I actually got back into SPN in a big way during season 8, mostly because I am a Destiel shipper and it looked good for them then.

I dropped out again mid-season 10, for Librarians-related reasons, and I still miss SPN, but haven't been able to get back into it again. It's mostly frustrating anyway, since the writers do everything in their power to show how Dean and Cas can never be a couple.

I admit I've never been interested in Sam that much, so everything you mention that happened to him during season 8, I had pretty much already forgotten again... I really loved Purgatory and Benny, though. I remember all of that. *g*