How thrilled was I about this episode?! I mean so much Sam POV, and I really hope we see more of it too and like you say, it makes perfect sense to me that Sam would be struggling at this point. Plus, it's nice to see the boys being able to support each other and to have Dean acknowledge that too.

Also I really enjoyed seeing a darker side of Donna; she went to some dark and far more solemn places here, and I think Briana, as always, did a great job with it.

I loved your coda - wouldn't that have been awesome?! (although I do love to see Dean-to-the-rescue-and-don't-you dare-touch-my-brother!!!!)