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Initial Overview:

Rachel Talalay directed this episode and you need to know that. See previous episode for lake conversation. Sam runs away from Dean. Bid for control, freedom -- proof he can take care of himself, that he won't go "Dark side." Unfortunately Gord has found out about Sam's ablilities and is hunting him down along with the other psychic kids, exactly what Dean was afraid would happen if their secret got out. The hunting world is beginning to see Sammy as a monster (like Dean is trying so hard not to) and Dean is the only one who can protect Sam from himself and the world.

Notes:

Cold open is a terrified psychic kid seeking help. Shortly thereafter he is killed by Gordon, who is again portrayed as a monster himself.

Ava, the psychic child of the episode, also has visions like Sam. Motivated by the one she has of Sam dying, she seeks him out to warn and potentially save him.

Sam goes back to the Roadhous alone. Dean has been calling non-stop looking for him, to Ellens curiosity. Jo has gone off hunting which Sam is afraid Ellen will blame them for. Instead Ellen offers forgiveness (very open-ended) for John's sins. "It's not your fault," she says, "none of it is."

Sam's search for the other psychic kids is motivated by his desire for absolution and/or proof that he isn't fated to be evil. If just one of them is good then he can see a way out.

Ellen says she's calling Dean-- Sam says that Dean can't protect him from answers about himself. Feels that it gets in the way of his self discover if Dean is overly involved, which is his road to safety. Knowing everything about what's wrong with him means that he can control it, and then fight it.

Ava is very disturbed by her dreams, but Sam manages to freak her out more by giving them meaning. Answers for Ava put her in danger and lead her down the path to her fiancee's murder and subsequent turn to the demon.

Ellen gives up Sam's location because family is meant to protect each other forever.

Ava begs Sam to leave-- his desire for answers puts him in danger too, but unlike Ava, he feels he can rely on his knowledge to keep himself same-- and assumes, however unconsciously, that Dean will always be coming to save him.

Sam has Ava be a distraction while he steals from a therapist. Giver her a thrill.

Dead kid's power was death by electrocution. Caused him to hurt and kill his loved ones, had no control over it-- was terrified, didn't want to hurt anyone. Didn't listen to Azazel.

Dean finds Sam. Applauds him for (he thinks) hooking up with Ava. Freak

Azazel's plan for the kids, or what he tells them the plan is, is for them to be soldiers in the upcoming war

Gordon attacks, knocks the shit out of Dean, who attacks him with no plan other than violence. May have genuinely killed him then and there to protect Sam. Gordon uses him as bait instead (HOT)

Ava is bothered again by Sam. In the human and hunter worlds alike he is strange, odd, and offputting -- a total outsider to everyone but Dean

Sam takes 2 seconds to decide he's calling Dean for help the second danger arrives. They have code words... ♥

Gordon: I'm not a killer, Dean. I'm a hunter, and your brother's fair game.

Sam walks willingly into a trap despite every warning because Dean is in trouble. Sends Ava away.

Gordon tortured the info about Sam out of a demon (host died, Dean criticizes (ok hypocrite)). Says Sam is already a "race traitor" (??) for just existing as a psychic. Dean deflects by calling him crazy and stupid for believing a demon. Gordon admits to preemptively killing opening psychic, tells Dean the trap he's set up. Says he's showing mercy.

Dean begs for Sam's life -- forced to confront his fears about Sam's turn, vehemently denying Sam is even capable of a bad thought. This implication scared him even more than teh trap, hence why he's so inistent on Sam's innocence.

Gordon compares Sam to baby hitler. Another recurring theme of the season_-- can we determine who will be evil by the nature of their family? Is predestination real and can it be defied? See: Bill's death at John's hands, and additionally, do we have the right to consign a child to the sins of their father?

→ Gordon (as John) says it's Sam's destiny to turn evil, adding another tally to Dean's fears -- maybe John believed this too, maybe he conscripted them both in an unwinnable war, gave Dean responsiblity he will never be able to handle.

Gordon GAGS Dean (HOT!!!) before confirming this exact fear. "You will never be the man he was." OR: you're not strong enought to kill Sam-- you're too in love with him. You can't see the read bad, only the parts of Sam not yet under your control.

Sam avoids Gordon's trap thanks to Ava's premonition, setting off both tripwires. Dean thinks he's hurt or dead and gets no confirmation until Sam himself walks into the room after knocking out Gordon. There's a moment where Dean thinks he's killed him...

They can't!!! Keep!!! Their hands off each other!!!

Gordon tries to goad Sam into killing him, which would prove his point to Dean. Instead Dean, after being rescued (and feeling up his brother) instantly goes to kill Gordon himself until Sam stops him. Of course Gordon wakes up and tries to kill them bother, after which he's caught by the police, which Sam had preemptively called.

Dean thinks Ellen betrayed them. She says that their effort to cover up Sam's powers was fruitless to begin with.

Dean: If you ever take off like that again, I'll... Sam: you'll what? Kill me?

Dean still wants to hide away with Sam. Desire obviously intensified now that the secret is out. Says he doesn't believe in destiny (Sam says he was born to be a hunter) -- not his and absolutely not Sam's. Sam says they can't run from it-- he tried. Sticking together and facing it head on is their only option.

Sam: you can't protect me from this. Dean: well I can try.