I read a spoiler somewhere re: said Sam-revelation, and I would be more than happy to share, if you are inclined to know. It's super-vague, but still a bit useful.
I loved this episode. I really, really loved this episode. One of the reasons why was because of the contrast it shows between the hedonist angels - Balthazar and Gabriel. I've seen a lot of questions about why Gabriel doesn't qualify as fallen, and I think Balthazar provides an answer for many of them. Gabriel left out of love and a refusal to choose between his brothers. Balthy, on the other hand, left because the shit got real, which would be understandable were it not for the fact that he stole a bunch of God's shit before he left. Now, he occupies his time by doing whatever the fuck he wants and hoarding souls. Gabriel's role as the Trickster, on the other hand, reflects his role as the Archangel of Judgment; it's a bit on the inverted, perverse side, but it could still be construed as him carrying out Divine Will. I've seen Balthazar called a bastardized love-child of Gabriel and Crowley, and his necessity as a character called into question, but I think that, given the above observations, it's understandable why he was included.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 2010-10-10 12:21 am (UTC)I loved this episode. I really, really loved this episode.
One of the reasons why was because of the contrast it shows between the hedonist angels - Balthazar and Gabriel. I've seen a lot of questions about why Gabriel doesn't qualify as fallen, and I think Balthazar provides an answer for many of them. Gabriel left out of love and a refusal to choose between his brothers. Balthy, on the other hand, left because the shit got real, which would be understandable were it not for the fact that he stole a bunch of God's shit before he left. Now, he occupies his time by doing whatever the fuck he wants and hoarding souls. Gabriel's role as the Trickster, on the other hand, reflects his role as the Archangel of Judgment; it's a bit on the inverted, perverse side, but it could still be construed as him carrying out Divine Will.
I've seen Balthazar called a bastardized love-child of Gabriel and Crowley, and his necessity as a character called into question, but I think that, given the above observations, it's understandable why he was included.
Re: all your other points... AGREED!