Sam doesn't have that much at stake, so isn't as hurt, and is able then to call out for Cas, and is able now to call out for Cas.

Yes. Also, Sam is coming from a place where he understands what can drive someone to that kind of massive betrayal. I'd also imagine that seeing Dean's hurt and anger over Cas probably puts some more context around Dean's reactions to Sam in S4.

Completely agree, Julie. Sam likes and cares about Cas, but he wouldn't feel the same level of personal pain if calling Cas worked to get him there but then they failed to "save" him. Sam loses a friend and powerful ally; Dean loses someone he has told feels like a brother to him. And we know how Dean is when he loves someone like a brother. Dean wasn't going to risk trying that, the way he was feeling. The potential pain wasn't worth the risk to him.

And, yes, there's Adam, who actually is a half-brother. But... my take is that Adam doesn't feel like a brother to either one of them. That takes time that they haven't had together. I do hope the show addresses Adam somehow, though.

Not for nothing, Cas was also the one who fucked Sam up. Twice.

Point.

So not doing more to save Cas was not at all OOC for me, even if it was killing him to lose someone he had loved in whatever way that was.

Yes. And I thought JA's acting made it very clear how much Dean was tearing himself up inside. Plus, all the focus on the car as something he could fix... (sniffles)

YES. Practical Dean, wanting something he can touch and bend to his will.

I feel a HUGE meta post coming on, but I think I have to nap first.

Plus, all the focus on the car as something he could fix... (sniffles)

Yes, yes, yes.

Nap well, Amy.

My TV just went black again.

What the hell?? I was watching that game. Sort of. OK, it's back. Geez.

Yes. And I thought JA's acting made it very clear how much Dean was tearing himself up inside. Plus, all the focus on the car as something he could fix... (sniffles)

::nods and sniffles::

While I didn't care for the "You child" line, I think Dean's reaction throughout the episode was very much in character. And fits with the Dean/Cas ship, frankly. If Dean didn't care about Cas so much, he wouldn't have been so betrayed. Cas wasn't in the clutches of some bad guy or possessed - he was all powerful and knew what he wanted.

I thought Dean was a lot more in character in this episode than in the penultimate episode of last season, actually.

I see the ship as being so validated. I don't get it. It might not end happily, but, yeah, the link between Dean and Cas is perfect fodder right now for shipping. And, yet, this. But I have read delighted D/Cers too, so it's not just everyone. Even some people who think that S6 ruined the ship are coming around now.

Speaking of D/C, I really should be drawing.