And part of the charm is knowing that, secretly, Dean really believes he *could* be Batman.

Random rerun observation: Afterschool Special is on this morning. The differences between young Dean and present Dean are so marked -- Dean really did a lot of growing up between then and now.

But Sam -- Sam seems just as mature as a thirteen-year-old as he does now. Which is sort of sad.

I think Sam did a lot of growing up in season 5, actually. I think he didn't get a chance to look at Dean properly until then. But the difference between 13 year old Sam and 21 year old Sam was pretty much nil. In a sad way for 13 year old Sam.

Vote-wise, we have two ties, so breakers, show up.

I love the journey Sam has made through the series in terms of Dean. He started out with lingering resentment for a life he didn't ask for and then starting with Dead in the Water starts having these revelatory moments about his brother.

I love seeing Dean through Sam's eyes.

Sam's heaven makes me sad but it's understandable. Dean's is heartbreaking in it's single-minded devotion.

I do wonder if Dean, in the process of fulfilling Sam's wish, will find something he wasn't looking for and show will use that to create the angst. I hope not, because I think that dooms Lisa & Ben to the fridge.

And part of the charm is knowing that, secretly, Dean really believes he *could* be Batman.

Yes. I know of a 5 yr old long ago that was playing in the park when another child approached and asked if he could play. Approaching child said, "My name's Brian. What's yours?"

"I'm Batman."

It's always going to be a great line.

I do wonder if Dean, in the process of fulfilling Sam's wish, will find something he wasn't looking for

I think it will be ridiculously convenient for Lisa to actually be what she was serving as a symbol for, and I hope it really doesn't turn out that way. I'm rabidly attached to the codas that have him moving out based on a mutual agreement and regret that it couldn't work out even before he discovers something's up with Sam.

I should let go of that, because I don't want to get pissed at Show when it doesn't go my way.

I think the Lisa *I* see there in the last few episodes is still sort of awed that "Best night of my life Dean" is so much more than a good lay and a really charming bad boy. And he saved her kid's life!

But as understandable as it is for her to take him when he's so clearly hurting, I'm not sure that's going to translate into falling in love with him for real, or for good. Especially when she learns what living with someone as broken as he is means.

Really, harshly, he's not necessarily a guy I'd have near my kid. Well, *we* know he's good with kids, but he's an alcoholic, thinks little of violence, and is deeply broken. Making the decision to not have him around your kid wouldn't be a strange one.

And that's before you get to whether or not he's emotionally accessible to you.

Eh, I don't know. Even just seeing him with Ben way back in S3, I think I'd be okay with him around my kid. The drinking could be an issue, but *we* know, even if she doesn't yet, that he doesn't get sloppy drunk.

I'd be more worried about my kid getting attached to someone who might not be able to stick around, or not really be emotionally accessible to *him*.

On paper he looks like a liability, I think. We know he'd be fine to Ben, but I wouldn't fault any mother for drawing a line and not letting him across it.

The difference between S3 and now is one apparently suicidal (although mission-based) moment, and a deep trauma, and he's not there for a beer, it's hard liquor.

I've seen people complaining that he shouldn't be chugging whisky in front of the kid which I think is extreme--that's not a big deal to me, not in and of itself. But if you have a guy who needs to drink to fall asleep move into your house, how do you deal with that with your impressionable kid?