I loved that it had that drunken air, that naughty-little-boyness to it. Because you know sensitive!Sam has probably never said that to Dean before.

I am also a fan of the flopping and the snuggling into the pillow, yes. And the very real way he sort of pawed at Dean's face to make him pay attention.

Nodding like a nodding thing at the Playthings notes. This is the first time "Sasquatch" made it onscreen in SPN. For me it recalls JA as Alec calling Kevin Durand sasquatch as Joshua in DA. JA always credited Kim for calling JP that. The ep director for Designate This was Jeff Woolnough (thanks, IMDB), so I'm inclined to think it was JA feeling loomed over.

For an episode that I really didn't like all that much, Playthings advanced the storyline quite a bit in several details, and gave us "antiques dealers," "You're short", and "Not gonna poke her with a stick!" scenes, as well as wet Rescue!Sam. I should like it better.

All my affection for Vincent of Cafe Diem comes as resonance from Ronald. And I can't think of a single ep ending, with the possible exception of The Message, that hit as hard as the Renegade. It seemed, even at the time, a turning point for the series; you could almost feel the compass needle swing.

I can't think of a single ep ending, with the possible exception of The Message, that hit as hard as the Renegade.

It was a definite gutpunch. The hunt was a big fuckup, even though they did eventually get the shifter, it was at a high price.

The sense of things unravelling without a fix in sight...delicious.

I didn't realise it was Cafe Diem Vincent until his apparition reappeared, but it all snapped together then.

Never before or since has a Styx song been so apropos.

Never before or since has a Styx song been so apropos.

I had to go watch the scene again. Man

I had forgotten that Dean was going to sit down and die with Sam in Croatoan.

This was seared in my brain. Poor tired Dean. Poor brave Sam. Poor boys.

In the latest of the new episodes I am in the camp that thought Dean was just empty inside but not literally without a soul. Makes getting up each day all the more heroic.

Once again reading Buffistas always adds dimension to the episodes. I never considered that Dean was talking to God when he looked up and asked for help. I was afraid that he was talking to Michael and this was going to be taken as his assent. That had me saying, "no, no, please no" to the tv.

I was hoping that he was talking to John, just as he did at John's grave in the Djinn episode. A la the phone call in Home. I didn't think that JDM would answer him, but I thought that was who he was asking for help.

A sixth season. The news is too new for me really to know how to feel. Huh.

I guess the best I can manage for S6 and Sera is...cautiously hopeful?

IDK. Wait and see, I guess. It would be hard to turn my back on characters I've been invested in for so long. But if they become unrecognizable, that will be easier to do.

Austin, I was afraid Michael would take Dean's plea as assent, as well. I hoped he was admitting he was willing to believe in God, if God was willing to show up. But the Michael factor did scare me.

I was afraid that he was talking to Michael and this was going to be taken as his assent.

The safety there is the Enochian symbols, so hopefully Michael isn't listening at the right times. But who knows what he intended?

After watching the use of Renegade again, I don't know when I've seen any song used so well.

The reason that I didn't think Dean was talking to God was not knowing if he has ever admitted to the existence of God. He believed in demons before believing in angels. I figured he could believe in Lucifer without believing in God. Has he talked about thinking God would help them?

I keep thinking the first thing that Michael would/should do upon taking possession of Dean's body (and yeah, I'm twelve and went to what I would do with the possession of Dean's body) and I think he would have to kill Sam. That stops Lucifer from finding a permanent vessel, yes?

I have lots of faith in Sera. Actually more faith that the input from Sera, Ben, Jeremy, and others made me like the show despite Kripke. I'm not convinced that he made the show or the brother's dynamic that I love on purpose.

I like the interpretation that what Dean is hungry for is nothingness. Explains him not cruising for lonely women or eating that burger a little bit.

I was afraid that he was talking to Michael and this was going to be taken as his assent.

This never occurred to me. He said he needed help, he said please, but neither of those is "yes".

The idea that he was talking to his father made me a little misty there for a second.