Are these the most beheadings we've ever had in an episode before?

There should have been a few in Dead Man's Blood.

If next week is the backdoor pilot, that means there are only three more episodes likely to deal with the arc. I lost track of how many episodes Cas has been in, so I don't know how many of the nine he has left (it was nine, right?).

Not unlike last season, that's a lot of moving pieces and not too many minutes.

I saw Bob Berens, I think, mention that last night on Twitter -- that the back end of the season is "packed with boys and action" or something.

This season feels really haphazard to me. And now I miss Dean's extra scruff. Go back to not shaving so much, broody Dean.

I don't think they moved well between the components. The emotional arc they've been consistent with (maybe too consistent (yes, #THINMAN, I'm looking at you)), but they haven't been deft juggling Gadreel+Metatron and Crowley+Abaddon. It's like they can't handle both at the same time.

I hope we see Kevin again.

However much I don't want an arc free ep right now, this was...I give this a B. Jody taking Alex anywhere by herself was bonehead move. I'm glad the phones are on vibrate more often, but shouldn't people be carrying them on their person more often? Kinda helps.

(In 10 years they'll be laughing at the idea of being physically separated from your call notification, probs)

I was happy to see Jodi again, but yeah -- I keep thinking they need to wrap up Metatron and the First Blade, and I'm completely forgetting about Crowley and Abbadon.

I think Jodi did very well, and damn! Are those makeup people trying to tell us Dean and Sam are super powered? That was some ugly (and great!) bruising she was displaying.

I like that she cut to the emotional core in a way the boys wouldn't have been able to--I thought she might be able to mother Annie Alexis Anna into loving her and humanity more, but mom-reading the pack leader was even better. So she wasn't just the hero, things about her made her heroic.

Should I sign up to do art for SPN-J2 big bang? Last time I dropped out because I couldn't find a story. I guess I could do that again this time.

I'm just looking for a reason to do related pictures, and it will be some time until the D/CBB comes a knocking...

Anyone doing any challenges of any sort?

Are those makeup people trying to tell us Dean and Sam are super powered? That was some ugly (and great!) bruising she was displaying.

What do you mean? They weren't the ones who hit her.

They never bruise like that and keep chatting through a scene. They barely get eye damage makeup.

Except for the times when Dean is beaten to a pulp by an angel.

I think only the Lucifer beatdown competed.