Meta: Responsibility should lie where?

[rogueslayer452]

Okay, I've run across this argument several times in fandom regarding Castiel's involvement in the Apocalypse, and whether or not he should apologize for being somewhat responsible for what happened in the fourth season. This has come up time and again, mostly with debates about his character in general.

Here's what I have to say: Castiel doesn't need to apologize for anything.

It's not that he's not responsible, they all are in many ways, but he's practically proven himself multiple times in redeeming himself from those past wrongs ever since the fourth season finale. He rebelled against Heaven for humanity, he died in protecting the Winchesters, he fought on their side, he killed his brothers and risked himself over and over again, even in times of doubt and despair he still fought alongside them and what they believed in, even risking losing his grace for them. Isn't that enough in convincing that he's making up for those things he wanted to do, but couldn't, based on the upper hand in Heaven? I think many people are forgetting that regardless of what happened, everyone was a pawn to ensure the Apocalypse and the unleashing of Lucifer happened. I mean, surely Castiel could apologize for letting Sam out of the panic room, but what would that accomplish? It would be moot point right now considering all what he's done for the boys since then, and quite frankly I believe actions speak louder than words.

Some people are still hung up on Castiel letting Sam out of the panic room dealio, and while yes bad, but if Castiel hadn't done it another angel would have. It was an inevitable incident that, once again, they all played their part in no matter what. It's almost like people complaining about Castiel "manipulating Dean" in the very same episode. Never mind that those were his orders that he clearly was reluctant on obeying, but had to considering he was held on a very short leash by his superiors. Castiel was torn between wanting to do the right thing and following orders, which he knows the consequences for disobeying; he was growing and learning, he was afraid and rightfully so knowing the manipulative ways Heaven operates. He clearly had remorse, he was tormented with having to do those things but it was like Heaven was placing a gun to his head forcing him to otherwise dire consequences would occur. He had no choice, until Dean convinced him that he did in the finale. Remember, Castiel (and many other angels in fact) weren't given the inside scoop about the true motives the higher superiors were up to regarding the Apocalypse, hence why they were all given to believe they were doing things for the good, until Castiel had discovered it was not the case, which led to him being "retrained" and punished in Heaven and doing those things that he did.

It also reminds me how angry I was at Anna when she came back in S5 to blame Castiel for letting her get caught when, hello, wasn't she the one who previously mentioned that if Castiel had gotten dragged back to Heaven unwillingly it was bad, really bad? Never mind that he did tell her that she shouldn't have arrived, so she should have understood the circumstances he was under despite all of that. She should have known better, especially if she was a so-called "former superior" and all, but no. She blamed him instead of herself in that matter. Another reason why I dislike her character, but that's neither here nor there at this moment.

So in conclusion to this argument, was Castiel responsible for some things happening? In ways yes, as they all were. But he shouldn't need to apologize when he's already made countless amends for everything through his actions since all of that. Think of all he's done for the Winchesters, for humanity, what he's sacrificed and gave up. People should be focusing on what he's done rather than dwelling on a previous incident.


Just needed to get that off my chest.

Other than that, it appears that Creation Entertainment has really pushed the Miracle Button because, come January 2011, Supernatural will be coming to San Francisco! Guys, this is literally right next door to me. \O/\O/ The main reason why I initially went to LACon was because it was the closest convention there would be without having to travel all the way across the country to go to, and lo and behold they've put them even closer. I didn't even realize it until someone on my flist mentioned it a few days ago. This is just awesome. Although come to Sacramento next, will ya guys? The only convention here is Twilight-based and that's kind of insulting, really. We need more variety.

Guess who might be going now that the offer is right in my backyard? ;D

Comments

[aubade-saudade.livejournal.com]

i think there's a difference between being responsible and being at fault. like, was Castiel responsible for some of the stuff that happened? yes, he was.

a lot of people were responsible for what happened, and some people were at fault for what happened, because they made the big decisions and they delegated the dirty jobs.

Castiel took the responsibility for his actions and he dealt the best way he knew how. was it his fault? no, it wasn't.

besides, he sacrificed again and again. do these people not know the meaning of repentance and redemption?

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

I think the fourth season was fantastic in dealing with the responsibility vs fault aspect, because there was definitely a domino effect happening that either one was unaware of or refused to acknowledge until it was too late. Many characters suffer through that, Dean and Sam and Castiel all go through the motions at realizing they were responsible for something that inherently caused the very thing they were trying to prevent.

besides, he sacrificed again and again. do these people not know the meaning of repentance and redemption?

I think many people just want it to be verbally mentioned rather than not mentioned at all since it happened. I mean, I guess I understand the frustration people had when the show was blaming Sam for starting the Apocalypse when it was Dean that opened the first seal in Hell that caused the domino effect in the first place, but I think there are many people who don't feel that what all Castiel has done was justified enough in that admission of guilt/regret/making up for things, etc.

But really now, if people are still thinking Castiel needs to say anything given all the evidence of him sacrificing himself for the boys time and again, they are really holding a serious grudge.

[bold-seer.livejournal.com]

Castiel doesn't need to apologize for anything.

This. Thank you.

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

There's definitely loads of finger pointing and blaming in fandom without looking at the entire picture; every single character has been at fault for something, has been responsible for certain events taken place whether they were aware of it happening or not, they all have major flaws that need to be corrected and to shift and change and evolve from that. It's what makes such characters compelling and interesting to watch as the learn and grow, and Castiel in the beginning isn't the same Castiel we see in the finale.

But it seems so many people are strung up on him letting Sam out of the panic room (a common argument I see practically everywhere) that they feel that Castiel needs to apologize for that when he doesn't really have to, judging from the many things he's done to amend those wrong deeds he did underneath obedience of Heaven.

No character gets a free pass for anything, but sometimes you don't need words to express remorse or guilt or forgiveness. Certain actions speak louder than any old apology would. And Castiel has done that countless times.

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

:D

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

But Castiel did rat Anna out after he'd turned to her for help about "considering disobedience" and she'd trusted him in good faith. He definitely bears responsibility for that.

See, I disagree with that because when he was considering disobedience it was because he didn't know where to turn, he was lost in the woods on what and who to trust and believe. However post-"The Rapture" we learn that after he learned more about the truth and whatever Heaven did to him was to scare him back to be obedient. Considering the circumstances of that, he really didn't rat her out because he told her that she shouldn't have come. Besides, she knew beforehand that it was a bad thing for Heaven to drag him back, so why did she even go to him knowing that he might be underneath hard surveillance by the higher ups?

Granted I hate Anna with a fiery passion so my bias may be coming through due to that, but what I'm saying is that there should be more understanding with Castiel underneath those circumstances that he was under. I understand what you're saying that he inherently had some responsibility of that happening without stopping it, however he's definitely not at fault and shouldn't be blamed entirely and I hated that she tried to do so without considering all that occurred and still is occurring.

Cas is my favorite character, but I think he's morally gray, like most of the characters. It's part of what makes him interesting. He's not worse than Dean or Sam or any of the other good guys, but the fact that he was only reluctantly obeying orders doesn't absolve him of his choices.

There's definitely some moral grayness to him as he's starting to learn and understand the differences between following orders and being responsible for his own actions and choices, and even learning that he does have a choice instead of following orders like a good little soldier. Some are larger than others which he's partaken in, but that's what makes him interesting because he's learning about those consequences. I just feel like many people are blaming him for things that he was clearly trying to figure out, since Castiel was new to the concept of freedom of will and choice and disobeying orders and his family that he's been following for centuries.

The fact that Castiel has that much complexity to his character makes him far more interesting to examine in these kinds of incidents at making sense about him and his involvement, the flaws he has and what he's doing to amend them, etc.

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

Definitely agree to disagree on that front. If anything, I think a way to settle it is that there should be shared responsibility for what happened because while Castiel didn't prevent it, but Anna is basically the pot calling the kettle black in this situation with betrayal and cowardice and should definitely had known better since she was the one that ran away from Heaven because she couldn't deal.

And I'm gonna stop with that because believe me, you don't wanna hear me ranting about Anna. Hehe.

I'm in the middle. I understand and can definitely see what Castiel is going through because we're getting more information about his personal journey and how he's handling it and I think that's why there's an understanding and empathizing of his character on that aspect. Gray morality is what makes characters interesting, and I think that's why many fans love him so much. It's just there are some people that hate him and want to blame him for everything and think he should verbalize those faults on the show, and that's what prompted this post in general.

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

I've come across those people quite often in main fandom discussions, so it shouldn't come as a shock to me that they would say something along those lines about Castiel in general. But I do love Castiel and I love his character story that it seems like some people just aren't taking into account the things he's done, the things he's made up for mostly through his actions rather than simply words, and most of all those who don't consider his journey and the kind of development his character has gone through since the beginning of the fourth season.

And yeah, many characters have a long list of things to apologize for on this show, but sometimes it's a level of understanding and proving themselves of their guilt and remorse through such actions in making up for those things. I mean, while this show has the constant angst!fest between Sam and Dean (perhaps too much that needs to be toned down I think...) the constant need to say "I'm sorry" just doesn't cut it anymore. They need to show it, not tell.

[aubade-saudade.livejournal.com]

i actually think Castiel's more morally gray within the structure of canon when he doesn't follow orders and holds himself accountable than when he doesn't and is just a good little soldier. because he's a different creature. he's an angel. they have a different moral code that includes complete obedience.

it's like calling a lioness bad or "morally gray" for bringing down a pretty little baby zebra or something. we can't fault a creature for following its nature. it has a different natural order to follow.

i love the fact that he became kind of a hybrid thing, between an Angel and a human. it would be interesting to read a fic where he deals with that duality. like an expat. :D

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

You know, that's a very good analogy and that's something I haven't considered. Or I have, just not in that particular way of analyzing the difference. There's definitely a different morality code amongst the angels and how they deal with things through obedience and following orders and such, and with Castiel learning both halves of the morality of humans and his own family, he's fallen in that "in between" space, and I like that he's struggling between both.

One of the things I enjoy about Castiel's journey is that he's unlike other angels, he's had a taste of understanding humanity while still maintaining being an angel. That's something most angels haven't experienced (aside from Gabriel, that is), and I agree with wanting to see how Castiel handles that, especially if it's him being new sheriff in Heaven and trying to impose all these things that he's learned from humans that simply doesn't work with the angels and how they operate because that's not in their nature. Because Heaven isn't like Earth, angels aren't humans, there needs to be a natural order of things and Castiel has gotten a taste of both and it would definitely be interesting seeing the outcome of how he handles it all.

Okay, I'm rambling now. But yeah, I really like what you wrote and I agree. /lame ending to long comment. ;p

[aubade-saudade.livejournal.com]

♥

[mulder200.livejournal.com]

You know even if Castiel is at fault, he has more than made up for it with his actions and dying not once but TWICE!

Some people just need to get over it.

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

Precisely. His countless actions have long since justified and made up for some of the things he may be responsible for in the past. I mean, there are still some fans who think Castiel is untrustworthy or working for Heaven now which...are they even watching the same show? O_o

[carameltrap.livejournal.com]

THIS. THANK YOU.

Castiel already did so much. He helped the brothers time and time again, killed his own kin and died for them twice. Twice. What more do people want? 'Oh, I let Sam out of the panic room? Sorry about that'? That, as you said, is moot point. It's done and over. I can't believe that people are still hung over up the panic room incident and arguing about that. Get over it.

As for the Anna incident, it's partially her own fault for coming to him. He never lead her to be caught. He was there and she approached him. He already told her that she shouldn't have come and she shouldn't have, if she had thought about it. She went, got caught by her own fault and blamed him for it.

It's Dean for breaking, Sam for ending it, Mary who made the deal which was what started it all. It's not one person's fault when you take those into account. It's partially everyone's for starting the ball rolling.

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

There's always gonna be those fans that think there should be verbal apologizes no matter what. With everything that's happened, everything Castiel has given up and sacrificed and done for the brothers and in this war, and the bigger scheme of things, that should be plenty of evidence right there saying that Castiel has already given penance, more than enough really.

As for the Anna incident, it's partially her own fault for coming to him. He never lead her to be caught. He was there and she approached him. He already told her that she shouldn't have come and she shouldn't have, if she had thought about it. She went, got caught by her own fault and blamed him for it.

Exactly! Thank you! To say he "ratted her out" is ridiculous because when you actually watch the episode he honestly didn't. He even warned her she shouldn't have come, she knew beforehand that Heaven had taken him back for a purpose, why she didn't piece that together is her own damn fault. Granted it could argue about Castiel's loyalty and how one would naturally assume that he would be perfectly okay to approach, but when you take what happened to him into account, and him letting Sam out of the panic room, that should be a sign that something is up and it's not good. She didn't think, therefore it is her own mistake, not his.

It's Dean for breaking, Sam for ending it, Mary who made the deal which was what started it all. It's not one person's fault when you take those into account. It's partially everyone's for starting the ball rolling.

Bingo. Everyone has been a pawn in this, whether they realize it or not.

[gwaevalarin.livejournal.com]

I agree with you that it would be odd and unecessary for Castiel to suddenly apologise now for what happened more than a year ago with everything they've been through since. With everything he did to set it right. They all played their part in starting the Apocalypse and Castiel has more than made up for it.
Actually, I don't think he ever needed to apologise for letting Sam out of the panic room. Just because I think it was wrong and he knew it - and, yes, it kinda did make me a little angry at him because I care about him so much - doesn't mean that I don't understand why he did it.
But everytime I think about that scene the beginning of season 5 comes to mind as well. How he blames Sam and Dean for starting the Apocalypse, for letting him down when he knows full well that he played his part in it. He's angry and scared and frustrated at that point and not really thinking straight. I get that. It's fine. Funnily enough, I think it's surprisingly human.
The reason I always wanted the show to bring it up again is that I was waiting for Castiel do admit to his role in starting the Apocalypse. Not because he needed to apologise, not even necessarily admit it to Sam and Dean at all, but admit it to himself because I was afraid that somehwere, in the back of his mind, it might be eating away at him.

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

Actually, I don't think he ever needed to apologise for letting Sam out of the panic room. Just because I think it was wrong and he knew it - and, yes, it kinda did make me a little angry at him because I care about him so much - doesn't mean that I don't understand why he did it.

My thoughts exactly. It puzzles me why people don't look at the whole picture because if they did they wouldn't be so hung up on something like that. I can understand the frustrations of him doing something like that, in fact all the characters have done something wrong or stupid or horrible in this show, the fourth season is a prime example of many things happening that was underneath their responsibility one way or another whether they were aware of it or not.

I also agree with you about Castiel in the beginning of S5 as well. It's totally understandable his frustrations and why he lashed out at Dean, and for people to call foul aren't looking at things from his perspective. He died trying to do the right thing, hoping the Winchesters would save the world in time, he rebelled against Heaven for that. Now he's an outcast, shunned by Heaven, and with Dean belittling his beliefs it was the last straw and he needed to make a point to him -- in that very same sentence he ranted at Dean he told him that he sacrificed everything. Even though yes now he's part of the equation as well, it's understandable where he's coming from and I don't blame him for that, either.

The reason I always wanted the show to bring it up again is that I was waiting for Castiel do admit to his role in starting the Apocalypse. Not because he needed to apologise, not even necessarily admit it to Sam and Dean at all, but admit it to himself because I was afraid that somehwere, in the back of his mind, it might be eating away at him.

Oh, I so agree with this, in fact I was hoping they would get to something like that last season with his mission to finding God, but we all know how the show loves in lacking further development on that front with supporting characters. But nevertheless, I feel like he does need to admit and acknowledge it for himself than anyone else. It would make for amazing character development, as well.

[love-jackianto.livejournal.com]

I agree. Besides apologizing, what would he have to do to make those people happy, die multiple tim... oh wait. I bet they STILL think he's evil too because he's coming between Sam and Dean. and even if he had apologized they'd probably still hate him.

I wonder if those are the same people who got pissed off because Lucifer apparently lied to Nick about not able bring his family back. Hello, he's the devil.

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

I've also found that even some Castiel fans want it to happen to, for the reason of it being acknowledged about what he did. While I do agree that with this show sometimes things hardly get acknowledged from previous episodes that should have been, it wouldn't make any sense to do so now. How would that make things better? Some people actually are wondering how Dean would take it knowing that Castiel let his brother out of the panic room....it perhaps wouldn't change anything now, would it? He knew that Castiel had been on that short leash and I'm betting he would understand those circumstances. Besides, he's more than made up for all of that and then some, you know? So really, what good would it do to bring it up now?

But yeah, I agree. No matter what Castiel does haters are still gonna hate.

I wonder if those are the same people who got pissed off because Lucifer apparently lied to Nick about not able bring his family back. Hello, he's the devil.

Wow, are you serious? I sometimes wonder about the fans in this fandom and whether they actually pay attention to the show at all. Angels have been proven to be manipulative bastards, even more so than demons. Besides, this is Lucifer for crying out loud.

[love-jackianto.livejournal.com]

'So really, what good would it do to bring it up now?'
Agreed. If the writers bring it up after all this time, I'll think they just want to create conflict between Dean and Cas and couldn't find a logical way to do it.

'Wow, are you serious?'
I am. I couldn't believe it either. I guess they really are watching a different show, either that or they just confused him with Jacob from Lost. I've never been able to see the resemblance ;)

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

Agreed. If the writers bring it up after all this time, I'll think they just want to create conflict between Dean and Cas and couldn't find a logical way to do it.

Yeah, conflict with no other reason than just to have it so Dean and Sam could be closer would be the worst plot device ever, actually. Because honestly even if it was brought up for that sake I think Dean could overlook it because he knew from before the kinds of pressures they were all under, hell he confronted Cas about his sudden return to blind obedience in the S4 finale. I think Dean would understand given all they've all gone through, you know?

Ahaha, excellent use of pic. ;D

[love-jackianto.livejournal.com]

'Yeah, conflict with no other reason than just to have it so Dean and Sam could be closer would be the worst plot device ever, actually.'
And yet I wouldn't put is past Sera to do something like that, sadly.

'I think Dean would understand given all they've all gone through, you know?'
True. Dean did seem to forgive Cas pretty quickly for beating him up. Don't piss off the nerd angel and all that.

'Ahaha, excellent use of pic. ;D'
What can I say that was the first thing I thought of when I saw that episode too.

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

And yet I wouldn't put is past Sera to do something like that, sadly.

Me neither. :(

True. Dean did seem to forgive Cas pretty quickly for beating him up. Don't piss off the nerd angel and all that.

Yeah. Although I think it was more that Dean understood why Castiel beat him up, because he was acting like a dick towards everyone and I think he knew it too. Some seem to think there's a difference between that and anyone messing with his brother, but I digress. It's all been done and it's over with. Things have changed, Castiel has changed, I think Dean can understand given that.

[love-jackianto.livejournal.com]

'And yet I wouldn't put is past Sera to do something like that, sadly.

Me neither. :('
I don't think I've ever had a little faith in a writer as I do in Sera. Honesty, I can see her doing it if she thinks that all those people who want JUST Sam and Dean speak for everyone; nothing anyone says will convince me that part of the reason the show is 'going back to basics' isn't because of those fans.

That reminds me of a fandom secret that was posted today about how Dean and Cas' friendship was derailed in favor of Dean and Sam's relationship and one commenter said that was stupid because writers don't write stuff because their fanbase wants it and all I could thinks was 'Have you ever been in the SPN fandom? Because these writers do do that'. Now I don't think the writers derailed Dean and Cas' friendship on purpose (Kripke just doesn't seem to be able to write beyond Sam and Dean) but Castiel going from being killed off in Heaven and Hell to a regular because the fans liked him so much comes to mind.

'Things have changed, Castiel has changed, I think Dean can understand given that.'
I think so too.

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

I don't think I've ever had a little faith in a writer as I do in Sera. Honesty, I can see her doing it if she thinks that all those people who want JUST Sam and Dean speak for everyone; nothing anyone says will convince me that part of the reason the show is 'going back to basics' isn't because of those fans.

I'm convinced of that as well, without a doubt. They had something going strong for the show, something incredible that should have ended with that bang that they always talked about, and now? It's gone thanks to those people. Those individuals shouldn't even be considered fans because they only want to see 1000+ seasons of no substance but Sam and Dean. They most certainly DO NOT speak for all of us.

one commenter said that was stupid because writers don't write stuff because their fanbase wants it and all I could thinks was 'Have you ever been in the SPN fandom? Because these writers do do that'.

lol, that's ridiculous. The writers have even written fandom being part of canon within the show, they make slash jokes, they make innuendos and plenty of fanservice, how can that not be something in favor of the fans? Now granted there are some shows that don't give into that sort of thing, and that's fine. But if there's one thing Supernatural does is kind of go into that medium of taking fan suggestions and integrating it into the show. And yes, originally Castiel was only supposed to have been in three episodes, but due to fan reaction and popularity of his character he was expanded. That has much to do with what the fanbase wants and is reacting to.

This also makes me hope that, due to fan reactions, they are listening to us when we're complaining about the direction the show has been taking.

[love-jackianto.livejournal.com]

'Those individuals shouldn't even be considered fans because they only want to see 1000+ seasons of no substance but Sam and Dean. They most certainly DO NOT speak for all of us.'
I've always thought it was neat that people watch shows for all kinds of different reasons, but the fans who keep saying 'I went SPN to go on forever and ever and it to be about JUST Sam and Dean!!1!' really get on my nerves because they're just so vocal about it. I bet they'd be happy if the show turned into Sam and Dean in an empty room just reading the phone book out loud, that way there be no pesky plot or/and characterization to get in the way of their sappy, OOC Sam/Dean fanon.

I was very pleased when I found out that even though the fandom hated Ruby, Kripke kept her on the show because he has plans for her, even if I could see the plot twist coming a mile away (hello, demon) I'm still happy about that.

'This also makes me hope that, due to fan reactions, they are listening to us when we're complaining about the direction the show has been taking.'
I hope so, I'm just worried that Sera will get rid of Lisa because she thinks fandom hates Lisa and Lisa/Dean just because Lisa is a woman and not because (as I suspect) Lisa/Dean will be badly written. Granted there are people out there who hate Lisa just because she's a women and gets in the way of their OTP, but probably not as many as TPTB thinks there are.

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

but the fans who keep saying 'I went SPN to go on forever and ever and it to be about JUST Sam and Dean!!1!' really get on my nerves because they're just so vocal about it.

Oh, me too. It's incredibly irritable and sad to see their priorities set in that place because it shows they don't care if the show plummets to its impending doom. I even had a mini-argument with someone a while back who wanted things to go back to basic, because they hated the angels/the Apocalypse, and they admitted that they seriously didn't care about the story at all. They just wanted the brothers to be together. And that's just....sad, honestly.

If I wanted forever repetitive crappy storylines of characters emoing and angsting about each other, I'd watch a soap opera, okay?

I was very pleased when I found out that even though the fandom hated Ruby, Kripke kept her on the show because he has plans for her, even if I could see the plot twist coming a mile away (hello, demon) I'm still happy about that.

Yeah, I was happy he kept to his guns on that front. I loved Ruby from the start, although I preferred the Ruby they had in S3 than with S4 because I didn't see any continuity between the two at all, both from the different actresses and how it played out, so I was disappointed there especially with the weak explanations they gave. But back on point, he had an idea and wasn't going to get rid of it just because fans were bitching.

I hope so, I'm just worried that Sera will get rid of Lisa because she thinks fandom hates Lisa and Lisa/Dean just because Lisa is a woman and not because (as I suspect) Lisa/Dean will be badly written. Granted there are people out there who hate Lisa just because she's a women and gets in the way of their OTP, but probably not as many as TPTB thinks there are.

I hate that generalization so much. We don't dislike these characters because they are women. IT'S BECAUSE OF THE SHOW SINCE THEY CANNOT WRITE WOMEN AT ALL. That's the main issue that's not getting recognized, and it's not being dealt with. They cannot write for female roles to save their lives, and while yes there may be awesome women characters here and there it's more or less how they treat them, which is always mishandled. That's what should be spotlighted, that's what should be discussed. Saying those other things makes the rest of us lumped together with those other people, and I don't wanna be.

[love-jackianto.livejournal.com]

'I even had a mini-argument with someone a while back who wanted things to go back to basic, because they hated the angels/the Apocalypse, and they admitted that they seriously didn't care about the story at all. They just wanted the brothers to be together. And that's just....sad, honestly.'
I guess some people really are just watching for the pretty. *sigh*

'If I wanted forever repetitive crappy storylines of characters emoing and angsting about each other, I'd watch a soap opera, okay?'
Same here.

'I loved Ruby from the start, although I preferred the Ruby they had in S3 than with S4 because I didn't see any continuity between the two at all, both from the different actresses and how it played out, so I was disappointed there especially with the weak explanations they gave.'
Agreed. I just didn't think the two Ruby's gelled at all, they seemed like two completely different characters. S3 was a real spitfire (loved her 'you better put a leach on your brother' line) but S4 Ruby seemed more of a wet noodle to me. I think it was a combination of bad writing (I get why they had her say 'I would never come between you and your brother' but it still felt OOC) and the fact that Genevieve just couldn't pull off the spitfireness.

'I hate that generalization so much. We don't dislike these characters because they are women. IT'S BECAUSE OF THE SHOW SINCE THEY CANNOT WRITE WOMEN AT ALL.'
You and me both.

'That's what should be spotlighted, that's what should be discussed. Saying those other things makes the rest of us lumped together with those other people, and I don't wanna be.'
Same here. I wish people would talk about how a lot of the female characters are badly written/mishandled instead of constantly just saying that EVERYONE in the fandom misogynistic and that's why they don't like female characters. I would have loved to have liked Lisa/Dean but the way her reintroduction was just so badly handled (it felt like something out of bad-fic) makes that hard. Hopefully Lisa won't turn out to be the Lana Lang of Supernatural; a character the writer's expect us to like just because they like her, and the other characters never stop talking about how perfect that character is. It's show don't tell, writers.

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately that's what some fans care about the most, is the pretty. I, for one, stay because of the plot and story thank you very much.

Agreed. I just didn't think the two Ruby's gelled at all, they seemed like two completely different characters.

Definitely. I understand about the budget thing of hiring actresses (even though I don't know the technicalities behind it all of how it works and such), but they honestly should have picked a better, more competent actress that could actually imitate what Katie Cassidy did in the previous season so it was clear that yes, this is the same Ruby. S3!Ruby had spunk, she was snarky and was unabashed about her bitchiness and nature as a demon. In S4 it seemed like all that went out the window and Ruby became a damsel-in-distress type with how she was written. Oh, and I hated that line about how she didn't want to come between the brothers...that's all she did in S3! Srsly, fail casting directors, utter fail.

I would have loved to have liked Lisa/Dean but the way her reintroduction was just so badly handled (it felt like something out of bad-fic) makes that hard.

Yeah, and I don't hate Lisa at all. I really liked her. But now, because of that random reintroduction, it's becoming really hard to even rewatch her episode in S3 without cringing. And all because of the sucktastic writing and lame way of bringing her back. They should have just left her alone. :/ Way to go for ruining a nice female character yet again, show.

[love-jackianto.livejournal.com]

'Unfortunately that's what some fans care about the most, is the pretty. I, for one, stay because of the plot and story thank you very much.'
Same here.

'but they honestly should have picked a better, more competent actress that could actually imitate what Katie Cassidy did in the previous season so it was clear that yes, this is the same Ruby.'
That's what I've always thought, but one of the problems SPN has always had is that while they tend to be great with casting male characters their female characters are VERY hit or miss casting wise.

'Oh, and I hated that line about how she didn't want to come between the brothers...that's all she did in S3! Srsly, fail casting directors, utter fail.'
I hated that line too. Even if she said it just to try and get on Sam's good side, you'd think he would have realized that 'wait a minute... that's not something Ruby would say'. I guess all the sex and demon blood must have addled his brain. The only time I thought S4 Ruby was anywhere close to S3 Ruby was when she was in the bodies of the blond nurse (I think she was a nurse) and the maid who told Sam to get out of the motel room. I would have loved if in Season Four S3 Ruby had popped up ganked S4 Ruby and said something like 'You really thought that pathetic, low-level demon was me? I'm disappointed in you Sam, you're supposed to be the smart one.'

'But now, because of that random reintroduction, it's becoming really hard to even rewatch her episode in S3 without cringing. And all because of the sucktastic writing and lame way of bringing her back. They should have just left her alone. :/ Way to go for ruining a nice female character yet again, show.'
So true. I'm guessing they brought her back because Dean 'supposedly' wanted a family, and maybe I'm wrong but that would have worked better if Dean had had at least one scene with Ben. Personally I would have loved if they had brought back Risa from The End so we could see how that relationship would have been different since the future in The End isn't going to happen now.

[cheerful-earl.livejournal.com]

I pretty much agree. Castiel did something bad, yes, but he more than made up for it. He was tortured into breaking (or at least we're led to believe that by the Rapture) and did something he knew was wrong but for what he wanted to believe was a good reason (to bring peace to the world- to Dean). Was it wrong? Yeah, and he holds a share of the responsibility.

However... It is fascinating to me that there has been no apology. Because there's a sort of ambiguity there- is it self-preservation on Cas' part? Does he think he'd lose his place on Team Free Will? Does he want it conveniently forgotten? Cas is a strategist, and leaving well enough alone? Probably a smart plan.

But Anna? Yeah, when I first saw it, I was like "oooh, he betrayed her!" but you know what? You're right. He didn't. He said, immediately, "You shouldn't be here." Clearly, he hadn't called her there. She came to him and she must have known the risk.

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

Cas is a strategist, and leaving well enough alone? Probably a smart plan.

That's what I'm thinking, too. Of course we don't really know whether it has been discussed between him and the brothers or not, and that's something else the show has failed to acknowledge or mention. It's kind of the same thing when we had Castiel putting the verbal smackdown on Sam and then episodes later he's saying that Sam is his friend. Where did that happen? Was there a scene cut out that gives us something to say that Sam and Castiel are cool with each other now? It kind of makes you wonder about that whole thing they're trying to sell, you know.

But Anna? Yeah, when I first saw it, I was like "oooh, he betrayed her!" but you know what? You're right. He didn't. He said, immediately, "You shouldn't be here." Clearly, he hadn't called her there. She came to him and she must have known the risk.

Exactly. It would have been different had he called her there himself to discuss it and then they took her away. That he would be responsible for. But no, that's not what happened. She came on her own freewill, knowing the risks especially after already knowing before that Heaven had taken him against his will, and she was careless to go to him thinking everything was a-okay. It irritates me in that scene when she blames him for all of that. Like she's one to talk about certain betrayals and such. It's like bitch, step off okay?