The other thing that I have observed is that whenever they want to prop another character, the do it at Dean's expense. I guess it's because they don't think Dean can be damaged in the audience's estimation.

I agree and for the most part, that's true. I'd actually have to see Dean doing something awful for me to think less of him; no amount of other characters yelling at him or humiliating him is going to do the job. However, as you say, it will make me think less of the other characters, not to mention the writers.

Croatoan, I thought had all the elements to make a block buster episode, but the I never got the feel of the massive threat from zombiefied town so it felt really flat to me.

LOL, I'd suspect this had more to do with a low budget. It's hard to pull off a zombie apocalypse with a cast of...fives. And since that was Season Two, I'll bet they blew most of the season's budget on "Nightshifter." Helicopters and SWAT teams don't come cheap.

that kind of brilliance is almost accidental on this show

I know, I know. I can't understand why after all this time I keep expecting the show to live up to its potential.