My expectation had been that Castiel would show up in every episode last season, and then I read somewhere it was supposed to be 17, but he didn't make that many, I think.

If memory serves, I think he will get paid for 22 anyway.

I'm still a little miffed that Misha gets "regular" billing and commensurate pay, while they stubbornly continue to bill and pay Jim as "recurring". Misha may be cute, but Jim has been a lynchpin and a touchstone of the series since S2. Neither sexy nor cute enough for fic writers, he's a craftsman, excellent at his job, and he's earned his place in the credits.

Granted, it was Collins and Castiel that ignited and has maintained fan interest in S4 and since, so I suppose that's why he gets the big bucks (for what that signifies in small network series pay) and the billing. Still, seems unfair.

On the issue of number of appearances, I can see how Misha fit in to the series regular model better as the overarching plot was angel-centric and his character was able to pop up and visit the Winchesters on the road with no advance notice. I'd say Bobby is at least as important to the emotional arc if not the actual plot, but there were grumblings of "... and then Bobby shows up to save them in the last 5 minutes AGAIN" that weren't exactly unfounded in Season 3. I think TPTB did a better job of incorporating him so that his appearances were more varied and essential to the plots in Seasons 4 and 5.

There's more change inherent in Castiel's relationships with the boys, which makes him more fertile ground than Bobby. I think, in fact, they brought up the idea of change with Bobby and then backed out of it, with Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid--and I kinda get why they did.

They can't play with that interaction the same way they can play around with Castiel. Bobby may get snappish with Dean, but he can't beat the shit out of him. We don't get to see him call Sam an abomination one week and kill to protect him another.

Giving regular status isn't about thanking the actor for what they've done for the show, but about investing in what they can still do for the show. And Castiel (and Misha) are very milkable. Jim's great fanwise, but I sit back and wonder about what they may or may not do with Bobby next season.

Jim's great fanwise, but I sit back and wonder about what they may or may not do with Bobby next season.

He worked really well as a surrogate father and pretty much the only friend the boys had, for a long time. And I don't want him gone, at all, but I think a lot of last season was about both boys growing up, so that dynamic is going to wear thin. For me, anyway.

that dynamic is going to wear thin

Yeah. I would have grieved his death, but I agreed with PMM when she said she could envision the end of that particular arc, and that it was time for them to lose another father figure.

At the very least, they need to transition to him as a peer more. Which makes him a little less special--do they hunt with him now that he has legs? Or do they hunt on their own?

At least I can see where Cas might have a ton of character development-related stuff coming up from the end of S5. Bobby-wise, I need to know what happened with his soul. Other than that, hmm.

Bobby-wise, I need to know what happened with his soul.

Oh yeah. Although I do hope it's not some big sticking point and drama, too. In other words, I hope Crowley held up his end of the deal, because I'm a little tired of demon deals and looming consequences.

I wouldn't mind seeing Bobby get a girlfriend, but that's really better suited to fic.

Well, I'd love to see Crowley back, so if there's an episode's worth of soul to-do, I wouldn't be averse.

It would be great if they made up some other excuses to have Crowley back.

Signed,
Eternal Employment Act for Mark Sheppard.

Eternal Employment Act for Mark Sheppard

Oh, where do I sign up? I saw him in the White Collar pilot and squeed out loud.

I probably don't need to spoilerfont that do I? Anyway.

I would definitely like lots of excuses to see Crowley, yes.

Oh yeah. Although I do hope it's not some big sticking point and drama, too. In other words, I hope Crowley held up his end of the deal, because I'm a little tired of demon deals and looming consequences.

I'm somewhat concerned about how they will have Castiel involved in the Season 6 monster-of-the-week stories yet avoid him becoming a deus ex machina, but I think for this one issue it could work very well. I foresee the brothers getting all blustery with Crowley about returning Bobby's soul, Crowley snarking back, and Castiel quietly noting "Of course he will. He is, after all, well aware that there is no longer anything in Hell capable of protecting him from me should he renege on his promise."