Perhaps Death was just feeling particularly bitchy. He wasn't always needed, but he made sure Dean was needed in this scenario because he wanted Dean to go through the steps to learn that particular lesson.

I assumed that Dean couldn't kill people without the ring, but maybe Death didn't need it for Death to happen. Maybe he wasn't killing people, but it's not like the world is free of disease because they cut of Pestilence's finger and got his ring either.

Unlike the other Horsemen, I get the impression that the ring is more a symbol of office for Death. Not having it doesn't seem to diminish him in any way. For that matter, I would assume he was going on and handling all the other thousands of people who died on earth during the hours that Dean was struggling with his handful of allotted souls to take.

It may be that he just wanted to comisserate with someone who'd gained some sympathy for what his responsibilities are like.

Mo Ryan almost picks Supernatural (amongst others) for her top 10.

Petite Madame makes a mistake. She horizontally flipped her reference pic, and didn't adjust for the asymmetry. It's totally bugging the shit out of me. On the other hand, long-haired Dean.

So I really like the notion of Death being the one to get Sam's soul back. I think it is a clever idea - so I liked the beginning of the episode and the end. It's just the middle I didn't care for.

It's like the writers had this bang-up idea that they just couldn't knock out of the park.

Yeah, he never occurred to me as a possibility until I saw the actor was making another appearance, and then it immediately all made perfect sense. Who better to get Sam's soul out of the cage than the old-as-creation abstract entity who taught them how to use it in the first place, and whose very nature involves migrating souls from one state of being to another?

I'm still tickled we got Robert Englund. That was fun.

Unspoiled speculation follows:

Death says to Dean that he has to pay attention to what souls mean, after giving him the lowdown on how sturdy and unbreakable souls are. So even though Sam is already resouled, I think the second half of the season will maybe explore that, and the reason why could be tied into purgatory.

If purgatory is where souls are way-stationed before moving up and down, access or control of purgatory would give someone a whole lot of souls. Like Lucifer maybe.

I don't think they're going to drop that thread, even with Crowley dead, because they talked it up too much, and left it too unfinished. And if the above is true, it could be a really powerful weapon, too.

I like Death. And Tessa.

I enjoyed this episode a lot more than last week, less skeevy issues ruining my experience.

I have to agree with everyone though, having Bobby open that door and wander around like a dupe after being clever and trapping Sam was really disappointing. My flavor of Bobby is always outwitting the boys.

As a Dead Like Me fan, I enjoyed the reaping stuff as well. I believe Death & Tessa have a bit of a soft spot for Dean. I also agree it makes sense Death would have some idea what is going on with the souls and want someone to put an end to it. They are his purview.

I'll miss roboSam but I am happy to have original flavor back.

I wonder how wallSam will behave?

I can't decide if I want hugging, or I want "you non-conned not!me!" or what.

Tears would be good either way, though.

Cafe De Labeill does the most expressive hands. I love them.