So--what goes into a good recap?

I feel you need to describe the facts objectively, tie them into a useful (subjective!) amount of context of previous canon, and be clear with your feels--like, having an opinion is good, but don't let it get everywhere.

Anything in particular you'd suggest I keep in mind trying to write one for IO9?

Yeah, there is definitely something fishy about the Crowley/Naomi situation beyond the timey-wimey confusion.

Having assumed the powers of Hell in the absence of Lucifer, I would not be shocked were those powers to include an all-access pass to whenever he wants to go.

So--what goes into a good recap?

Like you said, hit the major plot points, and talk about what you liked and didn't like. Just be sure to give reasons why.

I would not be shocked were those powers to include an all-access pass to whenever he wants to go.

I would be. Lucifer was an angel. Crowley was a mutated human soul, and not even considered an important enough type of being for Lucifer not to toast them all upon gaining Earth. We've had open-ended sorts of powers on the angelic side, but they've been careful to show demons using spells and runes and stuff to accomplish more than 'porting--hell, they just started using cell phones instead of fresh blood. I wonder if Crowley is getting in coverage Down There?

I was overly "and then...and then..." in this recap. I don't really like it.

Why do I suddenly want to write a fic about Crowley having a cell tower installed in hell?

Did you post the recap, ita?

Yup. It's here: [link] . I definitely needed more setup and more cohesive opinion about the episode and the season to date. My Crowley feels are on full display (I might have deleted an entire paragraph's worth of same...) though.

It's true about Crowley, though. The more I think about the Mesopotamia thing, the more peeved I get.

Good job on the recap!