Some readers are not going to like John's arc, or the boys forgiving him. Well, Sam, mostly. But let me tell you, from personal experience, even if your dad is a monster-like, doing the worst things a human being can do--you still love him. He's your DAD. And that is huge. And John is absolutely trying. He's not even making a big thing about his not drinking. He didn't tell them about it to gain their sympathy. They noticed, and he downplayed it.

He wants to atone. John Winchester absolutely, without a doubt, wants to be a good father to his boys. And I thought the character earned a shot at redemption.