I thought the convenience store scene was intended very much to illustrate that Dean has no idea what's happened to him, that he's focusing on immediate needs. (For Dean, as we know, that generally includes porn, of course.) Those brief flashes of hell were all we got, and I'm assuming all Dean has, too.

I don't quite see them making Castiel downright evil, even if they are working the shades of gray with Sam going darkside for the good of mankind, or what have you. But I can see Castiel not being any kind of fluttery, sparkling, beaming Clarence very easily -- more of a soldier of Good than a Hallmark card angel, for sure.

Archangels are notoriously grubby, at least in popular lit and film. Michael, for example. And the angel in Constantine. Angels in The Prophecy movies.

While not being a huge Travolta fan, I did love the reaction his Michael had to "Battle!"

I think in Western culture we've become too used to sweet, pretty, passive, feminine angels, or cute baby cherubs. Angels, as I recall, while not masculine as such, are stern, powerful, forbidding, frightening in countenance. I would not be happy with a placid angel, nor a cuddly one.

Archangels are notoriously grubby, at least in popular lit and film. Michael, for example. And the angel in Constantine. Angels in The Prophecy movies.

The Metatron in Dogma was not the most kempt (or pleasant) of creatures.

(I have such an unholy love for that movie. I also really liked Michael, while also not being a Travolta fan.)

Archangels are notoriously grubby, at least in popular lit and film. Michael, for example. And the angel in Constantine. Angels in The Prophecy movies.

nods

Yep. Angels, and especially archangels, are not necessarily nice creatures.

(The mention of Constantine reminded me: when Castiel walked into view, with the shirt, tie, and tan trenchcoat, I exclaimed "Of course! John Constantine saved Dean!")

By the by, sent to me by my critique partner, she who is obsessed and can't quite figure out why I'm not.

He has a big ole crush on me

As for that "crush," this is not Photoshopped. It actually appeared onscreen. Now, whether somebody paid for it is another question.

Well, sweet damn:

Supernatural, meanwhile, rose to a series-high in total viewers (#5, 3.96 million; A18-49: #4, 1.8/ 6), adults 18-49 (#5, 1.7/ 5), women 18-49 (1.8/ 5) and men 18-49 (1.6/ 5). Comparatively, Supernatural grew from its year-ago season-opener by 33 percent in total viewers and as much as 84 percent among women 18-49

WOOOT!

Take that, omens of cancellation!

Wow! That's despite not having the Chicago or Houston markets!