I'm having fuzzy thoughts, but I don't like Show's dogma that predestination is inevitable; that Sam was damned from the time he was 6 months old because his mother made a deal with the YED. He spent years fighting against the demon-blood infection, but it doesn't matter. Once he started using the powers that he thought came from the blood he used them to battle for The Good, but it doesn't matter. It just doesn't matter what he does or why he does it, even if he hadn't gone so far as to sacrifice NICU nurses, he is damned. Now if he consents to be Lucifer's vessel I could see more argument to the he's bad and he deserves the punishment, but as it is I don't like they way this has been playing out.

Also, I am not happy with Dean's whole "yippee skippy" I'm so happy now that I don't have to deal with my brother attitude. Yeah, I know, when they were growing up he had to look after Sam. Ya know what? Thousands and thousands of older siblings have to look after their brothers and sisters. And when Sam didn't want to be tied down to all his family drama Dean insisted he was selfish and bitched endlessly at him.

And I'm feeling particularly grumpy today, so it's possible I'll retract most of this tomorrow. But I doubt it.

Dayenu!!! HAH!! OMG, I love Dean!

I am not happy with Dean's whole "yippee skippy" I'm so happy now that I don't have to deal with my brother attitude

Dean is full of crap and Castiel knows it. Early in the episode before Cas showed up, the way Dean looked over at the empty seat next to him in the Impala gave it all away.

Early in the episode before Cas showed up, the way Dean looked over at the empty seat next to him in the Impala gave it all away.

And also the moment he left at the end. And how he spent most of the episode trying to wedge Castiel into that hole.

I don't think you can deny that Dean, for whatever reason, has always been way too tied to his family. Some of that's his upbringing, some of that's his own damage. I'm not going to begrudge him feeling a little bit freed right now - especially since it's about 80% bullshit.

Sam doesn't deserve what he's getting, for sure. That scene with Lucifer was brutal. And there's going to be fallout from demons spreading the word to the hunting community about what happened. (And who the hell knows what they're saying *did* happen anyway. Not like the truth isn't bad enough but still.) Gah. He's just a big open wound right now.

I'm really not sure about the whole matching vessel set thing, though I'll withhold judgment for now.

I'm very suspicious of the bar girl. I don't believe she is entirely what she seems. I watch this show!

And there's going to be fallout from demons spreading the word to the hunting community

This. With Sam having separated himself from his family (Dean and Bobby), demons are cutting Sam from the herd--isolating him. At the same time, Lucifer is hacking away at Sam's fragile psyche, reinforcing Sam's sense that he can't escape the fate to which his mother doomed him. JP's performance was heartbreaking.

I'm guessing the blood that managed to get into Sam's system opened a communication link with Lucifer?

More semi-incoherent thoughts:

I don't think you can deny that Dean, for whatever reason, has always been way too tied to his family. Some of that's his upbringing, some of that's his own damage.

Oh hell no, I don't disagree. John has a lot to answer for (or he would if he weren't, you know, dead). Added to it is Dean's "own damage." I think he's largely gotten a pass in the pieces of fandom that I've read for things that he needs to take responsibility for ... his unquestioning obedience to John's orders to the point of self-abnegation is a large one. Martyrdom isn't an attractive or healthy character trait. And I've always felt that Dean resented Sam leaving for Sanford at least partly because Sam was strong enough to make the decision and act on it, and Dean... wasn't. Either that or Dean wanted to be a hunter, he truly believes in the value of what he does to help people, and it is indeed the life he wants to live. In which case, his staying in that life wasn't a sacrifice. And he still bitches at Sam for daring to have chosen something different.

I think the writers don't always show Dean to advantage. I saw a lot of it tonight. I know a big part of his character is supposed to be him being a smartass, but showing deference to all-powerful beings isn't necessarily a sign of weakness. (I'm always driven crazy by characters who would be smarter if they pretended to go along with the bad guy until they're in a stronger position to fight back, but instead they make wisecracks and let the bad guy know right away that they are in opposition. And Dean does that ALL the time.) He's smart, inventive, a skilled and strong hunter, capable of great focus and determination. Last week's episode showcased him well. Tonight's, not so much.

Oh, Sam.

I'm of the opinion that Sam's blood isn't so tainted that he can't be a vessel for Michael, too. Not a spoiler, just speculation.

Is Sam the only YED tainted kid still living? Is that what makes him a Lucifer-vessel? Or is it symmetry with Dean being a Michael-vessel?

I am not happy with Dean's whole "yippee skippy" I'm so happy now that I don't have to deal with my brother attitude

He's lying to himself so hard, though. And doing not a great job of it.