The Man Who Would Be King

Incredible cinematography from my best friend Castiel. I love it and I love them. I love hearing from his point of view. This is one of the best episodes of all time.

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.

"The Man Who Would Be King," the twentieth episode of Supernatural's sixth season, directed by Ben Edlund and written by Edlund himself, is a masterfully crafted exploration of morality, betrayal, and the devastating consequences of good intentions gone astray. Centered on Castiel (Misha Collins), this episode delves into his internal conflict as he narrates his story to God, revealing the choices that led him to ally with Crowley (Mark Sheppard) in the war against Raphael (Lanette Ware). With its introspective tone, compelling performances, and thematic depth, "The Man Who Would Be King" stands as one of the finest episodes of the series.

The narrative unfolds through Castiel's perspective as he recounts his descent from a noble angel fighting for freedom to a figure compromised by desperation and manipulation. Castiel explains how Raphael's desire to restart the apocalypse forced him to seek alternative means of power, leading to his alliance with Crowley. The demon's promise to help open Purgatory in exchange for shared access to its souls becomes the crux of Castiel's moral downfall. Meanwhile, Sam (Jared Padalecki), Dean (Jensen Ackles), and Bobby Singer (Jim Beaver) grow increasingly suspicious of Castiel's behavior, culminating in a confrontation that lays bare their disappointment and sense of betrayal.

Ben Edlund's direction is exceptional, blending intimate character moments with high-stakes drama. The cinematography captures the ethereal beauty of Heaven through Castiel's favorite memories while contrasting it with the grim reality of his alliance with Crowley. The use of muted lighting during Castiel's confessions emphasizes his guilt and vulnerability, while sharper contrasts highlight the tension during confrontational scenes. The pacing is deliberate, allowing each revelation to resonate fully without feeling rushed or overly expositional.

Misha Collins delivers one of his most powerful performances as Castiel, portraying the angel's internal struggle with remarkable nuance. His ability to convey both righteous determination and heartbreaking regret makes Castiel's plight deeply relatable despite his celestial nature. Jensen Ackles brings intensity to Dean's growing disillusionment with Castiel, particularly during their heated confrontation over trust and loyalty. Jared Padalecki balances Sam's pragmatism with moments of empathy for Castiel's predicament. Mark Sheppard adds layers of charm and menace as Crowley, whose manipulative nature drives much of the episode's tension.

Thematically, "The Man Who Would Be King" explores the cost of power and the moral compromises made in pursuit of seemingly noble goals. Castiel's alliance with Crowley serves as a cautionary tale about trusting those whose interests fundamentally oppose one's own values. The episode also delves into themes of faith and free will through Castiel's conversations with God and his reflections on humanity's capacity for choice. These themes resonate deeply within Supernatural's broader narrative about sacrifice and redemption.

One standout moment occurs when Castiel visits Heaven and reveals his favorite memory-a peaceful picnic shared between a mother and child. This scene underscores his longing for simplicity and purity amidst the chaos of war. Another memorable sequence is Crowley's monologue about humanity's unpredictability, delivered with biting wit that highlights his disdain for both angels and humans alike. The climactic confrontation between Castiel and the Winchesters is equally impactful, exposing the fractures in their once-unshakable bond.

"The Man Who Would Be King" is a poignant and thought-provoking episode that exemplifies Supernatural's ability to blend character-driven storytelling with cosmic stakes. Its exploration of morality, trust, and betrayal adds depth to Season 6 while setting up crucial conflicts for its finale. While some viewers may find certain aspects-such as Crowley's openness about his plans-slightly contrived, strong performances and thematic resonance make this installment unforgettable. By intertwining personal loss with celestial warfare, "The Man Who Would Be King" challenges viewers to reflect on how far one should go to achieve their goals-and whether those sacrifices are truly worth it.

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")

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!