After finally watching this episode, for myself this was far more like it. Consistent tone, strong performances (hell I even liked Eric Johnson and after watching Flash Gordan, really thats almost impossible to believe).
I actually loved the idea of YED (who was working a rather large room) sending someone to watch and monitor Sam (his prize). And knowing they need Sam to get back in the saddle, manipulating events to make him the must vulnerable for his rage and anger to flourish is rather awesome. It also really cleared up one of the few missing pieces on how YEd was able to enter there home to torch her (though of course YED could have possessed anyone), I like this actually better.
I love, love the idea of Sam thinking to use himself as the means to trap Lucifer in the Pit. Its both a great idea and a terrible one, and it plays into both Sam's belief in his own strength and wanting to take charge of his destiny, and it also gives him the ability to make up for all the pain an death caused by his accidental release of Lucifer (by of course being sent into the Pit). I thought that also played nicely into his drinking.
Nice to see Sam bring up that people can resist possession. He saw John manage it briefly, he saw Bobby do it, and he heard about the anti-Christ's mom doing it. And with knowing that JOhn was briefly able to regain some control over YED (A major player), it shows that it's not just lesser demons this can happen with. Of course, Lucifer isn't a demon, and is certainly stronger then Azazel, but Azazel is still a large step up from a demon lackey.
I loved the idea of Crowly needing to make a deal to give them the location of Death. And frankly Bobby is a perfect person to do this. He wants to die already, and Bobby also keeps his eye on the Big Picture. He wouldn't be willing to go to the Pit for his own life or even the boys I think (or he would have dealt for his wife). But doing so for the chance to stop Lucy is a whole other option.
I loved the use of the hell hounds (I still want to see if a charged Sam could destroy them, and after what they did to Dean I would have no problem seeing him take another sample of demon blood to try for a brief second I thought that was what was going to happen).
And I like that the tone was a bit sedate, serious but not full on pulse pounding battle to the end, or even the tone they managed so well in Abandon All Hope. Basically it's still set up, and the tone needs to be able to build.
The two quibbles that I have with this episode is that, they told instead of showed. Once is certainly understandable (and most likely tied to cost) the other would easily have been done.
Those are, I think they could have flashed briefly back to showing a demon placing something on or in the Impala. Would hardly add any real cost.
The other is I wish we could have flashed briefly back to Stanford, to see Jessica and Brady and Sam at that point of time. But having the money to secure the actress (and a what would have had to be a set redress) for a few quick jump cuts is probably not the wisest thing to do on a show with such a limited budget (it's one of the joys with Lost's budget is that it allows them to utilize guest stars for tiny, tiny segments years down the road). But it is still something I think would have helped the drama of the story. And with just a few exceptions you should show and not tell, whenever possible.
This having to do my job thing for the new clients is really cutting into my leisure time, but my puppy dog needs to eat so what can you do? Paying the mortgage seems to be a necessity as well. Mark Sheppard is back. He always rocks. 
Revenge is succinct, Sammy. 
Pretty brutal.
And he's not the fuzzy warm demon. He's still murdering innocent guards, manipulating Bobby into giving up things..... love the character. Sam not being a boyscout and butchering Brady's inner demon was rather choice, too. Even back then..... 
