he actually seems to be getting some enjoyment out of them

I'm waiting to see this. I think he's getting reward, but that opening montage was too sad, and the look on his face when Lisa asked him if he was okay was not one of simple enjoyment.

For me, the drinking leapt out right away. It was in the montage twice, IIRC, and then we jump to him in a bar, and then we see him drinking again. It was a tone-setter for me.

Like I said, I know plenty of people who habitually have a beer every night with dinner, etc. So maybe I just know a lot of heavy drinkers? It just didn't strike me as problematic at all.

I probably sound cranky, but I'm feeling pretty lonely in my enjoyment of the episode, and my anticipation for the season.

From a practical persective, Dean was working with power tools and such, wasn't he? That isn't the type of thing any man with a functioning brain would want to do with shaky hands unless he'd want to risk losing a finger. And I'd hope that Dean wouldn't risk driving Ben and Lisa in a car while he'd be compromised behind the wheel, although I don't doubt he was in that condition more than a few times when it was just himself or him and Sam. So perhaps he is continuing to drink, but has fewer uninterrupted opportunities to do so.

Other than that I agree with Erin's earlier post:

I think Dean definitely using booze as a coping mechanism, but I don't judge him for it. I think it's pretty damned understandable, given his life.

I think sometimes his reliance on it goes up and down, depending on circumstances, but drinking is, IMO, pretty far down on the list of shit that's wrong with him. I don't think he's living to drink. He's for sure using it to numb himself down, but...well, dude, his life has SUCKED. Sure, it would be better for him to take a nice jog or journal or talk to a shrink, but really. Not gonna happen at this point in his life.

On the other hand I don't have any practical experience dealing with alcoholics in my life, only fictional ones, so I have no grounding for my arguments.

Dean drinking makes me like the episode more, not less. I was worried that we'd come back to a magically healed Dean that needs no coping mechanisms, and that to get him back on the road Sam was going to have to be the source of his discontent. I'm glad that doesn't seem to be happening. I don't want Sam to be the bad guy here.

From a practical persective, Dean was working with power tools and such, wasn't he?

Dean was working with weapons and accelerants beforehand in life and death situations. He was never shown to be compromised by alcohol. I wouldn't expect that to start now. Whatever compartmentalisation he had displayed beforehand I'd expect him to be able to continue.

Amy, don't doubt that, for all my calling Sam names and hating on the Campbells and nitpicking Dean's drinking habits, that I did not enjoy the premiere very very much!

Even back when I was disgusted with Sam, I was entertained and interested.

Even back when I was disgusted with Sam, I was entertained and interested.

Yes. I loved that the golf clubs he dissed came in handy later.

I did find Sam's behaviour intriguing. I do think that without Dean as a moderating influence, he might become somewhat like we saw in the premiere, but I also think the Campbells have been a very poor influence, pushing him even futher along. I foresee Sam having to make a choice between them and Dean in the not-too-distant future.

I was worried that we'd come back to a magically healed Dean that needs no coping mechanisms

Oh, I don't think Dean is magically healed at all. I don't think he's ever going to be, to be honest, even if he was happily back on the road with Sam. Dean is too fundamentally broken at this point to ever be completely psychologically healthy. He's got issues with self-esteem, guilt, misplaced responsibility, abandonment, just to name shit off the top of my head.

He's just a good con man. Has been since childhood.

Pie:

I don't mean to discourage discussion, either! I just really liked the premiere, and I'm really interested in how it plays out.

I foresee Sam having to make a choice between them and Dean in the not-too-distant future.

I agree, although I'm not convinced that's a hundred percent Sam. We'll see, I guess.

I share ehab's frustrations in that I have a hard time deciphering Jared's facial expressions. I can pick up on the big emotions (concern, exasperation, fear) but I just don't see the more nuanced ones. I end up confused about Sam's thoughts and feelings even when the storyline doesn't call for ambiguity so in this situation, when I think we are supposed to be wondering if he came back wrong, I'm kinda totally lost.

I wanted the opener to be better than it was (to me), Amy, but I am definitely wanting to see what happens! I am very interested in see what resolution they come up with (I am operating under the assumption this is the last season.)

So I am looking forward to it, but I am grumpy, because I wanted more oomph, and it really did seem pretty draggy to me.