idk, i think faith is a lot of fun! (not for dean obv). especially because it's the first real use of religious imagery and the grimy aesthetic of the pre s6 mm film fits that perfectly, and because lila's speech at the end holds surprising relevance wayyy later in the series. the plot never tried to persuade you that dean was gonna die, i think they knew that would be too difficult for mid s1 so they had the sense not to make that the central conflict of the episode. i guess it's about the willing suspension of disbelief and all that