was that John Rubenstein's son playing the newly reyounged Charlie?

Oh, I have no idea who that is, but probably. I saw two Rubensteins in the credits.

Huh, because it *was* John's son Michael, but I know him as Michael Weston (wished he was still on House!). Quick check at imdb says he had his named changed because of duplicate issues. So, eeenteresting that they used his real name in the credits. Maybe the other dude died?

I know I fail on the pop culture part of the test, but I still don't know who Chris Angel is. I am guessing a magician. Who is a douche bag.

Barry Bostwick stole my heart and I can honestly say that he has never done that before. I thought he played the part with such honesty and sadness that it was almost disconcerting. The look on his face when the waitress said to leave the old guy alone--just gutted me. The brother interaction interspersed in the episode worked because there wasn't really any edge of your seat type suspense that they were disturbing by weaving it into the show. It was a good movie of the week. It won't be on my favorites list, but it would definitely make my noteworthy episodes list if just for BB's performance which was worth the price of admission.

As far as Sam's situation, I was thinking the thing that was squicking him was using his powers (not the psychic part of it but the demony origin part of it), but the only way to make his powers stronger is to use them. I never got an impression of human sacrifice and would be confused with Sam's character being complicit in anything most people would find objectionable. Then again, I was shocked when his character stated he wouldn't wish for Jess back. Besides avoiding any wish-strings attached, he said that the old Sam of Sam/Jess didn't exist anymore. I haven't journeyed far enough with him to see that, but I can hand wave it.

BB is completely awesome, and clearly needs to work more.

Criss Angel is indeed a douchebaggy magician. He had the show "Mindfreak" on A&E for a while & is currently dating one of the former Girls Next Door. The stuff Eyelinered Magician was doing is not too far off of Criss' schtick.

I LOVED BB in this.

BB is completely awesome, and clearly needs to work more.

And has Fabulous hair.

currently dating one of the former Girls Next Door

I think I did hear that. Hef's former number one.

I still don't get how guys like Criss Angel and David Blair do some of that on-the-street stuff. Magicians fascinate me.

I kept wondering if the Js or anyone goofed with Bostwick on set. A little spontaneous "Wild and an Untamed Thing" or anything.

I *think* Ruby might be referring to Sam allowing more of his power work for him, edging him closer to his anti-Christ superstar destiny. He doesn't have a problem using his psychic mojo to pull demons, but I don't think he wants to have anything to do with turning into something dark. I'm not sure he actually believed he *would* before recently, either.

Maybe I'm dumb or oblivious, or both, but I thought Ruby was saying Sam's getting rusty because he hasn't been practicing pulling demons lately, since he promised Dean he wouldn't use his psychic mojo. That the more he practices, the better at it he gets, the stronger his power.

This is where I am with it, too.

Couldn't agree more about BB being awesome last night. I love him.

And I'd still love it if this all turns out to be a plot by Lilith to corrupt him

That has been at the back of my mind since Azazel died and Ruby showed up (pre-Lilith). Convenient how she's managed to adjust herself to Sam and get from him what she wants, no?

One other thing wrong with this episode, in my opinion, is that it was Dean getting choked, not Sammy.

Just not right.

Another thing wrong with this episode, people may not have noticed, the "E" in THEN was slightly spaced a little too much to the right. I'll still watch the show, but the title graphics guys are dead to me.