean to her, though it's difficult to say whether or not Castiel's brain-washing is the cause of him not having Dean at the forefront of his thoughts. I would imagine it would be a big reason as to why, and Meg does seem to be Dean's replacement for Castiel (when he thought Dean abandoned him, he relied instead on Meg). Although, even if he wasn't brain-washed, perhaps he would have said this, just because he knows that there is goodness in Meg and he is fond of her and perhaps would be craving something less one-sided. Perhaps, more than that, he feels he doesn't deserve Dean.

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SCENE 8

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INT. BASEMENT, CRYPT - NIGHT

CASTIEL Dean... [POV switches back to the crypt. CASTIEL points towards an item on a shelf against the wall.] That's it. [DEAN shines his flashlight on a carved, wooden chest.]

DEAN How do you know?

CASTIEL It's the only thing in here warded against angels. [DEAN picks up the heavy object and places it on the table in front of CASTIEL. DEAN picks up a small dagger, pries open the lid. He reaches in and lifts out a rather large block of stone.]

DEAN Winner, winner, chicken dinner.

CASTIEL Good. Hand it to me, and I'll take it to heaven.

DEAN No, we will take it to Kevin so he can translate. [DEAN holds the block of stone using both hands.]

CASTIEL Right. Of course. I'll take it to him right away. No time to waste.

DEAN Well, he's not that far. I've been meaning to... go check on him, bring him some supplies.

INT. NAOMI'S OFFICE - NIGHT

NAOMI If the demons get their hands on the Angel Tablet, they'll kill us all. They'll destroy heaven.

CASTIEL I can reason with Dean. He's a good man.

NAOMI Kill him.

INT. BASEMENT, CRYPT - NIGHT

CASTIEL I can resupply the Prophet, Dean.

DEAN You know, why don't, uh, why don't Sam and I take it over to him, and you can get back to your mission? Finding the other half of the Demon Tablet -- that is priority, isn't it?

CASTIEL I can't let you take that, Dean.

DEAN Can't or won't?

CASTIEL Both.

DEAN How did you get out of Purgatory, Cas?

INT. NAOMI'S OFFICE - NIGHT

CASTIEL There has to be another way.

NAOMI You have done this a thousand times, Castiel. You're ready. Kill him. Then take the tablet and bring it home, where it belongs.

INT. BASEMENT, CRYPT - NIGHT

DEAN Just tell me how you got out of Purgatory. Be honest with me -- for the first time since you've been back -- [DEAN nods towards the stone he's still holding] and this is yours. [CASTIEL's blade drops into his hand.]

****************************************************************************************************REVIEW OF SCENE 8 **************************************************************************************************** Despite the brain-washing and the training, we see Castiel is reluctant to kill Dean now that it's time to. He'd killed him 1,000 times, but they weren't the real Dean. This is the real Dean and now that the time's come, he's unwilling. This is predictable. He been showing some sort of resistance all the while, though is still very easily influenced in this state.

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SCENE 9

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MEG Oh, I heard the rest. You fell in love with a unicorn. It was beautiful, then sad, then sadder. I laughed, I cried, I puked in my mouth a little. And honestly, I kind of get it.

SAM Really?

****************************************************************************************************REVIEW OF SCENE 9 **************************************************************************************************** We see, here, that Meg has strong feelings for Castiel. For her, he is the "one". Castiel clearly had feelings for her, as well. I would even say he loved her, but I'm not so sure that his feelings for her were quite as strong as hers were for him. I don't think, for Castiel, that Meg was the "one".

***********************************************SCENE 10 ***********************************************

Close-up of the angel blade in CASTIEL's hand.

DEAN Cas. Cas, I don't know what the hell is wrong with you, but if you're in there and you can hear me, you don't have to do this. [CASTIEL attacks, DEAN blocks the blow with the stone.] Cas! [Flashes of light, thunder rumbles.]

INT. NAOMI'S OFFICE - NIGHT

CASTIEL This isn't right. [CASTIEL paces around the room anxiously.]

NAOMI Do you realize what that tablet can do for us?

CASTIEL I...

NAOMI For heaven?

CASTIEL I won't hurt Dean.

NAOMI Yes. You will. You are.

****************************************************************************************************Castiel is showing resistance, here, saying he won't hurt Dean, but his body doesn't seem to have the same control. ****************************************************************************************************

INT. BASEMENT, CRYPT - NIGHT

DEAN Cas, fight this! This is not you! Fight it! [CASTIEL strikes again, DEAN again uses the stone to block the blow. Thunder rumbles.]

INT. NAOMI'S OFFICE - NIGHT

CASTIEL What have you done to me?! [He's holding his head, gasping.]

NAOMI Just relax, Castiel. Let your vessel do what you know deep down is the right thing.

INT. BASEMENT, CRYPT - NIGHT

CASTIEL What have you done to me, Naomi?

DEAN Who's Naomi?!

INT. NAOMI'S OFFICE - NIGHT

NAOMI What have I done to you?! Do you have any idea what it's like out there? There's blood everywhere, and it's on your hands. After everything you did -- to us, to heaven. I fixed you, Castiel. I fixed you! [She is furious.]

EXT. ABANDONED WAREHOUSE - NIGHT

SAM and MEG turn towards two demons who are charging and carrying clubs. The demons attack.

INT. BASEMENT, CRYPT - NIGHT

DEAN Cas! [DEAN puts his hand on CASTIEL's shoulder. CASTIEL backhands DEAN who is thrown into a wall and falls to the floor.]

EXT. ABANDONED WAREHOUSE - NIGHT

MEG and SAM are still fighting the demons. SAM takes out one demon, he appears unsteady. He stands and watches as MEG kills the second demon.

INT. BASEMENT, CRYPT - NIGHT

CASTIEL is attacking DEAN. DEAN throws a punch, CASTIEL grabs his forearm and breaks it. We hear the bone snap, DEAN drops the stone, it shatters, revealing the tablet that was encased within. Lightning flashes.

EXT. ABANDONED WAREHOUSE - NIGHT

MEG pulls the blade out of the body of the dead demon, she and SAM look around as lightning flashes and thunder rumbles.

CROWLEY I believe they're playing my song.

INT. BASEMENT, CRYPT - NIGHT

CASTIEL is beating DEAN. DEAN's face is bruised and bloodied.

DEAN You want it? [CASTIEL looks dispassionately at the now exposed tablet.] Take it! But you're gonna have to kill me first. Come on, you coward. Do it. Do it! [CASTIEL continues to beat DEAN.]

INT. NAOMI'S OFFICE - NIGHT

CASTIEL, blade in hand, smacks NAOMI'S desk.

CASTIEL Please.

NAOMI End this, Castiel.

CASTIEL raises his fist in NAOMI's office.

INT. BASEMENT, CRYPT - NIGHT

CASTIEL's fist follows through with a brutal punch to DEAN.

DEAN Cas... This isn't you. This isn't you. [CASTIEL raises his fist to attack DEAN again.]

INT. NAOMI'S OFFICE - NIGHT

POV, CASTIEL beats NAOMI's desk.

NAOMI Bring me the tablet!

INT. BASEMENT, CRYPT - NIGHT

DEAN Ohh! [DEAN, seriously beaten and bloody, now has one eye swollen shut.] Cas. Cas. [Weakly, reaching towards CASTIEL.] I know you're in there. [CASTIEL raises his angel blade, ready to strike.] I know you can hear me. Cas... [DEAN's voice breaks, pleading.] It's me. [CASTIEL stands there, blade at the ready, light glints off the blade.] We're family. We need you. I need you.

INT. NAOMI'S OFFICE - NIGHT

NAOMI You have to choose, Castiel -- us or them.

INT. BASEMENT, CRYPT - NIGHT

DEAN Cas. [CASTIEL drops the blade with a clang. DEAN groans and pants in pain. CASTIEL reaches down for the angel tablet, as he picks it up, the Enochian writing begins to glow, the light flows up his arm, surrounding his entire being, the room, DEAN.]

INT. NAOMI'S OFFICE - NIGHT

NAOMI Aah! Aah! [NAOMI is covered with the bright light and she throws up her arm to shield her face as she flinches back and away from the intense brightness.]

INT. BASEMENT, CRYPT - NIGHT

POV, DEAN sits on the floor covered with the bright light but he barely raises one arm to protect himself.

INT. NAOMI'S OFFICE - NIGHT

POV, NAOMI's office as the light fades away.

NAOMI Castiel! Castiel!!

****************************************************************************************************REVIEW OF SCENE 10 **************************************************************************************************** Despite all the brain-washing, Dean was able to pull Castiel out of it. He was the reason Castiel came back, and why he didn't kill him. Saying they were family and he needed him brought him back, because that's the one thing he's always really wanted/needed from Dean. Perhaps he didn't feel like Dean felt the same way for him as he felt for Dean and that might be a big part of why Castiel was able to be manipulated (and possibly why he was focused instead on Meg).

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SCENE 11

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INT. BASEMENT, CRYPT - NIGHT

CASTIEL is holding the angel tablet, standing over DEAN.

DEAN Cas? [Breathing heavily, he's horribly beaten.] Cas? [CASTIEL reaches his hand towards DEAN.] No. Cas. Cas! [CASTIEL places his hand on the side of DEAN's head, DEAN gasps, and is suddenly healed.]

CASTIEL I'm so sorry, Dean.

DEAN What the hell just happened? [All trace of the beating is gone.] --------------------------------- DEAN So, this "Naomi" has been controlling you since she got you out of Purgatory?

CASTIEL Yeah.

DEAN Well, w-what broke the connection?

CASTIEL I don't know. I just know that I have to protect this tablet now.

**************************************************************************************************** This part was really interesting for me. Dean saying he needed him was what broke the connection, and it seemed almost like Dean knew that. Perhaps Castiel knew as well, but he wasn't willing to say it to Dean because he knows Dean might not be receptive. ****************************************************************************************************

EXT. IMPALA - NIGHT

POV, the brothers are in the IMPALA, DEAN is driving.

SAM So... what happened? I mean, Cas touched the tablet, and it reset him to his factory settings or something?

DEAN I don't know. And I don't care. All I know is that he is off the reservation with a-a heavenly WMD. Listen, man, I can't take any more lies -- from anyone. **************************************************************************************************** It's fascinating, how this topic was addressed. They've left it at this, that we don't know why Castiel snapped out of it. Sam thinks that touching the tablet reset him -- Dean says he doesn't know. But does he? Everyone who's watched the episode knows it was Dean that pulled him out of it. Dean saying he needed him; Dean showing that his feelings run deeper than he lets on. For him to admit to needing someone is a lot, and it was especially intimate during this scene. It came out as more of a love confession, and that's what snapped Castiel out of it. Dean showing him that he loves him (even if he didn't say it outright, it amounts to that). 

I feel the writers didn't want to make it too obvious, but made it obvious enough for anyone who's looking. It's their way of keeping the Destiel fans and the non-Destiel fans happy, in my opinion.

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OVER ALL REVIEW

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The Megstiel in this episode was not enough to make me think that Castiel cares more for her than Dean, and there's also the question about whether or not Castiel's brain-washing had anything to do with his being less focused on Dean. I still feel that Megstiel is technically canon, but this does not mean that Destiel can't be or even that Castiel cares more for her than Dean. After this episode, I still believe that Dean is #1 for Castiel and that it's only Dean that can have such a dramatic effect on Castiel. It is with Dean that most of Castiel's passion lies.

Castiel being snapped out of the powerful spell by Dean saying he needed him was a very important instance when it comes to this pairing. I'm bumping the rating up to 5.5.

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DESTIEL RATING AFTER EPISODE (BASED ON HOW BELIEVABLE): 5.5/10

[analyzingdestiel]

REVIEW OF 8x14: TRIAL AND ERROR

Something I noticed is that it seems women only show up in Dean's life when Castiel is out of the picture. Dean is usually not with a woman in any serious sense when Castiel is around. Castiel is usually the one seen with Dean.

This could either be because the writers, when Castiel is around, would rather focus on his relationship with Dean than Dean's relationship with a random female.

Or it could be because when Castiel is gone, the writers need to fill his place with someone else (which just so happens to be a female love interest for Dean? That in itself could be saying something).

Whatever the case it, it's something I've noticed and I wanted to point it out. I'm not sure whether or not this is entirely consistent through out the entire show but this is one example.

[analyzingdestiel]

REVIEW OF 8X13: EVERYBODY HATES HITLER

Hello. It's been quite some time since I've worked on analyzing Destiel but I'm here to continue with it. Starting with Season 8, Episode 13: Everybody Hates Hitler.

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SCENE 1

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INT. CAMPUS PUB – DAY

Two ATTRACTIVE YOUNG WOMEN in matching sports uniforms are sitting across a table from DEAN, who is wearing a suit.

ATTRACTIVE YOUNG WOMAN 1 He was a really nice old kook.

ATTRACTIVE YOUNG WOMAN 2 Really nice.

DEAN Kook? How so?

ATTRACTIVE YOUNG WOMAN 2 You know, he'd talk a lot to us, to himself, to anyone who'd listen. He was always talking about this secret war that nobody knew was going on.

ATTRACTIVE YOUNG WOMAN 1 Conspiracy stuff – he was obsessed with Nazis.

ATTRACTIVE YOUNG WOMAN 2 But he said they were "Special Nazis." You know, necromancers.

DEAN Necromancers?

A BEARDED YOUNG MAN carrying a fruity drink with a pink umbrella in it sits down at a table nearby. He appears to be watching DEAN.

ATTRACTIVE YOUNG WOMAN 2 Yeah, like from that world of whatever-craft that my little brother is always playing.

DEAN Nazi... necromancers.

ATTRACTIVE YOUNG WOMAN 1 It's sad, isn't it – that old people have to go so crazy?

ATTRACTIVE YOUNG WOMAN 2 I know. It is sad.

DEAN Hmm.

DEAN looks at the BEARDED YOUNG MAN, who is staring at him. The BEARDED YOUNG MAN smiles and raises a hand.

DEAN You, um... [the BEARDED YOUNG MAN looks away] I'm sorry. You, uh, you both saw the accident?

ATTRACTIVE YOUNG WOMAN 1 I can still hear his screams.

ATTRACTIVE YOUNG WOMAN 2 It was like the fire was alive, like – like it was attacking him.

ATTRACTIVE YOUNG WOMAN 1 It was like watching the most awful movie of the most terrible thing you could possibly see.

ATTRACTIVE YOUNG WOMAN 2 It was like that.

DEAN Yeah.

DEAN looks at the BEARDED YOUNG MAN again. After meeting DEAN’s eyes for a moment, the BEARDED YOUNG MAN looks down. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

REVIEW OF SCENE 1

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To begin, we see that Dean is very distracted by the man in the background. He is focusing more on him, smiling and waving at him, than he is focusing on either of the very attractive ladies or his job at all. He even begins to stutter after having become distracted by the man.

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SCENE 2

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DEAN holds up his FBI badge to the BEARDED YOUNG MAN.

DEAN Special Agent Bolan.

DEAN puts his badge on the table and the BEARDED YOUNG MAN looks at it.

BEARDED YOUNG MAN Oh, really? Wow. I thought you were like a headhunter or something. [He laughs.]

DEAN This is the second, maybe third time I'm seeing you today? Why you following me, Gingerbread?

BEARDED YOUNG MAN Oh, so we, um... we didn't have a thing back there, huh?

DEAN Back where? W-what, now?

BEARDED YOUNG MAN I'm sorry, man. I – I thought – I thought we had a thing back at the quad, you know – a little "eye magic" moment, and I saw you here [DEAN picks up his badge] and I figured I'd wait until you were done with your meeting and then maybe we might, uh...

DEAN Yeah. Uh, okay, but no – uh, no moment. This is a... federal investigation.

BEARDED YOUNG MAN Is that supposed to make you less interesting? No. I – I'm sorry, man. I hope – I hope I didn't freak you out or anything.

DEAN No. No. I – I'm n-not freaked out. It's just a, you know... a federal thing. It's, uh... Okay… [his phone rings] citizen. As you were.

DEAN walks away.

BEARDED YOUNG MAN You have a good night.

DEAN You – you... [ he turns back to the BEARDED YOUNG MAN and bumps into a table, causing glasses to knock against each other] have a – okay.

DEAN leaves the pub. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

REVIEW OF SCENE 2

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We find that Dean was distracted by this man because he saw him before, in three different locations. While it originally appeared that Dean was drawn to him for some other reason, we are given the true reason now. I try to take the intention of the writers into consideration when analyzing these scenes and if anything, they may have made the scene previous to this one ambiguous deliberately. Supernatural is very good at keeping things ambiguous at times which is why it's always hard to figure out who the 'bad guy' of the episode is. They give us a tiny bit of information at a time as the episode goes along and I feel that was the case with the scene before this one of Dean being "interested" when, rather, he'd actually seen the man multiple times and was not interested so much as concerned.

That being said, Dean's reaction to thinking the bearded man was homosexual and found him attractive was very interesting. I have said this before but Dean's absolutely terrified of homosexuality, especially when it's directed at him, and one has to wonder why he's so extreme about it. He was entirely flustered during this scene and was doing his best to escape as soon as possible. He wasn't acting disgusted, he was acting frightened. It reminded me of scenes in other shows or movies where a guy, or girl, has a crush and gets flustered to the point of dropping their books or spilling their drink. We've all seen it before. I got the impression that he was running from his own repressed desires more than anything. One doesn't usually react that way just because they're not interested; it's the fear that they may actually be interested that would create such a reaction. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

SCENE 3

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DEAN (on phone) Huh. Well, uh, the two very hot co-captains of the women's volleyball team agree that the rabbi's death was very unnatural. I think we still got a case.

SAM (on phone) That would explain why I have something stuck to my shoe.

DEAN (on phone) You being followed?

SAM (on phone) Yeah, I think so.

DEAN (on phone) That's weird. I thought I was being followed earlier. Turned out to be a gay thing.

SAM (on phone) What?

DEAN (on phone) Nothing. You need a hand? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

REVIEW OF SCENE 3

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The fact that Dean, just after having panicked over the situation with the gay man, over-compensates by mentioning how very attractive the girls were says something. He didn't show any attraction to them during the scene he was talking to them, and in fact, was focused more on the man. This is almost blatant over-compensating, and why would he feel the need to do that unless he'd had some gay thoughts of his own? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

SCENE 4

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DEAN So, wait. What you're saying is that you and me – we, uh, didn't have a moment?

RABBI BASS’ GRANDSON No, man. I was tailing you.

DEAN [to SAM] Told you I was being followed. He was my gay thing. [to RABBI BASS’ GRANDSON] It was really good. You really had me there. It was very smooth. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

REVIEW OF SCENE 4

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Dean seems to express some sort of disappointment here for one reason or another. Despite his obvious fear during that scene, perhaps deep down, he was flattered. And Dean saying he was "smooth", could be taken in more ways than one. I feel perhaps he meant "good job, you really knew how to scare me off" or "good job, I really thought you were gay with how well you were hitting on me". ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

OVER ALL REVIEW

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Over all, there's nothing made clear during this episode and it is ambiguous as is very often the case with this show. I feel all of what was said or done could be taken as Dean being afraid of his own repressed desire though this could also easily be denied and said that it meant none other than "Dean was afraid of the gay because he's far from it". I personally feel it's more than that but I feel it can be left to the viewer's interpretation. Perhaps the writers did that on purpose - not really crossing over the line enough to upset some viewers, but also coming close enough to that line to leave others questioning.

This isn't exactly related to Destiel but I feel at times that, because Castiel inhabits a male vessel, it may be necessary to point out scenes such as this.

DESTIEL RATING AFTER EPISODE (BASED ON HOW BELIEVABLE): 5/10

[analyzingdestiel]

I thought I’d share this. It’s a wonderful article explaining why Destiel is canon and the points made are valid in my honest opinion.

[analyzingdestiel]

Gentle Strokes

I am not used to writing Fan Fiction. Though I felt I would share this small piece of one I am writing (because I am not sure if I will ever finish it or post it).

“There were a few times that Castiel had come to Dean, unbeknownst to his human friend. Sometimes he visited Dean, just to check up on him and see how he was doing. Other times he visited because ever since he returned to Heaven, it'd felt as if something was missing. And Castiel knew it was Dean. Only when he saw his friend did that loneliness begin to give way; though it never left him entirely. Because although he could see Dean, hear Dean, feel Dean; he knew he couldn't let himself be known. At times he would gently stroke Dean's conscious with his own, enough to trigger Dean into thinking of him; remembering him. But he'd never gone beyond that because not only did he learn to respect Dean's mental privacy but he also didn't want to pull Dean out of the new life he'd been living. He wouldn't tease Dean by alerting him of his presence and then never showing; no, he'd only give him the gentlest prod. So gentle that Dean wouldn't even be aware that the thought was not his own.”

It’s based off the idea of 4x20, where Castiel watches Dean without his knowing.

[analyzingdestiel]

DESTIEL REVIEW OF 8X10: TORN AND FRAYED

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SCENE 1

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DEAN is asleep on the couch, holding a bottle of beer and snoring. CASTIEL is standing in front of the couch. DEAN opens his eyes and jumps, spilling his beer. __________________________________________________________________________________

We see that Castiel never awakens Dean when he is sleeping. Never physically, at least. I do wonder even now if Castiel, at times, penetrates Dean's subconscious. He could enter Dean's subconscious and gently wake him. Though Castiel has seemed to have dropped this sort of activity ever since Dean asked him to give him his "personal space" in 5x3. It was around that time that Castiel's gaze became less penetrative (and we do know he looks deeply into the eyes of another to read their minds, and I definitely feel he had coaxed Dean into giving him the amulet in 5x2). I think Castiel deliberately stopped penetrating Dean's mind once Dean asked for personal space. Although one does have to wonder if he continues to do it, just does it in a less obvious manner because he knows the discomfort it causes Dean.

I did notice that Castiel stared more and wasn't hesitant about his proximity in 6x20 when he knew Dean couldn't see him, which is interesting. There is the impression that he only stopped either of those things because Dean literally asked him to. So he stopped when Dean is able to see him, to ensure Dean is comfortable. But when he knows Dean isn't aware of what he's doing, he does it readily (the only other times they make ever-lasting eye contact is when Dean is doing it as well - because then, Castiel isn't making Dean uncomfortable; Dean is partaking and so the feelings are mutual at that point).

This brings me to another point which is, even if Castiel is in love with Dean (which I personally feel he is in his own angelic way), he wouldn't mention it if he knew Dean wasn't comfortable or receptive to it. Castiel is far too selfless where Dean is concerned to ever push his own desires onto him. If Destiel were to become canon, Dean would have to be the initiator. And honestly, considering how absolutely terrified he seems to be where homosexuality is involved, I can't see it happening, at least at this point (8x10). __________________________________________________________________________________

DEAN Damn it, Cas! How many times I got to tell you – it's just creepy! __________________________________________________________________________________

As we've been shown in 4x3 and 8x8, Dean is still not comfortable with Castiel watching him sleep. He views it as sexual on some level, as he makes aware in 4x3 ("You get your freak on by watching other people sleep?") and 6x5 ("He's watching her sleep. How is that not r@pey?").

Indeed, in romantic comedies, lovers often watch the other sleep lovingly. And in quite a few horror movies, we will find the stalker/homicidal manic/etc watching the victim they're in love with sleeping. It's never really used in a platonic way in movies and so I feel this is the reason for Dean's discomfort. I doubt he truly believes Castiel is going to r@pe him but I feel he relates it to sex (and/or love) in general and his fear of homosexuality causes him to react the way he does. __________________________________________________________________________________

CASTIEL Dean, I need your help. The angel Samandriel... __________________________________________________________________________________

Castiel is somewhat compromised at this point, due to Naomi. So I can't take this as proof of Castiel trusting Dean enough to help him, though I feel that much is obvious anyways. Castiel very clearly trusts Dean. __________________________________________________________________________________

DEAN Sam–

CASTIEL He's been taken.

DEAN You mean Alfie, the wiener-on-a-stick kid?

CASTIEL Yes. I, uh – I heard his distress call this morning.

DEAN On what, angel radio? I thought you shut that down.

CASTIEL Well, my penance, it's going well, and I thought it was time to turn it back on. I've, uh... been helping people, Dean.

DEAN Well, good for you. All right. So, who snatched Heaven's most adorable angel? __________________________________________________________________________________

The "most adorable angel" thing wasn't meant to be taken literally. I don't feel Dean is truly attracted to Samandriel, or more attracted to Samandriel than Castiel. It's somewhat similar to the moment when Dean said "Aw, what an angel" about Castiel when he was sleeping. This is a joke, it's not meant to be taken literally. __________________________________________________________________________________

CASTIEL Crowley.

DEAN I'm listening.

CASTIEL Samandriel is being held in the general vicinity of Hastings, Nebraska.

DEAN The general vicinity? That's all you got?

CASTIEL Yes, which is why I need your help. It seems this is gonna involve... talking to people.

DEAN Come on, Cas, I thought you were a hunter now.

CASTIEL Well... I thought so, too, but... It seems I – I lack a certain –

DEAN Skill?

DEAN opens his laptop and there is a loud gonging noise from the website on the screen, “Busty Asian Beauties.” He quickly closes the laptop again.

DEAN You saw nothing.

DEAN opens the laptop again and the gonging sound plays again. He holds up a hand to cover the screen as he minimizes the browser. __________________________________________________________________________________

Dean is of course still interested in women (and if he is interested in men, he's currently repressing and denying it) and I don't feel this makes Destiel less believable because for one, bisexuality is a thing, as well as polygamy. It would never really rule anything out because of this, especially considering neither Dean nor Castiel have shown an issue with having multiple partners (Castiel in 5x4 was comfortable with orgies *even if it was a mortal and drug-addicted Castiel*, and Dean obviously has no issue with being with multiple women at a time). __________________________________________________________________________________

RATING AFTER EPISODE: 5/10

[analyzingdestiel]

DESTIEL REVIEW OF 8x9: CITIZEN FANG + 8x11: LARP AND THE REAL GIRL

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8x9: CITIZEN FANG ________________________________________________________________________

SCENE 1

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DEAN So Martin's saying Benny did this?

SAM Yeah.

DEAN [pause] Okay.

SAM Okay?

DEAN If Benny's in Louisiana draining folks... we should look into it.

SAM raises his eyebrows and DEAN starts the engine.

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REVIEW OF SCENE 1

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I wanted to take this scene to say that Dean was readily willing to investigate and believe Benny may have gone back on his word. With Castiel, he hadn't been willing to admit that Castiel was working with Crowley what-so-ever. He denied it completely, despite what his gut said. Here, his gut says Benny DIDN'T do it, and even then, he's WILLING to look into it. Where as with Castiel, his gut was telling him Castiel DID, and he WASN'T willing to believe it.

Even Sam was shocked by this when Dean said they should look into it, and most likely because of the way Dean had reacted when he and Bobby accused Castiel.

Though what Sam perhaps doesn't realize is that Castiel was never merely a friend, like Benny. Despite the fact that Dean says to Sam multiple times that "Benny's the only one he can trust" and that "you and Cas betrayed me", it still shows us that Benny, despite being trust-worthy in Dean's eyes, still doesn't mean as much to him as Castiel.

I think that much is clear considering he was willing to let Benny (and himself) die to try saving Castiel. "We're gonna shove your ass back through the eye of that needle if it kills all three of us."

Dean's relationship with "friends" is very different than his relationship has ever been with Castiel. Dean himself has indeed said that Castiel is more than just a friend; he's referred to Castiel as FAMILY. Nothing goes higher than family for Dean so that is saying a lot. And as has been said on the show before, "family goes beyond blood". In this case, Castiel is not related to them, but he still considers him family, just as Dean considered Lisa and Ben to be his family. "Family" does not mean "platonic" for Dean, which I feel I should specify. What it DOES mean, being considered Dean's family, is that he puts you above anyone else.

Indeed, we've been shown that Dean, next to Sam, considers Castiel to be most important. Castiel is not a mere friend and that is coming from Dean's mouth himself.

So if Castiel is considered family, why isn't Benny? What is the difference between the two that has Dean feeling more for Castiel than Benny? Is it because he and Castiel have been through more together, have known each other longer? It's not based on trust because Dean himself has said that Benny never betrayed him, while Castiel HAS. So what IS it based on, then?  Is it because Dean simply has different feelings for Castiel than Benny?

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8x11: LARP AND THE REAL GIRL

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SCENE 1

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DEAN Yeah, well, now he's more committed than ever, so there's that. But, trust me, this life – you can't afford attachments. You just got to... let go. CHARLIE Are we still talking about Sam, or did you break up with someone, too? DEAN Me? CHARLIE Yeah. DEAN No. ____________________________________________________________________________

REVIEW OF SCENE 1

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So there were some obvious parallels between Sam and Amelia and Dean and Benny. Sam was romantic with Amelia and he left her, for Dean's sake. Just as Dean cut ties with Benny, for Sam's sake. During this episode, Dean explains that Sam left Amelia, and Charlie comes back with this. "Did you break up with someone too?" The writers are joking at Dean and Benny having been in a relationship and his cutting ties with Benny to have been his "breaking up" with him.

This sort of joking at a romantic relationship is often used between Dean and Castiel. Though there is one difference that I spotted, and that's that Dean readily denied what Charlie had said, where as when others mention that Dean and Castiel are dating, boyfriends, or that Castiel loves Dean, Dean has no response. He usually clenches his jaw and says nothing. There is never any denial, and while I may not believe that Dean and Castiel are actually dating, it does seem that Dean is a lot more bothered when others hint at he and Castiel being romantically involved than he is bothered by the implication that he and Benny are romantically involved.

With the idea of being with Benny, he simply says "no" and shrugs it off. He is not bothered by it, nor is he anxious about it. Where as with the idea of being with Castiel, he shows obvious discomfort and is bothered by it, says nothing, and expresses anxiety.

There is a very obvious difference in Dean's reactions that I feel is important to state. These comparisons are important when determining how Dean feels for Castiel. ____________________________________________________________________________

I also wanted to mention in general that Dean and Charlie have much in common. It seems that Charlie is almost meant to be the female version of Dean. What's interesting is that Charlie is interested in the same sex; could this perhaps be hinting at something? Or are they saying that they're so much alike, that Charlie feels for women the same way Dean does? I feel it may be a bit more than that because, in Charlie's first episode, Dean actually has to help her flirt with a guy, and he knows how to do it better than she does. One could say, though, that this is because he IS a man and knows what HE likes. So it's not exactly proof of anything though it's something I felt I would mention none the less. ____________________________________________________________________________

RATING AFTER EPISODE: 5/10

[analyzingdestiel]

DESTIEL REVIEW OF 8X8: HUNTERI HEROICI

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SCENE 1

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CASTIEL Excellent. [He raps the car and turns away.] I'll see you there.

DEAN Wait, Cas, Cas! If you want to play cowboys and bloodsuckers, that's fine. But you're gonna stick with us, okay? None of this zapping around crap. Capiche?

CASTIEL Yeah, I capiche.

DEAN All right, then. [He walks to the driver’s door.]

CASTIEL Can I, uh, at least ride in the front seat?

DEAN and SAM simultaneously [SAM while shouldering CASTIEL out of the way] No. __________________________________________________________________________________

REVIEW OF SCENE 1

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I think it's been made clear by this point that Dean absolutely despises when Castiel disappears. Though he not only despises when he disappears to avoid questioning or to avoid a situation that Dean needs an answer to, or needs his help with, but Dean is even bothered by Castiel disappearing in general, as this scene tells us. There is no reason that Dean should have been so upset about Castiel arriving before them. Perhaps he thought Castiel might ruin it? Or perhaps he was worried about something bad happening to Castiel? I feel, generally, it is related to Dean's sense of a lack of control. __________________________________________________________________________________

SCENE 2

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DEAN All right, well, I'm gonna call it. [He closes the journal he was reading.] Cas, you gonna book a room or what?

CASTIEL No, I'll stay here.

DEAN Oh, okay. Yeah. We'll have a slumber party, braid Sam's hair. Where are you gonna sleep?

CASTIEL I don't sleep.

DEAN Okay, well, I need my four hours, so...

CASTIEL I'll watch over you.

DEAN That's not gonna happen. __________________________________________________________________________________

REVIEW OF SCENE 2

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I see a lot of fans referring to this scene.

We see that Castiel was not willing to leave the two in the room alone. He wanted to stay there with them, and in fact, was planning on watching over Dean as he slept. I don't feel Castiel, himself, views this as erotic. I don't feel it is related to an attraction to Dean, but rather, his desire to protect Dean. It is more related to devotion from Castiel's end than it is related to sex. I feel it is Destiel-related whether his reasons behind it are sexual or not.

Dean, we know, views Castiel's watching him as he sleeps as erotic. He's stated it in 4x3 "What, do you get your freak on by watching other people sleep?" He looks at it as if this is a sexual behavior. This isn't unlike Dean; he often sees things from a sexual point of view -- and very often with Castiel I have come to realize, which is interesting enough in itself.

Why is he relating it to sex, and why does the idea make him so nervous? There is the sense of a lack of confidence, as if Dean is worried about what might happen. He becomes dumbfounded when this sort of thing happens. Would one be nervous if they weren't attracted to that person? Even if the other person made a move, he could simply say "I don't swing that way" and it'd be over and done with. Imagine that Benny was to offer to watch over Dean as he slept. I imagine Dean would react with "thanks man, but I'm all set". I can't imagine Dean reacting with the same nervous energy if Benny had asked. (In fact, Dean's relationship with Benny entirely is different than his relationship with Castiel, who is labeled as another "friend", so I find that interesting. Though I'll get more into that in another review.)

So all in all, Dean's reaction to Castiel's offer seemed to be nervous and he reacted with some hostility. Often Dean reacts to things that make him nervous with hostility; he is not comfortable with feeling vulnerable and is especially fearful around homosexuality in general. It was made clear that this was the reason for Dean's reaction. I can practically hear his thoughts, "oh God, that's gay".

One could take this and look at it as Dean being nervous around homosexuality because he's afraid that he's going to partake in such a thing. Men who are purely heterosexual and confident/comfortable with their sexuality are usually not so nervous about this sort of thing because they realize that, because they are not attracted to the other man, that nothing will happen. And even if something had happened, they realize that the situation could easily be rectified by simply stating "I'm not interested". What is Dean worried about if he is comfortable with his apparent heterosexuality? Dean seems to be fearful that if he does allow such a thing, something might happen.

I feel his reason for the discomfort with Castiel's offer is the same reason that he was fearful of Castiel's proximity in 5x3. If Dean wasn't afraid something might happen, if he was not afraid that he might act on it himself, would he have reacted with such nervous energy? If he was not attracted to Castiel, wouldn't he have simply said "dude, give me space", without the addition of looking from Castiel's eyes, to his lips, before breathlessly stating such a thing? There is the impression that his nerves are stemming from repressed desires.

Again, let's imagine Benny and Dean in a similar situation. Imagine that Benny got closer to Dean than usual and was looking deeply into his eyes. I can't imagine Dean looking from Benny's eyes to his lips and then nervously asking for space. I imagine he'd glance at Benny, perhaps brows creased in confusion, and tell him to back up. There's never any nervous energy when he's with Benny, it's very different than when he's with Castiel.

I would believe this is referred to as "repressed sexual tension".

I cannot say for sure that this is what it is, though this is the impression that I get, and I also wouldn't doubt it because the writers did know the popularity of Destiel at this point and have catered to their fans in the past. Again, as I stated in the previous review, they have to be subtle about it though because some of their fans DON'T like Destiel. So things can be hinted at but it will always be, for the most part, ambiguous. For example, one could say Dean simply reacted this way because he's disturbed and there isn't anything he's repressing. I feel this is something Jensen would have agreed with, though one has to remember that the one who wrote this episode (Paul Edwards) may have had other things in mind that he just did not vocalize.

I feel that the relationship between Dean and Castiel is being played out exactly as is intended and that the sense of attraction and the general feeling that they are based off a romantic couple is deliberate. Those working on the series see it for what it is ("Jeremy Carver gave a note to us — I guess it was a note to Cas, to me — that I was “acting like a jilted lover” with Dean, so there you go."), and so it makes sense that viewers would see it as well.

I could continue to use Dean and Benny's relationship as a comparison because of how it differs despite the fact that both he and Castiel are labeled as Dean's "friends". It really does put things in perspective. __________________________________________________________________________________

SCENE 3

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INT. MOTEL ROOM – NIGHT

DEAN is using the laptop at the table. CASTIEL is sitting on one of the beds, looking at John’s journal.

CASTIEL Your father... Beautiful handwriting.

DEAN How you feeling, Cas?

CASTIEL I'm fine.

DEAN Well, I just – I – I know that when... I got puked out of Purgatory, it took me a few weeks to... find my sea legs.

CASTIEL I'm fine.

DEAN Don't get me wrong. I'm – I’m happy you're back. I'm – I’m freaking thrilled. It's just this whole mysterious-resurrection thing – it always has one mother of a downside.

CASTIEL [closes the journal] So, what do you want me to do?

DEAN Maybe take a trip upstairs.

CASTIEL To Heaven?

DEAN Yeah, poke around, see if the God squad can't tell us how you got out.

CASTIEL No.

DEAN Look, man, I – I hate those flying-ass monkeys just as much as you do, but –

CASTIEL [forcefully] Dean! I said no!

After a pause, DEAN closes the laptop, walks over and sits on the edge of the other bed, facing CASTIEL.

DEAN Talk to me.

CASTIEL Dean, I... When I was... bad... and I had all those things – the... the leviathans... writhing inside me... I caused a lot of suffering on earth, but I devastated Heaven. I vaporized thousands of my own kind, and I – I – I can't go back.

DEAN 'Cause if you do, the angels will kill you.

CASTIEL Because if I see what Heaven's become – what I – [sighs] what I made of it... I'm afraid I might kill myself.

SAM enters the room.

SAM Hey. Got something.

CASTIEL Good. [He stands up. DEAN stays sitting on the bed a few moments longer.] Excellent. What? __________________________________________________________________________________

REVIEW OF SCENE 3

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We see that Castiel continues to confide in Dean in ways he confides in no other. He reveals things about himself to Dean that he doesn't reveal to others and there is a definite sense of trust. It's been this way since 4x7 when Castiel first told Dean that he "has his doubts". There is a closeness that Dean and Castiel share, that Castiel doesn't share with anyone else. In fact, once Sam arrives, Castiel gives us the impression that he didn't want Sam to have heard him. That in itself is important; Castiel really only truly trusts Dean.

From Dean's end, we see he is still there for Castiel, and is able to help pull him out of himself. Castiel is not one to readily admit to things, especially his vulnerabilities, much like Dean. Dean doesn't express his vulnerabilities readily because of the way he was raised by his father; to be a man, to suck things up, etc. And it's similar with Castiel, who is this way do to what he thought his own "father" (God) wanted/needed him to be. So they can relate in this sense and it's perhaps why, and how, Dean is able to get Castiel to open up to him. __________________________________________________________________________________

RATING AFTER EPISODE: 5/10

[analyzingdestiel]

DESTIEL REVIEW FOR 8X7: A LITTLE SLICE OF KEVIN

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SCENE 1

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EXT. FOREST ROAD – DAY

The Animals’ “We Gotta Get Out of This Place” plays.

♪ We got to get out of this place ♪

The IMPALA drives down the road.

♪ If it's the last thing we ever do ♪

♪ We got to get out of this place ♪

DEAN is driving while eating a bag of potato chips.

♪ Girl, there's a better life for me and you ♪

♪ mm, yeah ♪

A man in a trench coat is walking along the road.

♪ My little girl, you're so young and pretty ♪

As DEAN overtakes the man, we see that it is CASTIEL, who has a beard and is wearing pajamas underneath the trench coat.

♪ and one thing I know ♪

DEAN turns around to look at CASTIEL and brakes. He looks in the rear vision mirror as he stops the car, then reverses down the road. He leaves the car running on the road next to a sign for the Twin Pines Resort, gets out and looks around. There is no sign of CASTIEL. __________________________________________________________________________________

REVIEW OF SCENE 1

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I found this scene interesting just because of the lyrics of the song that was playing during it. Songs are hand-picked deliberately during specific scenes in movies to set the scene (an example of this that I can think of off the top of my head would be in 8x17 when Dean demands that Sam tell him the truth and then he puts on the radio and the song "Goodbye Stranger" begins to play, starting with the lyrics "...is the undisputed truth ♪ but I have to have things my own way"). So understand that it is entirely deliberate which songs are chosen for specific scenes.

The lyrics to the song playing when Dean first spots Castiel out of Purgatory are:

♪ We got to get out of this place ♪ ♪ If it's the last thing we ever do ♪ ♪ We got to get out of this place ♪ ♪ Girl, there's a better life for me and you ♪ ♪ mm, yeah ♪

This obviously relates to Purgatory and Dean's feelings about escaping with Castiel "even if it's the last thing they do".

And just as Dean spots Castiel, the song lyrics are:

♪ My little girl, you're so young and pretty ♪

The most interesting part of all of this is the fact that this is not the order in which the song originally plays. They deliberately edited the song so that these lyrics were in place as he saw Castiel. The original song goes like this.

♪ Midnight finds me cryin' ♪ Day time finds me cryin' too ♪ I've got to get out of town ♪ This whole city just brings me down, yeah ♪ Gotta get away ♪ Gotta get away ♪ Gotta get away ♪ I made a promise to you such a long time ago ♪ Now baby, now baby, now baby, now baby ♪ It's time to make it come true yeah, come through yeah ♪ Come true yeah, come through yeah, come true yeah ♪ In this dirty old part of the city ♪ Where the sun refuse to shine ♪ People tell me there ain't no use in me trying, no ♪ Little girl you're so young and you're so pretty ♪ And one thing I know is true ♪ Your going to be dead before your time is due ♪

In the original song, the "little girl you're so young and you're so pretty" comes before the "We gotta get out of this place, If it's the last thing we ever do", not after. This is the verse with those lyrics.

♪ See my daddy in bed dying ♪ ♪ Watched his hair been turning gray ♪ I know he's been working and slaving ♪ Working and slaving, slaving and working ♪ Working, yeah ♪ Work, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah ♪ We gotta get out of this place ♪ If it's the last thing we ever do ♪ We gotta get out of this place, there's a better life ♪ Don't you know, don't you know ♪ Man, don't you know, don't you know, don't you know ♪

It seems to me that they deliberately edited the song so that it would fit with Dean's views on Castiel and their time spent in Purgatory and his feelings toward seeing him again for the first time since. Though it is referring to a "pretty young girl", it doesn't have to be taken literally, because songs can hit a specific emotion or feeling in you whether the gender or the age is accurate to the one you're having the feelings for. The general idea behind the lyrics is that Dean wasn't going to leave Castiel in Purgatory, no matter what, and that he perhaps has the same feelings for Castiel that the man singing may have had for that pretty, young girl.

Here is the song in it's entirety for those of you who are interested:

♪ Midnight finds me cryin' ♪ ♪ Day time finds me cryin' too ♪ I've got to get out of town ♪ This whole city just brings me down, yeah ♪ Gotta get away ♪ Gotta get away ♪ Gotta get away ♪ I made a promise to you such a long time ago ♪ Now baby, now baby, now baby, now baby ♪ It's time to make it come true yeah, come through yeah ♪ Come true yeah, come through yeah, come true yeah ♪ In this dirty old part of the city ♪ Where the sun refuse to shine ♪ People tell me there ain't no use in me trying, no ♪ Little girl you're so young and you're so pretty ♪ And one thing I know is true ♪ Your going to be dead before your time is due ♪ See my daddy in bed dying ♪ Watched his hair been turning gray ♪ I know he's been working and slaving ♪ Working and slaving, slaving and working ♪ Working, yeah ♪ Work, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah ♪ We gotta get out of this place ♪ If it's the last thing we ever do ♪ We gotta get out of this place, there's a better life ♪ Don't you know, don't you know ♪ Man, don't you know, don't you know, don't you know ♪ Well, well, well ♪ Time brings about a change ♪ Time on the clock, on the wall ♪ Brings about a change, yeah ♪ All of his life he's been slaving ♪ All of the life he's been working ♪ For what? For what? ♪ For what? For what? ♪ Give it up, give it up ♪ Give it up, give it up, yeah ♪ See my daddy in bed dying ♪ Watched his hair been turning gray ♪ I know he's been working and slaving ♪ And slaving and working, and working and slaving ♪ Working, yeah ♪ Work, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah ♪ We gotta get out of this place ♪ If it's the last thing we ever do ♪ We gotta get out of this place ♪ There's a better life ♪ Don't you know, don't you know, don't you know ♪ Take me, take me, take me ♪ We gotta get out of this place ♪ If it's the last thing we ever do ♪ We just gotta get out of this place ♪ There's a better life, there's a better world ♪ There's a better way ♪ Don't you know, don't you know, don't you know ♪ We gotta get out of this place ♪ If it's the last thing we ever do ♪ We gotta get out of this place ♪ There's a better world ♪ Don't you know, don't you know, don't you know ♪ I want to get you out of this place ♪ Out of this place ♪ Out of this place ♪ Yeah, yeah, yeah

__________________________________________________________________________________

SCENE 2

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INT. MOTEL ROOM – NIGHT

SAM is asleep in bed. DEAN is sitting on the other bed reading articles about the missing persons on the laptop. Lightning flashes. DEAN looks up to see CASTIEL standing at the window.

DEAN closes the laptop and walks to the window. No one is there. SAM wakes.

SAM Dean? What's going on? Are you all right? [He throws back the covers and sits on the edge of the bed.]

DEAN I don't know. I just saw something.

SAM Uh, you saw what? [He stands up and walks over to DEAN.]

DEAN Cas.

SAM Cas? Where?

DEAN Right there. And – and – and earlier, on the road. I feel like I'm seeing him.

SAM That's... not possible. I mean, you said it yourself. You made it out and he didn't, right?

DEAN I tried so damn hard to get us the hell out of there. [He turns away from the window and walks a few steps away.]

SAM I know you did.

DEAN [with his back to SAM] You know, I could have pulled him out. I just don't understand why he didn't try harder.

SAM Dean. [He walks over to DEAN, who turns to face him.] You did everything you could.

DEAN Yeah, but why do I feel like crap?

SAM Survivor's guilt?

DEAN Hmm.

SAM If you let it, this is gonna keep messing with you. You got to walk past it.

SAM claps DEAN on the shoulder and walks to the bathroom. ______________________________________________________________________________

REVIEW OF SCENE 2

______________________________________________________________________________

Dean was literally seeing Castiel so these aren't visions or hallucinations. It would have made sense even if he was having hallucinations considering the events that took place related to Castiel were in fact traumatic and we were originally lead to believe that Dean perhaps was hallucinating. It is not too far-fetched to imagine that Dean may have began to hallucinate and see Castiel whether that were the actual case or not. Though considering it didn't happen that way, I won't go too deep into that. The important part of this scene is the fact that Dean feels guilty for having not been able to pull Castiel out of Purgatory; he turns to blaming Castiel for it, saying he should have tried harder, though Dean is only pushing the blame onto Castiel because shouldering all of it on his own is too painful for him. He doesn't want to believe that he was the reason that Castiel didn't make it out of there though deep down, he feels he is. You can imagine the amount of pain Dean is in over this, considering how hard he fought to make sure Castiel did make it out, and how he was willing to even risk dying for it. It all just adds to the fact that Dean cares a great deal about Castiel. ______________________________________________________________________________

SCENE 3

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INT. MOTEL ROOM – DAY

SAM Dean?

DEAN Huh?

SAM You all right?

DEAN You do see something... [he sits down at the table opposite SAM] ...severely wrong here, right? Sammy, I remember every second of leaving that place. I mean, I remember the – the heat, the stink, the pain, the fear. I have that whole ugly mess... [he taps his head] ...right here, and he says he has no idea how he got out? I – I'm just not buying it.

SAM So what, you think he's lying?

DEAN I'm saying something else happened. I saw the shape that he was in. I mean, there was no way he was fighting his ass out alone. No way.

SAM All right. So, who... or what got him out?

DEAN Exactly.

CASTIEL walks out of the bathroom. He is now wearing a suit and tie under the trenchcoat, which is clean, and is freshly shaved. DEAN and SAM turn to him and straighten up in their seats.

CASTIEL Better? [He spreads his arms wide, asking for their opinion.]

SAM smiles at CASTIEL and turns to DEAN. DEAN glances at SAM, then turns to CASTIEL, gives a half smile and nods. ______________________________________________________________________________

REVIEW OF SCENE 3

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So Castiel has somehow escaped Purgatory, and while Dean is thrilled about this, he is also very concerned because he realizes it would have been impossible.

I realize a lot of fans took Dean's reaction to seeing Castiel cleaned up to be erotic. There was some obvious adjusting of his crotch area and the change in position did give that impression.

Although the fact that they'd been talking about Castiel just before he arrived could have been the reason for Dean's sudden discomfort. He looked to be "caught". Though his hand reaching down to his crotch could have perhaps been unrelated to having been caught.

They did very obviously give us a look at Castiel's entire form, from bottom to top, and from the right side of him:

Dean was sitting on the right side, and often this is to imply that the character (Dean in this case, as the camera is closest to him) is looking at whatever is in frame. You could say that because Castiel wasn't looking directly into the camera that it wasn't from Dean's point of view; and while that is a good point, one must also take into consideration the fact that "looking at the camera" is viewed as awkward and a sort of "breaking of the 4th wall" which was not meant to be the focus of this scene. So they do the next best thing and go nearest to the character meant to be looking at what's in frame. This takes away the awkward and distracting nature of the other character looking directly into the camera.

So you could say that Dean was, in a sense, "checking Castiel out". We do in fact see Dean looking Castiel up in down briefly. Perhaps to approve or disapprove of the cleaning he did of his clothing. Castiel, himself, we see was looking for approval from Dean, with the way he extended his arms and looked at Dean while gently smiling. He did not look at Sam for the approval, only Dean.

Sam even looks over at Dean as if to say "he's asking you, not me, what do you think?"

I won't deny that there is a sort of erotic feel to the scene whether it was intended or not. Mostly due to the camera angles, Dean literally checking him out, and the fact that Castiel was solely focused on Dean when asking how he looked.

Dean's discomfort and his repositioning could have been related to his feeling "caught", or his repressed attraction. I personally feel there was a bit of both mixed into the scene. I do feel that Destiel by this point was deliberately hinted at do to the popularity of the pairing and the fact that the writers do in fact try (at least partly) to cater to their fans (it's why Castiel wasn't killed off in Season 4, as far as I'm aware - he was popular so they kept him around). The issue for the writers, though, would be catering to ALL fans. Some fans do not like Destiel and during the time, were less open to same-sex attraction (between males at least). So the tricky part for the writers is to cater to the Destiel fans while also catering to the non-Destiel fans, which means they are somewhat forced into being subtle. They will give Destiel fans something to pick up on, though they won't make it entirely obvious; for the sake of keeping the viewers who aren't entirely FOR Destiel. ______________________________________________________________________________

SCENE 4

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DEAN pulls CASTIEL, who is kneeling, to his feet.

DEAN We got to move! The portal's closing! [They climb upwards towards the portal. CASTIEL stumbles.] Cas! Damn it! Come on!

DEAN reaches the portal and steps into it. He stretches out a hand to CASTIEL.

DEAN Come on!

CASTIEL grabs DEAN’s hand.

DEAN I got you! Hold on!

CASTIEL Dean!

DEAN Hold on!

CASTIEL loses his grip on DEAN’s hand and slides down.

CASTIEL Dean!

The portal closes, taking DEAN with it.

EXT. ROAD – NIGHT

DEAN Cas, can I talk to you outside?

DEAN and CASTIEL get out of the IMPALA.

CASTIEL What?

DEAN Exactly. What? What the hell happened? Back there. Purgatory. I told you I would get you out. We were there! It was like you just gave up. It's like you didn't believe we could do it. I mean, you kept saying that you didn't think it would work. Did you not trust me?

CASTIEL Dean...

DEAN I did everything I could to get you out – everything! I did not leave you.

CASTIEL So you think this was your fault?

A car drives up. SAM gets out of the IMPALA. MRS TRAN parks next to the IMPALA and gets out of her car. ______________________________________________________________________________

SCENE 5

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DEAN That was a bonehead move back there. You could have gotten yourself killed. Why didn't you wait for me?

CASTIEL Well, I didn't get killed. And it worked.

DEAN And if it didn't?

CASTIEL It would have been my problem.

DEAN Well, that's not the way I see it.

CASTIEL Hey, everything isn't your responsibility. Getting me out of Purgatory wasn't your responsibility.

DEAN You didn't get out. So whose fault was it?

CASTIEL It's not about fault. It's about will. Dean, do you really not remember?

DEAN [laughs shortly] I lived it, Cas. Okay, I know what happened.

CASTIEL No. No, you think you know. You remembered it the way you needed to.

DEAN Look, I don't need to feel like hell for failing you, okay? For failing you like I've failed every other godforsaken thing that I care about! I don't need it!

CASTIEL Dean. Just look at it. Really look at it. [He touches DEAN on the forehead.]

FLASHBACK – PURGATORY

DEAN and CASTIEL are running uphill towards the portal. CASTIEL stumbles.

DEAN Cas! Damn it! Come on!

DEAN reaches the portal and steps into it. He stretches out a hand to CASTIEL.

DEAN Come on!

CASTIEL grabs DEAN’s hand.

DEAN I got you! Hold on!

CASTIEL Dean!

DEAN Hold on!

CASTIEL Dean!

CASTIEL breaks DEAN’s grip.

CASTIEL Go!

The portal closes, taking DEAN with it.

EXT. WAREHOUSE/FACTORY – DAY

CASTIEL removes his fingers from DEAN’s forehead.

CASTIEL See, it wasn't that I was weak. I was stronger than you. I pulled away. Nothing you could have done would have saved me, because I didn't want to be saved.

DEAN What the hell are you talking about?

CASTIEL It's where I belonged. I needed to do penance. After the things I did on earth and in heaven, I didn't deserve to be out. And I saw that clearly when I was there. I... I planned to stay all along. I just didn't know how to tell you. You can't save everyone, my friend... though, you try.

SAM joins DEAN and CASTIEL.

SAM Hey. Everything okay?

CASTIEL Yeah. Just, uh... setting a few things straight. ______________________________________________________________________________

REVIEW OF SCENE 4 AND 5

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Dean is trying to make it very clear that he did not leave Castiel. His own guilt and the belief that it was his fault is forcing him into acting this way. Castiel sees it very clearly and he finally is able to put Dean at ease by telling him the way things truly happened. It was also clear from the beginning that Castiel had to go with Dean because otherwise Dean wouldn't have left; Castiel went along with it because he was forced to because Dean wouldn't have even tried to leave unless Castiel agreed to come. ______________________________________________________________________________

SCENE 6

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INT. OFFICE

The scene abruptly changes to CASTIEL standing in a brightly lit room, looking confused.

WOMAN Hello, Castiel.

A WOMAN wearing a suit sits behind a desk.

CASTIEL Where am I?

WOMAN You don't know? You're home, Castiel.

CASTIEL Heaven? I've never been here before.

WOMAN Not many have. My name is Naomi. We rescued you.

CASTIEL Purgatory.

NAOMI An incursion of angels, which cost us many lives. Consider these chats your repayment.

CASTIEL I don't understand.

NAOMI Tell me about Sam and Dean.

CASTIEL The Prophet is being kept safe. The tablet has split in two and the Winchesters are trying to recover the missing piece. Why am I telling you any of this?

NAOMI It's not your concern. Help the Winchesters, come when they call. You will report in to me regularly, and you will never remember having done so.

CASTIEL No. I won't do that.

NAOMI [smiling] Now, as you were. They won't even notice you were gone.

EXT. WAREHOUSE/FACTORY – DAY

SAM ...track down the other piece. You're with us on this one, right, Cas? Cas, you okay?

CASTIEL I'm – I'm fine. And, yes, I'm with you – if that's all right.

DEAN nods. CASTIEL walks away.

SAM It is, right? You two are good?

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REVIEW OF SCENE 6

______________________________________________________________________________

Here we see Castiel is being forced into giving Naomi information related to Dean and Sam. Despite it all, he was unwilling to do what she asked, though is forced none-the-less because she not only erases his memory after her time with him but she also has some form of mind control over him.

Castiel feels he is merely continuing to serve and be there for the Winchesters though it is not truly the case. Without his knowing, he is betraying them.

Sam asking if "you two are good" sounds similar to what one would ask about a couple who's had a fight. The relationship between Dean and Castiel often holds a sort of romantic vibe. The two have intense and overpowering feelings for one another. Dean reacts with such raw emotion where Castiel is concerned. ______________________________________________________________________________

RATING AFTER EPISODE: 5/10

[analyzingdestiel]

DESTIEL REVIEW FOR 8X5: BLOOD BROTHER

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SCENE 1

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FLASHBACK – PURGATORY

DEAN stands up after killing a monster. BENNY cleans his weapon on another monster’s clothing. A third monster swings a weapon at CASTIEL, who puts a hand on the monster’s head and smites him in a blaze of light. The monster falls to the ground dead.

BENNY Well, I got to admit, Dean – he's got his strong points, but holy hell if he ain't a magnet.

DEAN Well, before we found Cas, you said it was my humanity that was drawing too much attention.

BENNY Yeah, that too.

CASTIEL Well, I think we're clear for the moment. It does present a curious curl in the metaphysics, doesn't it? If you murder a monster in monster heaven, where does it go?

BENNY And this is the crazy aunt I want to take on the road?

CASTIEL I am not your aunt.

BENNY What? Really?

CASTIEL I have no possible relationship to your sibling offspring.

BENNY Now, you're kidding me.

DEAN Oh, you two are killing me.

CASTIEL I have to agree with the vampire, Dean. The risk of crossing Purgatory with a seraph - it's... less than strategic, and certainly when we have no reason to believe that I can pass through the door that you're headed for.

BENNY You see, you're an intact, living human being stuck in Purgatory's craw. This dimension wants to spit you out, which is exactly what's gonna power our escape pod. Now, I'm pretty sure I can squeeze through, too, because, after all, you take away the fangs and the fun, I was born human, too. But...

CASTIEL I don't think it would work for me.

BENNY You hear what he's telling you, Dean? Your buddy is saying –

DEAN Listen to me, you undead blood junkie, I'm the one with the mojo. I'm the one with the plan. Cas... we're gonna shove your ass back through the eye of that needle if it kills all three of us.

BENNY Obviously, I'm less than comfortable with that. __________________________________________________________________________________

SCENE 2

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BENNY What does it matter what you believe? You got your head so far up your ass, Dean, you don't even realize we're already done for. The angel knows it. We are never gonna make it with him next to us glowing like a beacon.

DEAN Do I need to remind you of our deal? Of what you committed to?

BENNY He is gonna get us killed. __________________________________________________________________________________

Benny is making it clear time and time again that he would rather ditch Castiel because having Castiel with them puts all of their lives at risk. Having Castiel with them means that all 3 of them may end up dying, rather than just Castiel himself. If they'd ditched Castiel, Dean and Benny could have lived. They'd have had a better chance at survival. Dean is refusing to leave Castiel despite all of this; he's willing to sacrifice Benny, himself (and even Sam in a sense because Dean dying would mean him leaving Sam), for Castiel's sake. Dean refuses to let Benny persuade him into dropping Castiel and this of course is a big deal. __________________________________________________________________________________

DESTIEL RATING AFTER EPISODE: 5/10

[analyzingdestiel]

I’m not entirely pleased with it. There are some mistakes that I am unable to tolerate, I suppose. I feel it is good practice, though.

Dean explains to us that he tortured some souls while down in Hell. Considering this was towards the end of his time spent in Hell, I feel Castiel may have in fact rescued him from Hell during a moment where he was torturing a soul. This is why I’ve given Dean a knife. I also gave him his meat-hook injuries just to emphasize the fact that Hell is a painful, horrible place.

This time I used Season 4 Castiel and gave him white wings instead of black. I do wish we were given a true glimpse of Castiel’s wings in the series, as opposed to only their shadow. Perhaps before the series ends.

[analyzingdestiel]

Originally, I had only intended on giving Castiel visible wings. Though as I was working on it, I decided a simple black background would be a bit boring - I had initially planned to create a background of Heaven, but I decided the contrast of Hell would be more poetic.

Especially considering this is where everything started; where Castiel rescued Dean.

I want to do another version of this, using Castiel from the earlier seasons. I feel it would be more accurate to use the closest version of 4x1 Castiel considering this is how he appears to Dean (efficiently) for the first time after having rescued him. While Castiel had not appeared like Jimmy Novak when rescuing Dean, I felt it would be best to use that particular vessel when providing an image. The idea behind time spent in Hell and in Heaven is less physical, and more energetic, though energy cannot be seen and you would be looking at nothing, so the best I could do was use a physical body that you would be familiar with to show what it is that’s happening.

I have two other photo manipulations based on this idea that I’d like to make.

One being with Castiel from the earlier seasons with white wings instead of black, and adding in Dean.

And the other being with Castiel, though not in the form of Jimmy - I was thinking of using a more angelic form.

Til then.

I somehow managed to spell "analyzing" incorrectly. This is embarrassing.

[analyzingdestiel]

Things everyone forgets about Castiel:

1.  In his true form, he probably looks something like this:

These nice looking fellas here are angels, as described in Ezekiel 10:14.  They’re said to be massive in size (hence the Chrysler building remark) with at least six wings and four faces. 

When asked, Misha said that Castiel’s four faces consist of a lion, a zebra, (unsurprisingly) a sock monkey, and (even less surprisingly) a cat.  No wonder he likes cats so much – he’s literally part cat himself.  They are his people.

2.  He wasn’t just a “random foot soldier.”

I see Cas described this way in a lot of fanfics, and it never fails to irk me.  For one thing, Cas isn’t just some run-in-the-mill, middle-class angel: he’s a seraph.  According to the Christian angelic hierarchy, this is the highest-ranking and most powerful form of angel.

Here are two of them guarding the Divine Throne, literally placing the Seraphim closest to God on the Biblical hierarchy.

“Attending Him were the mighty Seraphim, each with six wings.”  (Isaiah 6:2)

Not only that, even among the Seraphim, Cas has always been exceptional:  he was the leader of his own garrison, and charismatic enough to establish leadership among the angels, leading a rebellion first against an archangel (Raphael), and then against “God” (Metatron), even after he’d already established himself as a dangerous and unpredictable figure in the other angels’ eyes.

In short, he is a legitimately terrifying force of nature.  Fear him.

3.  He’s actually incredibly smart. 

In “fanon,” it seems to be an increasingly common trope to depict Cas as a helpless, incompetent child with no life skills, completely dependent on the Winchesters for protection.  This makes very little sense, considering he not only has eons of military experience, but he’s strategically brilliant.  

Case in point:  remember that time he took out a room full of angels by carving an Enochian Sigil into his chest?

Or the time he hid from heaven for months on end in an eerily similar cluster of chain restaurants, while simultaneously hiding an angel tablet under his skin?

Or the time he escaped from the angelic equivalent of the Overly Attached Girlfriend by buckling his seat belt and crashing them into a ditch?

Even as a human, he was incredibly resourceful, getting masking symbols tattooed onto his skin, and ultimately killing at least three full-fledged angels, completely without the use of his own powers.

It’s also important to note that in this season, he also proved himself to be able to function as a hunter without Sam or Dean’s assistance.

Even his most ill-advised decisions were actually completely logic based:  his deal with Crowely was made in order to defeat Raphael and stop a second apocalypse (which he actually did), and his most recent “deal with the devil” was made in order to defeat Amara, which even Sam subsequently acknowledged to be their only option.

So don’t be a Metatron:  “mentally deficient puppy” vibes aside, Castiel is no idiot. 

4.  Even as angels go, he’s extremely unusual.

Another thing that bothers me is that I often see Cas’s eccentricities attributed to his species:  his enduring social awkwardness, refusal to wear anything but a suit and trench coat, off-beat, understated sense of humor, and Aspergers-y inability to catch social cues, perceive sarcasm, or express emotions (despite being one of the few angels to actually have them to begin with) are often attributed to being standard characteristics of the angelic race.  

But let’s have a look at some of the other angels we know.  Do we ever really see them do any of this?  At all?

And before you attribute this to the fact that Cas has less experience on Earth, take a look at the other angel who hasn’t been exposed to humanity in quite a few eons:

Bottom line is, Cas isn’t just “weird” by human standards.  As an entity, he is singularly odd.

God (literally) made him and threw away the mold.

5.  Jokes aside, there is virtually no way he’s heterosexual.

I can’t help but find debates over angelic sexual preference within the fandom to be slightly ridiculous.  While ninety percent of the fandom enthusiastically screams, “He’s gay!” there is a small percentage that firmly insists he’s straight as an arrow.  Roughly two percent of the fandom claims he’s pan or ace, which honestly are the only sexuality headcanons I find logical.

Because, not to make anyone uncomfortable, but Castiel isn’t a guy – he isn’t even technically a “he:”  Angels are canonically WITHOUT GENDER.  This means that while he obviously does experience sexual (or at least emotional) attraction, it would make absolutely no sense for him to be attracted to women exclusively.  He physically *cannot* be straight. 

Keeping this in mind, it also makes scenes like these even more suggestive (if that’s even possible):

Seriously, for those of you wearing your heterosexuality goggles, just imagine Cas had a female vessel.  Then imagine just how “platonic” these scenes would look.

[analyzingdestiel]

Memories are just where you laid them

Drag the waters till the depths give up their dead

What did you expect to find

Was there something you left behind

Don't you remember

Anything I said when I said

Don't fall away

And leave me to myself

Don't fall away

And leave love bleeding in my hands

In my hands again

And leave love bleeding in my hands

In my hands

Love lies bleeding

[analyzingdestiel]

I was listening to a YouTube video which explains how to write a romantic comedy. I felt this part could be compared to what Dean and Castiel share so I thought I'd post it here.

[Speaking of conflict, something I will always remember, there's a  couple things that they said. Ted and Terry who wrote Shrek, they wrote The Pirates of the Carribean, they're genius. I heard them speak and they talked about the making of Shrek, and they spoke about the scene where Shrek first sees Fionna in her ogre form and they fight. They actually fight. And they said the executives said, "no we can't have them fighting, they can't be physically fighting. You have to take that out." And they fought for it, they said "no no no, that's important, because when you show conflict and they're battling together, that's how you show they're equals and they belong together." So if you really wanna show that your characters are a match, and that they belong together, that they're at the same level, then you put them in conflict. Too many scripts think them making nice-nice and acting super super cute shows they belong together when the opposite is actually true. If they get into conflict, now you're showing that they're equals.]

[analyzingdestiel]

I find it interesting that Jensen Ackles has claimed in 2017 that Destiel doesn't exist. I have not really heeded this in the past because I felt that, for one, Jensen does not write every episode. He honestly can't tell us whether or not a particular writer was thinking Destiel-related thoughts when they wrote what they wrote. Even if he asked them, they could have played it off like it wasn't their intention. The only ones who can truly say whether or not it was their intention to write Dean and Castiel as if they were in love are the writers and even they may deny it for the sake of avoiding conflict. There are so many writers as well, and so many different intentions. Some may definitely be writing with Destiel in mind, while others aren't.

I honestly have wondered if Jensen himself is denying it for the sake of avoiding conflict or if he is merely uncomfortable with the topic or if he truly believes those who see it are delusional.

It is somewhat backwards for me because things are being portrayed in a specific way, deliberately, and those who ship it aren't shipping it for no reason. They are picking up on the subtleties. Things are filmed a certain way, certain music is used, certain lines are used, certain expressions and movements. It's all deliberate and for him to say that none of it exists feels, for me, quite simply untrue.

It's possible that he is in denial of it do to his own discomfort.

I quite simply feel that to say it doesn't exist is incorrect. Perhaps he sees "Destiel" as being "Dean and Castiel having sex". But is that all it means? For me, the love between Dean and Castiel is more important than the physical pleasure they may experience with one another. I have to disagree with Jensen. I have gone into the analysis skeptical and even I have a difficult time NOT seeing it. It doesn't mean I think they are making love with one another but they most certainly do love each other and so in this case, I feel that Destiel DOES exist. Perhaps his idea of Destiel is different. Perhaps every person's idea of Destiel differs.

There are many different ways to look at it.

Perhaps because Jensen and Misha are not kissing or having sex scenes, Jensen considers this proof that it doesn't exist. Though I feel that is somewhat of a simple way of looking at it. There's so much more to a relationship than sex.

Even then, honestly, considering Castiel is an angel, he may have already experienced with Dean the equivalent of sex. I feel the merging of energies, the reading of Dean, the mind linking, is quite penetrative. It's becoming one. Though on a spiritual level rather than physical. He may not have had human sex with Dean but that is not to say he hasn't experienced the angelic equivalent to sex with Dean and that he is not in love with Dean.

I find some people considering Jensen saying it doesn’t exist as being proof that it doesn’t but these are the reasons that I would have to disagree, even if he does play Dean.

[analyzingdestiel]

DESTIEL REVIEW OF 8X2: WHAT'S UP, TIGER MOMMY?

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A monster in purgatory also referring to Castiel as "Dean's angel" (like Crowley did in 8x1). And Samandriel said Castiel's problem was that he had "too much heart" which we could consider proof of Destiel on a minor level considering he started feeling because of Dean. These are very minor instances though but I felt I'd point them out none the less. ____________________________________

SCENE 1

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CASTIEL is washing his hands and face at a stream. DEAN and BENNY approach.

DEAN Cas!

CASTIEL Dean. [He stands up as DEAN and BENNY walk closer.]

DEAN Cas.

DEAN laughs and hugs CASTIEL.

____________________________________

I felt I would note this is their first hug. Castiel seems unsure. He doesn't hug back and I feel it may be related to the fact that he was surprised that Dean was there and was feeling anxious because he knew that Dean being near him meant that Dean was at risk. ____________________________________

DEAN Damn, it's good to see you. Nice peach fuzz.

CASTIEL Thank you.

DEAN You should meet somebody. This is Benny. Benny, this is Cas.

BENNY Hola.

CASTIEL How did you find me?

DEAN The bloody way. You feeling okay?

CASTIEL You mean am I still... [He points to his head and makes circles with his finger.]

DEAN Yeah, if you want to be on the nose about it, sure.

CASTIEL No. I'm perfectly sane. But, then, 94% of psychotics think they're perfectly sane, so I guess we'd have to ask ourselves, "what is sane?" ____________________________________

I did notice that Castiel seemed more normal once he arrived in Purgatory and it seems indeed that he is now sane. Although it's hard to say how long it took for Dean to find Castiel and it may just have been that enough time passed. Though I had noticed a change in Castiel in 7x23 when Dean "forgave him" which I find interesting. Then once they arrived in Purgatory he seemed to be our usual Castiel entirely so I feel this was done deliberately. ____________________________________

DEAN That's a good question.

BENNY Why'd you bail on Dean?

DEAN Dude –

BENNY The way I hear it, you two hit monster land, and hot wings here took off. I figure he owes you some backstory.

DEAN Look, we were surrounded, okay? Some freak jumped Cas. Obviously, he kicked its ass, right?

CASTIEL No.

DEAN What?

CASTIEL I ran away.

DEAN You ran away?

CASTIEL I had to.

DEAN That's your excuse for leaving me with those gorilla-wolves?

CASTIEL Dean –

DEAN You bailed out and, what, went camping? I prayed to you, Cas, every night.

CASTIEL I know.

DEAN You know and you didn't... What the hell's wrong with you?

CASTIEL I am an angel in a land of abominations. There have been things hunting me from the moment we arrived.

DEAN Join the club!

CASTIEL These are not just monsters, Dean. They're Leviathan. I have a price on my head, and I've been trying to stay one step ahead of them, to – to keep them away from you. That's why I ran. Just leave me, please. ____________________________________

Here we are given proof that Castiel did leave Dean to protect him, not out of abandonment. Castiel continues to do what's best for Dean; Dean is always at the top of his priorities especially when it comes to his safety. ____________________________________

BENNY Sounds like a plan. Let's roll.

DEAN Hold on, hold on. Cas, we're getting out of here. We're going home.

CASTIEL Dean, I can't.

DEAN You can. Benny, tell him.

BENNY Purgatory has an escape hatch, but I got no idea if it's angel-friendly.

DEAN We'll figure it out. Cas, buddy, I need you.

CASTIEL Dean...

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I was watching this episode with another person. They may become a regular viewer with me so their view points can be stated as well because they do not ship Destiel but they see it as well.

During this scene, after Dean says "I need you" and Castiel looks at Dean and says his name. They laughed and said "they act like they're in love".

I won't disagree with this statement. After that scene, I would have to say that Dean and Castiel do act as if they are in love with one another. Their expressions and the way it was filmed, not to mention what both say to one another, makes it clear that they do love each other. And if you listen to the music, the piano during the moment when Dean tells Castiel he needs him, it is similar to many scores used during scenes between lovers.

After this scene, I don't understand how one could say that they don't see the love between them. It is very obvious and clear to me after this scene. Whether they are to have a sexual relationship is not entirely relevant for me. At this point, I see intense love, and coming from both sides, and so I will finally bump the rating up to a 5 out of 10. ____________________________________

DEAN And if Leviathan want to take a shot at us, let ‘em. We ganked those bitches once before. We can do it again.

CASTIEL It's too dangerous.

DEAN Let me bottom-line it for you. I'm not leaving here without you. Understand?

CASTIEL I understand. ____________________________________

Dean shows us again that he is absolutely not leaving Castiel, whether he's at risk for his own life or not. He's literally telling Castiel that he's not leaving unless Castiel comes with him and it is the reason that Castiel has to give in because he feels it's the only way to save Dean. ____________________________________

LAST WORDS

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So at this point, we see that insane Castiel was interested in Meg in one way or another. Though now that Castiel is sane again, will he still be interested in Meg? And if so, will she mean more to him than Dean? Or will Dean always be number one in Castiel's life?

Does it matter if Dean is most important? Is that what I determining here, or am I merely determining whether or not the pairing is believable?

I feel that Castiel caring as much for Dean as he does it most of the reason as to why it is believable. Castiel had been willing to die, be sent to purgatory, so that he could help Dean (in 7x23). That was when he was still somewhat insane and had feelings for Meg so I feel it is clear that he cares more for Dean than Meg even then (which is in character for him, he’s always put Dean first and I feel it should remain that way). He was willing to leave her behind so that he could assist Dean, and perhaps die.

I suppose I'll have to see more episodes to figure out what the deal is with Castiel/Meg. Even if Castiel and Meg did get together, I don't feel it would ever lessen what Dean and Castiel share UNLESS Castiel was willing to let Dean die for her sake. I highly doubt that would happen, unless Castiel was entirely brain washed.

I suppose we shall see.

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DESTIEL RATING AFTER EPISODE: 5/10