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?

Excellent! I loved it. Dean may have lost faith in himself and in Sam, but Sam hasn't lost faith in Dean. By Sam letting Dean go, Dean hung on. YAY, BOYS!!

Lots of tears in this one for me, lots of hurty stuff, but I think there was a nice pay-off at the end.

I'm kind of sorry to see Zach go. He was a deliciously nasty piece of work - Azazel-nasty. And it now seems that Michael is a monumental dick.

I was spoiled with the Adam thing and dreading it a bit, but pleasantly surprised. I never thought Adam could be a vessel for Michael. They made a point earlier that the union of John and Mary was top priority, as were the births of their sons so they could be vessels. (Not exactly free will if it's being manipulated from above.)

I'm wondering if the disappearance of Adam is a set-up for season six. I hope not. I hope that Michael just tossed Adam back into Heaven.

On another note, my "love" of curtain fic (as I'd experienced in Stargate fandom) was said tongue-in-cheek, as what I've seen there is breathtakingly bad and, in some cases, laughable. While I can see and appreciate slash in other shows, I'm strictly a gen gal in Supernatural world.