I disagree. I think it's a lot different when you actually believe what you're saying.

Yes. This.

I wouldn't say it's the level of story-telling post-kick-ass-declaration, intensity-wise, but what story that they are in fact telling. There's no active forward movement but a minute of lip-service here and there. I don't care if it's hum-drum low-key, I'd just like them to stay on task more than they do, rather than "well, we had good intentions, but we in fact have no leads, so let's go check out this weird thing in Poughkeepsie to pass the time. And we might accidentally and randomly stumble across something key to our primary objective."

But if you keep them on task completely, only two things happen: they either find something or they don't. There are only so many near-miss apocalypses you can write before serving up the real thing, and if they *don't* find something in a plot where that's the goal, then you don't have much of an episode.

So they get sidetracked by another little hunt in the meantime, just like Buffy did when she got demon-goop ESP.

I get that, but over the seasons if feels like there's a big "WE HAVE A MISSION!" and then a whole whole lot of nothing. And the meantime stretches on. And it's lot of bluster. I'm not asking or wishing for non-stop on-course action, but more of a balance between the Purpose and the In Between, and less of a feeling that the writer's have no idea how to handle the monster they created.

I've been enjoying the heck out of it. Whatever they are doing, it works for me.

Me too, Theresa.

I don't think it's a matter of not knowing how to handle the monster. I think there's a lot of meta that has to be considered in terms of budgets and casting and sets and all that, too, that factors in.

I also don't mind a breather before the big ending bang, so.

I also don't mind a breather before the big ending bang, so.

I was kinda thinking that I feel a little banged up after the last few weeks. I'd enjoy something a little lighter.

Thing is? I actually thought Dean's words to Sam were not out of the question. It is cold to doubt that your brother wouldn't say no if constantly approached by Satan. But I am not sure I disagreed with Dean's position. I thought he was a little too hasty to agree to be Michael's host though before Sam had made his definitive choice.

I think this issue needs to come back again because it clearly isn't settled.

Sam believed in Dean, but I'm not sure Dean is really and truly convinced.

And yes, Dean is acting like an asshole. Seeing the little brother act the same way kind of drove it all home.

Now I'm dying to know the song on the juke box at the beginning. Zachariah looked over at it like he was offended.

Next obsessive question: Did Hi-Def allow people to read any of the letter (will?)that Dean is writing after packing his stuff? If so, please point me to a link.

NOQ : what is on Dean's key ring? Is that a whistle? A mini bong? A travel size tire pressure gauge?