I Could Write A Thesis On The Performance Of Body Language In This Scene (if I Didn't Keep Getting Distracted

I could write a thesis on the performance of body language in this scene (if I didn't keep getting distracted by the dialogue, and the expressions on their faces, and 2014!Cas being more insightful while toasted on god-knows-what than most characters are on a good day). The before and after of Cas looking at Dean and spotting that he's not 2014!Dean.

The whole ep is a performance goldmine, a cinematic one, a worldbuilding one, a script one. The direction, I mean... wow. Incredible work. And half of it's held up by Jensen Ackles playing opposite himself, which is the extreme sport of acting - the sheer amount of dialogue between the two Deans alone makes this episode extraordinary when the rest of the episode pivots on him too. There's a reason you usually only get quick glimpses of 'double' characters interacting on TV: the time and performance energy it takes to do it well needs a movie schedule, not a TV episode one.

My list of 'best eps of anything ever' is actually pretty short after 40 years of active viewing. Adding this one was a no-brainer.

"Whoa, strange." ↳ 5.04 - THE END

Loki sits upon the throne, determined, alone.

The Watcher: What are you doing?

Loki: Protecting the multiverse. I wove the strands.

The Watcher: Yes.

Loki:

The Watcher:

Loki: What?

The Watcher: Well, it looks like it's finished.

Loki: But I have to remain alone, guarding it.

The Watcher: Who said that?

Loki: I guess... I did?

The Watcher: Hm. How very Loki of you. Guard it from what? There's nothing out here. He Who Remains can't reach what you have created.

Loki: I don't know!

A pause.

Loki: Well, what do you suggest I do???

The Watcher: Anything you want.

Loki: Oh.

The throne sits empty, with a card that reads: Out To Lunch.

No words. Only Castiel.

Supernatural 5x17//99 Problems

Aziraphale's job was to smite demons, so I think he did a pretty good job. Even if it's not in the intended way... this demon is most definitely smitten. Good job Aziraphale. 👏

I'd just about kill for the canonical backstory on this statement. 2014 Cas was so different, so damaged - so differently damaged to his timeline-equivalent Dean, who's all hard edges and cold purpose. Yet the episode implies they've made the journey together.

What left Endverse!Cas soft and bleak and open and emotionally articulate? Did he crawl through broken glass hell to get here, dragging himself up from nowhere to achieve this level of function and resignation, or has it been a slow, blurry slide from grace into decadence with the bumps softened to meaningless by drugs, booze, and orgies? Why does he package the last one with the 'love guru crap' as if there's still a point to existence, a meaning beyond the moment, then act with Dean (both Deans) as if there isn't? And when did 2014!Dean stop looking at him the way 2009!Dean does?

THE END (5x04)

Doctor Who is a great fandom to be in on tumblr because you'll see spoilers everywhere but not a single one of them is coherent unless you've seen the episode anyway. like oh the glorbon is secretly trying to ensnare humanity in a giant crab trap? the new companion Jiminy Pubble turned out to be the latest regeneration of the Doctor's old enemy The Fuckwizard? thanks I know less than I did before