Castiel prevented Dean from eating, so I think it is absolutely right that he is unsullied because he didn't partake of what was offered him in the "green room."

And God? I don't think he's the absentee landloard Zac is making him out to be. I suspect he's testing everyone, from his arch angels down to the human meat sacks who aren't so sure about him. And Castiel (and Dean) is (are) doing the right thing by asking questions and following what he (they) believe(s) to be right.

Cindy--yes, this is my thinking as well. Something about giving them all free will, and seeing what happens. And his angels are failing the test big time.

So God's sitting in the corner with a big glass of scotch, facepalming.

As for Castiel, I think he's losing his wings in this fight, and he's going to be around next season, but more like Anna was: a source of information but not much power.

I did find it interesting that the Angels manipulated Dean so poorly and hamhandedly compared with Ruby's work on Sam. I mean, seriously: the man went to hell to bring his brother back to life, and you're offering him cheeseburgers and prostitutes? WTF? They really didn't make any effort to understand him, and I suspect that's related to the fact that they're in a position of power, and Ruby really wasn't. She knew she had no backup, and she had to work on Sam very carefully.

They also didn't need him to do anything, they just needed to keep him from doing something. if Castiel hadn't gotten him out of the Green room, he couldn't have gotten out o his own.

I like that idea about everybody getting free will. I'm pretty tired of the Absentee God thing.

God's sitting in the corner with a big glass of scotch, facepalming.

...that may just have to be my new tagline. Much as I adore the LOLita line.

They really didn't make any effort to understand him, and I suspect that's related to the fact that they're in a position of power, and Ruby really wasn't.

This is a very good observation, Consuela. It could be argued that demons have the advantage here. They were once human and understand emotions and know how to play and manipulate on that level.

It's obvious here the angels are utterly clueless about humanity and the complexities and depths of the human soul. Cas is getting it.

And I love that God might allow the angels free will.

And I love that God might allow the angels free will.

I can't imagine how he hasn't. Uriel chose to follow Lucifer and murder other angels; Castiel chose to free Dean. At least one of those actions must have been contrary to God's will: without free will, it couldn't have taken place.

Whew! Note to self: Remember password.

God's sitting in the corner with a big glass of scotch, facepalming.

Love.

My current favorite parts of Lucifer Rising is Ackles face when he delivers the clunky line "if he ever was." That little grimace before Bobby lays into him is gold. Honestly there are lines through the whole episode ("lily white ass") that should have been impossible to credibly deliver. But JA makes it look effortless. He is amazing. And I mean that purely professionally. I'll objectify him later.

The second is Dean on the phone. Dean's mouth starts working before he can get the words out. Even then he has to clear his throat to go on. So powerful. Then the message cuts him off before he can say the word "sorry". The look on his face was heartbreaking. The boy on his cell phone whether in Home or Lucifer Rising just kills me dead. Congrats Jensen.

My third current fav part is the before mentioned "I'm sorry" delivered by JA. That boy has created magic with the character of Sam. What range. ::sigh::

I didn't catch it at the time....but how awesome was the shoutout to Cindy?! I'm so glad you guys said something. The minimal difference in the last name may be as simple as the actress pronounced it wrong. Cindy officially wins the coolest person ever award.

Ima go watch again.

Lucifer's fall in the first place implies free will on the part of the angels, even if most of them don't actively exercise it.

And God? I don't think he's the absentee landloard Zac is making him out to be.

That's my take on it. I can easily see Zachariah conflating God no longer communicating with him (assuming he's one of the four that have been in contact in the past) with being absentee on a larger scale. But I'd think that Anna regaining her angelic nature, Lucifer remaining bound until freed in the prophecied way, and the fact that things like holy water work at all are indications that He's still at work behind the scenes.

And again, God not "having left the building" explains how Dean is not in violation of his oath. He swore to serve "God and his Angels". If God is still around, and his Angels are no longer serving Dean's oath to God takes precedence over Dean's oath to the Angels.

I'm also not clear on how that oath is to be enforced...