I think I'm a true gushing fan, lol. I do miss the "monster of the week" feel of the show from the early seasons, but I've been loving these later ones as well. I'm always chomping at the bit for Friday now (well, Saturday for me since I have to watch on hulu--or other means.

).
When I started watching the show, I was all about Sam and his sweet vulnerability, but the third and fourth (and some parts of later seasons) kind of cured me of that. I still adore him (and worry for him--it seems the series is all about screwing Sam up and Dean trying to save him), but I'm very much a Dean girl. He had to grow on me though--despite having the best lines in the show. (It's sad, but I'm biased against very handsome men in shows. I guess they have to work extra hard to prove that they have real acting chops instead of being hired because of their looks. I tend to be the same about beautiful women in shows--but not as bad. Yep--hated Trip and T'Pol in ENT initially, too--especially Trip. It's not a conscious thing.)
Anyway! I don't really pick favorites though. I love all the characters and miss the ones who are no longer with us. Except Ruby 2.0. (Sorry, Jared Padalecki--aka Sam! I know she's your wife and just bore your son, but I like Blond!Ruby better!

)
I'm rambling. I'm looking forward to tonight's episode with the reappearance of a certain previously offed character. Woohoo!