Mitch Pileggi was fantastic as Samuel, *and* as the YED. There's a lot of Dean in his mannerisms and his speech.

I really enjoyed last night's episode, most especially for Jim Beaver's performance, though I felt vaguely discomfited by the real life loss of his wife.

Speaking of hard badass Dean, he was fierce last night. I loved that he stood there watching Bobby's house, and then later wasn't willing to go save the town over leaving Bobby. Except for the fact that he happily sent Sam off with no back-up, which seemed slightly out of character, he chooses to protect the ones he loves over the larger numbers. Sam killing the sheriff's son again, was so sad, and so evocative of Heart. Poor Sammy.

I'm struck, pre-rewatch, by the town's accepting melancholy. They definitely knew something was up, they had to know it couldn't end well, but they were so willing to pretend things were normal the sheriff called the doctor when her dead son spiked a 111° fever. They were just going to keep going.

Yeah, even Bobby, who really did know better, just went along with it.

I wish they had thrown in a line or two about there being some kind of spell or compulsion involved.

Sam killing the sheriff's son was awful, and very much a callback to Heart for me.

I think in terms of next week's episode, outside of the meta of JDM not having time to appear, Mom is the one both boys would want to see. She was the one they missed; she was the Sam never even got to know. Dad, on the other hand, was with them until two years ago. I think "home" and "Mom's cooking" etc. are more the fantasy heaven they might dream of than getting to hash out demon deals and bad choices with Dad.

I wish they had thrown in a line or two about there being some kind of spell or compulsion involved.

I like the desperate sadness and the informal collusion this way, actually. It makes me think of how Lucifer gains hold, not through overt misdirection or magickery, just through human wants.

I think "home" and "Mom's cooking" etc. are more the fantasy heaven they might dream of than getting to hash out demon deals and bad choices with Dad.

Do you think it's fantasy heaven? I have no logistical explanation, but I assumed it's real heaven. And in real heaven, John and Mary are together.

Not sure. I guess once I saw Zachariah, I assumed it was just another trick, but we'll see.

So I just got another person hooked on SPN. And this person happens to be a classic rock aficionado. And pointed out that in "Hell House," when Dean's pranking Sam, the music is a Blue Oyster Cult song. Which of course goes along with the symbol.

But it's "Fire of Unknown Origin" - which is about the last song you'd sing to Sam. (Fire of unknown origin / Took my baby away)

Speaking of Zachariah and tricks, what was the final word on The End? Trick, or glimpse of the future?