I'm No Angel

Everything involving Cas learning with dealing his new humanity is absolutely wonderful. It is funny, endearing and just quirky in the way the show is. I don't even mind that the writers got him into a sexual situation basically as soon as possible. I love the angels being the early villains in the season and the Buddy Boyle aspects have a nice anti-clerical that the show sometimes has.

But BOY are there two really forced plotting choices that weaken the episode. First, I am pretty sure the writers decided to turn Reapers into a class of angel-out of left field and against 8 prior years of text showing reapers to be a different faction, beings than angels or demons. This gets much worse later in the season when a Reaper is explicitly said to be an angel. Second it is unbelievable that April found Cas and the brothers found April in the time they did.

Castiel is missing. Dean and Sam (plus Ezekiel) go searching for him, fearing that he might be in trouble.

This episode is difficult to review. I am a huge fan of Castiel and was very excited to watch this episode because it was supposed to be all about Castiel learning to adjust and struggle with his new humanity while also running from all the angels that want his head on a platter. At supernatural convention panels prior to this, the actors made mention of things they enjoyed or thought was interesting, such as 'Castiel's bathroom scene' or 'Castiel living under a bridge with the homeless', or 'Castiel having trouble sleeping'. These were things many people were eager to see play out. – However, what did this episode consist of? Well, the parts we expected to see, such as Castiel's difficulties with eating, sleeping, and temporary living arrangements took up so little of the episode that it might as well have not been mentioned.

What we did get, however, was a new "love interest" for Castiel. I use the term 'love interest' very, very loosely. When the promo for the episode came out, we all saw footage of Castiel meeting a woman and then a brief clip of them kissing. There was some uproar about this particular footage, some positive and some negative. But the one thing I heard constantly from the fans was "don't f*ck this up" and I too was sincerely hoping that the writers would create a scenario that was believable as well as interesting.

How did it play out? Well, I won't say anything for spoilers sake...but take a gander at the picture right next to the title on IMDb or take one glance at the promotional pictures shown before the episode even aired. How did this 'love interest' play out or help the plot? In my completely honest opinion: it did /not/ help at all. When things turn sour, as things normally do on SPN, it wasn't even a "wow, what a crazy twist!" it was more along the lines of "are you kidding me?" and "was that necessary?" because there are so many times when the writing felt forced, fast, or just unnecessary.

I would have been much more interested in seeing Castiel battling his hunger, or trying to find shelter on the streets instead of this forced "relationship" between Castiel and a strange woman. There are so many ways this could have been written differently and more effectively in terms of Castiel's development.

Castiel felt out of character. I'm just going to say that now. And I know that many other people felt the same way. Castiel said some things in 9.01 that I felt were very powerful, only to have it all take a complete flip in this episode. His line in 9.01 that I loved the most was "I'm one of you (angels), I will never stop being one of you." And...well, this episode's title is "I'm No Angel," not only is this the title, it is something Castiel says. Did he truly lose all of his certainty in a matter of days?

There is Supernatural lore that is thrown out the window for the sake of making the episode 'fit', which either means the writers did not care to follow up on their own rules or they simply thought we wouldn't notice.

This all sounds very harsh and negative. I'm aware. However, it's very hard to shake off these negative feelings when we're dealing with a main character that is adored by so many. When the writers brush off years of character consistency for the sake of one episode, people will be disappointed or even angry.

There were certainly some scenes that were enjoyable and left me excited for future episodes. Jared Padalecki does an amazing job flipping between Sam and Ezekiel (Zeke), and this part of the plot is still very interesting. Many fans are still unsure whether to trust Zeke. He has been and still is very helpful and offers his assistance in the search for Castiel, but Dean is having issues with Zeke just 'showing up' whenever he feels like it. And with Sam still in the dark about being possessed by an angel, Dean is constantly having to lie or dodge questions in order to avoid telling Sam the truth.

At one point in the episode, Dean is forced to choose between two things, both of which are unpleasant; I hope the decision Dean made will be further explored and questioned.

Episode 1 and 2 of season 9 were fantastic. As I said, I am a huge Castiel fan and was holding so much hope for this episode, only to be left disappointed. I hope things are redeemed later on and that any inconsistencies or plot holes are fixed. For now, though, I think we can still look forward to great episodes ahead. Despite this little bump in the road, season 9 is still looking very promising.

"I'm No Angel," the third episode of Supernatural's ninth season, directed by Kevin Hooks and written by Brad Buckner and Eugenie Ross-Leming, is a poignant and character-driven installment that focuses on Castiel's adjustment to humanity while exploring the fallout of the angelic chaos caused by Metatron's spell. The episode balances emotional depth with suspenseful action, offering viewers a closer look at Castiel's vulnerability and the moral dilemmas faced by Dean as he navigates his secret deal with Ezekiel. While it succeeds in delivering compelling performances and thematic resonance, some narrative inconsistencies and pacing issues detract from its overall impact.

The episode begins with Castiel (Misha Collins) living as a homeless man, struggling to adapt to human life after losing his grace. His journey is marked by moments of humor and heartbreak as he learns to navigate basic human needs like hunger, sleep, and mortality. Castiel's interactions with other homeless individuals highlight his growing empathy for humanity, a stark contrast to his former celestial detachment. Misha Collins delivers an exceptional performance, capturing Castiel's confusion, vulnerability, and quiet resilience as he grapples with his new reality. These scenes effectively humanize Castiel, making his plight relatable and emotionally resonant.

Meanwhile, Dean (Jensen Ackles) and Sam (Jared Padalecki) race to find Castiel after learning from Ezekiel (Tahmoh Penikett) that factions of angels are hunting him. Dean's desperation to protect Castiel mirrors his protective instincts toward Sam, adding layers to his character's sense of loyalty and responsibility. Jensen Ackles excels in portraying Dean's internal conflict as he struggles to balance his concern for Castiel with the burden of keeping Ezekiel's possession of Sam a secret. This tension adds depth to the narrative, setting up future conflicts that will shape the season.

The introduction of Bartholomew (Adam Harrington), a ruthless angel leading the hunt for Castiel, adds intrigue to the episode. Bartholomew's manipulation of televangelist Buddy Boyle (David Haydn-Jones) to recruit vessels for fallen angels showcases the darker side of celestial politics. The scenes involving Buddy's sermons and the disastrous possession attempts are both chilling and thought-provoking, emphasizing the desperation of angels seeking refuge on Earth. However, Bartholomew's characterization feels underdeveloped, leaving viewers wanting more insight into his motivations and methods.

Visually, Kevin Hooks' direction enhances the episode's emotional and suspenseful tones. The scenes depicting Castiel's life on the streets are grounded in realism, contrasting sharply with the ethereal imagery associated with angels. The use of lighting during key moments-such as Castiel's confrontation with April Kelly (Shannon Lucio), who is revealed to be possessed by an angel-heightens tension effectively. The special effects used for angelic possessions and deaths are polished without overshadowing the performances.

One of the episode's most memorable moments occurs when April betrays Castiel after gaining his trust. Her transformation from a kind stranger into a deadly adversary is shocking and underscores the dangers Castiel faces as a human. Shannon Lucio delivers a strong performance, making her character's betrayal both believable and impactful. The subsequent fight scene between April and the Winchesters is well-choreographed, culminating in Ezekiel healing Castiel after his apparent death-a twist that raises ethical questions about Dean's reliance on Ezekiel.

Despite its strengths, "I'm No Angel" suffers from pacing issues as it juggles multiple storylines. The subplot involving Buddy Boyle feels disconnected from the main narrative thread, while Bartholomew's role as an antagonist lacks sufficient buildup. Additionally, some critics have noted that Dean's deception regarding Ezekiel begins to feel repetitive, though it remains central to the season's overarching conflict.

The emotional core of the episode lies in Castiel's reflections on faith and humanity during his conversation with a woman praying in church. This scene encapsulates Supernatural's exploration of belief systems and personal resilience, offering viewers a moment of introspection amidst the chaos. Castiel's admission that he has lost faith contrasts beautifully with the woman's unwavering devotion, highlighting the complexities of hope in dire circumstances.

"I'm No Angel" is a strong character-driven episode that deepens Supernatural's exploration of faith, loyalty, and identity while advancing key narrative arcs. Misha Collins' portrayal of Castiel as a vulnerable yet determined figure anchors the story emotionally, while Jensen Ackles' nuanced performance adds layers to Dean's moral struggles. Despite minor flaws in pacing and character development for secondary antagonists like Bartholomew, the episode remains an engaging installment that sets up significant stakes for the rest of season nine.