Laci J. Mailey who plays the cop Jenna Nickerson, appeared in an earlier episode during season 7 episode 22 "There Will Be Blood" as Emily, the young girl who was kidnapped by the alpha vampire and led Sam and Dean into a trap with the alpha.
The name Amara is found in several languages. In Igbo it means "grace". In Latin/Italian it means "bitter". It is also a Mongolian name meaning "peaceful", and in Sanskrit it means "eternal". In Spanish it means "imperishable". In America it is used as a derivative of the Latin "amore" to mean "beloved" and in Arabic it means "A sign".
Ryan Grantham who was 'Todd' in Season 4 Episode 8 'Wishful Thinking' returns uncredited in the beginning of this episode as the boy who confronts Castiel in the shed with a shotgun.
Kirsten Robek who plays 'Marnie', Crowley's temporary vessel, also played the role of Mrs. Wallace in Season 4, Episode 7, 'It's the Great Pumpkin, Sam Winchester'.
The season picks up immediately after the events from last season. There is no time jump.