In the flush days, Dean was compared to Aragorn--the returning king. I submit that he is now Frodo, struggling to get to Mordor with us few remaining supporters (Sam) at his side. Even Gandalf (Gore--OK that's stretching it)can't do much to help now. It looks like maybe he'll get the job done (putting Bush in Mt. Doom), but sacrifice himself at the same time. We need the Eagles! Of course, he may still end up like Frodo, diminished and in pain, while we (Sam, the Dean wing of the party) prosper afterwards.
Yeesh...and I wasted a diary on this...