Reap what you sow. SPN 6.13 Unforgiven overview: Part 1
What I've felt
What I've known
Never shined through in what I've shown
Never free
Never me
So I dub thee unforgiven...
(Metallica, The Unforgiven)
Before we proceed with the overview, I have to confess, that upon first viewing the episode left me more within the realm of disgruntled wrt to both our intrepid protagonists characterizatoin itinerary of choice. Upon second and third viewings, however, I did manage to derive a semblance of coherent reconciliation of the delivered set of messages and implications with the heretofore accummulated characterization history without having to plunge headfirst into the pool of squee (which is, more often than not, just not my thing) nor the ocean of frustrated angst. Which effectively left me apprehencive more than gratified as to Sam's development, and heartbroken more than hopeful where Dean's is concerned. Besides, the episode did sell me on the underlying idea that the Winchester brotherhood is 'back to normal'. Just not in the way that is anywhere akin to warm or fuzzy. All this by way of a preliminary note to get out of the way before we go on with the overview proper.
So, SPN 6.13 Unforgiven. Cut to avoid possible spoilers.
The episode as is.
For what it's worth, 'So I dub thee unforgiven' just about covers it. However, I do know there's supposedly a namesake movie too (hey, I can google with the best of them!).
The title works for an eloquent foreshadowing (up to a point of it being a spoiler) as to the issues brought into focus: guilt, consequences, responsibility, redemption, absolution and, ultimately, forgiveness.
It bears mentioning, also, that the wording of the title (and subsequently, of the underlying message) presupposes the current *state* of having been not forgiven yet, as opposed to a terminal sentence of being 'unforgivable'. Granted, it's Sam and his comlicity in RoboSam's exploits we're exploring, for the most part, maybe there's still hope. But it's a long way to go still, given what the episode managed to convey and to highlight for future reference.
I'm not going to elaborate too much in this section, seeing as there is a lot to talk about in general, but I did enjoy this episode execution-wise a lot more, than I did 6.12.
The plot elements transitions were smoother, and we actually got TWO episodes by way of one (one featuring RoboSam and Samuel and one featuring Dean and Sam, or Sam solo). The added flashback dimentions managed to highlight the DEJA VU effect as one of the crucial angles of the episode perception, to my mind.
However, what effectively got shortshrifted, due to the need to cram in flashbacks, was the monster investigation proper (and Dean! but that's just my personal gripe). Which was nonexistent as soon as the flashbacks graduated into the actual *tool* of investigation-cum-research.
The only two things we learn about Arachnes is a) their name b) the fact that they too adhere to the party line of breeding and multiplying nowadays.
The Mother got elegantly sidelined, presumably admonishing there being no mention of her and her agenda in some more episodes to come (I'm just guessing here, no spoilers). The things are quiet for now.
Then again, it the episode wasn't so much about the monsters to begin with - it was about actions, reactions, consequences and costs. As much as it was about letting the self-fulfilling 'aim' of redemption (to feel better) overcloud it's underlying 'objective' (to make it better for someone else). But I'm running ahead on this one.
Just to get this straight right away: if I were, maybe, more invested into the concept of Sam's individual awesomeness outside the framework of brotherhood and his interaction with Dean, my li'l heart would probably go pitter-pat, instigating me to wax poetic over each and every instance resouled!Sam demonstrated dramatic difference from his RoboSam installation and to cheer the return of 'our Sam'. But since I'm not - it didn't. So I won't. Instead, below I'd like to dwell upon some aspects of Sam's renewed soulfulness and renewed MO paradigm, which stood out in my individual perception. Again. And not all of them turn out to be Sam-friendly or Sam-apologetic upon certain input of consideration. So that you be warned to prevent the more traumatic effects of possible cognitive dissonance.
Dean and Sam.
It was a relatively Dean-lite and decidedly Sam-centric episode, so the overview is bound to be fairly Sam-heavy. However, I'd like to commence this particular section with Dean.
For, sad as it is to note down, of the two of them Dean is still the one doing the brotherhood heavy-lifting. Up to the point of being the one doing most of the brotherhood gig, period.
Let me explain my standing on the matter. As it's been pindotted through the series, and specifically highlighted in the previous episode - the Winchester brotherhood comprises of two planes (or categories, what have you): a) the smaller superfluous interaction parameters - banter, jibes, in-jokes, fairly efficient team-work on a hunt; b) the bigger, deep-rooted ones - mutual trust, care, affection, attention to each other's needs, respect of each other's opinion, guidance and expertise. It's been depicted through the series span that the elements of plane (a), though providing a crucial interaction dimention, are by no means exhaustive and are in no capability to make up completely for the lack of plane (b) elements (Cf.: seasons 4 and 5). The first half of season 6 extracted both categories (a) and (b) out of the boys' interaction (completely on Sam's part, partially - on Dean's). The previous episode - 6.12 - could've been perceived as the one, supposedly restoring both aspects full-scale. At the very least, the sugar grains were all there to pick up one by one, effectively scattered to get us - the viewing Leprechauns - occupied while some bigger pieces of the brotherly interaction picture might have slipped below the radar.
However, this episode, supplying the benefit of retrospect, demonstrates, that while the elements of aspect (a) are, indeed, in place (bantering, team-work through the hands-on part of the hunt), some crucial elemts of aspect (b) (trusting the judgement, attention to needs, care, respect of opinion) are disturbingly missing from Sam's part of the interaction. And all that, mind you, after excruciating (and undercarried out, for that matter) rediscovery of relationship equilibrium in late s5.
Through the episode under discussion *Dean* is notably the one providing care, shelter and security where Sam's well-being is concerned, Dean is the one attentive, respective of and responsive to his brother's needs (even against his own better judgment), Dean is the one trusting his brother's instincs and complementing his brother's expressive wishes (yet again - against logical deduction and reason).
As it turns out, this episode around Dean is out of his euphoric hype wrt Sam's regained soulfulness - which I really appreciated witnessing. He's more at ease than we ever saw him around RoboSam, which is to be expected, but he's also more realistic and subdued about perceiving Sam's soulful and/or 'normal' reactions. Part of this may be due to the fact that Dean is now spared the necessity to put up an act for Sam's therapeutic amnesia sake. Not at all times, at least. I was about to cheer Dean's lack of denial and alienation too through most of the episode, until the very last exchange between the brothers. But for what it's worth, the denial Dean resorts to this time, and the contextual setting to execute it - is of a bit of a different kind, than the one Dean delved into last episode, which eventually reconciles me with the fact that it's still in place, consistent characterization that it is though. I'll get back to this particular issue in a while.
One other factor to determine Dean's less animated and more pensive ways is apparently the objective deduction that nothing is truly hearts and puppies as long as there is menace looming over. And the source of that menace is not just the risk of the Wall crumbling down in Sam's mind, but Sam's invigorated trademark single-minded drive as well. And the two are dialectically intertwined, no less. In a way. Dean's claim 'when is it ever just quiet?' acquires a profound metaphorical ring to it as much as it serves as a blatant foreshadowing and lampshading (let us keep in mind the Team Winchester are still clueless as to the Mother's arrival planetside).
In the meantime, Dean is on constant yellow alert, attuned to the possible incoming and inbred dangers of Sam's current state-of-existence and state-of-self, determined not just by the probability of memory breach, but by the plausible aftermath of RoboSam's activity.
In a word, through all of this episode, Dean is full-tilt back into his all too familiar, 'save-cum-protect-Sammy' big brother mode. And that particular pattern of their relationship, already having led to some spectacularly devastating results in the past, is also bound to ensue a preordained, not out of the ordinary, reaction from Sam. That is - resentment and rebellion. Which it effectively does, btw...
Sam? Well... In case you're wondering - no, from the overall looks of it Sam hasn't yet mentioned the Grand Memory of Brotherly Win to Dean, off-screen or otherwise. Given my previous ruminations as to the retrospective quality of this part of the season as far as late s5 and Swan Song in particular are concerned, the longer Sam procrastinates, the more perplexed and worried I get wrt where his characterization in terms of brotherhood and individual perception of Lucifer's conquest is headed by implication.
Through the span of the episode proper in the realm of brotherly interaction Sam manages to accumplish the following: disregard Dean's justified concern as to the risks of picking up a hunt out of the ominous blue (for the record - Dean was right on that one); disregard and overrule Dean's justified objection as to delving into hunt on the once treaded ground due to deductible retroactive risks (check for Dean being right too); discard Dean's concern as to the risk of willfully triggering Sam's flashbacks (check on this one as well); dismiss Dean's suggested course of tactical action (stay at the sqautted house, call Dean back asap, leave the town, twice - my boxes are out of checking space). Why? 'Cause *Sam* knows better, no matter what Dean says or does. And more importantly - 'cause *Sam* is on a mono-mission to redemption. Consequences and objections be damned. Collateral damage to Dean's emotional stability and sanity be damned. Does it ring familiar? Hunt for YED, anyone? Sam's awakened superpowers, anyone? Hunt for Lilith? The Apocalypse? The whole damn story of their lives! And yeah, if nothing else, this is, more likely than not, sufficient enough proof that Sam is, indeed, back.
Dean recognizes it too, it appears. He contemplates his brother time and again, takes in the well-memorized passionate rants on X being *Sam's* fault, on *Sam* beign unable to let go for the need to set right/avenge/undo/fix X no matter what to make *Sam* feel better/redeemed (incert Jessica's death, Lilith, Lucifer or RoboSam's antics into the 'X' slot if you will) - and the small smiles of Dean's this time around are not of relief, but of the ever increasing rue and worry, same as the forlorn looks he regards soul-driven Sam with and aborted sighs, gulped down when words fail to plead with Sam's reason. Initial euphoria, fueled by pronounced contrast between RoboSam's and Sam's civil ways, substancially dispersed - Dean is faced with another, far less comforting, epiphany: his brother is back to relative normal alright, complete with obsessive single-midedness, self-righteousness, tunnel vision, self-absorbtion and an intense self-destructive streak. All of John's legacy and so much more.
And Dean knows where this is headed. He's strolled, jogged and sprinted down that lane in pursuit of Sam one lifetime too many, more often than not barely making it to grasp his brother by the lapels at the precipice. And Dean is also aware, that he'll go ahead and slip into the script of their dance too - he'll support Sam and stand by Sam in Sam's quest, whatever be it. For that's what Dean does, unhealthy and self-abnegating and damaging as this is, lest Sam up and goes about it on his own (which he threatened to do again, in so many words). That's the only way to secure Dean a place close enough to pick up the pieces and tend the casualties, when all goes south. Which it incidentally does, no later than the end of this very episode.
Now say it with me: "I'm not gonna lie to you, though. It goes against every fiber I got. I mean, truth is...You know, watching out for you... It's kinda been my job, you know? But more than that, it's... It's kinda who I am."
If anything, I barely got to get my deja vu hat off through the run of this episode.
Which is all the more sad is that the kind of luxury Dean didn't believe himself in possession of this time around was to go full-ahead deja vu on this :'You can't wait to sacrifice yourself for this thing. But you know what? I'm gonna be the one to bury you. You're selfish, you know.' For Dean's afraid that any solid, prolonged, effective argument may upset Sam enough to crack the Wall. Ergo - what Sam wants Sam gets. And not only Dean buries the hurt of RoboSam ordeal nowadays, but forces himself to bury the impact of Sam's quest du jour on him personally. To the best of my recollection, letting internalized hurt brew and fester has never ended up well where Dean is concerned. Sam's balance of mind might be shaky nowadays, but Dean's full-scale fractured. And has been for quite a while by now.
Sadder still in terms of the Winchester brotherdom depiction this episode, is the anassuming fact that Sam's quest for redemption and the one-person-cause to fix what he gotta fix, contrary to Sam's heartfelt soliloquy at the end of 6.12 fails to automatically factor Dean in as either the object, or the objective of efforts application.
Sam indeed cares for many a thing through the span of this episode, I can give him that:
- most of them revolve around Sam's own self, the things he did and the way it makes him feel;
- some of them concern the aftermath of his prior actions on other people (Brenna and Roy being by far the only ones, however);
- none of them (as in zero, nada, zilch, nihil) concern the effect of his prior and current actions on Dean.
Let's have a look:
"You're afraid I'll stroll down memory lane and I'll kick this wall in my head so hard, hell comes flooding through, right? And then all of a sudden, I'm some drooling mess on the floor".
"Don't worry, all right? I-it's nothing to do with Hell. - Uh-huh. Not yet, anyway. - What can I do, Dean? The stuff is just starting to come back, all right? Maybe it's natural."
"I don't think you get the risk here, Sam.
Yes I do. - ReallY? You get that every time you scratch that wall, that you are playing Russian roulette?- Dean, I get you're worried, okay? And I know what you think is gonna happen. But you know what? It will or it won't. ..."
By persistently dismissing and/or brushing off Dean's concern, in the manner that is ironic, bordering on annoyed, over the integrity of the Wall within Sam's mind, and, as a result, the very integrity of Sam's sanity, Sam manages to accomplish three major things in my opinion (apart from just that - dismissing Dean's concern, for what it's worth):
- Expressively depreciate and disregard the very fact that the Wall is even in there, holding the memory of the Cage at bay. By extension, that kind of attitude implicitly discards the cost it took to get the Wall up in the first place: Dean's deal with Death, Dean's stint as Death, Dean's responsibility for disrupting the Natural Order. Dean would bear the responsibility for the Nurse, the Nurse's husband woeful early widowhood, for Hilary and her father till the end of his days, effectively adding up to the burdens he's already shouldering. Maybe, Sam would've been more appreciative of supernatural edificies within his brain if he ever bothered to wonder how exactly Dean managed to get them instated and how much of himself he had to give away in the process. But as it is up to the very end of this episode, Sam appears to take the fact of his resoulment and current relative well-beign remarkably for granted, sparing Dean's worry about as much attention he would an agitasted mother-hen. I wonder if things are gonna change after the Wall actually begins cracking, as it seems to be now. At least Sam would have solid proof that Dean, in fact, *had* reasonable grounds to be worried. But recognition, alas, doesn't exactly atone for disregard. Not from where I'm atanding, anyway.
- Similarly, by assiduously turning a blind eye on the subject matter Dean's primary concern (no, belay that - Dean's ultimate abject horror) - the possibly devastating effects of hellish memories on Sam's psyche, should the Wall come down - Sam is also effectively overlooking the fact that Dean regards whatever aftermath of resoulment there is in stow for Sam to be his (Dean's) singular responsibility. For to restock his brother with a soul against everybody's and their angel's better judgement was Dean's own power decision. Should thing go wrong (which they already do) and should Sam get injured (brain-dead/senile/etc.) - Dean would deem it his sole, individual fault and failure. Moreso, he'd be the one to put Sam out of his misery, if need be. For I don't honestly believe Dean has it in him to prioratize his own sanity over Sam's ongoing suffering. And while there's obviously no way for Sam to undo that power decision now (not that Dean would even consider that, methinks) or to alleviate Dean's sense of responsibility, there's at least a way to respect how high 'keeping Sammy safe' ranks on Dean's personal list of priorities. To respect that and, maybe, I dunno... return the favor by humoring Dean and treading about the matters of the Wall more carefully? For that's what grown up, affectionate brothers do, don't they - care for one's sibling's peace of mind over that of their own? Oh wait... Sure, no time for that - Sam's gotta fix what he's gotta fix. Which, don't get me wrong (!!!), in and of itself is an integral and necessary part of Sam's resoulment journey, but if maybe Sam picked up his own cue from the end of last episode and regarded his immediate proximity, the immediate context of his recent resoulment in more detail in search of matters to mend and atone for - he'd definitely deduce the tells, highlighting *Dean's* own self as the one fitting the profile of 'in need of fixing' (or just plain *attention*) to a T. But woe is me - where Dean is concerned this episode (if only it were just this episode, though), Sam's is, somehow, consistently a Subjunctive, not an Indicative.
- Within a coherent narrative there is no way to do away with 'textual symmetry', whether intentional or not. So whenever Sam's experience in the Cage is alluded to or mentioned, a reminiscence or a parallel is threadneedled through the fabric of the story to a symmetrical experience of Dean's. Hence, Sam's nonchalance and aforementioned disregard as far as plausible aftereffects of exposure to hellish recollectons go, bears the implication of Sam opting to ingnore that Dean, while issuing warnings and pleading for caution *speaks from direct experience*. Dean *knows* firsthand how the memory of Hell can shatter the mind and soul alike, *knows* how much it can hurt. Which deduction, in its turn, retroactively instigates the following possible readings: Sam, through the course of time, glossed over how deeply Dean was affected by Hell; didn't empathize with Dean's pain profoundly enough back in the day to integrate that shared emotion into his cognitive structure to build up his current perception on it as a kind of a-priory experience; subconsciously believes himself immune or at least less susceptible to similar pain, due to his mind being more stable, stronger, etc. Either of those readings casts a worrysome light on Sam's heretofore being readjusted stance wrt the evolution of their brotherhood through the span of the latter couple of seasons.
"...look, I'm starting to think that -- that I might have done some bad stuff here, Dean. And so I don't care if it's dangerous. I have to set things right..."
I'll let my deja vu hat do the talking on this one and just submit the following by way of a reference pattern:
DEAN
Burning to the ground- it's suicide!
SAM
I don't care!
DEAN
I do!
Yeah, 6,5 years later Sam's knee-jerk reaction to assumed guilt is still *not* to step around his self-centered mono-perception angle and *not* to resort to self-destruction as an immediate means of alleged atonement. And it's still not about learning the unapologetic implications of 'it's not being what he *does*, but what he *becomes* in the process', and how the latter would affect the ones who care for Sam most (namely Dean, always Dean). For 6,5 years later it's still not about Dean being inevitably left the one to bury him, from where Sam chooses to stand.
"'cause I got a frigging soul now, and -- and it won't let me just walk away."
I'm planning to elaborate a bit later on how this particular outburst fits the profile of Sam's individual characterization in this episode in particular and as a parcel of both resoulment concept and a show-wide characterization arc. But right now I'd like us to dwell for a brief while on the way this fits the not so jovial pattern of Sam's and Dean's interaction this episode.
Sam yells at Dean, reaching out to the one issue that is the very culprit of Dean's tribulations - resoulment - for the argument behind the anger. Given RoboSam's investigations as to suffering being the only game in town as far as soulfulness goes, and the way it all panned out, this statement here rings dangerously close to slap. Now, I do realize that Sam is amnesiac and doesn't remember not wanting his soul back for exactly how it now makes him feel now, but that's the whole point of my gripe: if maybe Sam spared a tinge more attention to his RoboSam's ways around Dean and the logistics behind resoulment in the first place, he might've known better than to pass out an indirect accusation akin to that in the heat of the argument. I'm pretty positive it wasn't intentional on Sam's part (it's just too depressing to presume otherwise), but I can fathom Dean filing Sam's current state of resouled distress right up there with 'the Wall possibly crumbling', 'Sam possibly ending up in bits and pieces' as his (Dean's) sole fault and responsibility. Wouldn't be the first time, though. To the best of my observations this episode, what is still dramatically lacking from Sam's references to having a soul or an ability to feel/empathise is, well... explicit appreciation of Dean's efforts. And I'm left wondering if there's an undercurrent of conflict lampshaded in such a manner. For *Dean's* sake, however, I do hope Sam won't eventually call him on it having been a mistake to stock the soul back 'cause it's too hurtful to have one. Dean is quite capable of beating himself up for just that on his own, without incentive.
"I'm staying here. And I need you to back me up."
I can clearly see how this particular coda to Sam's passionate soliloquy could be perceived as an ultimate manifesto of reinforced brotherly bond, on Sam's part. Were it not for the nagging fact that there is a long running history of Sam employing emotional appeal (to Dean's sense of lifelong 'protect!Sam'duty, for the most part), not necessarily incensere in it's emotionality at it's core, mind you, as a means of manipulating Dean into submission to Sam's wishes or Sam's brand of right or course of action of choice, regardless of a) Dean's standing on the matter; b) potential damage to Dean's feelings in the process. The prior context this way (I'm staying either way, your objections and worry or not) explicates a more pragmatic slant of Sam's plea to Dean, to my mind. As in 'I could really use you sticking around [which you most definetly will, since you preach I'm in danger on my own] - hey! you're my brother and a hell of an efficient asset on a hunt, but your pleas, requests, warnings, admonitions are *not* enough to make *me* follow *your* lead or adhere to *your* reasoning'. Which is, if anything, a very 'Sam' brand of 'emotional pragmatism', and even a very 'Sam' brand of 'need'. It's incidentally the kind that, sadly, sidelines Dean's many and varied qualitative characteristics as an object or objective of familial longing in their own right, demoting them to a supplement to the actual object and objective of Sam's 'need' (in this case, the need to carry out his quest of redemption).
My deja vu hat is split in tree right now: between the final brotherly exchange in Hunted s2 ('so if you really want to watch my back, then I guess you're gonna have to stick around'), When the Levee Breaks s4 (albeit a lot more dramatically heated back then) and that of All Dogs Go to Heaven of the more recent history (albeit a lot less emotionally charged that time around). The latter being, by far, the most honest in it's brutal blatancy.
So "I don't even really care about you, except that I need your help", anyone? Sure enough, soulful!Sam's delivery is a lot more engaging, but is it altogether different conceptually, hands down?
The one thing that facilitates the correlation between these particular scenes (the episode under consideration and All Dogs Go To Heaven) is Dean's subsequent reation to Sam's proclaimed 'need'. Lack of apparent excitement or relief, for one. Both times Dean excercises a long, pensive, knowing look, tinged with sadness. For he sees right through the fabric of Sam's words (and now - the fine lace of puppy-dog-eyeing and emotionality) to the subject matter: he's not needed by his brother the way he's harbored a lifetime of illusion he would be, the way he hoped secretly would change upon Sam's resoulment, the way Dean himself needs Sam - for who his brother is, not what he can do or provide for the cause.
Dean's subsequent smile is anything but joyful, and the casually shrugged off 'All right. Why not?' is as heartbreaking, as it is telling in this respect.
And like I think I've pointed out before, the catch is that Dean is aware, that he'll stick by Sam anyway. Disregard, obsession, single-minded drive, manipulation, dismissal notwithstanding. 'Cause *Dean* needs his brother safe and sound. Period. And right now this, in Dean's opinion, also means keeping his brother placated and indulged.
There is a plausibility of a counterargument, of course, that Sam's confession this time could be veiwed as an indication of Sam's late s5 level of growth and being attuned to the sanctity of brotherly trust (which was tentative and baby-stepping at best, truth be told), for indeed he could do worse and just ditch Dean, running off into the blue to pursue the path of flashbacks... Oh wait! Hadn't he done just that earlier in the episode? So no gold star on this one, I'm afraid. Not yet, anyway.
"You were right. We shouldn't have come back here. - Well, you did kill the spider man. - So, you're suggesting what I did back there was a good thing? - I'm just saying -- - What? - Sam, y-y-you got to understand that all that crap last year -all of it -- none of it was you. -Let's be crystal clear, okay? It was me. - Well, can I get you anything? - What are you now, my waitress? - I'm just trying to make you feel better. Don't be a bitch. - Yeah, I'm fine. - Yeah, you look fine. All I'm saying is everything's gonna be okay. - I don't know, Dean."
There many things significant about the boys' last exchange in the episode (as there usually are). For one, there is an apparent reverse symmetry to both their iteneraries through the episode: Dean being right every single step of the way (the gig was a trap, they should've left right away, staying and getting involved messed things up more than it got resolved, Sam's flashback trip helped crack the Wall), but clinging to the one that it a self-fulfilling delusion, in the end (that RoboSam =/= Sam); and vice versa - Sam operating on the delusive assumptions and motivations through the span of the episode (that there is a way to fix/undo what's been done; that personal involvement in 'undoing' would tantamount to redemption; that redemption breeds automatic forgiveness, etc.), but arriving at the one epiphany that is true in the end (that RoboSam was, in fact, Sam's own self to an extend). And I'm going to address furthermore (yeah, this overvie wis actually getting longer) how and why, to my mind, Dean's denial is still justified (if it ever truly could be, that is), whereas Sam's revelation is earned.
But for now I'd like us to have a look at this exhange as a communicative and conceptual shcema. Approached that way the mini-dialogue pretty much sums up the pattern of their interaction through the whole episode: Dean busts his derriere to shelter Sam from ramifications of exposure to RoboSam memories; Sam is vexed by both Dean's doting and the fact that the said ramifications are actually there. Cue - a trademark bitchy lash out Dean is on the recieving end of. It's nothing too dramatic, nothing Dean can't handle or smooth over (he'd put up with a lot more from Sam through the years), but it's also a highlight of the behavioral and interactive pattern reinstated. An underscore of sorts to the idea that the brothers are, in fact, 'back to normal'.
The thing is that of all the brands of Dean's and Sam's interactive 'normal' their current, resoulment induced mutual standing, is the Winchester Brotherdom at it's most imbalanced. For it effectively eskews whatever meager semblance of equal footing late s5 earned them (Sam, in particular, for apart from claiming independence his was also supposedly the journey of appreciating Dean for all of the latter's input of unconditional care) no sooner than the stakes got impossibly high and some devastating costs were paid , slipping them back into the slots of 'donor-recepient', 'parent-child' (more pronounced this ime than the well-worn 'big brother-little brother' pattern) interaction. With Dean doing most-to-all of the giving, regardless of personal costs, and Sam doing most of the taking (or taking for granted, if you please), regardless of Dean's costs yet again, with a side offering of resenting Dean's overinflated care as a control-limiting factor.
Which is plain *not* fair to Dean. Especially keeping in mind that for half a season so far he was subjected to carrying out the same task - keep RoboSam on the 'straight and narrow' with zero emotional payback or reward and emotional trauma aplenty. Sam's soul is back, but Dean's emotional reward is still remarkably opaque, if at all there but on the very superfluos level. The backlash of Sam's inherent resentment, however, hits all the familiar, if faded through time, bruises on Dean's psyche.
Incidentally, the distribution of roles within the brotherhood as of Sam's resoulment, does Sam's characterization (retrospective and prospective alike) no favors either. For all of the points I tried to list above, Sam's character at the moment is, if not a full relapse to his least amiable pre-late s5 ways, than at the very least profoundly discrediting and undermining whatever inner growth wrt acknowledging his brother and the significance of their relationship Sam's underwent in the time-span between the release of Lucifer and his leap into the Cage. And I, for one, would be severely upset, if the show indeed pursues this particular characterization hint, showcased in this episode, to the utmost. For both Dean and Sam deserve better this late in their lives and can (and should!) be more to each other and individually than a Selfless Guardian and a Damsel in Distress (a bitchy one at that) accordingly. If anything, the roles might need to be reversed within this framework (Sam trying his hand at Guardian and doing it right, for once), for any progress not just to show, but to stick in the long-term this time around.
Moreover, the way I see it, especially now that the Wall is beginning to visibly crack, Dean's deal within brotherly interaction is pretty much sealed: there is just no way for him to abandon the caring/protective/guardian stance and leave Sam to his own (if justifiably grown up) devices to deal with the Cage and resoulment. He didn't do it when Sam was sliding into demonhood or swallowed whole by the Devil, he's hardly likely to do it now. That, yet again, leaves Sam a more flexible one of the two, capable to break away from the reset interactive pattern not just by resenting or dismissing Dean and his care, but actually rising up to appreciate and return it in par. So hopefully, Sam's route of characterization henceforth will, eventually, pick up the latter option, for *Dean* and Sam's attitude to his brother is among crucial keys to Sam's salvation, redemption, maturity, what-have-you. Has always been.
Part 2, Part 3