I love your insight into Sam's reasons for pursuing his powers. I do wish we had some flashbacks or something to show what Sam did when Dean died. My heart ached for Sam in this episode when he told Dean that he was a whole new level of freak. I really don't think Dean looks at Sam as a freak, but I do believe that Dean is scared to death where Sam is going to end up, how these powers can affect Sam. And I certainly don't believe that Sam is "done with them", despite his best efforts.

Skeptic that I am, I'm not 100% sure that Castiel is who he says he is. He's got the wings, so he's an angel, but that doesn't mean he's not a fallen angel, aka a demon. I keep thinking - if Sam is trying to kill Lilith (since she can't seem to kill Sam), and if Lilith is trying to open the 66 seals to release Lucifer, why would an angel want to stop Sam? I'm probably over-thinking the whole thing, but it really has me going around in circles.

Anyway, great tag. You did a fabulous job with Sam's voice. These boys should be on a very interesting path this season. Thanks for sharing this with us. Until next time...

wow. Amazing. I really loved this, your writing is so rich. You got into Sam's head perfectly to explain what's been going on with him; why he's doing what he's doing. My heart broke for him at the end of 'Metamorphosis', and it broke again when I read this fic. Great job. Thanks for posting this, it was brilliant :)

Oh. My. So very well written, so very SAM. Nicely done!

This was utterly brilliant, exactly what happened to Sam-his belief that what he was doing was right and pure, his only avenue once Dean was dead and gone.

Poor Sam. We know something will happen to force him to use his powers again, but will Dean be able to prevent him from going darkside once those powers have been re-opened?

Love, Robin

Oh. Wow. Great insight into Sam's motivation these past months. I was already sympathizing with him during the episode, but this made it all the more heart wrenching. Poor Sam, wanting so desperately to do good. To turn his curse into a gift, only to be slapped down like that. I really liked your take on why Sam didn't strike back when Dean punched him. And then how badly Dean's words wounded him.

Wonderful job.

Di

Oh, and I totally missed the Civil War reference during the episode. Good catch.

Interesting take on the episode, and on the "If I didn't know you..." line especially.

I thought this line was interesting too, "Dean had been the only true obstruction… and Dean was dead" because I think that's the reason God had Castiel yank Dean out of Hell anyway - to be that obstruction, to stop Sam going Darkside. Save Sammy, save the world. If Sam stays on the straight and narrow then hopefully the world will be spared an Antichrist...

Sam's take on Dean punching him was interesting too - and his basically telling Sam he was going against God's will. That was an intriguing thing for Dean to say - particularly as he's not convinced by Castiel OR by God - but he knows Sam will be because Sam's a believer, whereas Dean isn't. Quite. Yet.

I'm hoping Sam's not seeing the demon blood as forever denying him any hope of redemption, however. If God saved Dean to save Sam, then hopefully salvation is being offered to them both...

wow, i think you did an awesome job of capturing that episode. i dont think i wouldve caught the battle of carthage reference if you hadnt wrote this! and that is very interesting, but the idea of the brothers embarking on a civil war saddens me.. glad that dean ended up not leaving sam but at the end of the episode it seems like there are oceans between them. you even captured that in your fic, so good job! ]

Loralee

Fantastic walk inside Sam's head. You've captured his feelings, thoughts and motives beautifully and they feel very true to his character, both the old "Sammy" and the new Sam he's becoming.

Great story. It nearly made me cry. I think Sammy's clinically depressed, and he's just so broken that Dean made everything worse.

You did a good job with Sam's thoughts.

Is it OK to say a little depressing? But anytime the brothers fight, that is rough.

I'm just glad that we don't have to wait twelve episodes or a year for secrets to be finally shared. Would have helped if Dean hadn't discovered all the lies, but can understand why Sam was hiding.

Thanks for sharing your story.

Until next time, take care.

great