Dean explained that his decision to meddle in this world had everything to do with keeping the Akrida away from his world, where Sam (Jared Padalecki) is currently living out the rest of his days after losing his brother.

Dean Is Still Dead in 'The Winchesters,' and It Works\n\n Though Sam and Dean sacrificing themselves for one another is sort of a clich at this point, what made Dean's return to The Winchesters especially interesting is that he isn't alive anyway: he's still dead.