Nutshell Winchesters
- John Winchester (present in his absence in S2), the father they'd set out to find in the pilot (with the ghost who wanted to go home): ex-Marine, husband of Mary (deceased). Strong believer in the notion of the need to know basis, hell-bent on finding the thing that took his wife and tore his family apart.
Of course, when he does, things go from bad to worse, the Yellow Eyed Demon (YED for short, the one who killed Mary and has plans for Sammy, and all the other children like him) possesses him, and in what's coming to be a fine Winchester tradition (see: Sam in Aslyum, when possessed by the nasty ghost), tortures Dean, physically and emotionally. Then, when Dean is hovering close to death after a possessed truck driver whams their car, sacrifices himself (and the gun that they have with the only known way to kill the YED) for Dean's life. But not without first extracting a promise from Dean: either save his brother (relating to YED plans), or kill him. Much to Dean's chagrin/angst/outrage. Which means it's time to explain Dean.
- Dean Winchester, eldest son of John and Mary. Good with freaks and children, not so good with people. Four going on five when his mother is killed. Hypermasculine facade that contrasts with his pretty strongly coded feminine/mother role in the family. Since Mary's death, Dean's life has revolved around keeping what's left of his family together. Pretty much considers himself the expendable one, and has willingly (at times cheerfully) sacrificed any possibility of a normal life at the alter of family. Much to the dismay of Sam.
- Sam Winchester, youngest child, the one who challenged John and struck out on his own in search of a normal life, only to have that go up in smoke. Has visions of things tied to the YED. Possibly slated to go evil. Contains floppy hair and emo. Hugely tall. Unlike Dean, contains social skills. Frequently at odds with John, due to overly-similar personalities. Has now twice tortured his older brother while possessed. (Torturing under the influence?)