RE: Dean apologizing . . . We heard a similar apology in "Fallen Idols," but this time around, it wasn't a result of thinking about what Sam had said, it was the result of observing Sam in action. Sam actively demonstrated that he believed in Dean, and Dean is ready to reciprocate. The thing about forgiveness is that it does not depend on an apology from the party who wronged you. It is a choice you make for yourself. And regardless of whether or not Sam apologizes specifically for throttling Dean and leaving with Ruby (which, believe me, I really wish they would deal with that . . . and maybe they will at some future date), it sounds like Dean has forgiven Sam and is willing to trust him again. Forgiveness and trust are not the same thing, but at this point in time, I think Dean has done both, and I think that was the point of the "apology." Dean saying, "Hey. I know you're an adult now, and thank you for believing in me." Basically, what I got from that speech was not that Dean was apologizing again, but rather that Dean was expressing in his Dean-like fashion that his faith was being restored and that he was ready to get back in the game.

Does that make sense?

At this point, as much as I'd like for Sam to have apologized for last season (which he kind of did in a really obtuse way in this episode), I don't think I'd want the topic brought up by either of the brothers. Not unless they could somehow work it into another aspect of the story/exposition . . . oh! Maybe they can work it into the final showdown. Like Lucifer pointing out how Sam had betrayed Dean with Ruby, etc., and Sam can actually say that he screwed up and he was wrong to do it, etc. (Okay, yeah, I'm probably dreaming.)

I'm glad that we can agree on some things about the ep . . . Like Sam admitting that always running away was wrong (finally).

Fuller and Ackles really are great together.

I hope we see Adam again, at least once more. And I'm wondering if he actually is going to show up as Michael when next we see him.

Jensen Ackles is a beautiful, beautiful man. And yes, he about kills me.

I might miss Kurt Fuller, but I don't think I'm going to miss Zachariah. Like he said, he was petty, and I actually don't find that to be a particularly appealing trait in a villain, not really. I'd also like to see some other good angels. We've got plenty of demons and Lucifer still running around out there. But I totally agree with your point about guest stars.

I hope you see where I'm coming from, even if you don't agree. And I appreciate your balance of what you did like with what you didn't.

I don't know if you ever read dodger_winslow's LJ, but in her entry titled "Bloodline," she goes into great detail about what she liked about the ep and I think she touches on one or two of these items.

Thanks for the comment. :-)