I agree with you that by the end of the ep, Sam had learned things about Dean he didn't know before and understood Dean a little better. But I also think Dean misinterpreted what he learned, so that he thinks he learned a lot about Sam, but what he thinks he learned was wrong.

I also think that Sam will work harder and get back to really repairing his relationship with his brother

I think Sam has been busting his ass all season to redeem himself and make things up to Dean. Unfortunately, Dean is so overwhelmed that he can't feel forgiveness for Sam yet because he can't feel anything; he's just feeling numb at this point.

Kripke doesn't deserve Sam and Dean he just keeps breaking and breaking them!

Amen, sister! If he can't play nice with his toys, they should be taken away from him.