I was generally disappointed in the season, because they seemed to have this idea, but then couldn't seem to actually write it. The writing seemed like a lot of shows get in later seasons-- characterization by exaggerating an established trait rather than trusting the actors to be their characters (without stupid eating tricks or other things that paint a big "this is Dean" sign on his forehead.) It's lazy, ready-to-move-on writing, and I expected better of them.

But I will admit that part of my apology for Dean is that, because the writing was generally down, I discounted any impressions of the underlying character of Sam or Dean from this year and attributed them to bad writing and reverted to the established Sam and Dean I knew before the season started.