I have to say, it didn't bother me that this episode was mostly Sam-free. I love Sam, don't get me wrong, but the point of the episode was to drive home to Dean how much the YED wanted Sam as one of his psychic kids. It wouldn't have worked if Sam was along for the time-traveling ride, and prior commitments or not, I think the writers have the right to make that kind of call. There have been Dean-lite episodes, too, like Part I of All Hell Breaks Loose, and the second half of Mystery Spot.

I also can't help thinking that the way they've treated Sam's experiences while Dean was dead -- i.e., not elaborating on them much -- is going to lead to some Sam-heavy episodes where we see just what he and Ruby are up to.

I had a thought yesterday -- if Azazel and Castiel and Lilith and all of them need a body to be earth-bound, maybe Lucifer does, too. And maybe whatever Sam is doing, however unintentionally, is making him the perfect vessel for that. (Although that seems like it wouldn't be okay with Lilith. Huh.)

I'm going to see Friday the 13th and My Bloody Valentine for sure. Why not?! Boys! In movies! Possibly bad ones, but still. Knowing me, I'll probably rent The goddamn Christmas Cottage, too, even if I do have to drink while I watch it.

Bev, I didn't remember that, but it sounded right. I looked up the transcript [link] here and Dean says it's Mary's uncle that put up the headstone. Huh. Those elusive Winchesters have slipped away again.

I'm going to see Friday the 13th and My Bloody Valentine for sure. Why not?! Boys! In movies! Possibly bad ones, but still. Knowing me, I'll probably rent The goddamn Christmas Cottage, too, even if I do have to drink while I watch it.

This. I too survived Devour. Should we get a T-shirt made?

I also can't help thinking that the way they've treated Sam's experiences while Dean was dead -- i.e., not elaborating on them much -- is going to lead to some Sam-heavy episodes where we see just what he and Ruby are up to.

This is my (unspoiled) speculation as well. To be honest, I like having things mixed up a bit with who's on camera for how long, who is the focus of the story, etc. I don't know how many of you watch the new Doctor Who series, but two of my favorite episodes from the last season focused on only one of the two main characters.

I look forward to getting a couple of Sam-heavy episodes--especially if they go into how he and Ruby have become so buddy-buddy.

I've not seen Devour yet. I totally mean to, though! I've ticked off House of Wax and New York Minute, so.

I look forward to getting a couple of Sam-heavy episodes--especially if they go into how he and Ruby have become so buddy-buddy.

Yes, this. Much as I don't love or want a flashback episode, it would be nice to see how Ruby wound up with her new body, and how Sam learned that freaky chakra-pulling demon exorcism stuff.

I wonder if Deanna Campbell wasn't local. It could very well be Mary's maternal uncle who put up the headstone.

I'd love to see the boys connect with other Winchesters.

And the Castiel thread at TWOP is loaded with screencaps of Castiel . . . you know, as an aid to understanding his character.

It wouldn't have worked if Sam was along for the time-traveling ride

Word from spoiled sources is that the early sides had Sam in them. The scenes were rewritten to accomodate JP's contractual obligation to do pickup filming for his movie. I think it would have worked had both brothers been along for the time-travel ride. But it worked as well for them to be separated. That's the plan, I keep hearing from those spoiled sources: to divide Sam and Dean and develop individual storylines that will pay off in whatever eventual confrontation they're planning. I have no doubt we'll have a Dean-lite episode or two along the way.

And likewise I have no doubt Jensen will be sleeping through it, or them.

Anne, thanks for the fic rec, you're right, it packs a punch.

I'm *days* behind in LJ, it would have been Wednesday (okay, maybe Monday) before I'd have found it.

Word from spoiled sources is that the early sides had Sam in them. The scenes were rewritten to accomodate JP's contractual obligation to do pickup filming for his movie. I think it would have worked had both brothers been along for the time-travel ride. But it worked as well for them to be separated.

That's interesting because I can't imagine how it would really have worked with Sam along for the ride. It would change a lot if Sam were privy to all that information and had been told the YED had had even greater plans for him. I feel like it would take the entire story in a different direction.

It would have changed the dynamic a bit--more than a bit. But as I'm determinedly unspoiled, I didn't discuss it, or read the discussion. I can imagine how it might have gone with both of them back in time--oh, the mugging over the names, for example. And Sam freaking over Azazel's presence, guilting even more that he was the reason for the family catastrophe, perhaps to the point where he tried harder to intervene and *Dean* had to be the one to prevent him. Ultimately, I think this has shortcut their diverging storylines, though, and may prove to be a blessing in disguise.

I don't Sam's going back in time would have been very effective, in terms of the long-term story. If he went back, it would have been a very dark version of It's a Wonderful Life. "The angel showed me the error of my ways! I shall be good!" In this case, they have Dean watching for ways to keep Sam from being part of the apocalypse.