I just found Supernatural, thanks to my granddaughter. We've spent the last week catching up on the first 6 seasons. I cried at this episode. Misha Collins' performance was simply amazing and heart breaking. I won't say anymore about the plot, but this episode does give some answers as to the actions in previous episodes. I loved it and highly recommend it. All of the actors in this show are truly amazing and the show has become my new favorite. I am constantly amazed at the imagination the writers show in coming up with new ways to tell the stories of the Winchester "boys" as they are called-and I find myself loving the chemistry between Jensen, Jared, Jim Beaver and Misha Collins. I think all of us wish we had someone who loved us as much as Dean loves Sam. Can't wait to see what we have in store in season 8.
17 Reviews
The road to Hell is paved with good intentions
zombiehigh1824 December 2011
Warning: Spoilers
Oh Cas what happened to you? Cas decides to tell us his side of story, explaining the hard choices he had to take since the apocalypse had been undone, tying up loose ends and revealing up some mysteries. Meanwhile Dean is having a hard time dealing with the fact that Castiel has been working with Crowley.
The episode was well written, Misha Collins did a good job conveying Casyiel's ordeal. Jensen Ackles was brilliant as Dean, who is pained over being deceived by yet another brother. The daemonic version of bobby was too cheesy but funny.
Will Castiel ever redeem himself? Will Dean and Sam forgive him as they once before forgave each other? Will they save the day together like before? Or is there still something nasty coming along the way?
The episode was well written, Misha Collins did a good job conveying Casyiel's ordeal. Jensen Ackles was brilliant as Dean, who is pained over being deceived by yet another brother. The daemonic version of bobby was too cheesy but funny.
Will Castiel ever redeem himself? Will Dean and Sam forgive him as they once before forgave each other? Will they save the day together like before? Or is there still something nasty coming along the way?
Anothering connecting episode!
mm-3912 May 2011
Warning: Spoilers
Another connecting episode! The man who would be king goes over the theme about am I doing the right thing even when I have to do some bad things for the desired results. Castiel is contemplating his deal with Crowley. The theme was played in previous seasons with Sam and Ruby. I know Dean knows better from previous experience for the blow back of bad deals always cost the good guy who gets burnt in the end. Dean claims he will have to fight Castiel if Castiel goes through with his deal with Crowley. A huge build up for season 7. The question is asked what is right, and will God give us a sign. A test of faith. I believe we all have asked these questions one time or another.
Discerning shades of gray
lvillasenor21 July 2011
Warning: Spoilers
Castiel presents a soliloquy while presumably appealing to a non-responsive God, what has transpired which has eroded the relationship between himself and the Winchesters. In a season framed by an absent God,and a contained Lucifer, none of the characters have been portrayed as absolutely good nor absolutely evil...they are all shrouded in various shades of gray. The divulged alliance between Castiel and Crowley in trying to procure souls from Purgatory and splitting them 50/50 is the primary friction (betrayal) as observed from Sam and Dean Winchester.
Castiel's civil war in Heaven requires resources (expressed as souls), which obviated an alliance with Crowley. Crowley who is otherwise depicted as reasonable in the alliance, wants the threat of the Winchesters removed whereas Castiel continues to see himself as Sam and Dean's protector and friend. There are interesting issues raised with Freewill and what one is willing to sacrifice for the "greater good." This episode rounds out Castiel's character, and shows a broadened emotional connection on Castiel's part in relation to the Winchester boys.
Castiel's civil war in Heaven requires resources (expressed as souls), which obviated an alliance with Crowley. Crowley who is otherwise depicted as reasonable in the alliance, wants the threat of the Winchesters removed whereas Castiel continues to see himself as Sam and Dean's protector and friend. There are interesting issues raised with Freewill and what one is willing to sacrifice for the "greater good." This episode rounds out Castiel's character, and shows a broadened emotional connection on Castiel's part in relation to the Winchester boys.
when will this ep be added to the criterion collection?
wicked12713 February 2021
This episode is a billion different genres all packed into one 40 minute episode. It's an especially existential episode of Sex & the City, an intense dramatic and rampantly homoerotic hayes code era film, a student film loosely interpreting the Euridyce and Orpheus myth, an episode of a tween soap drama where the main character and the popular mean girl who both have crushes on the designated love interest have to be lab partners, and i guess also a cw show about guys bein dudes. Anyway, 10/10, i feel crazy but i'm free!
Only gets better with time
CBat986 May 2021
Warning: Spoilers
The first time I saw this episode, it packed an emotional punch. The complexity this added to Castiel's already rich character was incredible. The set up of the whole episode was beautiful - the monologue storytelling was something different for Supernatural, and to hear the whole story and realise that he was talking to his absent father? Absolutely heartbreaking.
As the years have gone on, I find this series hard to watch knowing the chasm that forms between Cas and the brothers. But I keep coming back to this episode over and over again. It's heavy, but the emotional pay off is worth it. This show does meta and comedy as well as it does MotW but when it goes all-in for an episode like this, it really pays off.
Misha Collins gives the performance of a lifetime as the angel who is trying to help, trying to do good, but makes mistakes in doing it. The writing is simply on another level, "If I knew then what I know now, I might have said, "It's simple. Freedom is a length of rope. God wants you to hang yourself with it."" is a quote I think about so often. It shows how naive Cas thinks he was in the start, and how much of an effect it has all had on him.
You really get to see how much Dean believes in Cas, even as everything - Sam, Bobby, his own instincts - is telling him Cas can't be trusted. And it all comes down to Cas quoting Dean back to him and I have to commend Jensen's acting here because you see the moment everything breaks for him.
The final confrontation is so perfectly done, and the composition of the shot where Dean looks back as he, Sam and Bobby are fleeing is one of the best shots of the entire series.
It's a fantastic episode which adds backstory and context to the entire season's arc and packs an emotional wallop. Ten years later and it's still in my top re-watched episodes.
As the years have gone on, I find this series hard to watch knowing the chasm that forms between Cas and the brothers. But I keep coming back to this episode over and over again. It's heavy, but the emotional pay off is worth it. This show does meta and comedy as well as it does MotW but when it goes all-in for an episode like this, it really pays off.
Misha Collins gives the performance of a lifetime as the angel who is trying to help, trying to do good, but makes mistakes in doing it. The writing is simply on another level, "If I knew then what I know now, I might have said, "It's simple. Freedom is a length of rope. God wants you to hang yourself with it."" is a quote I think about so often. It shows how naive Cas thinks he was in the start, and how much of an effect it has all had on him.
You really get to see how much Dean believes in Cas, even as everything - Sam, Bobby, his own instincts - is telling him Cas can't be trusted. And it all comes down to Cas quoting Dean back to him and I have to commend Jensen's acting here because you see the moment everything breaks for him.
The final confrontation is so perfectly done, and the composition of the shot where Dean looks back as he, Sam and Bobby are fleeing is one of the best shots of the entire series.
It's a fantastic episode which adds backstory and context to the entire season's arc and packs an emotional wallop. Ten years later and it's still in my top re-watched episodes.
Excellent on its own, corrects for a lot of problems in the season
CubsandCulture9 April 2020
This largely exists to reshape the heaven storyline in the season to have it make sense. It largely tracks with prior episodes and it does a great job of giving the need weight to the heaven side of the season. Unfortunately, the prior material is so misshapen that there was only so much that can be done with an episode. It is never made clear why Raphael wants to open the cage and that idea is really central to much of what happens in the season. This episode only fills in so many holes.
On its own through it is meditative and thoughtful episode. The show likes to play around with fatalism vs free will and this is a built around exploring what choice means. It is a surprisingly classy and thoughtful episode in that regard. I also think Crowley's reworking of hell is quite on point.
On its own through it is meditative and thoughtful episode. The show likes to play around with fatalism vs free will and this is a built around exploring what choice means. It is a surprisingly classy and thoughtful episode in that regard. I also think Crowley's reworking of hell is quite on point.
Far from the worst episode of the show
jamesclarke-3045024 March 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I feel like I have to start by saying I completely disagree with the other reviews which say this is one of the worst. Have they seen Bugs?
This episode didn't really add anything new so much as fill in some key areas which had been left open, making this a great fit for season six where we're firmly within the trend of overarching plots rather than episode to episode monster hunts. The acting is as great as ever and, after so many hours building these characters up, their motivations and reactions in this episode make plenty of sense.
There were also some amazing scenes here, like the one where Castiel decides whether or not he should intervene with the attack on the boys and Bobby, where we see freeze frames of shattering glass and violence. Also eye-catching was the close up of Cas' blood in the flashback or the tense scene where he accidentally gives himself away and Dean tries to hide his anger and disappointment.
Ultimately this episode is amazing, one of my favourites from the series and a must watch.
This episode didn't really add anything new so much as fill in some key areas which had been left open, making this a great fit for season six where we're firmly within the trend of overarching plots rather than episode to episode monster hunts. The acting is as great as ever and, after so many hours building these characters up, their motivations and reactions in this episode make plenty of sense.
There were also some amazing scenes here, like the one where Castiel decides whether or not he should intervene with the attack on the boys and Bobby, where we see freeze frames of shattering glass and violence. Also eye-catching was the close up of Cas' blood in the flashback or the tense scene where he accidentally gives himself away and Dean tries to hide his anger and disappointment.
Ultimately this episode is amazing, one of my favourites from the series and a must watch.
Oh Castiel you dum dum
shwetafabm22 June 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I like how the episode makes us really empathise with Castiel. He says some stellar stuff too in this episode. I like how the aftermath is potrayed, honestly the more i see this the more i think stopping the apocalypse was a stupid thing to do, especially when it meant damning Sam for eternity.
Also what's up with Dean's attitude, he thinks everything works out in his favor and it's just annoying, how can they work around this?
It's tragic really, i like how they didn't show us the angels much this season, they do it later on and its just annoying and boring, keeping it on the low was a pretty great decision.
Also raises questions to what hell is like, is the gate open? Can anyone be pulled back? Why do some demons make it out? Why specific rituals for some? Weird.
I did love the expansion of the mythology of souls, makes a lot of sense too.
Also i get sick of the brothers sometimes, one of the reasons i stopped watching this show, love them but diversity is important when they are rehashing the same themes and dynamics. So good to see another character in the center.
Beautiful
hannafs-648211 January 2022
He watched him rake leaves. For presumably hours.
ellakblue1 January 2022
Warning: Spoilers
This episode is a wonderful character study of Castiel, and for that it makes me insane. This guy, this dude...Misha Collins's acting really shines and gives such depth to scenes that on the page would be pretty good, but his performance makes them exceptional.
The internal struggle Castiel faces of who he owes his loyalty to, his conversation with his absent father that frames the whole episode, his fight to protect the man he loves but also coming to terms with the fact that the path he chose to do that very thing goes against Dean's moral compass...it's so so good. Certain scenes are almost hard for me to get through because Cas looks in so much pain, and knowing that things don't get easier for him...it hurts.
The Man Who Would Be King's ending confrontation between Dean and Cas walked so Portrait of a Lady on Fire's bonfire scene could run.
I wish, wish more episodes focused on Cas like this. I think they really wasted his potential as a character overall. But I can live in peace knowing that some people (Ben Edlund) saw the potential Cas has as a character, developed that, and made great episodes like this.
The internal struggle Castiel faces of who he owes his loyalty to, his conversation with his absent father that frames the whole episode, his fight to protect the man he loves but also coming to terms with the fact that the path he chose to do that very thing goes against Dean's moral compass...it's so so good. Certain scenes are almost hard for me to get through because Cas looks in so much pain, and knowing that things don't get easier for him...it hurts.
The Man Who Would Be King's ending confrontation between Dean and Cas walked so Portrait of a Lady on Fire's bonfire scene could run.
I wish, wish more episodes focused on Cas like this. I think they really wasted his potential as a character overall. But I can live in peace knowing that some people (Ben Edlund) saw the potential Cas has as a character, developed that, and made great episodes like this.
One of the stand-alone outstanding episodes of SPN of all time.
robertmaybeth-159-42644727 February 2024
Warning: Spoilers
The seraphim angel Castiel (Misha Collins) is a fan-favorite character and certainly one of my own (the name "Castiel" is straight from actual biblical lore and simply means "the angel of Thursday). So you ought to know you're in for a better-than-usual episode when it begins with him breaking the fourth wall to explain himself to someone off camera (who is later revealed to be God himself).
Castiel wishes to explain why he has done the questionable and outright evil things he has so far in this season's storyline; one of which is he has secretly aligned himself with the demon and self-proclaimed "King of Hell" Crowley (portrayed as ever with consummate skill by Mark A. Shepard). The rest of the episode occurs with Sam, Dean, and Bobby Singer being very puzzled at Castiel's actions of late, and when the trio later lure Castiel into an angel's trap (a circle of burning holy oil) it is in an attempt to force Castiel into explaining why he has allied with the hated Crowley. Castiel tries, but is unable to explain himself or to convince them that he is doing the right thing. But Castiel is still imprisoned within the flaming angels trap when the arrival of a black cloud of demons outside prompts Castiel to cut the conversation short as he screams at them to run (which all 3 men do). But it is Crowley who appears from the ether to rescue him, by snuffing out the Angel's trap just in time for Castiel to escape.
All of season 6 has been building to this episode and the show makers masterfully weave the plot elements into one of the most dramatic SPN episodes of all time. Every actor in this episode makes the most of the expertly written scenes they are given and I found the entire episode absolutely spell-binding (if you'll pardon the pun). It is well worth rewatching all of season 6 simply to observe the season's plot elements reach their crescendo in this episode.
Castiel wishes to explain why he has done the questionable and outright evil things he has so far in this season's storyline; one of which is he has secretly aligned himself with the demon and self-proclaimed "King of Hell" Crowley (portrayed as ever with consummate skill by Mark A. Shepard). The rest of the episode occurs with Sam, Dean, and Bobby Singer being very puzzled at Castiel's actions of late, and when the trio later lure Castiel into an angel's trap (a circle of burning holy oil) it is in an attempt to force Castiel into explaining why he has allied with the hated Crowley. Castiel tries, but is unable to explain himself or to convince them that he is doing the right thing. But Castiel is still imprisoned within the flaming angels trap when the arrival of a black cloud of demons outside prompts Castiel to cut the conversation short as he screams at them to run (which all 3 men do). But it is Crowley who appears from the ether to rescue him, by snuffing out the Angel's trap just in time for Castiel to escape.
All of season 6 has been building to this episode and the show makers masterfully weave the plot elements into one of the most dramatic SPN episodes of all time. Every actor in this episode makes the most of the expertly written scenes they are given and I found the entire episode absolutely spell-binding (if you'll pardon the pun). It is well worth rewatching all of season 6 simply to observe the season's plot elements reach their crescendo in this episode.
Ugh, maybe-maybe nah
readonly-2620414 January 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Nothing better than watching Dean and Sam and I love when Bobby and Cas come along. I love that we find out royally Cas is screwing up and how much of the issues that plague Sam and Dean this season is directly his fault.
I love Crawley and Mark Sheppard is great in the role. As usual Jensen Ackles put in a great performance, so sure of Cas and backing him up at each turn until he is proven wrong by Cas himself.
Jared Padalecki and Jim Beaver, always solid and enjoyable to watch. My issue was Misha's performance. I found it uneven and felt he was stretching too much and maybe it was the direction he was given.
Story was good and liking where its going.
I love Crawley and Mark Sheppard is great in the role. As usual Jensen Ackles put in a great performance, so sure of Cas and backing him up at each turn until he is proven wrong by Cas himself.
Jared Padalecki and Jim Beaver, always solid and enjoyable to watch. My issue was Misha's performance. I found it uneven and felt he was stretching too much and maybe it was the direction he was given.
Story was good and liking where its going.
Boring and Overrated Episode
claudio_carvalho10 December 2012
Castiel recalls that he would never defeat the powerful Raphael and why he has associated to Crowley to get more power. Meanwhile, Sam and Bobby suspect of Castiel, but Dean refuses to believe that his friend might have betrayed them.
"The Man Who Would Be King" is a boring and overrated episode, certainly the worst so far in this Sixth Season, with existentialist crisis of Castiel and an excessive melodrama of Dean. In the end, Castiel has become a Machiavellian politician, selling his soul to the demon to make arrangements and get more power exactly like in real life. My vote is five.
Title (Brazil): "O Homem Que Queria Ser Rei" ("The Man Who Wanted to Be King")
"The Man Who Would Be King" is a boring and overrated episode, certainly the worst so far in this Sixth Season, with existentialist crisis of Castiel and an excessive melodrama of Dean. In the end, Castiel has become a Machiavellian politician, selling his soul to the demon to make arrangements and get more power exactly like in real life. My vote is five.
Title (Brazil): "O Homem Que Queria Ser Rei" ("The Man Who Wanted to Be King")
Castiel's Story
revba21 September 2021
Warning: Spoilers
The one scene which is the last scene of this episode is biblical. This is what we do as believers we pray to Our Heavenly Father for guidance and resolution to ongoing problems in our lives.
Granted this is fantasy entertainment but I do appreciate the angel's point of view and how he got caught up in all of it. It just reminds me of what I really and truly do daily as a believer.
This is NOT reality and angels do NOT take on the behaviors displayed in these episodes.
Granted this is fantasy entertainment but I do appreciate the angel's point of view and how he got caught up in all of it. It just reminds me of what I really and truly do daily as a believer.
This is NOT reality and angels do NOT take on the behaviors displayed in these episodes.
Worst hour of this show I have ever witnessed...
charlottemillions8 May 2011
Warning: Spoilers
I disliked this episode immensely. From the boring rambling of Castiel to the over acting of betrayal by Dean, yes he betrayed you, he's not human what the hell makes you think he really wouldn't? If its loads of souls or 3 humans of course he's going to betray you he has no real human emotion. Don't be so ridiculous writers, and the line about Dean feeling he was like a brother, uh horrible, pass me the sick bucket, he is nowhere near what a brother means to the Winchesters, you are absolutely having a laugh. A truly horrendous episode from start to dismal finish. Please get back to the two brothers and the hunting soon show.
Rediculous overconfident posturing from Dean... again...
siboz200531 August 2023
Warning: Spoilers
My problem with this show... and a lot of shows like this... is the ridiculous dismissal of logic in favour of the "we're friends... we can do anything together" nonsense.
So Castiel is basically given 24hrs to submit to Raphael of Raphael will kill him... reopen the cage and restart the apocalypse... rendering all the work of the Winchesters pointless and killing everyone on the planet.
Crowley offers a solution... granted a one with drawbacks... but it gets Castiel the power he needs to fight off Raphael and avoid the apocalypse.
Unfortunately, he needs more power to finish the war that he started and the hunt for souls with Crowley must continue. People get hurt, lots of people in fact. But still, nowhere near the entire population of the earth. So if we are being logical here... Castiel's choice was still the correct one.
When Dean finds out we get the usual moral highground stupidity. If you boil down what Dean is saying he basically thinks the needs of the few outweigh the needs of the many. Whining that he shouldn't have accepted Crowley's deal and instead asked him for help.
Right... and Dean would have done what exactly? How would Dean get Castiel 50,000 souls worth of power in 24hrs?
Answer... he wouldn't. Result... Cas would have died... apocalypse restarted... whole world destoyed.
Yet the show clearly thinks you should agree with Dean. It is just like when Dean was whining to soulless Sam about letting Cas painfully examine a young boy in an earlier episode in order to allow them to track down the angel that had posession of the boy's soul. Dean whined about how it was wrong to put the boy through the pain & how horrid it was of Sam not to back him up. Umm... no. It was an unpleasant necessity. Yes the boy went through brief pain. But as a result they were able to get the deal the boy made abolished and thus save his eternal soul.
I know a lot of people like to think that the standpoint of "the ends justify the means" is always a morally wrong standpoint. But they are incorrect. Letting billions die to avoid hurting the feelings of one is clearly the morally wrong option. Yet this show seems to think that it isn't.
I just can't get past the utter dismissal of logic that this episode has. Then again... that's tv shows like this in general for you really.
So Castiel is basically given 24hrs to submit to Raphael of Raphael will kill him... reopen the cage and restart the apocalypse... rendering all the work of the Winchesters pointless and killing everyone on the planet.
Crowley offers a solution... granted a one with drawbacks... but it gets Castiel the power he needs to fight off Raphael and avoid the apocalypse.
Unfortunately, he needs more power to finish the war that he started and the hunt for souls with Crowley must continue. People get hurt, lots of people in fact. But still, nowhere near the entire population of the earth. So if we are being logical here... Castiel's choice was still the correct one.
When Dean finds out we get the usual moral highground stupidity. If you boil down what Dean is saying he basically thinks the needs of the few outweigh the needs of the many. Whining that he shouldn't have accepted Crowley's deal and instead asked him for help.
Right... and Dean would have done what exactly? How would Dean get Castiel 50,000 souls worth of power in 24hrs?
Answer... he wouldn't. Result... Cas would have died... apocalypse restarted... whole world destoyed.
Yet the show clearly thinks you should agree with Dean. It is just like when Dean was whining to soulless Sam about letting Cas painfully examine a young boy in an earlier episode in order to allow them to track down the angel that had posession of the boy's soul. Dean whined about how it was wrong to put the boy through the pain & how horrid it was of Sam not to back him up. Umm... no. It was an unpleasant necessity. Yes the boy went through brief pain. But as a result they were able to get the deal the boy made abolished and thus save his eternal soul.
I know a lot of people like to think that the standpoint of "the ends justify the means" is always a morally wrong standpoint. But they are incorrect. Letting billions die to avoid hurting the feelings of one is clearly the morally wrong option. Yet this show seems to think that it isn't.
I just can't get past the utter dismissal of logic that this episode has. Then again... that's tv shows like this in general for you really.
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