Basically your average monster-of-the-week episode, very reminiscent of the early seasons. Since the overall plot of this particular episode was nothing major, it allowed me to focus on the little details, particularly where the boys' heads are at in this episode:
Dean- Dean is back in the game! After Season 7, with Sam and Bobby both worried that Dean had lost his edge and that he was going to end up killed as a result, Dean acknowledges that his time in Purgatory has shown him that killing monsters is what he does best.
Sam- We're now back to the same Sam we had in Season 1, the one who was desperate to give up hunting and live a normal life. It's frustrating to hear him rant about how his past year without Dean gave him "something he's never had before" though...isn't that EXACTLY what he had at Stamford for SEVERAL years with Jessica? Has he forgotten all about her? It was disheartening to listen to him try to convince Dean that he didn't need him around and that Dean should start preparing to continue hunting on his own.
9 Reviews
Back to the Initial Seasons
claudio_carvalho7 March 2014
Warning: Spoilers
Dean and Sam read on the news that someone or something had ripped the hearts out of two persons in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and they decide to stop seeking Kevin out for a while to investigate the bizarre murders. They learn that both suspects had been submitted to a transplant of organs, eye and kidney, and the donor was the same person, the football player Brick Holmes that died in a car crash. They head to Boulder, Colorado, posing as FBI agents and interview Brick's mother Eleanor Holmes that gives vague replies. The Winchester brother seeks out who else received Brick's organs and later they break into his house, where they find a hidden room with a secret.
In "Heartache", Dean and Sam return to the pleasant type of adventure from the initial seasons, chasing this time a follower of the ancient powerful Mayan god of sports Cacao. My vote is eight.
Title (Brazil): "Heartache"
In "Heartache", Dean and Sam return to the pleasant type of adventure from the initial seasons, chasing this time a follower of the ancient powerful Mayan god of sports Cacao. My vote is eight.
Title (Brazil): "Heartache"
Solid where it counts..
PrivateBozz19 October 2012
Warning: Spoilers
In some way it feels a bit early to jump into a Monster-of-the-Week episode at this point, but I'm quite happy about this choice. I've been unsatisfied with the Mytharc of this show for years now, and after the last episode I'm not so sure this will change with S8. The mytharc kind of died for me with Season 4 when the setting began to expand to heaven and hell, making the Winchesters pawns in a game between demons and angels, and their family history a planned out scheme. In my opinion this attempt to lift the small stage to a more epic plane backfired spectacularly, because it sucked the only thing out of the show that had actually been epic, it's 'superpower' so to speak. I'm talking about the humanity. The human aspect had been SPN's strength, the thing that had made this show more than it could have hoped to ever become. I liked SPN small - the road, the case, the family. You and me.
Now while I know there are shows like 'The X-Files' who are a lot more competent and original in telling a creepy MOTW-story, SPN's MOTW are often strong in showing the *real* status quo between the boys, their current attitudes as hunters and towards each other.
And that's where this episode does a really good job. First of all: I love what they are doing with Dean so far. The constant crisis he's been having during the last seasons has made the show rather bleak and painful to watch. Normally I'm all for characters' journeys, even if that journey is a dark and agonizing one, but let's just leave it at 'it wasn't done very well'. I have enough of Dean suffering, drinking and closing up, so finding him content as a hunter, even cheerful, is a factor that makes me enjoy watching SPN a lot more this season. Of course some might say that he's far from OK with this hardened behavior towards others, but to quote the Evil Queen from 'Once Upon a Time' (who said to the Huntsman): "I always felt there were two kinds of people. Wolves and sheep - those who kill and those who get killed." The Winchesters might often do the sheepdog, but there's no denying that they are clearly on the wolf side of Evil Queen's world.
But there's Sam, and he's not content. I'm not so sure what to do with this. Though he said in Season 7 (or was it 6? Forgive me if I'm mixing them up) that he's made peace with his life as a hunter we see that he hasn't. Maybe he needed a taste of the normal to realize this. He had that with Jessica, but the situation had been somewhat different. This time he's been completely alone, no evidence of the abnormal aspects of his life left. So while I think Sam's development does make sense - though imo the fact that he didn't really look for his brother doesn't, not the least bit - I can't help wishing that the brothers were in sync for once. For once!! But well, maybe there's a reward in the end.
Nevertheless, the case and the fact that Sam and Dean were solving it on their own gave them a lot of opportunities to talk and to interact with one another. And to do so in a way that finally feels kind of natural, which led to some enjoyable scenes. I know there are a lot of people who say the show would get boring just focusing on Sam and Dean, but I have never once been bored by their interactions. The moment Dean slapped Sam's hand off the mouse when they were searching the internet in the pilot episode I knew that I would stick with this show.
Unfortunately the case itself suffered from the usual SPN MOTW weakness: not scary. It doesn't necessarily have to be scary, but if it isn't it should at least be mysterious or suspenseful. Both would be great, but it was neither. It had good dialogue, and that I'm extremely grateful for, giving Eleanor some fresh lines that made her more likable and alive than the people Sam and Dean usually help out. But all in all it was pretty forgettable, and the showdown with Sam hitting one of the guys over the head with a bottle (just in time) seemed more than ridiculous. As an experienced hunter he would surely have other ways to incapacitate someone from behind.
So, this week I've seen an episode that is solid where it counts, but not memorable. Please try harder.
7/10
Now while I know there are shows like 'The X-Files' who are a lot more competent and original in telling a creepy MOTW-story, SPN's MOTW are often strong in showing the *real* status quo between the boys, their current attitudes as hunters and towards each other.
And that's where this episode does a really good job. First of all: I love what they are doing with Dean so far. The constant crisis he's been having during the last seasons has made the show rather bleak and painful to watch. Normally I'm all for characters' journeys, even if that journey is a dark and agonizing one, but let's just leave it at 'it wasn't done very well'. I have enough of Dean suffering, drinking and closing up, so finding him content as a hunter, even cheerful, is a factor that makes me enjoy watching SPN a lot more this season. Of course some might say that he's far from OK with this hardened behavior towards others, but to quote the Evil Queen from 'Once Upon a Time' (who said to the Huntsman): "I always felt there were two kinds of people. Wolves and sheep - those who kill and those who get killed." The Winchesters might often do the sheepdog, but there's no denying that they are clearly on the wolf side of Evil Queen's world.
But there's Sam, and he's not content. I'm not so sure what to do with this. Though he said in Season 7 (or was it 6? Forgive me if I'm mixing them up) that he's made peace with his life as a hunter we see that he hasn't. Maybe he needed a taste of the normal to realize this. He had that with Jessica, but the situation had been somewhat different. This time he's been completely alone, no evidence of the abnormal aspects of his life left. So while I think Sam's development does make sense - though imo the fact that he didn't really look for his brother doesn't, not the least bit - I can't help wishing that the brothers were in sync for once. For once!! But well, maybe there's a reward in the end.
Nevertheless, the case and the fact that Sam and Dean were solving it on their own gave them a lot of opportunities to talk and to interact with one another. And to do so in a way that finally feels kind of natural, which led to some enjoyable scenes. I know there are a lot of people who say the show would get boring just focusing on Sam and Dean, but I have never once been bored by their interactions. The moment Dean slapped Sam's hand off the mouse when they were searching the internet in the pilot episode I knew that I would stick with this show.
Unfortunately the case itself suffered from the usual SPN MOTW weakness: not scary. It doesn't necessarily have to be scary, but if it isn't it should at least be mysterious or suspenseful. Both would be great, but it was neither. It had good dialogue, and that I'm extremely grateful for, giving Eleanor some fresh lines that made her more likable and alive than the people Sam and Dean usually help out. But all in all it was pretty forgettable, and the showdown with Sam hitting one of the guys over the head with a bottle (just in time) seemed more than ridiculous. As an experienced hunter he would surely have other ways to incapacitate someone from behind.
So, this week I've seen an episode that is solid where it counts, but not memorable. Please try harder.
7/10
Not the best but still good.
everlarkforalways29 November 2020
This isn't the strongest of episodes story wise. However, something about the episode is very memorable to me. I really like it, and it's fun to watch. I enjoy watching it despite the credibility of the monster and it's lore, how it's killed, etc. Then again, we're talking about monsters. Who's to say what's credible?
I am also an Ackles fan so there is a probability of bias. So it's a 10/10 from me.
I am also an Ackles fan so there is a probability of bias. So it's a 10/10 from me.
I did not mind Heartache.
mm-3926 October 2012
Warning: Spoilers
I did not mind the Heartache episode. Supernatural writers are running out of ideas! Heartache is another monster hunt episode. The boys have to chase down a monster which eats human hearts. When the monster has his body parts donated the boys are on a multiple monster hunt. The show ends with the usual vampire style stake in the heart resolution. Well acted and directed show, with a predictable script. Nothing new here! I give the Heartache episode a seven out of ten. I have noticed Supernatural has a monster theme this year. I wonder if the monster theme has something to do with the Dean's monster friend subplot? The show is still missing a good character for the bad guy. The Dick Roman character last season was great. I wonder if he will be brought back seeing that they made doubles from the human arm.
Motw brother drama / the eye
shwetafabm24 June 2020
A flavorless episode
CubsandCulture27 August 2020
This is the weakest of the episodes that Ackles directed. The monster of the week is fairly lame; I am not sure if mechanics even make sense. How on Earth did no one noticed 4 legendary jocks looked the same? It is also a bit too convenient that the boys only have to put down one person.
Apart from that there's really nothing that stands out in this episode. The big joke doesn't warrant more than a chuckle. It retcon Sam a little...badly...he liked football when? This is a good example of a pure filler episode.
Apart from that there's really nothing that stands out in this episode. The big joke doesn't warrant more than a chuckle. It retcon Sam a little...badly...he liked football when? This is a good example of a pure filler episode.
LOVE the show, but this episode had me yawning!
vnat223 October 2012
Warning: Spoilers
This weeks episode of Supernatural was super disappointing. In fact, I could wholeheartedly state without a doubt that this was the worst episode of Supernatural ever. I have never not enjoyed an episode until tonight. Which makes me sad. The acting seemed bad and the script was dry and the director seemed like he was directing an episode of Murder She Wrote... Last week's episode was exactly what I have come to expect from this incredible show!!! Edge of your seat excitement coupled with tons of actually funny jokes!!!
Please don't tell me, writers and producers, that you guys are getting burned out. Because I really, REALLY love this show, and I really REEEEALLY want to keep watching through many more seasons.
Please don't tell me, writers and producers, that you guys are getting burned out. Because I really, REALLY love this show, and I really REEEEALLY want to keep watching through many more seasons.
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