Thoughts on Sam
I'm assuming they've cut Sam out of the end of the last two episodes because they're saving up his reaction for later (PLEASE BE THE NEXT EPISODE!). In an interview with TVGuide, Sera Gamble said that there was more to Dean getting saved from hell (the first seal thing, presumably), and that "Sam has a very strong reaction to it - a reaction that has repercussions felt for the rest of the season," but since Dean was so devastated in the last episode I guess they felt they needed to get him functional first.
I'm looking forward to seeing how this all plays out as I do expect Sam to be given more spotlight now and for the show to reconcile Sam and Dean and their relationship, preferably within this season.