I love that you got into Sam's headspace really well, too. Many people are surprised when they are told that they *are* like their parents (myself included, since my Mum kick ass and I'm a wuss). But Sam realised in the end that he had so much more in common with John than does Dean and it hurts so much that he never got much closure or reconciliation with John. Poor thing.

Dean is just a world of hurt when John is gone. His anchor, his captain, his compass. What with him questioning his mission in S2, the poor fellow gets whumped like you won't believe it.

*That* is the impact of one John Winchester, magnificent bastard non pareil.