Dean the Weapon

[retro_eidas]

I had this really disturbing dream last night of Dean, raised as an orphan and tossed through the foster system most of his life, who'd become this sociopathic special forces soldier that's had a thousands of "enemy kills" and .... basically a monster, but an acceptable one since it's the "enemy" he's killing. That's what I get I suppose from watching "Skin" while only half-conscious. *cringes*

I keep wondering about the notion of Dean being a "weapon" (which was hinted by way of Anna, even back in OTHOAP). Zachariah claims Dean is "Michael's sword", but also claims it's because Dean is Michael's vessel. I have wondered if Zachariah - as angels are not perfect, they are prone to error - has gotten the "weapon" and "Michael's sword" part mistaken? Dean is not a vessel, but literally a weapon, designed specifically by Michael to save the world/his family and fulfill his duty to his Father's creations? Dean is something all new (or perhaps not unlike Jesse - or the antithesis of Jesse - being Lucifer's most valuable weapon)? Now this could easily just be me and having seen the movie "9") one too many times. However, that whole movie was about these creatures (homunculi) created (by way of Alchemy) as a means to counterbalance the end of civilization/humanity. A last ditch means to preserve life, in whatever form, and destroy the machine - created by humans, of course - that which ended (the human) civilization in the first place. However, you get a similar story in "Terminator 2" or any other story that's involved created and/or artificial life or A.I. (though also often times the source of destruction) as the source of humanity's or life's salvation or preservation. In the case of "Supernatural", it is the human world (family) that needs saving, but also based on every emo angel's sob story we've heard, the Heavenly family is in dire need of salvation too and apparently has been so for some time. Since before Creation.

Might Michael have been like the alchemist in "9"? Realizing that his angelic family was doomed, so created a countermeasure (like the alchemist, or Dean, possibly at great cost to himself) to try to prevent or preserve his angel family in whatever form he could? Lucifer as that embodiment of pure destruction (like the machine in "9" or SkyNet) that Michael couldn't stop once, either because he wasn't strong enough physically, emotionally or psychologically, but knows he has to be stopped? So created a "weapon" in Dean that can and will do what he could not? Show is already telling us that a hybrid creature - Jesse - is possibly more powerful than all the Hosts of Heaven. If a demon/human creation is that strong, what about an angel/human creation?

Nephilim, despite all the angel lore in SPN, is also something that's been rather conspicuously absent in Show canon. Despite angel/human sex already having been explored (4.10) and honestly, Anna's whole story was very much Genesis 6: 1-4 (heh, Dean functioning as the "daughters of men", which is all too fitting for any of us who've spent WAY too much time dissecting Dean's Anima side. It's prevalent, to say the least). Also touching on it (*snorts*) again in FTBYAM. Also the idea of angel/human procreation, though indirectly and very briefly, mentioned in 5.06 (even if it's by way of Castiel's negation of Jesse being Lucifer's child). So it's there in canon, yet not either. I'd probably say something Show has interestingly skirted around but never quite officially made part of canon.

Incidentally, Noah gets a mention in 5.10 (by way of Bobby and the last time the angel of Death made an appearance, "Noah was building a boat." LOL). In some versions of the Noah story, the Great Flood happened because God (by the insistence of some of the angels) felt the Nephilim were too great a threat to live, so Flooded the Earth in attempt to destroy them (though supposedly some might have survived anyway). Here we have "Supernatural's" angels, all too willing to let an Armageddon happen that will either "roast the planet alive" or, and this one is the supposed better option, destroy a huge portion of it. Seems they're aligning the world for SPN-equivalent's of a(nother) Great Flood. Why? We already have one human/supernatural hybrid we know that is an incredible threat to the Hosts. You can also bet the angels probably haven't been forthcoming about absolutely everything (in these prophecies or otherwise). What if there's also a prophecy out there signaling the angels' destruction? Possibly by direct way of humanity? In order to prevent this - like Herod killing all the young male children in his Kingdom in attempt to futilely thwart the (largely false and paranoid) interpretations of prophecy - the angels try to remove the threat (or cut it down enough) to save themselves? Realizing the madness of this, Michael - though powerful he'd still have been only one angel - possibly did something very drastic to counterbalance it? His own equivalent of fleeing to Egypt, putting Moses in a bulrush boat and floating him down the Nile or Isis taking herself and her newborn son, Horus, into hiding? Castiel does seem to be functioning as an Isis or a Bithiah protector figure for Dean and Sam.

With all the Michael business focused on Dean? It's been distracting. However, there's been a conspicuous lack of mention of "Jesus Christ" or the "Second Coming", despite the major role the figure plays in Revelation. However, the only one who even comes close to fulfilling that role in the story so far is Dean ("The righteous man who started it, is the only one who can finish it." The Alpha and the Omega, in other words). Maybe Jesse, but he's already been labeled as the antichrist. So yeah, I'm thinking Dean is probably not a vessel or Michael, but SPN's equivalent of the Second Coming (though perhaps created by Michael to try to save his family, both the celestial and the chthonic).

Comments

[love-jackianto.livejournal.com]

I like that theory. It would explain why Lucifer tried to touch Dean in The End; he wanted to touch his brother's creation.

[22by7.livejournal.com]

why Lucifer tried to touch Dean in The End
Occam's Razor says 'that's because Dean is 2 HOTT', but yes, this one works, too.

[love-jackianto.livejournal.com]

That works too :D What is it with all the angels (except Uriel and Zach) wanting to touch Dean?

I've got you now, boy...

[22by7.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure about Zach being an exception.

Seriously, though, Dean is like catnip for angels...

Re: I've got you now, boy...

[love-jackianto.livejournal.com]

'I'm not sure about Zach being an exception.'
Oh I forgot about that.

'Seriously, though, Dean is like catnip for angels...'
He so is.

Re: I've got you now, boy...

[eido.livejournal.com]

I remember a backslap or two, but Zach certainly likes to get in Dean's grill not unlike Castiel.

Of course, that's true for demons too. Remember how Azazel (both in dad's and grandpa's bodies) sniffed at him?

I think it must be some kind of crazy celestial pheromones. Has to be. ;)

[eido.livejournal.com]

I don't remember touching, but Uriel was totally liking him there towards the end! Then there's that whole "angel food cake" taunt and circling Dean the whole time.

[julorean.livejournal.com]

That would make so much sense. It dovetails nicely, especially since Michael and Jesus overlapped significantly for a while. It was a notable topic in my class on angels and demons that I'm currently taking. The savior/warrior idea was rather muddled between the two of them, up until...I forget exactly when. Alcuin's Sequence on St. Michael and Adam of St. Victor's Poem to St. Michael the Archangel certainly seem to portray him as savior. And later on you have the imagery of the triumphant Christ, which was pretty much later transferred to Michael.

Srsly, the way S4 started, Dean seemed more likely to be the Second Coming. They called "Lazarus Rising" even! And course there's the numerological significance of the 40 years in Hell. Now, if he'd had some of the same powers that would've made things so much easier, and probably a great deal less apocalyptic.

[love-jackianto.livejournal.com]

True. True. And he did say that he was starting to like Dean in On the Head Of A Pin.

[eido.livejournal.com]

And Dean, of course, didn't want Ole Scratch touching him. Now I suddenly remembered Cas in 4.22 not wanting Chuck touching him. lol

However, I'm getting all thinky again, that sort of brings me to mind of how holiest of holy artifacts aren't allowed to be even viewed by the general public. Back in the day, things so deeply shrouded in super secrecy and only an elite few ever deigned to look at them, much less touch them. Usually the highest figures in whatever religious sect. Like the Arc of the Covenant, the Shroud of Turin or something. Also how Dean was so tetchy about Cas borrowing his God EMF amulet, but he did give it to him in the end, of course. I guess that goes to show how much Cas is initiated into super elite club of holiest of holy artifact-trust and touching (and why does this sound so incredibly dirty in my mind?).

So, basically, if the good guys want to win and melt the devil's face off (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3ythpzsu18), pop Dean open like a hope chest and let all that glorious and terrible inner divine light spill out. LOL

[love-jackianto.livejournal.com]

'I guess that goes to show how much Cas is initiated into super elite club of holiest of holy artifact-trust and touching (and why does this sound so incredibly dirty in my mind?).'
So true. On both counts ;) I just remembered something, in The rapture Cas said he didn't serve man and he certainly didn't serve Dean (maybe that means Dean isn't really a man but something else).

'So, basically, if the good guys want to win and melt the devil's face off, pop Dean open like a hope chest and let all that glorious and terrible inner divine light spill out. LOL'
Ha... Dean popping open like a hope chest is funnier than it should be.

[eido.livejournal.com]

It dovetails nicely, especially since Michael and Jesus overlapped significantly for a while.

I think the Seventh Day Adventists still consider them one in the same?

The savior/warrior idea was rather muddled between the two of them, up until...I forget exactly when. Alcuin's Sequence on St. Michael and Adam of St. Victor's Poem to St. Michael the Archangel certainly seem to portray him as savior. And later on you have the imagery of the triumphant Christ, which was pretty much later transferred to Michael.

Hell, most modern fiction with a messianic figure usually isn't some passive teacher or guide, though they can fulfill that role too, but a warrior-type. Neo, Harry Potter, Luke Skywalker, Buffy are all warriors, all messianic figures.

Srsly, the way S4 started, Dean seemed more likely to be the Second Coming. They called "Lazarus Rising" even!

Directly bookended with "Lucifer Rising", which is the hint of Nemesis (Lucifer vs. Dean), but also that he opened the first seal. Just as the Second Coming opened the seven seals in Revelation that began Armageddon. So once again it's the Michael (Lucifer's nemesis) idea getting conflated with the Second Coming.

And course there's the numerological significance of the 40 years in Hell.

Definitely, the whole Harrowing of Hell concept. Not to mention Dean with a Journey into the Underworld, that puts him not only en par to Jesus Christ, but also in the same league as Inanna, Hercules, Odysseus, Gilgamesh and those other fictional messianic figures I mentioned above all of which had some sort of Journey into the Underworld story. That's some pretty heavyweight company there. I know people often get nervous in discussions when Dean is mentioned as de facto (mythic) hero in the storyline, in a lot of ways putting him in a conspicuously higher position than Sam, but the evidence is kind of hard to ignore. This is why the idea of Sam as a vessel does sort of fit with his character, but doesn't quite work with Dean. Sam, for so long, has been the one that's constantly getting manipulated by these dark forces around him and the one needing to be saved from them (from Azazel, Lilith, Ruby and now Lucifer). While Dean is often the one placed in the role of the savior. Then compound that with the Underworld stuff mentioned, the prophecy ("The righteous man who began it...") and not only Hell's interest in him (In IKWYDLS, when Sam wanted to deal to get Dean back, Hell no longer had any interest in him once they had Dean and refused to deal. Not even John held that much interest to Hell), but obviously Heaven too. He's the Golden Child for pretty much every major faction we've got.

Now, if he'd had some of the same powers that would've made things so much easier, and probably a great deal less apocalyptic.

With that, I'd almost be concerned it's a Be careful what you wish for situation. I keep thinking Dean with superpowers may be a very scary thing. Sort of like his demon dream!self at the very end of DALDOM that clicked his fingers and the lights went out. Like Shiva or Vishnu figure that dissolve the universe.... except they also recreate it too. I honestly wouldn't be shocked at all SPN is headed for a literal End Time, except perhaps not so much Earth's end, but Heaven's and possibly Hell's as well. At least in the current states of both. Both end and recreated into something new. I don't imagine how both places have been described, they're going to be maintaining that status quo when all is said and done.

[eido.livejournal.com]

I just remembered something, in The rapture Cas said he didn't serve man and he certainly didn't serve Dean (maybe that means Dean isn't really a man but something else).

Wow. Now that's a thought I hadn't considered. Castiel doesn't lie either and obvs we know he chose Dean over the angels despite what he says in "The Rapture". Now one could equate what Cas says in 4.20 and his choice in 4.22 that choosing to serve Dean over his angel brethren is serving God (thus Heaven). However, there's still Castiel's pain of feeling he's betrayed his brothers that, despite everything, he still obviously cares deeply for ("I killed two angels this week, my brothers..."). Yet if Dean=Michael or turns out to be some "weapon" designed by Michael, by choosing Dean he'd still be working with and for the angels too, well, one angel. Though perhaps the only angel that truly matters in the big picture? Maybe the only angel that could see how far off the reservation his brothers have gotten and was willing to do something about it (no matter how drastic), save them, even from themselves? So much like Dean always tries to do with, seemingly always wayward and tempted, Sam.

While Castiel is there to be a support for Dean. Dean (the possible angel/angel-associated brother) that needs the support the most, being whatever Dean needs him to be. Though I don't doubt Sam and John both love/d Dean, over the series it's been rather sadly apparent Dean's still lacked support for himself from either of them (Sam especially with his betrayal arc over S4). Dean's never truly had anyone to fall back on emotionally or psychologically ... thus enter Castiel, in about the most trying, stressful situations Dean's probably ever going to face (Stopping Armageddon and Lucifer, all while doing his regular Dean-duties and looking out for Sam? Doesn't get much bigger than that). Who Cas flat-out says, though in a negative/upset way in 5.02, is there specifically for Dean. "I did it - all of it - for you." Leaving no question where his loyalties lie, even if he's upset at Dean then and the things he's had to do. Cas' loyalty reaffirmed again in 5.04, despite how broken he himself was, still by Dean's side over 5 years of post-apocalyptic hell and then in 5.10 when he bluntly refuses Lucifer's offer (Cas willing to die to protect Sam, just like Dean is, which isn't only showing Cas' support of both brothers but his willingness to ease that burden that's been solely Dean's for 26 years). Lucifer even blithely/snidely commends him for his loyalty.

ETA. Unless Castiel turns out to be more than that? I have had other crackspec wondering if Castiel may have also been part of whatever Save The World/Heaven plan Michael might have had, though obviously no one, not even the archangels, are aware of it. Certainly not Castiel. After Sam and then Dean were resurrected, there was a lot of dialogue about how they were different after they came back. Azazel says it about Sam post-resurrection (then Sam has the dark arc in S4), then Sam's constant "Dean isn't Dean lately" lines in S4 after Dean was resurrected (then we discover Dean's the literal Alpha and Omega of Armageddon). You wonder if Castiel might be changed too and potentially with something epic in store? Lucifer did have that interesting, "What a peculiar thing you are" line in 5.10. However he may be different, it's easy to assume it's probably in direct correlation to Dean's ("weapon"?) role in the story. That the lion's share of the forward momentum of Castiel's whole arc has so heavily revolved around Dean. If so, what specific role might Castiel play? I think I've mentioned this in other posts, but since it did take two to unleash Lucifer (Dean and Sam), maybe it takes two again to unleash Michael or whatever power associated with him to fulfill the prophecy? Dean and Castiel?

[julorean.livejournal.com]

Man, all of this would be awesome, but I'd be a happy camper if they just had him turning water into beer. XD

Man, I would laugh myself sick if Kripke showed up as God, Dean was the Second Coming, Sam is all WTF? and Bobby tells God "Your angels are all idjits. Hey Dean, get me some beer, would ya?"

Heh, I thought Dean's dream demon self was super sexy, so I'm all for it! XD Powers!Dean is awesome. Anyway, a recreation would be fitting if they do a S6, going back to the basics of S1.

[love-jackianto.livejournal.com]

'Dean (the possible angel/angel-associated brother) that needs the support the most, being whatever Dean needs him to be. Though I don't doubt Sam and John both love/d Dean, over the series it's been rather sadly apparent Dean's still lacked support for himself from either of them (Sam especially with his betrayal arc over S4). Dean's never truly had anyone to fall back on emotionally or psychologically ... thus enter Castiel, in about the most trying, stressful situations Dean's probably ever going to face (Stopping Armageddon and Lucifer, all while doing his regular Dean-duties and looking out for Sam? Doesn't get much bigger than that).'
You're right, it really doesn't get bigger that. Maybe he is trying to lessen Dean's burdens. He did say that he didn't envy the weight of Dean's shoulders. The thing I like about Cas is that he's the one person in Dean's life who doesn't really ask anything Dean; I'm sure if Cas asked him to be Michael's vessel, Dean would at least consider it. He did start torturing Alastair after Cas asked him to. I think that's also the reason Cas hasn't asked him to be Mike's vessel; he does want to lose human!Dean.

'which isn't only showing Cas' support of both brothers but his willingness to ease that burden that's been solely Dean's for 26 years). Lucifer even blithely/snidely commends him for his loyalty.'
Cas is a lot like Dean; he's is nothing if not a loyal solder. That's why I don't think he's 'technically' fallen (even Lucifer said Cas was cast out, not he fell). He's still loyal, just to his Father AND Dean. If anything he's probably the only angel who hasn't fallen, with the exception of Michael, the rest of them just don't realize it yet.

'You wonder if Castiel might be changed too and potentially with something epic in store?'
I hope it's something epic.

'I think I've mentioned this in other posts, but since it did take two to unleash Lucifer (Dean and Sam), maybe it takes two again to unleash Michael or whatever power associated with him to fulfill the prophecy? Dean and Castiel?'
I like that theory. There was a rumor during season four that Anna was going to give Dean her grace, but now that Cas has taken her place as Dean's angel buddy, maybe that will happen.

[eido.livejournal.com]

I think that's also the reason Cas hasn't asked him to be Mike's vessel; he does want to lose human!Dean.

I think I said the same over on Tuesday's LJ, but I am still waiting for Castiel to admit personal reasons for making the choices he's made. I know Misha has said he believes Castiel didn't want to lose Dean's friendship, but it would be nice Cas admits that, in canon. However, I also actually like that personal reasons aren't what Castiel claims first. Most of the other angels that have felt hard-done-by almost can't seem to wait to spill out their grievances, either about how God, their brothers or angel society in general wronged them somehow. Castiel though, he fell because Dean made him realize the angels' plan may not have been best for humanity, despite the Paradise delusion he had post-Bible boot camp. He fell dedicating himself to something much bigger, well past his own interests (not unlike Dean) .... however, I still would like to hear those personal interests.

He's such a well-rounded character now, I think there will come a time admitting he has them. The actor portraying him is convinced they're there, but I imagine it may take something big for Cas to finally come clean. I wouldn't be shocked either it's probably around the same time, probably shortly after, Cas opening the panic room door in 4.21 and the betrayal of Anna come out.

He's still loyal, just to his Father AND Dean. If anything he's probably the only angel who hasn't fallen, with the exception of Michael, the rest of them just don't realize it yet.

I wouldn't be shocked that's exactly what happens, most of the angels either reform or get booted out. Probably booted out. I just don't think Heaven can possibly stay as it currently is, a big shake-up has to be in store.

now that Cas has taken her place as Dean's angel buddy, maybe that will happen.

For some reason, I keep picturing Dean getting very badly injured. Castiel can't allow him to die (whether he's admitted to personal reasons for that yet though is up in the air), so gives up a huge portion of his grace to save him. Then again, that could lead to an interesting conundrum if Castiel simply cannot save Dean, Cas may feel he has no other option than call Zachariah for help, despite him currently Public Enemy #2 in Heaven. You know he'd do it, then pray Dean's will holds out to keep saying no to being a vessel. This almost seems too tempting for Kripke not to do.

[eido.livejournal.com]

For some reason, I keep thinking if there is an S6, they don't manage to kill or subdue the Horseman of Death and he's the S6 nemesis. A whole season that takes place in Purgatory, Limbo or Paradise would be pretty kick ass. How much would you want to bet the Afterlife looks remarkably like Canada? ;)

[julorean.livejournal.com]

The Adventures of Sam and Dean Winchester in the Afterlife. I could live with that. :)

[love-jackianto.livejournal.com]

'For some reason, I keep picturing Dean getting very badly injured. Castiel can't allow him to die (whether he's admitted to personal reasons for that yet though is up in the air), so gives up a huge portion of his grace to save him. Then again, that could lead to an interesting conundrum if Castiel simply cannot save Dean, Cas may feel he has no other option than call Zachariah for help, despite him currently Public Enemy #2 in Heaven. You know he'd do it, then pray Dean's will holds out to keep saying no to being a vessel. This almost seems too tempting for Kripke not to do.'
It does. Kripke does love his character whump. I hope something like that happens on the show.

'He fell dedicating himself to something much bigger, well past his own interests (not unlike Dean) .... however, I still would like to hear those personal interests.'
Me too! Although it does make Cas unique amongst the angels; as you said, all of the other angels can't seem to wait to spill out their grievances. It kind of reminds me of the time a shapeshifter said that Dean was jealous because Sam got away from hunting, but of course Dean never told anyone that.

'I just don't think Heaven can possibly stay as it currently is, a big shake-up has to be in store.'
Probably. Who knows, maybe that's why God disappeared; he wanted to see which angels remained loyal and which didn't while he wasn't there.

[sailorhathor.livejournal.com]

I've always liked the idea of a person being or containing some type of mystical weapon, like Dawn from "Buffy" being The Key and Anthy from "Revolutionary Girl Utena" being the holder for the Sword of Dios. There's so much natural angst created by a situation like that.

[eido.livejournal.com]

Revolutionary Girl Utena is a lot pleasanter than what keeps going through my head re: Weapon!Dean. I keep thinking SaiKano (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saikano), Elfen Lied (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elfen_lied) or Marcus Wright from Terminator Salvation. All those stories are hopelessly depressing and inevitably ended up with the sacrifice of the weapon every time (because something so powerful can't conceivably live or be dramatically sustainable for very long). *sighs* Then again, Kripke says he's planning for an S6 and I doubt he'll go on with SPN without Sam and Dean, so whatever may happen in S5, Dean's likely got to survive it in some form.

[sailorhathor.livejournal.com]

Dean probably won't die, but he could wind up a vegetable by the end of the season. The first ep of S6 would be about bringing him back. I could see all that happening.