Gwen Campbell reminds me of Sigourney Weaver around the time of the first Alien movie.

I was leaning toward Cas' comment being sarcasm. It would be interesting if it wasn't, though. And while it would be nice if Dean said, "Civil war, eh? Gotta suck, Cas--how can I help?" I can't say I expect him to do so.

I'm enjoying the show so far this season, because it's giving me some plotty mysteries to chew on. (Plus, pretty men being angsty and/or badass.) But, yeah, it does have a somewhat different feel than the last season or two. I'm not really finding that off-putting because there's the sense that there's a reason (Sam being "off," etc.) and the reasons feed into the whole plotty mystery thing that I like.

Eggs and veggie sausage:

Say, was Sam's ability to sense demons-in-people-suits just part of his drinking demon blood? I could see where it might have been, what with needing to access an important part of his unbalanced diet. But if it was just something Sam was able to do, does that suggest that it's soul-based? 'Cause unless he was lying (and he's not necessarily the most reliable narrator at this point), he totally didn't know that the secondary Campbells were demon-infested.

I think Sam's hunger (and abnormally heightened scent) for demon blood was triggered by Famine's influence. I don't think under normal circumstances he has that same problem.

Either he plighted his troth or we've seen the first instance of sarcasm in the wild. Can't work out which--they both quite delight me.

So much this. I love the way Misha played that line. I have no idea, common sense tells me sarcasm, but...

It definitely read as sarcasm to me, but perhaps not without a kernel of truth. You don't see other angels taking a time out from the civil war to visit friends.

I would assume that any mystical abilities like sensing spirits, commanding demons, or destroying them require a soul to function. Maybe not precognition, but then Sam hasn't had any of those visions in years anyway.

do want to know about the Alpha's mother, though. Intriguing.

One of Lilith's titles in legends was Mother of Monsters. Maybe she's responsible for all the kinds of monsters running around in the world.

I don't like the idea of Crowley having Sam's soul because everything we've seen up to this point indicates demons (and angels for that matter) have to have a person's consent to take their soul. I hope it turns out that he's lying.

It's possible that Sam's consent to Lucifer and sojourn in the cage changed the game for him. That removing him from the cage was easier if all but the soul came out, or something.

If angels or demons can take souls right away, why don't they? Why do they trade for them after/upon death (accelerated in the case of the crossroad demon deals)?

I also couldn't tell if he was being sarcastic. Sarcasm makes the most sense.

I've had the thought that Crowley could be lying. Just because it gives him leverage to keep the hunters working for him.

It definitely read as sarcasm to me, but perhaps not without a kernel of truth.

Matt sums it up nicely for me.

One of Lilith's titles in legends was Mother of Monsters.

And there were those creepy little girls. Lilith likes her little creepy vessels. Except there were two. Did Lilith make herself a twin out of her own ribs?

...everything we've seen up to this point indicates demons (and angels for that matter) have to have a person's consent to take their soul.

The crossroads demon in AHBL didn't need Sam's permission. Dean traded his own soul while Sam was in heaven, according to later canon. Sam was yanked out of heaven, soul and all, without his consent.

Azazel did make a point, however, to say he couldn't make the deal himself ("red tape" he called it). Unless they screw around with their own canon, seems that some human would have had to make a deal with Crowley. Sampa?