Castiel | |
---|---|
Supernatural character | |
File:Castielinfobox.jpg | |
First appearance | "Lazarus Rising" |
Created by | Eric Kripke |
Portrayed by | Misha Collins |
In-universe information | |
Nickname | Cas |
Species | Angel |
Gender | Male |
Castiel is a fictional character on The CW Television Network's Supernatural portrayed by Misha Collins. An angel, he first appears in the fourth season, and is used to introduce the theme of Christian mythology to the series.[1]
Character background
Castiel is an angel who brings Dean Winchester back from Hell following his death at the hands of Lilith's hellhounds. He tries to communicate with Dean twice after his resurrection, but fails to do so after incorrectly assuming Dean is capable of withstanding the power of his voice. He takes a human host to communicate with Dean, and tells him that he has been brought back because God has work for him to do. Dean is skeptical, but both Bobby and Sam believe the claim to be true, as there is no other being that they can find, or know of, that is capable of pulling a soul out of Hell and who is also immune to all the known methods of killing supernatural creatures.[2] After Dean's encounter with the Witnesses, Castiel reveals to him that Lilith is releasing the 66 seals, one of which was the raising of the Witnesses, in order to free Lucifer.[3]
In an effort to discover the endgame of Azazel's plan, Castiel sends Dean back in time to when Azazel had made a pact with Mary Winchester to show Dean. The angels are well aware of Azazel's activities, but could never discern the true purpose of them. Dean is no more successful in this matter than they are. When Castiel returns Dean to the present, he tells him that Sam is headed down a dangerous road, and that if Dean doesn't stop his brother, the angels will do it for him.[4]
When the threat of the releasing of the demon Samhain arises, Castiel confronts Dean and Sam, telling them that the angels would rather destroy the town than allow the seal to break. He has brought a "specialist" angel, Uriel, to facilitate this. Dean refuses to allow them to do such a thing, and threatens to remain in the town. Castiel, already reluctant to carry out his supposed orders, allows Dean to do as he wishes. After the Winchester brothers manage to vanquish the demon, Castiel reveals that their real orders were to obey Dean. He then tells Dean that he finds humans to be "works of art", being creations of his Father, and that he was praying that Dean would choose to save the town. He confesses, in confidence, that he sometimes has doubt about distinguishing what is truly right and what is truly wrong any more. He leaves Dean with a warning that Hell would be brought to Earth if they failed, and that he couldn't fathom the weight on the hunter's shoulders.[5]
Castiel returns with Uriel seeking to kill Anna Milton, a fallen angel with the ability to "hear" the communications between angels. Anna uses a spell to send the angels away, though they manage to track them down later, having threatened Dean with Sam's life. Castiel chose not to deliver this message, as according to Uriel, he liked Dean too much. Once there, Castiel expresses regret at having to kill Anna. She coolly replies to him that he couldn't feel the full scope of that emotion. Before they can carry their duty, however, they are confronted by Alastair and two of his demon minions. A fight ensues, and Castiel is nearly defeated. He is saved by Dean, and they in turn are rescued when Anna regains her powers. Although Uriel nearly vents his frustration on Dean, Castiel stops him, and the two leave peacefully.[6][7]
Months later, Castiel impersonates Bobby Singer over the phone, warning them that another seal is in danger of being broken. After the seal is saved, the brothers are separated, and Alastair confronts Dean. However, Castiel arrives and captures the demon.[8] Even after several days of interrogation, however, they are unable to extract any information from him, especially on how the demons are killing angels. Unable to turn anywhere else, Castiel and Uriel are forced to ask Dean to torture the information out of Alastair.[9] Castiel is reluctant to make Dean go through with it, but Uriel, evidently now the senior of the two, insists that Dean has no say in the matter.
Through mysterious circumstances, Alastair manages to escape the Devil's Trap set up by Castiel and nearly kills Dean. Castiel once again intervenes, and is nearly banished to Heaven in the ensuing battle. Alastair is killed by Sam before Castiel can be banished. Suspicious of Alastair's escape, Castiel confronts Uriel and demands the truth from him. Uriel admits that he and others like him are now working together to free Lucifer, having grown weary of never hearing from God and jealous of His supposed favoritism for humanity. He asks Castiel to join him, but Castiel refuses and attacks him. Uriel eventually overpowers him, but is killed by Anna before he can strike the finishing blow. Later, Castiel visits Dean in the hospital, and tries to encourage the despondent Winchester by telling him he is the only person who can stop the Apocalypse. Dean remains unconvinced and tells him to search elsewhere for a hero.[9]
In "The Monster at the End of this Book", Dean finally breaks down and prays for help when a prophet foresees Sam being seduced by Lilith. Castiel appears and, though unable to directly help, drops a clue as to how to save Sam by explaining that if a prophet is in danger, an archangel will appear to violently protect them.[10]
Powers and abilities
As an angel of God, Castiel is an extremely powerful being. Merely perceiving his actual form typically results in blindness, as the appearance of his natural "visage" is so overwhelming that it is capable of burning an individual's eyes from their sockets, including those possessed by a demon. However, according to Castiel himself, certain "special people" are able to tolerate his true appearance and voice. Apparently, one can protect himself from such personal damage by shielding his eyes from the presence of an angel.[11] Castiel appears to be capable of projecting at least a portion of his true self from his host, as at the end of "Lazarus Rising," he is able to display the shadows of his wings to Dean as proof that he is in fact what he claimed.
Though he typically avoids fighting, Castiel is a very formidable opponent when need be. Castiel possesses astounding power, though his abilities are not completely limitless. He is apparently immortal, and is invulnerable to mortal harm. Although powerful demons such as Alastair can overpower him and expel him back to Heaven, only another angel is capable of killing him.[9] Similar to a demon, he is capable of possessing a human and fully utilizing the body; he claims that his host is a "devout man who prayed for it." He also possesses telekinetic powers, superhuman strength, and the ability to teleport. He can kill or exorcise most demons simply by touching his palm to the forehead of its host, although stronger demons such as Alastair are immune. Ordinary humans can be rendered unconsciousness in the same manner. Zachariah, Castiel's superior, is shown modifying Dean's memories using this technique.
Castiel and other angels also have the ability to bend time, enabling him to send himself and others to any point in time he chooses. However, those sent back are incapable of significantly affecting the timeline: small actions may be changed, but the end result will always remain constant, as destiny cannot be changed.
Personality
Castiel typically displays very little emotion and always exhibits an extremely sombre disposition. He has not been observed expressing any strong emotions. According to the fallen angel Anna, angels possibly do not possess the ability to truly feel emotion. However, Castiel frequently exhibits what could be referred to as friendly affection towards Dean. He seems to at the very least come close to expressing regret, hesitance, and anger several times, and has once quietly laughed at a joke Dean made in "It's the Great Pumpkin, Sam Winchester", showing possibly a sense of humor. Collins feels that, through Dean, "[Castiel is] learning a little bit about humanity and re-learning something about [his] own humanity from that exposure. So I think that there’s a humanizing of Castiel going on."[12]
Contrary to angels in series such as Touched by an Angel, Castiel and other angels are not out helping people in need. Though he has a conscience, Castiel is willing to kill innocents if the need arises. Speaking of his character, Collins stated, "I think that these angels are at least loosely derived from some Biblical angel stories, and those angels are [very tough]. They just destroy. I picked up Revelations, and they destroy, they destroy, they destroy. There’s no mention of cherubs and harps or any of that."[12] In spite of all his apparently emotionless countenance, however, it is later noted that he is beginning to develop an attachment for Dean.[7] This growing ability to feel even causes him to be "demoted", as his superiors fear that emotions are clouding his judgment.[9]
Appearances
- Season 4
- "Lazarus Rising", "Are You There God? It's Me, Dean Winchester", "In The Beginning", "It's The Great Pumpkin, Sam Winchester", "I Know What You Did Last Summer", "Heaven and Hell," "Death Takes a Holiday", "On the Head of a Pin", "The Monster At the End of This Book"
Behind the scenes
Development
When Collins auditioned for the role, he read for the part of a demon, as series creator Eric Kripke did not want fans to know of the introduction of angels to the series. Once Collins got the part, the main direction that Kripke gave him of the character is that there is "an otherworldly quality to the character, and that he hasn't been up close with human beings. He's been watching human beings from a great distance for the last two thousand years, so angels haven't been on Earth mingling with human beings for the last two thousand years. So when [he is] interacting with human beings, there's a naive curiosity about their behavior. It's as if [he is] inspecting some sort of alien beings." As well, director Kim Manners wanted to see a "piousness" to Castiel.[13] Kripke based Castiel's appearance on the comic book character John Constantine.[14]
To prepare for the role, Collins read the Book of Revelation.[13] As well, Collins has said that he somewhat based his character around his younger brother, who has something "angellic about him", as he "has this way of, very calmly, just staring into someone's eyes" making one feel "like he can get into your soul."[15] To avoid the biblically toned dialogue from sounding too "campy", Collins does his best to "play it as real as possible".[16]
Fan reaction
Fan response to the character has been very positive.[17][18][19][16] Collins believed that the character would end up being just another role for him, and never expected such a reaction from the fans.[20] According to him, "The enthusiasm that I’ve been met with is something new and not something I’m really prepared for."[17] The character was originally intended for only a six episode story arc,[18] but this has been rewritten, and he will now continue the rest of the season.[15] In January 2009, Supernatural was renewed for a fifth season, and this will lead to Misha being upgraded to a series regular, something Collins believes to be mainly due to fan support.[20]
Critical reaction
Castiel ranked ninth on TV.com's top ten list of best new supporting characters of 2008.[21]
References
- ^ Misha Collins Is 'Supernatural's' Dark Angel
- ^ "Lazarus Rising"
- ^ "Are You There God? It's Me, Dean Winchester"
- ^ "In the Beginning"
- ^ "It's The Great Pumpkin, Sam Winchester"
- ^ "I Know What You Did Last Summer"
- ^ a b "Heaven and Hell"
- ^ "Death Takes a Holiday"
- ^ a b c d "On the Head of a Pin"
- ^ "The Monster at the End of this Book"
- ^ "Heaven and Hell"
- ^ a b http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2008/10/supernatural-ca.html
- ^ a b http://www.buddytv.com/articles/supernatural/exclusive-interview-misha-coll-23092.aspx
- ^ http://eclipsemagazine.com/hollywood-insider/6692/
- ^ a b http://www.movieweb.com/news/NEqjDvusKcTVut
- ^ a b http://www.sfuniverse.com/2008/09/23/mischa-collins-supernaturals-warrior-angel/
- ^ a b http://thetvaddict.com/2008/09/24/meet-supernaturals-newest-angel-misha-collins/
- ^ a b http://tvblog.ugo.com/index.php/tvblog/more/three_questions_with_supernaturals_misha_collins/
- ^ http://justjared.buzznet.com/2008/10/01/misha-collins-interview/
- ^ a b http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=117537
- ^ http://www.tv.com/story/12012.html