If you really need death, my bet would be Cas. I feel like without giving him a love interest or something outside helping the boys, Bobby's character growth is sort of over, but he *is* a convenient source of information for them, as well as providing a familiar home base (aka Set's Already Built).

I would also like to know what changed Balthazar's mind, especially if it was some filthy lost weekend on a cloud with Cas.

Although it would be a significant character thing if the boys took over Bobby's. Then they'd get to keep the set.

I do hope that Balthazar comes back. If anyone's going to call out Cas as something like an equal, I think it has to be him.

I think that Bobby's death brings more pain to the boys, and leaves a bigger hole that we can fill with the story (and I wouldn't mind seeing the boys either do their own research or start reaching out to different people, including Cas), so that's why I vote him.

I'm not one of the people that think Cas's link to the boys is inconsequential, but as he is, right now with the BAMFy fighting another war thing, it wouldn't have as *much* of an impact to the storyline for me.

Up until the point where Dean admits his unfulfilled love and rends his clothing, obviously.

Much as I love Bobby, he would be my choice if someone had to go, but I think where we are in the story right now, it would be easier to write Cas out.

That said, I really don't want Cas to go. I'd love to see what happens to him after the heavenly war is over, especially if it had to do with him quitting heaven, and coming to earth full-time.

Then again, after last week, I wouldn't mind seeing more of the Cas and Bobby Show from time to time.

If Cas dies (I originally typed "goes down"), I don't see how that doesn't lead to a Heavenly Smackdown on Team Free Will, and without a supernatural ally, I'd have a hard time buying that they last any time at all.

Cas could go down as part of a winning effort, though.

Still, Balthazar in charge of heaven? Oy.

Then again, if Cas is in charge of heaven next year, how do they work him into the storylines?

Maybe God shows back up.

If Cas dies (I originally typed "goes down"), I don't see how that doesn't lead to a Heavenly Smackdown on Team Free Will, and without a supernatural ally, I'd have a hard time buying that they last any time at all.

I feel that they would have room to maneuver if this happened, as Death seemed to come down on Team Free Will's side for his own reasons and I doubt anyone's getting out of that cage without his say-so. If informed that he'd best not hold his breath waiting for the Apocalypse 2.0, Raphael might not bother to strike the guys down.

Heavenly Smackdown on Team Free Will

I don't see why, as Raph has only targeted them that one time because Cas used them deliberately as bait and gave them a red herring for Raph to chase. I think that if Cas bites it, Heaven will have no more interest in the boys? There's no more vessel nonsense they have to deal with.

specially if it was some filthy lost weekend on a cloud with Cas.

You need to write this, after other stuff is done.

OOH or on the Titanic.

I think that if Cas bites it, Heaven will have no more interest in the boys? There's no more vessel nonsense they have to deal with.

It's been stated that Raphael wants to restart Armageddon. For that, she needs vessels for both Michael and Lucifer to occupy once they're freed. Of course, before that her motivation seemed to be a nihilistic certainty that God was dead, and before that she was obeying orders and watching over Chuck. Who knows what her intentions will be next season?