User blog comment:Touchinos/“Proverbs 17:3” Discussion/@comment-108.36.76.116-20191115040847/@comment-108.36.76.116-20191120195055

Yes, Dean holds Mary's death against Castiel, but the way Castiel left felt so abrupt. That's why it feels like he was cleared from the playing board to me. Way back in season 4 Castiel was told to do what Dean says, by whom? At first we thought God, Then we were supposed to assume it was the angels in heaven, or Michael and Raphael.

I keep going back to "Monster at the End of the Book". Castiel standing by Chuck, Chuck putting his hand on Castiel's shoulder. When Chuck seemed threatened, the house shook with the approach of an archangel, Raphael, or so Castiel said. But Castiel was right there. What if it was Castiel doing it, doing Chuck's will the whole crazy ride? And God called him back, possiblly so the Winchesters get tested more than if Csatiel helped.

Even if Castiel has been on Chuck's payroll the whole time, it wouldn't keep him from possibly chosing the WInchesters over Chuck.