After breaking the wall in Sam’s head, he took possession of the ingredients necessary to open the door to Purgatory and then told Crowley he was reneging on his deal. Not a bad idea, mind you. Castiel may have been making questionable choices, but he wasn’t stupid enough to give the newly appointed King of Hell the power of a million souls. Crowley, of course, did what he does: went behind Castiel’s back and teamed up with Raphael.
But before they showed up, Castiel felt another sting of betrayal. He knew that Balthazar had sided with the Winchesters and leaked his plans (seriously, angels are the WORST liars in the world). And so he killed him. That broke my heart, because I loved Balthazar as an addition to the cast. And it was a horrible thing for Castiel to do. But imagine this: he was surrounded by people he could no longer trust. Dean had “abandoned him” (at least in his mind), as did Rachel, and now Balthazar. He was desperate. No, it’s absolutely NOT an excuse for what he did. But I understand why he did it.
Then Castiel was confronted with Raphael and his new cohort, Crowley. They gave Cas the opportunity to flee (a fatal mistake the angels seem to keep making on this show) and attempt to open the door themselves, as Dean and Bobby lay in the wreckage of the Impala outside (due to the demons storming the warehouse). But Castiel was no fool. In the end, he proved himself to be a little smarter than Sam in the season 4 finale. He gave Crowley and Raphael the wrong blood, and while they were attempting - and failing - to open the door to Purgatory, he was succeeding.
Castiel returned, filled with the souls of millions of monsters. Crowley escaped, but Raphael got exploded. And Castiel?
Well, Castiel didn’t exactly like Dean’s suggestion that they “de-juice” him of the power of the souls now that Raphael had been conquered. And when Sam arrived at the last moment to save the day and kill Castiel, we learned a horrible truth: Castiel couldn’t be killed by the angel-killing blade. Because he wasn’t just an angel any longer. He was, in his words “their new God”, and he ordered their fealty, or he would kill them.
Fade to black. Holy crap.
Castiel’s Fall from Grace
A few days ago, my editor reminded me that Castiel had compared his own descent to Lucifer’s fall from Heaven. That’s essentially what we got in the end. I understand why people are so upset, I really do. Despite watching “The Man Who Would be King”, we still don’t really understand why Castiel has fallen so far. I think part of it was desperation, part of it was necessity and circumstance, and part of it was the doubt echoed by Dean, Sam and Bobby.
But I also believe, in the final moments, that much of Castiel’s actions were informed by the souls inside of him. The truth is, we don’t really know much about the souls in Purgatory. Even before this episode I had questions about them. Are they tainted like demon souls? Are they evil? Dr. Visyak didn’t seem so bad, but even she admitted to Bobby that they were lucky only she got out. Castiel now has millions of monster souls inside of him. Of course it has changed him.
In a sense, Castiel has walked Sam’s path yet again. He has, in a way, become Soulless Sam. I believe that the souls inside of him have changed him. I believe, like with Soulless Sam, that his actions in the final moments can be attributed partly to him and partly to circumstances beyond his control.
Which is why I am not furious at this course of action. I think that Castiel, like Soulless Sam, can be “fixed”.
Of course, it’s going to be a long, hard road to redemption for Castiel. Sam, Dean and Bobby have lost their last supernatural ally. They are alone now, potentially having to wage war against a new type of monster: an angel who is possessed by monster souls and believes himself to be “god”. This will not be the first time that the boys have had to fight one of their own. And yes, it is slightly repetitive. But I don’t know if Castiel will end up being the big bad for all of next season or if new problems will develop.
Here’s my bottom line: this was an uneven season. I liked individual episodes more than the sum of the parts (unlike season 4, where I liked the overall mythology AND the individual episodes). But I liked that the end of this season brought us down a path that we were familiar with. Repetition is not always a bad thing. It’s familiar. And familiarity breeds comfort.
I understand that it was difficult to reboot Supernatural after ending a five year story arc, while also transitioning to a new showrunner. So I’m going to forgive the Supernatural team for anything I may have griped about this season. I am intrigued as to what will happen with Castiel, and I hope that my theory (being tainted by monster souls) is right, as opposed to him just being a world-class douchebag. I didn’t hate the season finale. In fact, I liked it. I think that most of the loose ends were tied up. I think that what happened with Ben and Lisa was the right thing to do. I am a bit terrified at the possibility of what could happen to Castiel next season and hope to God (the real one, not the Cas version) that he can be redeemed like Sam was.
But season 7 better knock my socks off, alright? Seriously.
That’s it, folks. You may disagree with my thoughts, but Kripke, I think, likes the debate. And we certainly have a lot to debate and think about over the summer. Unfortunately, I have no promo to provide you for the next episode. Normally I would link to you to my most recent Supernatural slide-show. Today, it was the Most Heartbreaking Scenes. But that’s just incredibly depressing on top of what happened tonight, right? So go through the Funniest Scenes instead. Seriously. It’ll cheer you up.
As always, share your thoughts below in the comments.
P.S. Do you recall how the episodes in season 6 were intended to "mirror" their counterparts in season 1? I noticed similarities early in the season, but haven't really been paying attention enough to identify them all. But you might recall that in the season 1 finale the Imapala was destroyed. As it was in this finale. I suspect that the season 7 premiere episode will have Dean fixing the car, just like what happened when season 2 began.
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Lisa and Ben will be back, but not till the end of the series. God, he is one of the most tragic characters I have had the privilege to watch. Kudos to Jensen Ackles!!! I think Sam will make sure his brother has his slice of pie.
What you failed to mention was Ben being Dean's son. I believe the demon told the truth because Lisa wanted Dean to save Ben. My heart aches for Dean. How much does this guy have to suffer. Love Sam coming through his hellish experience because he didn't want to leave Dean alone. I hope the brotherly bond is never broken again. As for Cass, eventually he will come through this, but it may be a long road.
It will be a long summer…why do I want to cry all the sudden…
I don't necessarily agree that Ben is Dean's son. I honestly don't know the answer to that, but I don't think the fact that Lisa wanted Dean to save Ben is proof. Of course she would want someone to save her son's life.
But yes, Dean has to suffer a lot.
I'm wondering if they're going to go the route of finding the actual God to stop Cas. Plus, who wouldn't want to have Chuck back on the show?
I failed to realize that maybe Cas was changed by the monsters' souls inside of him. Good point.
I thought that maybe he got cocky again and is starting to resemble a God from the Old Testament. The always angry, vengeful God. I would hate to see him get killed off. That would depress me.
I am not certain that Kripke intended for so many obvious flaws and by heaven there were a few. But, and I will continue to argue this; Castiel was betrayed by his friends. Yes he isolated himself but he believed Dean should have happiness, look at how Dean treats him. He'd better find out what's wrong with Sam, he'd better do this and that and then on top of it all he threatens him? Why did Bobby suspect Castiel, that was thin if not broken, he had done everything, as always risking himself. Frankly I think it was Dean's reaction that drove him past that point. Lecturing, ridiculing, driving him past the point where he couldn't hope to know or understand what was right. He allied with Crowley because it is what Sam and Dean have always done. This is what peeved me so in the finale (don't get me wrong, I liked it), but the whole time Dean is the moral compass and frankly, not so much!
I think the treatment given to Castiel by the Winchester's was nothing more than shabby, given how often he's died, alienated himself from a 'beginning of time' notion of the apocalypse in order to help them, come every time he was called to help. Put his problems aside to assist them with their problems. And seriously, what could Dean and Sam done about Raphael? and if Castiel was powerful enough to get Sam out (albeit soulleslly) why on earth wasn't Raphael, who demonstrated his power – able to pull out his two brothers for the contest? Some things just didn't and don't track right.
Castiel has always been loyal, a good soldier, but when it counted he threw away his obedience for a life of complete and utter chaos and no one ever truly thanked him.
You are correct. Dean treated Castiel like a flunky. He had one of the most powerful beings in existence at his beck and call and the minute the "dog" wouldn't "fetch" he kicked it. Remember what Famine said, "You sicked your dog on me." It's true. I used to love Dean for his compassion but he has so mistreated Castiel that even the other angels see it: Balthazar's "I'm not the angel who's in love with you," and Rachel's "reading" the boys shows this. I know it'll all work out, but I am so on Castiel's side!
I loved this finale and I'm glad Castiel became bad, i've never been a fan of him just following them around and answering to the winchester's beck and call it felt silly and wrong. I just hope they go back to the episodes of ld for Sam and Dean now, and that they defeat the new big bad and keep their brotherly bond. Because that is why we watch.
Jared did such a good job last night, I thought the Samception was the best part of the episode easily and if that's all we get of Sam's fractured soul then I am so proud of Jared. Can't wait to see how broken he is next season and to see them get rid of Cas. I don't want to see him redeemed. Newsflash writers you don't need to explain and redeem everyone you just need to make an interesting story and I like the idea of him as their nemesis now.
Great, great finale. I loved Swan Song a tiny bit more but it certainly beat the S3 and S4 finales.
Jared was amazeballs last night, seriously amazeballs. I remain uninterested in Castiel's story and am ambivalent as ever but the Sam and Dean coming back to the forefront instead of just agents in his story is what I want to see, they are the leads after all. Bring on season 7 I say.
I live Castiel. I feel like Dean should have supported Cass the one time he asked him to. Cass does everything Dean asks and the one time Cass needed his support he got his high horse. I don't think Cass would have went to the dark side at the end if he had been supported by the person he cares most about.
As much as I love the character of Castiel, I'm actually glad the story is playing out the way it is. Over the last couple of seasons, Cas has become their solution to every problem that comes along. Have a monster you can't beat? Call Cas. Have a former flame that needs to be healed from the brink of death? Call Cas. Have to pull a relative out of hell? Call Cas. Need to travel back in time? Call Cas. It's quite literally a case of Deus Ex Machina that has taken over the series. As long as you have a character as powerful as he is showing up whenever they need him, the consequences of any action the Winchesters take can be mitigated.
And that's why I like the direction the story has gone. Without Cas backing them up, they're back to relying upon themselves. While I believe it would be a SERIOUS mistake to get rid of Cas, removing him from the equation for a time is just what the series needs to return it to it's humbler beginnings.
Didn't like the season finale at all. That they killed off the lisa storyline makes me sad and angry because that was the best part of the show the last year for me. In my opinion the show could have ended with Dean and his little new family at the conclusion of season 5. In bringing back the show they lost their way. In each of the past seasons the "big goal" was set out in the first episode – and the rest of the season built towards that goal. There was no "big arc" this season. Moreover Sam and Dean appeared weaker and weaker each week – to the point that I now don't care about them anymore. They aren't the main characters anymore, Cas is! What I question is this – if he can kill Raphael by snipping his fingers, why is he wasting ANY TIME with mere mortals? The playing field is sooo uneven now that any conclusion to the next season that has the Winchesters coming out on top would be foolish and silly. I would prefer for Cas to kill them so that each of them can live in his own "paradise" (see episode 2 weeks ago). Fact of the matter is, without the powers of Cas the two would have achieved nothing in seasons 4 and 5 – and with Cas now on the other side and juiced up there should be no way that they could compete. But of course, they can't run from their new god either… I'm sorry but the storytelling has become silly and they are boxing themselves in more and more. In my opinion the series should have ended with season 5, the Lisa-Dean-Family-Storyline was perfect and brought tears to my eyes – and Sam had paid his dues and was at "his" place in the pit.
what i think will happen in season 7:
cas saying that they are mere mortals so he doesn't care about them anymore because they are weak and no danger, he has more important things to do (kill angels, god-work et al). the winchesters + bobby on their own killing some demons to hunt down crowley – with episodes about sam's hell tales sprinkled in. they find crowley and team with him (may be invoking the mother of all to get new creatures), making the ironic twist that they now work with those they hunted all those years. the demon-winchester combo kills some lesser angels allied to cas but chipping away at their numbers so that cas is becoming more and more encircled by enemies and angered at his own people (throw killing some of his own out of anger like darth vader in there). at the conclusion of the season (and hopefully the series) there is a big showdown where first crowley is killed, then bobby, and then there's the confrontation cas-winchesters. he is threatening to kill them both and if necessary take the whole earth down with him. in the last second the "real god" arrives back and stops cas, returning everything to peace, putting cas in "his paradise", giving dean lisa and ben back and returning bobby and sam to "normal lives" – in effect ending all their hunting days as there is no need to hunt demons anymore…
you forgot the most likely ally in season 7 will probably be the return of Sam and Dean's brother and with him the angel Michael.
I think the possibility of them being "likely" allies is remote. How would they get them out of Hell? Their last angel friend (Castiel) who would be able to help has gone off the deep end, and it's very unlikely that he would want to bring Michael out of the cage so that Michael could potentially challenge his authority as the new god.
Unless circumstances change, I don't see that happening.
I thought the finales were all right, nothing spectacular. The Castiel twist was marvelous, though, even if a little too gimmicky and sudden. That was the best part of The Man Who Knew Too Much. Sam's Wall falling felt added on by force, it didn't seem to fit in with the mytharc of the season, and in the finale, everything should have fitted better. In that respect, the finale was like the season itself, very uneven. It's only from The French Mistake or so that it finally picked up.
I liked Let it Bleed for its simplicity and emotional content, for both Lisa and Ben as well as Cas and the relationships to Dean. Jensen was spectacular in Let it Bleed. This man should be in films! Misha and he bounce off each other really well. I hope Season 7 has a good, well-planned redemption arc for Cas, and that Dean plays a major role in it. He needs a story of his own after sitting on the sidelines pretty much all of Season 6.
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Ugh, I hope this finale doesn't mean we are back to Sam and Dean only with Bobby thrown in occasionally. That's something I don't want at all and one of the things that'll make me stop watching. The other being if they kill off Castiel and don't fix him at some point. I and a friend rewatched Season 1 a few weeks ago and we were bored out of our minds. I can't go back to that. It was all right in the beginning to introduce the characters, their situation and when everything was still new and shiny, but after six seasons that's just not enough anymore to keep me interested and make me care about Sam and Dean. So stop getting rid of all your interesting and beloved side characters!
In conclusion, I wish the writers would stop isolating Sam and Dean from everyone, because frankly, they haven't been interesting on their own for quite some time and benefit greatly from interactions and meaningful relationships with other characters. Other shows are able to handle more than two characters and their different relationships with multiple people at a time, too. Why is this seemingly such a hard concept to handle for the SPN writers?
Furthermore, I don't like the message so far: All Supernatural creatures are evil and are going to betray the Winchesters at some point or another and only humans are able to have strong and meaningful relationships because they're just that special and Dean and Sam are the most special humans of them all. Riiiight. I hope season 7 is going to redeem show and Castiel (and even the Winchersters, because they are quite unlikeable, too right now).
I thought the finale was great! The Supernatural team did a great job for what they had to work with. Ackles and Padalecki shine as actors in both these episodes. I have two theories for next season. First that Death will be involved with bringing Castiel back to his "normal" self. Or he may reap him like he said he would do in season 5 (in regards to reaping God). My second theory is probably way off , but do you all remember the "anti-christ" kid who was half demon and half human? I thought they were going to use him in a later story line but haven't. So maybe they may revisit this?? What do you all think?
I was really ticked off at what they did about Lisa and Ben but now that i look at it your way it kinda makes me feel better, thanx. :) I agree with you and am HOPING praying that in the end Cas comes back to normal unharmed and doesn't die. I too teared up because over-all Balthazar was another (of the *few* actual nice angels) it kinda gets me mad though, it seems like sam, dean, and bobby will be by themselves without any help forever! i mean they killed ash, ellen, jo, rufus and many more including the only other good angel Gabriel, and now Balthazar! Anyway, great review!
Much as I hate to say this about a beloved show, but I found the finale to be the most boring episodes of the whole show. There was something off about the pacing and direction. The only parts I liked was when Dean said goodbye to Ben and Lisa, but other than that it seemed dragged out, and the part with the old man in the home had me tearing up.
However, they never established what exactly Castiel was doing that was so bad. He was trying to stop Raphael from destroying the world! In some cases the ends do justify the means (not that they explained why the means were so bad. Sam and Dean also worked with Crowley). Also, the revelation that Bobby's ex-girlfriend was monster seemed contrived. Of all the billions people in the world she could have had a relationship with, Bobby just happened to be one of them? (I also agree that they have killed off too many supporting characters, but that's got nothing to do with the finale) They also never explained the whole "soul" concept–did Casteil just open the door and grab souls? Did they fly out into our world? If opening Purgatory lets out monster souls, what do they do, fly out into our wold and inhabit humans? That seems to be the case, but it wasn't satisfactorily explained. Why couldn't Castiel just take souls from Hell, or Heaven? All in all, it was a disappointing end to the season. It could have all happened in one episode and it would have still felt padded.
I liked the finale, but I have alot of issues I won't bother going into. I just hope season 7 isn't all about redeeming Cas. I want him redeemed, but I want the Sam, Dean, Impala show even more. I hope it is the main thing this season.
Poor Dean. I really don't get people actually thinking this is all his fault for not being "nicer" to Castiel. The characters are grown men, dark hunters, and Cas is an angel. I don't want them to behave like they have the emotions of young girls. I want them to act like men/angels. It a tragedy, but it didn't happen because no one hugged Cas. In the end, we are responsible for our own choices.
Oh God, THANKS! Thank you!
i liked the final the first better than the second the dean one was great i was shocked at what he got cass to do wipeing there memories but it was a lot better than killing them off i ve always liked the lisa and ben story and i am hopeing that somehow they will be able to bring them back for dean because i dont think he will be falling in love again any time soon and it would be awfull for him to have to be alone dont know whats going to happen with season 7 but i car nt wait to watch.
i loved the final of season 6 i prefered the dean one more it was really well done but i was sad that dean had cass remove there memories of him i hope at some time in season 7 they will be able to bring lisa and ben back for dean as i car nt see him falling in love any time soon and i would hate for him to be alone. dont know either if ben is deans son but i hope so i think lisa would nt have told him if he was in the beginning because she never expected him to stick around and later so as to keep ben safe but who knows if they dont bring them back we will never know and thats another loose end that wont have been tied up i am looking forward to supernatural season 7 hope its a good un.
oops sorry bout that i ve put it up twice.
I really and truly want Ben and Lisa back so bad. It makes me want to cry when I think about Dean having to sacrifice and give up so much. So hopefully, they'll be back in some way. I believe that Ben is Dean's son. The pieces don't all add up together but what pieces are there lead me to believe that it's true. :'(