Season 3 & 4 Spoilers & Possibilities

[Immortal]

I didn't think this pertained to season 3 spoilers since it is season 3 & 4.

Spoiler:

I found this article on tv guide of Eric Kripke answering fan questions and even shedding some light on what we'll get to see in season 4.

http://community.tvguide.com/blog-en...ning/800038033

Spoiler:

I love how they are going to revert back to alot of what we saw in the earlier seasons. I think they can still do a lot even with a smaller budget. (What are these people spending their money on? Besides other stupid reality shows. Shamefull.) Can't wait til the season finale and season 4!!

Some really juicy season 3 spoilers.

Spoiler:

Season three spoilers & possibilites
http://www.supernaturalscoop.com/200...season-finale/

I thought maybe we could discuss possible twists and directions the story could take.

Spoiler:

Of course the rumored Dean dying and going to hell and then somehow coming back would be a great cliffhanger. Any ideas on how they could bring him back???

Also, thought about ghostfacers.

Spoiler:

Does anyone think that this episode looks like the Blair witch project?

More spoiler articles for the last episodes of season 3.

Spoiler:

http://www.buddytv.com/articles/supernatural/supernatural-episode-310-spoil-14245.aspx

[galathea]

I didn't think this pertained to season 3 spoilers since it is season 3 & 4.
I found this article on tv guide of Eric Kripke answering fan questions and even shedding some light on what we'll get to see in season 4.

http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TV-Show-Blog/Tv-Previews/Supernatural-Returns-Burning/800038033

Spoiler:

I love how they are going to revert back to alot of what we saw in the earlier seasons. I think they can still do a lot even with a smaller budget. (What are these people spending their money on? Besides other stupid reality shows. Shamefull.) Can't wait til the season finale and season 4!!

I don't read S3 finale spoilers, so I can only answer to the S4 speculations: So far everything I read about Kripke's direction for S4 makes me really look forward to it, mainly the following points:

Spoiler:

a) Bela's role as reoccurring character was cancelled due to budget restraints as well as extremely negative fan reaction. I personally think that's a good move and will maybe free some money for more important things like music and additional scenes!

b) A return to the focus on the boys and their story plus finally the exploration of the Winchester family background, which I am actually waiting for since S1 'Home'! Especially the background to the Mary/John history and the whole Mary-mystery that was shown in TKAA this season! Can't wait for that!

c) Kripke announced that he will very likely go back to the S2lighting/colouring for S4, which again makes me very happy!

[Immortal]

Spoiler:

a) Bela's role as reoccurring character was cancelled due to budget restraints as well as extremely negative fan reaction. I personally think that's a good move and will maybe free some money for more important things like music and additional scenes!

in regards to a

Spoiler:

I think her character has been over even before it started. Some of the banter between Dean & Bella is kinda funny, her character just draws too much attention away from the whole plot of the show.

in regards to b

Spoiler:

b) A return to the focus on the boys and their story plus finally the exploration of the Winchester family background, which I am actually waiting for since S1 'Home'! Especially the background to the Mary/John history and the whole Mary-mystery that was shown in TKAA this season! Can't wait for that!

Yes, focusing more on the key players is always better. This season has gotten a little away from that. I know what you mean, they need to do some mary/john flashbacks. Give us more, we want to know everything. I have a feeling season 4 is going to be better than even season 2 (which is the best I think).

in regards to c

Spoiler:

c) Kripke announced that he will very likely go back to the S2lighting/colouring for S4, which again makes me very happy!

Thrilling!!! The old desaturated coloring was so much better. It worked with the whole storyline. You have to set the mood. They covered that in hollywood babylon.

[galathea]

in regards to a

Spoiler:

I think her character has been over even before it started. Some of the banter between Dean & Bella is kinda funny, her character just draws too much attention away from the whole plot of the show.

Spoiler:

The problem with Bela is a bit different than drawing away attention I think. The problem is that she was never intended to be part of S3 in the first place and that she was forced in by network request for a 2nd recurring female character (besides Ruby) and that simply shows in the writing, the writers had no clue what to do with her. I thought Bela's introduction in BDABR was great, which was the episode she was actually developed for, as a one-shot with probable potential to return at some point. When the season progressed it became apparent that the writer's had no idea how to successfully incorporate a continuing presence of Bela in the plotlines that had already been mapped out without her. Network interference with the creative team is in my opinion to fault for the death of a potentially good character.

in regards to b

Spoiler:

Yes, focusing more on the key players is always better. This season has gotten a little away from that. I know what you mean, they need to do some mary/john flashbacks. Give us more, we want to know everything. I have a feeling season 4 is going to be better than even season 2 (which is the best I think).

I'm a pessimist at heart so I wouldn't bet on that LOL I thought the same about S3 after the S2 finale and I was disappointed, but the general direction to go back to some of the success factors of S1/2 makes me hopeful at least.

[Immortal]

[QUOTE=galathea;200577]

Spoiler:

The problem with Bela is a bit different than drawing away attention I think. The problem is that she was never intended to be part of S3 in the first place and that she was forced in by network request for a 2nd recurring female character (besides Ruby) and that simply shows in the writing, the writers had no clue what to do with her. I thought Bela's introduction in BDABR was great, which was the episode she was actually developed for, as a one-shot with probable potential to return at some point. When the season progressed it became apparent that the writer's had no idea how to successfully incorporate a continuing presence of Bela in the plotlines that had already been mapped out without her. Network interference with the creative team is in my opinion to fault for the death of a potentially good character.

I agree with you completely. When network forces the writers to add stuff that is never good. They were just playing for the audiences that would tune in for the eye candy and not for the true fans of the show.

I'm a pessimist at heart so I wouldn't bet on that LOL I thought the same about S3 after the S2 finale and I was disappointed, but the general direction to go back to some of the success factors of S1/2 makes me hopeful at least.

I'm an optimist. Though I could see how the buildup of season 2 and the outcome of season 3(not that it is bad) could change your expectations. The writers referring back to originality does give reason to hope that season 4 will be better. I'm anxious to see what emotional crisis the boys get put through in the upcoming season. For season one it was John missing, the death of mary & jess and the hunt for the yed, season two was John's death and Sam being chosen to lead the demon army and of course season three dean's deal. Can't wait.

[Cori]

Spoilers for season 4 are starting to emerge, you can check them out below.

Beware, do not click on the link below if you don't want to be spoiled!!!

Spoiler:

Spoiler:

You have been warned!

Spoiler:

http://www.buddytv.com/articles/supernatural/supernatural-season-4-spoiler-19761.aspx

Damn! This does not sound very reassuring and is exactly what I was afraid of. But I guess it makes sense that hell would have an effect on Dean and that he would not come out of it the same person he was before. I'm also worried about what this means for the relationship between the brothers. Damn you, Kripke, for sending Dean to hell in the first place!

[galathea]

Spoilers for season 4 are starting to emerge, you can check them out below.

Beware, do not click on the link below if you don't want to be spoiled!!!

Spoiler:

Spoiler:

You have been warned!

Spoiler:

http://www.buddytv.com/articles/supernatural/supernatural-season-4-spoiler-19761.aspx

Damn! This does not sound very reassuring and is exactly what I was afraid of. But I guess it makes sense that hell would have an effect on Dean and that he would not come out of it the same person he was before. I'm also worried about what this means for the relationship between the brothers. Damn you, Kripke, for sending Dean to hell in the first place!

LOL

Spoiler:

I freaked out about the same spoiler the other day, but I am much calmer now. The person in that article is only making assumptions/speculations from one vague statement that Kripke apparently let loose. That doesn't mean that he/she is right though. Of course Dean's time in hell will affect the character, just like Dad's death did, like his deal did. How it will affect him (and by extension Sam) remains to be seen. There's a ton of speculations afloat, I wouldn't really base my expectation for the next season on those.

[Llywela]

I don't usually read spoilers, but have seen this very vague tidbit you refer to.

Spoiler:

Like galathea, I think it is hugely premature to start jumping to conclusions and panicking. Anything Kripke says at the moment will only be based on the first couple of episodes, since those are the ones he is working on at the moment - this time last year he was telling us about how hedonistic Dean was going to be in season three. And he was, for a couple of episodes, but that phase wore off pretty quickly. I also don't see anything in his actual words to suggest that Dean will come back 'different'. John was in hell almost a year and was still himself when he got out (other than being a spirit, of course). If anything is going to cause tension between the brothers, I'd anticipate it being whatever Sam does to bring Dean back and Dean's reaction to it, and the period of readjustment they are both likely to need - more or less of an adjustement depending on how long the separation lasts and how much of it Dean remembers.

Just remember that everything that has happened in the show thus far has had an impact on the brothers' relationship - it has been constantly growing and evolving in line with their circumstances and personal development. It stands to reason that this process would continue after such a massive event in both their lives. To my mind, it's all something to look forward to, rather than to fear.

[Cori]

LOL

Spoiler:

I freaked out about the same spoiler the other day, but I am much calmer now. The person in that article is only making assumptions/speculations from one vague statement that Kripke apparently let loose. That doesn't mean that he/she is right though. Of course Dean's time in hell will affect the character, just like Dad's death did, like his deal did. How it will affect him (and by extension Sam) remains to be seen. There's a ton of speculations afloat, I wouldn't really base my expectation for the next season on those.

Spoiler:

Of course some of it is only speculation but according to TV Guide Kripke did say the following: "Dean will be cooling his heels in hell for a long time and his bond with Sam will be massively affected as a result."

Now the second part of that statement could be interpreted either way, positive or negative but the first part is exactly what I was afraid of, that Dean would be in hell for a long time. Now of course we do not know how Kripke defines "a long time", if he "only" meant all summer and Dean will be back in the first few eps of s4 or if he did in fact mean longer than that. Dean spending any longer period of time in hell is enough to freak me out so I'm afraid I can't be as calm about this as you are.

[Llywela]

Spoiler:

Of course some of it is only speculation but according to TV Guide Kripke did say the following: "Dean will be cooling his heels in hell for a long time and his bond with Sam will be massively affected as a result."

Now the second part of that statement could be interpreted either way, positive or negative but the first part is exactly what I was afraid of, that Dean would be in hell for a long time. Now of course we do not know how Kripke defines "a long time", if he "only" meant all summer and Dean will be back in the first few eps of s4 or if he did in fact mean longer than that. Dean spending any longer period of time in hell is enough to freak me out so I'm afraid I can't be as calm about this as you are.

Spoiler:

Poor Cori.

I take comfort in the fact that the structure of the show doesn't allow for the brothers to be apart for very long - it is built around the two of them together. So I can't see Dean being in hell for too many episodes - I suspect that the first episode or two will cover a long period of time, and that in viewing terms he'll be back pretty quickly. But I don't mind it stretching on for a couple of episodes if it means Sam's time alone and his reaction to his brother's death and the process he goes through to get him back are properly explored. I'd feel really cheated if the first scene after the break was Sam performing a ritual to bring Dean back and it was six months later and we hadn't seen anything of what led up to that moment. Right now, based on knowing next to nothing, I'm anticipating that the first episode or two will cover a lot of ground in terms of what Sam goes through, and that Dean will be back sooner rather than later, so that the show can start to move forward again.

[slaycandy]

Okay, I know I said this in the other thread for the season 3 finale, but slight s4 spoiler:

Spoiler:

I met Katie Cassidy before I had viewed the finale, and wound up getting it spoiled for me! But, she did confirm that she's coming back for season four, and has already signed her contract for it,

I also met with Samantha Ferris who stated that Kripke had hoped to have her character return in season three to explain what happened to her character after AHBL, but in her words "the CW was ramming those girls down his throat" combined with the strike creating the shortened season; that Kripke didn't get the opportunity to write in a sensible storyline for Ellen into season three, and so he hopes to have her return in season four and to dip back into her storyline. Kripke also told Samantha history about her character, and her relationship with John etc. that has not yet been revealed on TV, and so there is still more about her character that he had wanted to show. She wouldn't tell me what it was just in case it gets written in, but I am quite excited to see Ellen's return

That was pretty much all I know for now.
SJ
xox

[galathea]

Apparently I am utterly useless when it comes to spoiler resistance at the moment /sigh

A more detailed statement from Kripke regarding the latest spoiler we discussed here:

Spoiler:

CREATOR ERIC KRIPKE SAYS: Everyone expected Dean [Jensen Ackles] to be saved in the end. That's exactly why he had to go to Hell -- to defy viewer expectations. How Dean gets out of Hell becomes the primary concern for Season 4. He'll spend a long time there and he emerges to a different landscape. A lot has changed since he's been away, and he'll have to readjust to his loved ones. His relationship with Sam [Jared Padalecki] will be massively affected. We don't feel that Dean is going to be a demon but there will be an ongoing mystery. Just what happened to Dean in Hell? He has little recollection. Slowly and surely, we'll unfold that story.

Source: tv guide

[Llywela]

Okay, I know I said this in the other thread for the season 3 finale, but slight s4 spoiler:

Spoiler:

I met Katie Cassidy before I had viewed the finale, and wound up getting it spoiled for me! But, she did confirm that she's coming back for season four, and has already signed her contract for it,

I also met with Samantha Ferris who stated that Kripke had hoped to have her character return in season three to explain what happened to her character after AHBL, but in her words "the CW was ramming those girls down his throat" combined with the strike creating the shortened season; that Kripke didn't get the opportunity to write in a sensible storyline for Ellen into season three, and so he hopes to have her return in season four and to dip back into her storyline. Kripke also told Samantha history about her character, and her relationship with John etc. that has not yet been revealed on TV, and so there is still more about her character that he had wanted to show. She wouldn't tell me what it was just in case it gets written in, but I am quite excited to see Ellen's return

That was pretty much all I know for now.
SJ
xox

Thanks for that, SJ.

Spoiler:

It would be really good to have Ellen's character revisited in season four. I really regret that she wasn't even mentioned in season three - how hard would it have been to script a couple of throwaway references, maybe have the boys mention calling to pick her brains about something, the way they did so often in season two. *sigh*

Apparently I am utterly useless when it comes to spoiler resistance at the moment /sigh

A more detailed statement from Kripke regarding the latest spoiler we discussed here:

Spoiler:

CREATOR ERIC KRIPKE SAYS: Everyone expected Dean [Jensen Ackles] to be saved in the end. That's exactly why he had to go to Hell -- to defy viewer expectations. How Dean gets out of Hell becomes the primary concern for Season 4. He'll spend a long time there and he emerges to a different landscape. A lot has changed since he's been away, and he'll have to readjust to his loved ones. His relationship with Sam [Jared Padalecki] will be massively affected. We don't feel that Dean is going to be a demon but there will be an ongoing mystery. Just what happened to Dean in Hell? He has little recollection. Slowly and surely, we'll unfold that story.

Source: tv guide

Stop reading spoilers! Do I have to start dissecting this one, as well?

I still maintain that any spoilers that come out at the moment will be based on the work going into the first couple of episodes back only.

[galathea]

Stop reading spoilers! Do I have to start dissecting this one, as well?

I still maintain that any spoilers that come out at the moment will be based on the work going into the first couple of episodes back only.

LOL I try to, but then it always gets the better of me. Well, we know that they usually break down the general direction for the complete season and then start working on the episodes. To me it seems most likely that this statement hints at the point that

Spoiler:

there will have some time passed between the S3 finale and he S4 opener. A 'different landscape' is pretty vague but unless they didn't have massive budget increases for some reason I don't think Kripke meant that in an apocalyptic sense. So I am not sure what that plays at. I am glad that they don't consider bringing Dean back as a demon though, that's would've been one of my personal nightmares. I am not sure if I am so happy about a 'mystery' of what happened to Dean in hell, but my main concern is still the massive effect on Sam and Dean's relationship. /sigh

[Llywela]

LOL I try to, but then it always gets the better of me. Well, we know that they usually break down the general direction for the complete season and then start working on the episodes. To me it seems most likely that this statement hints at the point that

Spoiler:

there will have some time passed between the S3 finale and he S4 opener. A 'different landscape' is pretty vague but unless they didn't have massive budget increases for some reason I don't think Kripke meant that in an apocalyptic sense. So I am not sure what that plays at. I am glad that they don't consider bringing Dean back as a demon though, that's would've been one of my personal nightmares. I am not sure if I am so happy about a 'mystery' of what happened to Dean in hell, but my main concern is still the massive effect on Sam and Dean's relationship. /sigh

But if you are reading them, then I have to read them!

Spoiler:

I've been wondering if maybe the teaser for the episode will deal with the immediate aftermath (ie explain Ruby) and then skip forward in time after the titles. Either that or they'll just skip forward and have to exposit how Ruby got back into her dead-looking body.

A 'different landscape' could mean anything. Look at BtVS season 6, when Buffy came back and found that the world had moved on without her. It's inevitable. No matter where someone has been, when they return to the life they left behind they always find that it has moved on without them, and it is a struggle to find out where they fit in now. If a lengthy period of time has passed, not only Sam but everyone else Dean knows (okay, that's mostly just Bobby, but still) will have adapted to his absence. Of course his relationship with Sam will be affected - Sam will be so much more independent than he has ever been, having had to stand on his own for so long, and however much Dean does or doesn't remember of his time in hell he is bound to be disoriented when he gets back. The time apart can't help but affect the dynamic between the brothers, even before you take into account whatever Sam (presumably) does to get Dean back, and how Dean reacts to it.

I'm not sure how much of a mystery time in hell can be, whether Dean remembers it or not - he was in hell, and there was torment. But maybe he'll remember bits and pieces, or something. Who knows? It'll be interesting to find out.

[galathea]

But if you are reading them, then I have to read them!

Spoiler:

I've been wondering if maybe the teaser for the episode will deal with the immediate aftermath (ie explain Ruby) and then skip forward in time after the titles. Either that or they'll just skip forward and have to exposit how Ruby got back into her dead-looking body.

A 'different landscape' could mean anything. Look at BtVS season 6, when Buffy came back and found that the world had moved on without her. It's inevitable. No matter where someone has been, when they return to the life they left behind they always find that it has moved on without them, and it is a struggle to find out where they fit in now. If a lengthy period of time has passed, not only Sam but everyone else Dean knows (okay, that's mostly just Bobby, but still) will have adapted to his absence. Of course his relationship with Sam will be affected - Sam will be so much more independent than he has ever been, having had to stand on his own for so long, and however much Dean does or doesn't remember of his time in hell he is bound to be disoriented when he gets back. The time apart can't help but affect the dynamic between the brothers, even before you take into account whatever Sam (presumably) does to get Dean back, and how Dean reacts to it.

I'm not sure how much of a mystery time in hell can be, whether Dean remembers it or not - he was in hell, and there was torment. But maybe he'll remember bits and pieces, or something. Who knows? It'll be interesting to find out.

ROFL you don't need to read them! If I am stupid enough to read them, I need to be able to manage without you getting me back from the brink of a nervous breakdown!

Well, at the moment I take everything with a grain of salt. Kripke likes to tease. I just remember that he had the YED sow the seeds of mistrust into our (and Dean's) minds with his statement in AHBL II about Sam's 'Sam-ness' after his resurrection and it turned out to be a mislead. I don't put it behind him to make vague comments just to stir the viewers expectations into a certain direction. We'll see!

Spoiler:

We know that he can't leave Dean in hell for too long, in the sense that I doubt that it will be more than a couple of months, at most a year, timeline-wise or he would need to suddenly have Sam be a lot older. Sam recovered pretty fast from his 6 months solitude in Mystery Spot and adapted to Dean being back without problems. It's the expression 'massively' that worries me. Gradual change I can handle, but I am not a fan of complete overturns. Besides, I wasn't a huge fan of BtVS S6.

[Llywela]

ROFL you don't need to read them! If I am stupid enough to read them, I need to be able to manage without you getting me back from the brink of a nervous breakdown!

But our shared brain doesn't work like that.

Well, at the moment I take everything with a grain of salt. Kripke likes to tease. I just remember that he had the YED sow the seeds of mistrust into our (and Dean's) minds with his statement in AHBL II about Sam's 'Sam-ness' after his resurrection. I don't put it behind him to make vague comments just to stir the viewers expectations into a certain direction. We'll see!

Spoiler:

We know that he can't leave Dean in hell for too long, in the sense that I doubt that it will be more than a couple of months, at most a year, timeline-wise or he would need to suddenly have Sam be a lot older. Sam recovered pretty fast from his 6 months solitude in Mystery Spot and adapted to Dean being back without problems. It's the expression 'massively' that worries me. Gradual change I can handle, but I am not a fan of complete overturns. Besides, I wasn't a huge fan of BtVS S6.

Not just a grain of salt, but a whole bucket-full is necessary when dealing with any spoilers, which are generally designed to be tantalising and intriguing rather than accurate or informative - just look at the spoilers of the past that have turned out to be enormously misleading, such as the description last summer of Ruby as a 'hunter', which was completely untrue, or Kripke telling us that Dean would deal with having a year to live by becoming massively hedonistic. He did, but only for a short while, and then moved on to the next phase of dealing with his situation.

Spoiler:

Sam did seem to adjust pretty quickly after Mystery Spot, but maybe it made a difference that he was the only one to experience that, while for the rest of the world nothing had changed? This time, everything will have changed. Plus, we still don't know what's going on with Sam's psychic abilities and what he will do to get Dean back - all of that could have a major impact.

I wouldn't worry too much about the word 'massive' - exaggeration is the lifeblood of advertising! Besides, if you look back over the course of season three, the deal Dean made already had a pretty huge impact on the brothers' relationship, but that development was explored gradually over the course of the season, and felt completely natural. I remain confident we'll get more of the same.

[ciderdrinker]

I cannot resist spoilers - they're like not feeling the xmas presents under the tree! My two pennuth:-

Spoiler:

I kinda wanted the season opener to show Sam going back to the last place they stayed, seeing Dean's things lying around and him having a moment to grieve. We haven't seen much in the way of grieving on the show - apart from Dean's time in ABHL II with DeadSam. I appreciate that the season deals with it over time, but always there is a period of inaction and introspection immediately after a death, and I would like to see Sam do this for his brother.

Still, it doesn't look like we will see that. My first thoughts on there being a massive affect on the brothers relationship, is positive. I would hate it for Dean to come out of Hell and there to be no affect on either of them. I want them to be "back together" by the end of the season, but I like the idea of some angst for a while. Dean will have changed, that's a given. He may say he doesn't remember what it's like in hell but I'd imagine that he will remember some of it and wouldn't want to lay that onto Sam (very much in the way of S6 Buffy), however those boys always tell each other everything in the end, and Dean confiding in Sam could be a way to bring them back together.

The thing that worries me though is Sam. What he's willing to do to get Dean out of hell, and how he reacts to his "death". If Mystery Spot is anything to go by, he will not be the same loveable Sam. As a counterpoint to Dean it was always refreshing to see that Sam would take the time to comfort people and be more understanding. Season 3 has laid the ground work for Sam becoming much harder, and I'm not sure if I want to see GentleSam erased completely.

Not to worry though, I'm pschyed about the next season whatever they plan for it!

[galathea]

Hehe, nice analogy, Loraine!

Spoiler:

Well, we had an intense 3 episode grieving arc for the boys after John's death as well. As much as I would love to see Sam grieving his brother, I doubt that it'll happen, because the spoilers seem lead into a different direction.

I absolutely agree that there have to be repercussions from Dean's stay in hell. It doesn't make much sense to have your main character go to hell and then don't use it to drive the plot forward. From the wording I gather that Dean will block out a lot of his memories to be able to function, but they will eventually come back and he has to deal with them and by extension that will of course affect Sam as well.

As for Sam: I agree with you that I don't want gentle!Sam gone. I guess it really depends on how things develop after Dean's death for Sam, if he will remember the promise he made to Dean in NRFTW or if he falls into the behaviour he developed after Mystery Spot. I hope for the first because Dean's final sacrifice would be kind of useless if Sam goes 'evil' after all.

[Cori]

Apparently I am utterly useless when it comes to spoiler resistance at the moment /sigh

A more detailed statement from Kripke regarding the latest spoiler we discussed here:

Spoiler:

CREATOR ERIC KRIPKE SAYS: Everyone expected Dean [Jensen Ackles] to be saved in the end. That's exactly why he had to go to Hell -- to defy viewer expectations. How Dean gets out of Hell becomes the primary concern for Season 4. He'll spend a long time there and he emerges to a different landscape. A lot has changed since he's been away, and he'll have to readjust to his loved ones. His relationship with Sam [Jared Padalecki] will be massively affected. We don't feel that Dean is going to be a demon but there will be an ongoing mystery. Just what happened to Dean in Hell? He has little recollection. Slowly and surely, we'll unfold that story.

Source: tv guide

Thanks for posting this, Chris!

Spoiler:

While I'm still freaking out about Dean having to spend a long time in hell, I'm relieved that Kripke stated that Dean is not going to be a demon, that was one of my fears. It's funny, as much as I would enjoy an evil Sam storyline, I would hate a demon Dean storyline because of what it would mean for Dean (one of his worst nightmares coming true).

I find it interesting that the term "emerges to a different landscape" was used. Not only am I curious about what "different landscape" may mean, I also find the verb "emerge" interesting in the context. Does this mean that Dean will get out of hell on his own, without any help from Sam? Or did Sam help Dean get out of hell but Dean does not remember it? And maybe Dean has little recollection of hell because he is trying to surpress and block out painful memories but the "slowly but surely" points in the direction of Dean (and Sam?) gradually finding out, maybe by means of dreams/nightmares and other kind of flashbacks. This is all very intriguing!