Supernatural - Episode 4.02 “Are You There God? It’s Me, Dean Winchester”
Part 1 of The Good Soldiers

$5 a Gallon Gas
Dean Winchester is still processing a lot of new information barely a week back from the dead. Dean doesn’t fully accept that Imaginary Characters Are Real. Bobby convinces Dean that Castiel is an angel as they are the only beings that could airlift him out of the hotbox.

Dean’s eyes were opened when Castiel says he is not Dean’s fluffy personal guard dog. The Angels aren’t necessarily there to help humans. Castiel breaks the situation down. Team Evil, led by Lillith, is getting too good at the evil plans. By raising the witnesses she broke the first of 66 seals (or locks) that keep Lucifer bound. When seal #66 breaks open, Lu walks free on earth. Gulp.

It seems Lucifer is as real as Castiel and God. Now, Dean, who is stubborn, is still only about 90% sure they are real. He may stab Lucifer and God with Ruby’s Knife the first time he faces them, just to be 100% certain. (And who wouldn’t love to see that?!)

There’s a Bigger Picture
Not only does Imaginationland exist, but it’s running wild. ManBearPig (er, Lucifer) is trying to get free! Is Sam Winchester the Chosen One (Butters) who can re-make the world so the Good Imaginary Characters can restore the balance of order against the chaos the Evil Imaginary Characters create? Is Dean Winchester the Human Fourth Grader (Stan), with only the voice of earnest humanity (Kyle) in his head encouraging him to continue?

Raising Dean out of hell was a merciful act. Kind. Dean’s confusion that Castiel doesn’t act like a beneficent BFF is reasonable. God commanded Castiel pull Dean back to life for some other reason. There’s no free lunch Dean. Not even a slice of pie.

There are Other Battles
With Lillith out breaking the seals, Castiel has more to do than hover over Dean. He doesn’t give details about what he was fighting, but Castiel lost six brothers. Big things afoot indeed! If his brothers were as powerful as Castiel, that was an amazing special effects battle that Eric Kripke could not afford to film on his crappy CW budget. Castiel doesn’t look like they won that battle either.

It’s no surprise that after a hard fought battle, Dean’s criticisms frustrate Castiel. Dean interrupts Castiel when he starts with the ‘mysterious ways’ talking points memo and their quality time is over. Castiel pulls rank and demands Dean show him some respect. He doesn’t ask for respect based on his righteous motives or fluffy goodness. Castiel demands respect based on his power.

Dean’s already seen the damage Castiel’s voice and image can do to humans. Whatever Castiel did to resurrect Dean was powerful enough to nuke a vast swathe of forest and leave a blistered red brand on his shoulder. No wonder Dean’s eyes widened with fear when Castiel threatened to put Dean back where he found him. The Angels are on earth to fight the war with Lucifer and the Demons. This Angel is a Soldier.

On the seventh day back from hell, Dean Winchester wakes up to realize he is so screwed. Dean’s been conscripted into God’s Army. The penalty for going AWOL is a one way trip back to hell. The mission is to stop Lucifer. But what can one person do?

Part 3