This episode is pretty much like the Mark of Cain storyline on the whole. It is compelling, fun and almost competes with the golden years of seasons 3-5. Ackles is great as dark Dean and this episode has one of his hard edge performances. I especially like how Death is written in this episode and moreover it sets up season 11 well. But the episode also has a few clunky elements. Sam, Cas are too nonchalant about Oskar's fate. Likewise, Oskar is way too laid back given the situation.
Season on the Whole:
Average Episode score: 8.391
Top 3:
1. The Executioner's Song
2. About A Boy
3. The Things They Carried
Bottom 3
21. Fan Fiction
22. The Hunter Games
23. Paint It Black
This is the best season since season 5 abet only slightly because season 8 is basically the same quality. But much like the backend of the series as a whole it is a noticeable notch below the golden years. It is largely because Dark Dean is such a compelling character rift; oh and Ackles turns in a very well considered season performance. I think the writers have lost a bit of daring. Cole could have and should have been developed more. Likewise, as fun as Rowena is as a character the bickering with Crowley goes nowhere and a lot of that storyline treads water. The tension between being a horror anthology and a more relationship based melodrama that defines the final years *really* shows in this episode. There is way too much A story , B story structure in this season.