This show just really doesn't have a great track record with great female characters. :/ They know how to create them, but then not how to develop them and continue to use them. :/

I was so afraid they were going to kill Jody off earlier this season, so very relieved that they didn't.

And yeah... Cas didn't want Sam's sacrifice to be in vain, or Dean to get pulled back into the Apocalypse which Raphael wanted to start up again... he almost told Dean what was going on and asked for help, but decided not to because Dean was "retired" and settled with Lisa. He was trying to save everyone, was the original goal. :/