Supernatural "Stairway To Heaven": The Rise And Fall

So here we are, the final two episodes of the season where all hell breaks loose and so does out feelings. Last week it was alright, but with Stairway to Heaven, this is almost the Supernatural we know and love. Both Dean and Castiel faced their inner demons this week as everything they had kinda got broken down by the end of the episode. Castiel was fighting a war, but men on his side our committing suicide in his name. Dean is slowly giving into the mark of Cain and once again creating problems for our heroes. Like when Kevin died because Dean didn't tell Kevin there was an angel inside Sam. Oh Dean, now you see the consequences of jumping before asking the important questions. Not that I'm Dean hating and all. It is good to see Dean get an arc that is not him reacting to shit that Sam does. It is interesting to see Sam react to shit that Dean now does. As for Castiel's arc, I am pleased to say that it is nothing like his season 6 arc (thank god, no I do not mean god!Cas), but rather something like a arc with a goal in mind.

Stairway to Heaven kicks off in an ice cream place, cause you know, angels love ice cream. Anyways, an angel way in towards the kid angel and blows himself up in the name of Castiel. So naturally, Castiel calls in the Winchesters for help on the case. Sam's worry for Dean's use of the blade increases as they argue on whether Dean should leave the blade behind or not. At the scene they discover that humans were caught in the crossfire and a video on a cell reveals that death was in Castiel's name. Then another calls comes in about a missing angel, so Dean pawns Sam onto Castiel to track down the missing angel while he figures out who is a part of the suicidal bunch. Meanwhile, Metatron thinks about a trenchcoat and why angels are flocking to Castiel's side.

Stairway to Heaven fits into Supernatural formula for the season finale arc nicely. It raised the anti up and set up Team Free Will to take on Metatron next episode. It also set up arcs for Castiel and Dean as well who are in need of decent arcs. Castiel, he has always been on the road for redemption, and this links back the very beginning of season 9 due to his grace being responsible for closing heaven. His goal was always to get the angels back up there and stop Metatron. So Cas gathers this army with a fading grace to stop Metatron, and the only thing that can stop it is his love for humanity and his friendship with the Winchesters. As for Dean, his arc really begun when he leap before looking and took on the mark of Cain. Season 9 is the season where we are seeing Dean facing the consequences of his actions. What is so interesting of the mark of Cain however is the fact that its just escalating the bloodlust that was probably in Dean way back and is just adding onto it. It is even at a point where Sam can't pull him back. Stairway to Heaven had it's light moment though with Sam telling Castiel why 6 was afaird of 7. Castiel being proud at knowing LOTR. Even Metatron being a called a nerd was amusing.

There are somethings I do want to pick at about Stairway to Heaven. First and foremost, we need to talk about Tessa and how Supernatural messed with her mythology. Tessa from day 1 has been a reaper back when we first met her in season 2. Over the years she has made appearances as a reaper. Now, for some reason, she is being classified as an angel and suddenly seen by the naked eye. I'm pretty sure this is not an update to the mythology or an "oooooo" factor, but rather the writers forgetting this important fact and misusing a well liked character. Oh and SPOILER another female. Another issue is that Sam gave up too easily when Dean separated himself from Sam. Sam knew Dean was going through something, but let Dean go on his own. Also, dammit Dean.

So I'm ready for the season finale after Stairway to Heaven. Metatron has an army, and its Team Free Will against all. Although they have a powering down angel and a bloodlust human to lower the odds of success. That should make an interesting finale. Some people online are predicting that Dean will turn on Sam with the First Blade. Other theories say that Dean might become the big bad or something like that.  I just hope Supernatural remembers it's mythology this time and not to change it to make it work for the situation. So brace your feels everyone, the finale is coming.

What do you think of the character arcs for Dean and Castiel? What are your predictions for the finale?