This reminds of of nothing so much as those Star Trek episodes set entirely on the ship to enable the production to save some money. Plotted well, they often provided a glimpse into day-to-day life, while sometimes also generating a bit of justified claustrophobia. We got that here, although I wonder if the odd filming demands cost more rather than less.
I am happy that Dean can joke with Sam about one-night stands without overtones of Jess/Madison/Sarah. That said . . . Piper's waitress uniform seems to be the same one worn by Eve in "Mommy Dearest" when she appeared in Mary's form.
That episode, like this one, took place in Oregon and features Alphas.
Unanswered Questions:
Where was the Alpha Nachzehrer when Eve was sending out invitations to the family reunion? Also, Godstiel supposedly killed all the Alphas.
When Sam and Dean realize the monsters are potential allies, will they regret having killed so many of them?
What is wrong with the people of Quaker Valley that they didn't notice a car covered with blood spatter driving around? I guess it might not have been obvious on the black body, but it was kinda noticeable on the windows . . .
Apart from the more obvious callbacks to a better time between the brothers, here is what I got out of this episode plus a rewatch of "Pilot":
THEN
NOW
One of Dean's first lines to Sam is that he was "looking for another beer"
"Where's the beer?....Where's the rest of the beer?"
Sam having visions
Sam having visions
Sam and blonde bedmate
Sam and blonde bedmate
MOTW attacks from backseat, renders blood spatter across windows (Troy's car)
MOTW attacks from backseat, renders blood spatter across windows
obstructive LEO
obstructive LEO
"Of course you should be afraid of the dark. You know what's out there."
"The Darkness is coming, and only you boys can stop it."
Dark haired woman temporarily takes control of Impala
Dark haired woman temporarily takes control of Impala
Dean escapes handcuffs with paperclip
Dean escapes handcuffs with hairpin
MOTW is woman with two small children
MOTW is woman with two small children
Constance Welch's husband was unfaithful
Lily Markham not too broken up over husband's death
Dean shoots out side window in attempt to help Sam
Sam shoots out rear window in attempt to help Dean
Baby physically helps vanquish MOTW
Baby physically helps vanquish MOTW
"I'll take you home"
"Let's go home." "You know what? We are home."