One more thought on Sam appearence - an alternative to Ghost!Sam and Mrs. Muir.
Sam did go to hell, body, soul and Lucifer. When they arrive Luci had no more need for a meat suit. And they don't need a body to inflict torture - in fact bodies get in the way. so he ripped Sam's soul out for torment. Now he has a perfectly good Sam suit he can't use in hell. But demons get out of hell all the time. So he picks the baddest assed demon who can exit hell, the one he thinks has the best chance of taking down Dean, gives him the Samsuit and sends him after Dean.
Dean (with help) will defeat the demon in the Sam Suit. And since Sam's body is not dead (kept alive by Lucifer for the purpose of use by demon) once the Demon is expelled Sam's living body is a living loophole into which Sam's soul can be summoned and rescued from hell. Needing some tough to get ingredients and maybe Castiel's help .... Sam's body and soul are reunited by 2nd or 3rd ep. The rest of the season can be hunting and killing evil sons of bitches. And Sam!Angst over time in hell if the writers insist.
Season 3, Round 5, Bracket #1/1:
Sam: Yeah, because I've been following you around my entire life. I mean, I've been looking up to you since I was four, Dean. Studying you, trying to be just like my big brother.So, yeah, I know you. Better than anyone else in the entire world. And this is exactly how you act when you're terrified. And, I mean, I can't blame you. It's just...
Dean: What?
Sam: It's just, I wish you would drop the show and be my brother again, 'cause... just 'cause. 12:3
vs
Sam and Dean: (In unison): Right, you're a mind reader. Cut it out, Sam... Sam! You think you're funny but you're being really, really childish! - Sam Winchester wears makeup. Sam Winchester cries his way through sex. Sam Winchester keeps a ruler by the bed and every morning when he wakes up..... Okay, enough! 9:6
heh. I'm still going for comedy.
Sam Winchester wears makeup!
I only had two beers last night but one of them was an ESB and those are strong.
S3, R5
Be my brother... Oh Sam your sad little face when you said this.
ETA: The results made the choice easy for me. I go for poignant over funny every time apparently.
Season 3, Round 5, Bracket #1/1:
- ...drop the show and be my brother again, 'cause... just 'cause
Just 'cause, indeed.
S3, R5
Be my brother again, 'cause . . . just 'cause.
Sam: It's just, I wish you would drop the show and be my brother again, 'cause... just 'cause.
Because this? This was what I wanted the mission statement of S3 to be.