I think apologetic Sam is a retread that does disservice to his character arc over the previous seven years. The last time he apologised, I didn't think he should have (and every time I left I was wrong...), and this time--yeah, he should have apologised, because his behaviour makes no sense. That I'm currently holding against the writers, though. How many times does he have to say he's sorry? Why can't he make it through a few months without fucking up in Dean's eyes? Why is this his tic?

Starting them both off with secrets leaves me with no sure footing, and I dislike that also. The way they teased out "Sam's drinking demon blood and oh! that's Ruby" in time with "He does remember his time in hell, and he was torturing" didn't come with the same flashing neon signs of "Secrets! Get your piping hot secrets from your brother here!" that this episode did. So I'm left feeling outside both brothers, because I don't know enough about either of their situations to even mistakenly identify with what's going on.

On the surface of it, Sam did something that included abandoning Kevin, and he hasn't explained that yet. Dean did something that resulted in hugging vampires and keeping secrets from Sam in a way that made me think he'd have kept them even if Sam were still in teh life, so for all I know he's a cannibal now, or some shit.

I don't want to be unsettled when the show comes back. I want to be relieved by the resumption of normal, and excited about the surprises yet to come.

That's not what I feel right now. I haven't had the resumption relief yet. I'm still waiting for the season to start, although it was nice to see Jensen and Jared for a bit.

I guess I don't understand why you feel Sam's behavior makes no sense. People get tired, people quit. People get depressed. Sam was trying to walk away, and that might not be admirable but it's understandable to me.

I think they must be going somewhere with it, though. Dean convincing him to take responsibility for Kevin was an echo of the vet guilting him into taking responsibility for the dog, so I sense A Theme.

I think they must be going somewhere with it, though.

I concur. Also with the "sometimes people just get tired and run out of will to do shit." I don't think that's what happened with Sam, though, and I think we'll find out more.

Dean convincing him to take responsibility for Kevin was an echo of the vet guilting him into taking responsibility for the dog, so I sense A Theme.

Good point.

Also, did I imagine it, or was there someone watching the house when Sam first left to meet Dean?

Yeah, there was! I do want to know who that was, too.

I can't draw parallels between Kevin and a dog that ran into the street, though.

There are lots of understandable actions that people on and offscreen can take. The set of actions that I enjoy watching is smaller than that, though. I don't find it a sympathetic position, with the information I've been given, and I will just assume they're piecemealing out this thing, and all will be made clear.

How is "I hit a dog" the way you explain this to Dean? Unless the dog has you under a spell, you must have a better angle than that.

Mostly I'm irritated at the writing. I don't feel they did a season opener justice. I don't feel like Supernatural is back after a hellatus. Making both leads act strange leaves me with too much unfamiliarity, and that's not what I want from episode one. I don't feel tension and suspense as a result, I feel irritated and deprived.

I'm sorry it didn't work for you.

And that phone call with toothy dude was sketchy as hell. It felt like a clandestine relationship. I can't help but feel like it was intentional. Dean lost his brother but gained a brother in arms. I don't know.

I meant to comment on this last night -- it totally felt that way! Sneaking off to talk to his dirty little secret. And losing a brother and gaining a brother-in-arms... cool insight. I think right now I am most interested in finding out about their relationship (Dean and Benny), the person watching Sam's house, and what happened with Cas (because it doesn't sound good, poor dude).

I'm hoping the vet is Amelia and dead, and that is what pushed Sam over the edge into abandoning Kevin.

I'm hoping the vet is Amelia and dead

Usually it's the female fans who root for the female love interests to be dead. This is quite a turn of events.

So who do you think was in bed with Sam? Another woman? Or a corpse?

NOrmally I dont root for that. But I'm trying to find some explanation for his abanding Kevin.