Damn it Rufus is gone. I loved Rufus.

Highly creepy episode. Jim Beaver did an excellent job being wormy. I was so distracted by his performance I'm not actually sure I caught Eve's plan. Caged humans, is that the gist? Lame.

Sam surprised me with the insta-dead Sampa shooting, but hey, he did keep coming at him. Dean equally surprised me with the Gwen shooting. I appreciate the no muss-no fuss elimination of the Campbell storyline which frankly hung around the season's neck like an albatross.

I liked Dean's speech about family at the end. Dean's been so alpha male lately, I feel like he didn't manage his usual level of vulnerability in that speech. I hope he hasn't put that side away for good, I'd miss it.

I think we'll see it again, ehab. There's plenty out there to hurt Dean.

I do like that he stated it so vehemently, broaching no argument. Slate's clean -- we're absolved. Moving on.

I can see why. Dean wants very much for that wall in Sam's head to hold. Quit poking, quit analyzing, quit looking for redemption for things beyond Souled Sam's control. Losing Sam if that wall comes down will rip Dean apart.

I really think keeping that wall up is Dean's primary focus.

Damnit, I didn't get the promo.

Was it this little teaser? - is so - I want more!!!

April 16th- Bah.

that's the one, sumi.

Yeah, it was that. And we don't have to wait until the 16th!

Only the 15th...

Shootout Dean. Shootout Dean. Horseback Sam. I can't even...Show, the things you do for me. The yearnings I didn't even fully realise I had, you satisfy¹.

But you also kill Rufus. I don't think our relationship is healthy.

¹: My big bang author is hella timely. Good pick on her part.

If I'm not mistaken, that's the same spot where "What d'ya want, a Pulitzer?" fell on Roadrunner Dean. Must be a good place for a rig.

God, I'm still not over the brother stuff from last night.

First off, I like how Dean went straight to kill Sampa. I like that Show kept him committed to his threat. I like that Dean a lot. But I also like how Sam could inch him down from it. Not change his mind, but stall him.

I love how Sam had his gun on anyone but Dean when everyone had their guns on Dean. Impossible odds, but who cares?

I love the broccoli communication between the two of them when Sampa left the room. I love Dean stepping in front of Sam to protect him. Love Dean assuring Sam that he did the right thing, even though he didn't untie him right away. Love them smashing the door in together. Love the explanation of earned family. Love the explanation of blanket forgiveness.

Kind of like Abandon All Hope... Show made me really like an episode in which it killed a favourite.

Love them smashing the door in together. Love the explanation of earned family. Love the explanation of blanket forgiveness.

So much. SO much. They felt like the Sam and Dean of old to me, in the best way.

I'm sad about Rufus, but I also love that nothing is ever tied up in a neat bow on this show. Bobby can apologize, sure, and Rufus will partner with him, sure, but forgive him for getting his wife killed? Not happening. Hard facts, but honest ones.

I loved how it looked like Rufus might have been possessed there, but no. It was just pure human anger, but something he was willing to work past. I hope some good fics come out of that.

And, in summation: [link]

Bobby can apologize, sure, and Rufus will partner with him, sure, but forgive him for getting his wife killed? Not happening. Hard facts, but honest ones.

Of course, this immediately makes me think of John and Ellen.