I’m unspoiled for anything after 4.10 and want to stay that way. I’d love comments about how close or far off the mark you see this speculation being. But please let the show play the story out in its own time.

2.01 In My Time of Dying – This ep has always been powerful and significant and well-loved. I wasn’t finding much new to note until….

Sam’s reaction after the Ouija board talk – during which Dean states, “I’ll be damned,” which now gives me chills – and they realize Dean is screwed since there’s no way to stop a reaper who’s there naturally: No. No no no. There’s gotta be a way. There’s gotta be a way. Dad will know what to do. Also, it must be noted this sets precedent for another example of a way the boys communicate when one of them is the next thing to dead. edit: The exact quote is, “If it’s here naturally…there’s no way to stop it.” Again with the “stop it” phrasing – and the conviction that it’s impossible!!

Dean to Tessa after realizing she’s the reaper: For example, did you know reapers can alter human perception? I sure didn’t. Basically they can make themselves appear however they want. Like say a, a pretty girl.

Tessa: It’s my sandbox. I can make you see whatever I want [...] You didn’t give me much choice. You saw my true form and you flipped out. Kind of hurts a girl’s feelings. This was the only way I could get you to talk to me [...] Death is nothing to fear. It’s your time to go, Dean. You’re living on borrowed time already.

Yi-ikes!! This has my thoughts flying all over the place. Having a “true form” to even be seen is a concept that comes up in regards to both demons and angels as the series continues. I have to think that whatever the reality is that is still hidden might be very hard. In another direction, I couldn’t help thinking of Meg’s ‘hurt feelings’ when she talked on the phone to Sam in 1.21 Salvation. I’m also reminded of a thought I had about 4.10 Heaven and Hell when the camera lingers on Dean’s hand on Anna’s thigh during the Impala sex scene. Yeah, hot, but his watch is also part of that framing.

4.10 hand on thigh

Why does Dean remove his amulet but leave on the watch? Why does the show make a point of this? The final episodes of S3 were very conscious of time running out on Dean’s deal and clocks made regular appearances. This is a last night on earth for Anna so I suspect we’re being reminded of that.

Tessa has a whole description of how if Dean chose to stay, he’d be on his way to becoming an angry spirit. Dean…how do you think angry spirits are born? They can’t let go, and they can’t move on. And you’re about to become one –- the same thing you hunt. It’s quite like the idea of becoming a demon explored throughout S3 and particularly in 3.10 Dream a Little Dream of Me and perhaps hints at Sam being a target for hunters due to his special abilities.

Dean: My brother. He could die without me. Tessa: Maybe he will. Maybe he won’t. Nothing you can do about it. My brain is jumping to 3.01 Magnificent Seven and Dean flat out saying he couldn’t live with Sam dead and I’m now starting to play with taking that much more literally than ever before. There’s also connections to 3.17 Mystery Spot and the Trickster ‘teaching’ Sam he couldn’t save Dean and to 4.03 In the Beginning when Castiel tells Dean he couldn’t have changed destiny.

YED (as Tessa): Today’s your lucky day, kid. Not surprisingly, I’m remembering Dean crowing over his lucky day in 3.03 Bad Day at Black Rock.

When the doctor is unable to explain Dean’s miraculous recovery: You gotta have some kind of angel watching over you. Finding another angel watching over Dean reference I’d missed until now makes me happy.

When it comes to making a deal with John, the Yellow-Eyed Demon reasons that Dean isn’t much of a threat. Neither is John’s other son and they go on to talk vaguely about knowing the truth about Sammy. It’s impossible for me to believe, given this opportunity, that the YED wouldn’t have at least dropped a hint (if not twisted the knife) about Mary having made a deal and John being the recipient – if 4.03 In the Beginning had actually happened!! Either Mary as a deal-maker was thought up after the fact by the creators/writers and we aren’t supposed to notice, OR, she was thought up after the fact by Sam and Dean and we ARE supposed to notice.  Until the latter possibility is excluded, I’m going with that.

Another edit for an exact quote of Dean and Sam talking when Dean wakes up because this exhange calls back to 1.12 Faith and ahead to 4.01 Lazarus Rising.

Dean: How’d I ditch it?
Sam: You got me. Dean, you really don’t remember anything?
Dean: No. Except this pit in my stomach. Sam, something’s wrong.

I do like that Dean’s S4 resurrection doesn’t seem to have left him feeling “wrong” in the same way.  Angels of the Lord beat reapers on leashes or deal with demons any day, I guess.  If I’m right, Sam is a genius. Is it time to wonder if we aren’t seeing a family tragedy on repeat (think 2.16 Roadkill) with variations enough in the details to keep the loop going? Will it continue until they get it right? Are we truly talking Butch and Sundance as the only resolution? Or, is the show just fucking with me? Geez! I want to start clapping and chanting I do believe in Winchesters, I do believe in Winchesters, I do believe in Winchesters….

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