The SPN fan's dream came true. One of the best (for me the best) episodes after Kripke had left the show! Definitely the best episode of the eighth season up till now.
My arguments?
1) Great narration
From the beginning of the episode three parallel story lines are introduced to us. The first one is about Kevin and Crowley. The second one - Sam and Dean trying to find Metatron, the last one Castiel and Naomi. As the story of the episode continues, the parallels are crossing each others - Crowley meets Naomi and Castiel, Kevin is saved by Metatron. In the very end of the episode, it's Cas who completely reunites the whole story.
2) Depth of the characters
After the previous very emotional episode this one had to aim high. And it jumped miles over the level of the last one.
Kevin - firstly shows us something more than translating the tablet. He reveals the reason why he was in advanced placement - he is smart! The PC message he left for Winchesters was really good delivered!
Naomi - we know she ordered Cas to kill Dean if it's necessary, in this one she shows us that angels are not better than before - killing first- born children in Egypt,the whole Apocalypse and after Apocalypse mess, killing in the Biggerson's + manipulating all the time.
Cas - two sentences and it was again the OLD GOOD ONE Cas - "We were supposed to be their shepherds, not their murderers. + In the words of a — good friend... bite me."
Sam + Dean - when you can discover main characters after 8 seasons, it is amazing! It's the reason why we watch SPN! And in this episode information about their childhood came on the surface. Sam's speech about the purifying effect of the trials! Padalecki should be rewarded for that. Dean always there to take care of his brother no matter what (ice cubes as well)- that's the hunters we (don't completely :D) know!
Metatron - angel who didn't care for the mankind. Didn't care for the Apocalypse. I think he's hiding something, but for now: it was great introduction of the new character. He was mentioned when the tablets firstly came out, now he's alive and kicking. When he talked about the history of Heaven, about God leaving, archangels scheming, trying to rule the universe it really made me remember the fifth season!
Crowley - clever enough to cooperate with an angel again (Ion) and smart as Hell about the hideout of the Angel tablet; good enough to create bullets against the angles, but after all we can finally see that he can be defeated as well.
3) The details!
Biggerson's murders! "They said you have to stop." Crowley pulling out the tablet, Castiel pulling out the bullet. That's the impression I'm talking about - the creators didn't care about blood, missing eyes and together it also delivers the horror atmosphere!
Crowley's "directing" in the real directing!
4) Choices and stories, depth of dialogs
I have to point out those two motives because it's something that is so specific for SPN. We haven't heard about the consequences of closing the hell gates at all, but in this episode Metatron finally questions "the quest". "It's your choice. And that's what this has all been about, the choices your kind make. But you're gonna have to weigh that choice. Ask yourself: what is it going to take to do this, and what will the world be like after it's done?"
The motive of free will is also very "first 5 seasons" like as well as the importance of the stories (→ God and his will...Someone keeping Chuck in mind? His words about being a god who puts his characters into "this". "I'm a god. A cruel, cruel, capricious god. The things I put you through. The physical beatings alone!":) It's good to hear Metatron talking about that: "But really... really, it was your storytelling. That is the true flower of free will. At least as you've mastered it so far. When you create stories, you become gods, of tiny, intricate dimensions unto themselves."
5) Despite the serious theme they managed to keep funny moments as well! Dean talking to the receptionist at the hotel about Sam's flu, Crowleys quotes about "polite demons"...
6) Camera, acting!
This episode had everything what a real SPN fan needs and opens doors to the finale of the season more than satisfactorily. (Maybe there was no super song, but the positive things I've mentioned outweighed.) 10/10!
My arguments?
1) Great narration
From the beginning of the episode three parallel story lines are introduced to us. The first one is about Kevin and Crowley. The second one - Sam and Dean trying to find Metatron, the last one Castiel and Naomi. As the story of the episode continues, the parallels are crossing each others - Crowley meets Naomi and Castiel, Kevin is saved by Metatron. In the very end of the episode, it's Cas who completely reunites the whole story.
2) Depth of the characters
After the previous very emotional episode this one had to aim high. And it jumped miles over the level of the last one.
Kevin - firstly shows us something more than translating the tablet. He reveals the reason why he was in advanced placement - he is smart! The PC message he left for Winchesters was really good delivered!
Naomi - we know she ordered Cas to kill Dean if it's necessary, in this one she shows us that angels are not better than before - killing first- born children in Egypt,the whole Apocalypse and after Apocalypse mess, killing in the Biggerson's + manipulating all the time.
Cas - two sentences and it was again the OLD GOOD ONE Cas - "We were supposed to be their shepherds, not their murderers. + In the words of a — good friend... bite me."
Sam + Dean - when you can discover main characters after 8 seasons, it is amazing! It's the reason why we watch SPN! And in this episode information about their childhood came on the surface. Sam's speech about the purifying effect of the trials! Padalecki should be rewarded for that. Dean always there to take care of his brother no matter what (ice cubes as well)- that's the hunters we (don't completely :D) know!
Metatron - angel who didn't care for the mankind. Didn't care for the Apocalypse. I think he's hiding something, but for now: it was great introduction of the new character. He was mentioned when the tablets firstly came out, now he's alive and kicking. When he talked about the history of Heaven, about God leaving, archangels scheming, trying to rule the universe it really made me remember the fifth season!
Crowley - clever enough to cooperate with an angel again (Ion) and smart as Hell about the hideout of the Angel tablet; good enough to create bullets against the angles, but after all we can finally see that he can be defeated as well.
3) The details!
Biggerson's murders! "They said you have to stop." Crowley pulling out the tablet, Castiel pulling out the bullet. That's the impression I'm talking about - the creators didn't care about blood, missing eyes and together it also delivers the horror atmosphere!
Crowley's "directing" in the real directing!
4) Choices and stories, depth of dialogs
I have to point out those two motives because it's something that is so specific for SPN. We haven't heard about the consequences of closing the hell gates at all, but in this episode Metatron finally questions "the quest". "It's your choice. And that's what this has all been about, the choices your kind make. But you're gonna have to weigh that choice. Ask yourself: what is it going to take to do this, and what will the world be like after it's done?"
The motive of free will is also very "first 5 seasons" like as well as the importance of the stories (→ God and his will...Someone keeping Chuck in mind? His words about being a god who puts his characters into "this". "I'm a god. A cruel, cruel, capricious god. The things I put you through. The physical beatings alone!":) It's good to hear Metatron talking about that: "But really... really, it was your storytelling. That is the true flower of free will. At least as you've mastered it so far. When you create stories, you become gods, of tiny, intricate dimensions unto themselves."
5) Despite the serious theme they managed to keep funny moments as well! Dean talking to the receptionist at the hotel about Sam's flu, Crowleys quotes about "polite demons"...
6) Camera, acting!
This episode had everything what a real SPN fan needs and opens doors to the finale of the season more than satisfactorily. (Maybe there was no super song, but the positive things I've mentioned outweighed.) 10/10!