Hmm, I suppose you are right that they didn't show enough tension between the brothers given they are still reconciling, but I admit I didn't notice that much--I don't think I have your bone deep level of investment in the brothers, as much as I love them--so I didn't find this episode disappointing.
Yes, the hair on the hand joke was gross, and the whoopee cushion lame (although I loved Dean's reaction to it in the store, because that seems like just the kind of thing he would buy, IMO), and it was stupid for Dean to risk his brother that way, but otherwise I liked the humor well enough. I loved Dean working on that ham throughout the epp, Dean's love of food is one of his endearing qualities to me...and I liked seeing Action Figure!Castiel....
I agree about the main storyline though, I also found it to be really interesting (although I wonder about the demon virgin birth too), and wonder where it will go in the future. The Sam parallels were good, and I loved Dean's lie in the beginning--he really is great with children, and I loved watching him interact with both kids in the episode.
I also enjoyed seeing the Sam/Castiel interaction as well, Castiel's "You didn't make the right choice" was pretty intense, and probably fueled by guilt as you say. I wonder if they will ever address his culpability for the apocalypse last season....
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Yes, the hair on the hand joke was gross, and the whoopee cushion lame (although I loved Dean's reaction to it in the store, because that seems like just the kind of thing he would buy, IMO), and it was stupid for Dean to risk his brother that way, but otherwise I liked the humor well enough. I loved Dean working on that ham throughout the epp, Dean's love of food is one of his endearing qualities to me...and I liked seeing Action Figure!Castiel....
I agree about the main storyline though, I also found it to be really interesting (although I wonder about the demon virgin birth too), and wonder where it will go in the future. The Sam parallels were good, and I loved Dean's lie in the beginning--he really is great with children, and I loved watching him interact with both kids in the episode.
I also enjoyed seeing the Sam/Castiel interaction as well, Castiel's "You didn't make the right choice" was pretty intense, and probably fueled by guilt as you say. I wonder if they will ever address his culpability for the apocalypse last season....