I am generally not amused by a show suddenly adding an episode that is hampered by narration, but it’s Castiel, who is the sweetest little angel on earth, so I’ll let it slide, because that voice could melt.. well… stuff.

A good chunk of this episode is really just a narrated clip show, which is vaguely annoying, but we do get a few insights into Castiel’s side of things. This is nice, seeing as we have spent the ENTIRE season hearing about this epic, heavenly battle going on, but have seen nary a bit of it.

And what it all boils down to, really, is that Castiel made a deal with the Devil – a marvelous, as usual, Mark Sheppard – also known as Crowley. A deal that seemed like a good idea to a desperate, Raphael threatened Castiel, but as with most Devil inspired deals, has gone awry in a most unfortunate way.

The real zinger in this episode was Dean’s journey from suspecting Cas, his defending of Cas, and then the terrible realization that his New Best Friend had betrayed them. Those two in Bobby’s living room, with Dean asking him to not do it because that’s what family does for each other? Heartbreaking! I knew Dean loved Cas like family, and Cas so wanted Dean to love him that way, to see those two split like that was gutting. The thing is, Castiel is being just as stubborn as Dean can be. How many times have we seen Dean insist on doing a job his way, even when everyone else was sure it was doomed? Oh, those two crazy kids…

Favorite moments:

• Crowley was hilarious with his torturing of the poor vamp, and his utter disdain for the Winchesters (“denim-wrapped nightmares”). But, he was also incredibly irritating, so when Castiel finally grabs him and slams him so hard against the wall he puts a Crowley shaped dent into it? I totally cheered.
• Once again, Dean and Cas have amazeballs chemistry, and every scene together was riveting, heartbreaking, and made me want more more more of those two together.
• The demon version of Bobby, et.al.! I especially enjoyed the two blood phones alongside the FBI/CIA, etc. phones. A very Ben Edlund-like touch.
• Crowley’s new version of Hell was amusing, but I swear I’ve seen that done somewhere before. Can’t figure out where though.

So this week we have the two hour season finale (which is awesome, and I know it’s really two episodes tacked together because Smallville took up all the space last week, but I have been wanting a two hour finale for this show for years, so now I get what I want! YAY!). I am wondering  how they will go with Castiel. I love him, so I want him to make the right decision, but if he falls further it would set up a nice story for next season: The Redemption of Castiel!