I think it’s so important for Castiel’s development that even after Dean threatened to cut him out of his life that Cas kept talking.
He stood up for himself in the face of Dean’s anger and gave one of the most emotionally vulnerable speeches ever.
It feels like Cas has had more significant dialogue all around in these last several episodes than he’s had for seasons. His sense of worth has been so dependent until now on what he could do for the Winchesters and not on what he could say or what comfort he could bring. He’s had no sense that he could possibly be a source of emotional support until he met Jack.
It’s yet to be seen if what Cas could provide Jack over the past weeks will be enough to save Jack, but being there for Jack certainly changed Castiel.
So last night, he kept talking.
I was blown away by this too. I lowkey hoped that the scene might result in Cas (or Sam) calling Dean out for, you know, being unfair, but there’s really no point to that when Dean’s in that mood anyway (and it was always Sam who needed to do it and he did it a mere few scenes later so all is good) and what Cas did, speaking honestly about his feelings and, especially, his motivations, was much more important for him, which is, yeah. Wow.
I still feel that there are words and actions being held back. I don’t know if you reacted to it the way I did, but Sam holding Cas back from speaking to Dean (fair enough) reminded me of Dean holding Cas back from speaking to Sam in 14x08. There’s still this sort of divide there, to me, where I kind of wish Cas would just shake that hand off and follow that gut instinct that made him move in the first place.
Anyway, mostly just wanted to nod and agree. Cas and Dean’s communication this season, apart from the reunion scene which was basically all done through body language, has been much more open than we’ve seen in years, even with Dean’s skulduggery about the damn Mal’ak box. And Cas has felt more comfortable at the bunker, clearly considering it his home and the people there his family ever since first giving Jack the speech about family in 14x01, yeah?
He’s come so very far! So happy for him!
I agree! I think it was really important that Cas being the first to voice his regret opened the lines of communication between Sam and Dean. Cas was also the one to tell Dean about the weirdness in Arkansas in the Pleasantville episode (title is escaping me) and that while it could be argued that holding back his suspicions about Jack caused Mary’s death (did it really?) his communication now is opening doors everywhere. And last week, his whole plot was about opening lines of communication with God. It’s really neat!
Oh so true, I didn’t even think of the God communicator role he assigned himself! :P Cas has been speaking a lot of truths this season, apart from the biggest truth, which is that he’s made a deal for his happiness and so can’t ever be happy and that’s the way the cookie crumbles.
Other than that, though, he’s been very open with Jack, and I do so agree it does feel like this has changed him, and like it’s helped him be more direct with Dean as well. I mean, we’ve gotten more scenes between them where they’ve been in earnest conversation (whatever the tense subtext has been) than we’ve gotten in a long time. *happy dance* Right? Cas asking Dean about his state of mind at the El Sabroso like be still my heart.
Anyway, keep peeling it back, Cas.
I do find it rather disturbing that Cas’ speech when it came to his view on Jack this episode was so very defeatist, though. Cas talking about his faith in Jack in the past tense is just disturbing to me. So quick to judge, really, Cas? But then it does seem like the possible culmination of the theme of judgement that was set up with Michael at the start of the season, and if so, then hopefully all three of these darling men of ours will be called out on it and there will be consequences for misjudging Jack. I really hope so! Eye-opening consequences making them really see the need for open communication.
Please and thank you. :)