Wow- that really summed him up so well - following his belief-structure through his life as it was molded by everything that happened to him. And in the end... the one thing that kept him anchored was still his brother... and the faith, trust and belief he had in Sam.

Their enemies have long known that together they are a much more powerful force than they are alone... hopefully Sam and Dean can just remember that too!

Great piece hun!

Tree

Author's Response:

Thanks, Tree, much appreciated.  I can't see how some can feel that the show didn't foreshadow what was coming, when I see that Dean's belief structure has been slowly revealed since Faith and then HOTH and then every glimpse inside his head since.

And while the Trickster and their own doubts often warned them their bond would be their downfall, I think we all realized it was their strength, that if they would only trust in each other they would persevere.

I do hope the boys know that now and don't forget the next time the forces of evil try to separate them.  They will always be stronger together, just like Dean realized at the end of The End.  He certainly learned his lesson well there.

Take care, B.J.

I agree -I was so gutted partway through that episode when Dean told Sam he had no faith that Sam wouldn't fall again, and then when he banished Cas, sneaked out and tried to give himself up to the bible-basher on the street corner. 

But then there came Sam's quiet declaration that Dean was still his big brother, and he had faith that when push came to shove, Dean would do the right thing. 

And the crowning glory was that wink and little smile, just when we thought Dean had taken all he could take and made the decision as the final act of a truly desperate man. 

I cheered for the return of the brotherhood. 

Thanks so much for another insightful peek into our favourite pastime - the Winchester psyche. Well done, as always.

Jules

Author's Response:

Hey, Jules!

Yes, exploring the Winchester psyches is my favorite pastime.  And who could blame Dean for losing faith, for being so defeated as to welcome Michael in?  Dean always amazes me in how he keeps moving forward, keeps trying when every force of nature seems to be against them.

Throughout the season I marveled at how sure they were that they knew better than the angels.  The weight of that responsibility in the face of so many compelling reasons to just say 'yes' just shows how amazing the brothers are.

The Js rocked those scenes in the Panic Room, how Dean didn't want to tell Sam how he'd lost faith in him, and then the hurt and denial on Sam's face when he heard those words.  

I loved Sammy so much when he told Dean that he had faith in him, that he was still his big brother and wouldn't let him down.  All Dean needed was to feel that love and faith, much like Sam needed to feel it in SS.

I love that both brothers seem to even out the other, giving them the strength to go on when others would give up.

Thanks for another insightful and touching review, B.J.