( continues...) older brother, Chuck even in the idyllic upbringing of Happy Days sitcom. Both likeable and loved, but definitely with different strengths and weaknesses.

Well, and love. Love of family, which is more than loyalty. Which they would have learned even in the best circumstances: the way they did grow up, they learned the price you pay for that loyalty. And chose to keep paying it rather than reject the love.

Love is the constant. The, for lack of better word, “goodness” of the boys as human beings shine through even in the current world that didn’t treat them very well. Dean may hustle for money, but he is doing it for the greater good. Neither boy has been shown to be malicious or mean spirited or intentionally hurting anyone that wasn’t a threat to society. If this is the case in the current reality, I would assume, a more stable home life would have only enhanced these traits. I think deep down, in Dean’s wishverse, even he knew that Sam would always be standing by him. Which is why Dean’s construct of Sam got in the car even when Not!Sam thought Dean was crazy. Strength of character, I really would doubt to be a lacking for either of the Winchester brothers even with a tragedy timed later in life.

having an image of Dean - in an alternate universe - as a car salesman ... a good one

Thank you, Austin! I love the simplicity of your rubber band theory as a way of explaining possibilities.

I had no expectations here of being given some concrete picture of Dean and Sam in an AU where catastrophe was avoided or delayed, I just wanted to hear ideas about who they might have become. As an adoptee, I find the whole "nature vs. nurture" debate of great interest, especially since having had children myself.

I've also read some meta and fic that suggest either, A. the brothers were blighted by the catastrophe in their lives, or B. the brothers' characters were forged in the fires of that event. The truth, as always, lies somewhere between. But I'm always interested in the road not taken.

I'm curious if Dean is naturally kind of off kilter when it comes to social skills, or if it's just due to upbringing, or some of both.

I suspect he's wired in such a way that he'd always be a little out of the norm, but that he'd fake it better in an alternate world. (And, actually, that he's the age and personality type that would fall into tech fairly naturally, had he grown up with computers around.)

I'm curious if Dean is naturally kind of off kilter when it comes to social skills, or if it's just due to upbringing, or some of both.

I also wonder how much of that is JA's natural social awkwardness, too.

I also wonder how much of that is JA's natural social awkwardness, too.

Probably not much, based on Smallville and Dark Angel.

I think the social awkwardness is misperceived, actually. He seems as poised, and articulate in interviews and at PR events as any other "celebrity." Not to say it's the favorite part of his job, but he seems fairly gracious about it. It seems to be the random on-the-street meet he's wary of, and with good reason.

I suspect he's wired in such a way that he'd always be a little out of the norm, but that he'd fake it better in an alternate world. (And, actually, that he's the age and personality type that would fall into tech fairly naturally, had he grown up with computers around.)

Actually I really can't picture Dean without the Demon. So much of who Dean is, is wrapped up in that to me. Even in the pilot flashbacks because the writers knew exactly where they were about to go. Now I have to think about this more.

Promo pictures for the season 2 premiere!!!!

If you click you will be spoiled for the KICKASS title of the episode.

Although, I didn't find the pictures themselves that spoilery.

::loves sumi::

I clicked. The pictures aren't spoilery. Seriously, I don't know if I can wait a month.