Recap of Supernatural
Season 6, Episode 3
The Third Man
Castiel: Sam, Dean, my "people skills" are "rusty". Pardon me, but I've spent the last "year" as a multidimensional wavelength of celestial intent. But believe me, you *do not* want that weapon down here. Help me find it. Or more people will die.
Written by Ben Edlund.
Directed by Bob Singer.
Air Date: October 8, 2010.
While Heaven remains in a state of disarray, Sam, Dean, and Castiel come face-to-face with an old foe when they attempt to track down the thief who stole the Staff of Moses from an arsenal of God's weapons in order to kill several police officers with the plagues of Egypt.
Body count
For this episode = 4 humans and 1 angel.For the series so far = At least 422 humans (of which 6 were witches), 73 demons, 33 ghosts, 19 zombies, 13 gods, 11 angels, 11 vampires, 9 hellhounds, 6 changelings, 4 shapeshifters, 3 djinn, 2 ghouls, 2 werewolves, 2 dogs, 1 crocotta, 1 rakshasa, 1 rawhead, 1 reaper, 1 rugaru, 1 shtriga, 1 siren, 1 wendigo, 1 whore of Babylon, and 1 wraith.
Tropes
- Anti-Hero: Castiel kidnaps a child from his home and essentially tortures him for information. When Dean objects, Cas just says he can't afford to care. And although he acknowledges that the torture is morally gray, he doesn't seem to understand what the problem is with the kidnapping.
- Apologetic Attacker: Castiel doesn't want to fight his brothers.
- Blue-and-Orange Morality: Castiel returns, fully powered, and in the middle of a heavenly civil war. He still has affection for the Winchesters, but he's focused on keeping Heaven from unraveling. He misses the sarcasm when, what the Winchesters believe is misplaced focus is brought up, and he is willing to torture a child. Conversely, Balthazar finds it bewildering that Castiel treats Dean as an equal.
- The Bus Came Back: Castiel returns.
- Also Raphael, finally showing up for payback after Castiel trapped him last season.
- Big Bad: Raphael, and the Angels loyal to him want to restart the apocalypse that Sam, Dean, and Castiel worked so hard to prevent.
- Car Cushion: Castiel and Stunt Angel #3 land on Sam's borrowed car.
- Deal with the Devil: Though it's an angel this time.
- Dramatic Thunder: To signal Raphael's arrival.
- Eating the Eye Candy: "Don't stop on my account."
- Suspiciously Similar Substitute: Balthazar seems a lot like Gabriel.
- Faking the Dead: Balthazar stole some weapons from Heaven and faked his death.
- Fantastic Slur: "Hairless ape".
- Friendship Favoritism: After ghosting Sam's prayers for the entire Time Skip, Cas shows up the first time Dean calls, much to Sam's indignation. Cas says he's there for the Staff of Moses, but doesn't actually deny liking Dean better.
- Homoerotic Subtext: "Dean and I do share a more profound bond." Really, Cas?
- Lack of Empathy: Sam's reaction to Castiel proposing to torture a child for information is to ask if there will be any permanent damage.
- Lame Pun ReactionBalthazar: "The old frog in the throat."
- Literal-Minded: Cas can rule out Moses as a suspect.
- Magic Wand: Staff of Moses, anyone?
- Meaningful Name: The boy who buys the Staff of Moses to avenge his brother is named Aaron Burch. Guess whose brother Aaron was in The Bible.
- Misaimed Fandom: In-Universe. Balthazar was inspired by Castiel's rebellion, but whereas Cas rebelled in order to do right thing and save humanity, Balthazar just wants to party.
- Mood Whiplash: "My car!"
- Mr. Fanservice: Sam in the below-mentioned shirtless scene.
- Not Himself:
- Sam is hiring prostitutes and consenting to torturing children. Dean is rightly suspicious.
- Plus, the hooker he hired (played by Julia Voth) is clearly very attracted to him and trying her best to start a conversation, stay longer, and hopefully see him again on her "night off." Sam is cold, dismissive, and looking at her like she's a dog turd that someone neglected to clean off the sidewalk. Another in a long line of clues that something is very wrong with him.
- Rage Breaking Point: Castiel returns from Heaven somewhat grumpy and dismissive of the Winchesters complaints about his lack of communication. When he asks for their help however, and Sam scoffs, Cas gets particularly irritated and goes on a short rant with slightly misplaced air quotes.Castiel: Sam, Dean, my "people skills" are "rusty." Pardon me, but I have spent the last "year" as a multidimensional wavelength of celestial intent. But believe me, you do not want that weapon down here. Help me find it. Or more people will die.
- Right Behind Me:Dean: Come on, Cas! Don't be a dick. We got ourselves a... plague-like situation down here, and... do you... do you copy?Sam: Like I said, son of a bitch doesn't answer... he's right behind me, isn't he?Castiel: Hello.
- Remember the New Guy?: Castiel says Balthazar is an old friend, and the two talk about how they've fought together in the past, but Balthazar was completely absent from the events concerning the apocaplyse last season. Of course, Castiel does say that he thought he died in the war.
- Sarcasm Mode: Castiel getting tired of the Winchester's griping over his No Social Skills."(with air-quotes) Sam. Dean. My "people skills" are "rusty". Pardon me, but I have spent the last "year" as a multi-dimensional wavelength of Celestial intent."
- Shirtless Scene: This
was totally necessary for plot reasons. Totally. - Throwing Your Sword Always Works: Castiel throws his angel sword and stabs an angel in the chest.
