Thoughts on "Southern Comfort" and season 8 in general
Southern Comfort had a real Asylum/Sex and Violence vibe, don't you think? And ouch, it hurt just as much. I have to say, I agree with both brothers. I think both of their opinions on the others' "betrayals" are totally justified. Sam did make a lot of wrong choices that hurt Dean. Dean can be a self-righteous hypocrite. Doesn't mean it didn't totally suck to see them go at it like that. I'm really happy to see Sam standing up and not letting Dean steam roll him. He spent a few seasons trying to repent and suffering for one reason or another, so it's great to see him strong and to see him not taking bullshit. On the flip side, I can see why Dean's really hurt over Sam not looking for him. They're brothers, and Winchester brothers at that, and looking for each other is kind of what they do. I think Dean should let the whole, "You weren't a hunter for a whole year" thing go, but I think he deserves to sulk over Sam not looking for him.
Other things:
I don't think Garth is replacing Bobby. He'll never be Bobby to the boys. But like Garth said, the best hunters in the business were gone and someone needed to step in. I think when the hunting community lost Bobby, everyone was just trying to tread water and get their shit together. Like Garth said, Bobby belonged to everyone, even if he was family to Sam and Dean.
It was cool to see them integrate the Civil War into a case, I've been waiting for something like that for a while.
Not sure how I feel about the whole Amelia/Sam thing. I've never been a huge fan of "I lost someone, you lost someone, let's be together" stories. Maybe it's too early to judge but I just think she's kind of flat as a character.
General season 8:
I really love the continuity of this season. I think it flows beautifully and it's shaping up nicely as far as big arcs go. it definitely feels more like old school SPN, with the arc kind of coming in and out of the foreground, while keeping a lot of focus on Sam and Dean's relationship. I. Love. It.