sweetondean’s Preview of “Supernatural” 8.03 “Heartache”
Here we at episode 3! It seems only yesterday we were all excited for episode 1! Well, I guess it was 3 weeks ago, but those 3 weeks have flown by! I already feel like this season is going too fast.
Anyway, let’s take a look at this week’s episode, “Heartache”. But first,
Â
THEN
In the last episode we got to see some of the events in Purgatory with Dean, Benny and Castiel. We saw how focused Dean was in finding his Angel friend and how committed he was to not departing Purgatory without him, Yet, we were left with a shocking final scene, which appeared to be Dean’s memory of leaving Cass behind,maybe,but we don’t really know,but that’s what it looked like.
Kevin and his mum are in the wind, after falling foul of Crowley and losing faith in the Winchesters, but especially in Dean. Kevin no longer trusts Dean, when it appeared that Dean was willing to sacrifice Kevin’s mum in order to gank Crowley. Crowley’s well-timed words about Dean tossing people aside when they were no longer useful, sure didn’t help matters.
Crowley has the God tablet and knows what its contents are. He also showed his true colours,red. He’s just a Crossroads Demon after all.
Sam is being very Zen. He seems somewhat detached or complacent or accepting of his situation and his brother’s laser like focus on the job,which one of these, I’m not sure. But, we’re about to find out because 8.03 “Heartache” is all about Sam’s flashbacks.
Â
NOW
This week’s episode was directed by Jensen! So that’s exciting! It’s also the episode with Jensen’s daddy, Alan Ackles, in a guest role, acting alongside his son. They’ve acted together once before, playing father and son in the movie, “Devour”. A movie Jensen says he has no idea what it’s about! I agree Jensen,but *cough* chair scene *cough*. Oops,got distracted…
“Heartache” was written by Brad Buckner & Eugenie Ross-Leming who are responsible for “Route 666”, “Shut Up, Dr. Phil”, “The Slice Girls” and “Of Grave Importance.” They got better as they went along right?
So here’s the official synopsis:
Sam and Dean investigate a string of unusual murders where the victims were all recipients of organs from the same donor. The killer is captured, but things become even more complicated when the brothers find their killer in a trance mumbling an ancient prayer.
Outside of the case, this is the first episode we get to look more closely at some of Sam’s year apart from Dean. We’ve had the opening season set up episode, the second episode focusing on Dean and now this, the third episode, which will focus on Sam. I’m hoping this might shed some light on where Sam’s current headspace is, as well as how he was when he first lost Dean and whether that’s affected where he is now. Trauma affects people in different ways.
It looks like we’ll see scenes with him and the vet Amelia and the dog he hit with the car.
We also see Sam telling Dean, that when this is all over, we assume he’s talking about the hunt for Kevin, Crowley and the Word of God, “I’m done. I mean that.” Dean’s response, “No you don’t.”
This scene between Sam and Dean reminds me of the season 1 episode “Shadow” when Dean was explaining why he dragged Sam everywhere, that he wanted the Winchesters to be a family again and Sam said:
“I’m not gonna live this life forever. Dean, when this is all over, you’re gonna have to let me go my own way.”
Sam seems to have come full circle. I love how this show does that,brings in and references elements that your recognise from the past. It almost feels like foreshadowing. With all his talk over the years about never going back to his old life, Sam seems to have done exactly that and gone back to where he was at the beginning of the series. It makes me think that maybe, all this time, he was simply trying to convince himself that the hunter life was for him but that at his heart, he was always the Sam who wanted a normal life.
Dean didn’t believe him then and he doesn’t believe him now,though I think it’s more, he doesn’t want to believe him. That would be too painful.
The preview clip shows the brothers having a fight about whether to take a case or whether to continue the fruitless hunt for Kevin and the Word of God. Hmmmm smells like an Apocalypse argument,
Dean is eager to pursue a case involving hearts being ripped out (cool) and Sam is insisting that they’re on a case, while buying organic apples and once again, seeming detached, or maybe, only there because he feels he has to be.Â
Dean has a dig at Sam about giving up the family business, Sam has a dig at Dean for mentioning it again, Dean says he gets it (he doesn’t get it) and then says, “,do we ignore stuff like this or are innocent people supposed to die so you can shop for produce.” Yeah. I think this episode might be full of hurty brother feels.
Anyway,
I look forward to finding out more about where Sam is at. How his relationship started. What was the immediate fall out when Dean disappeared. Just, everything really. I’m totally interested in Sam’s year.
One thing you can tell from the preview clip, is that it’s obvious that this was the first episode back in the new season. Jensen and Jared have serious hiatus tans going on! It looks like Sam and Dean were tracking the God tablet in Hawaii or something!
Anyhoo, After the last two episodes, I’m jazzed to see what’s revealed this week.
Like I mention earlier….and I think this bears repeating, this is only episode 3…episode 3…. We have a long road of storytelling ahead of us.
What do you think? What are you looking forward to from this weeks episode? And just a reminder lovely people, please play nice in the comments huh?
Don’t forget, for spoiler articles and interviews with the cast and crew, visit our spoiler page here.
Thanks for reading and enjoy the episode! See you in the reviews!
-sweetondean
Oh I think that might have been Freudian! 😆
GAWD, DEAN LOOK #WILLARDROMNEY ORANGE. THIS DOES NOT TELL ME MUCH ABOUT THE EPISODE BUT I AM SO GLAD WE ARE BACK.
I JUST KNOW SAM IS A DEMON MAGNTET. I HOPE THAT’S NOT THE CASE HERE BECAUSE IF IT IS IT’S WAYYYYY TIRED.
HAPPY WINCHESTER WEDNESDAY 🙂
[quote] Why can’t they find a tall female to play his love interest, for once? :D[/quote]
They did. Adrienne Palicki (Jessica) is 5’11”. 🙂
[quote]What do you think? What are you looking forward to from this weeks episode? And just a reminder lovely people, please play nice in the comments huh?[/quote]
I honestly don’t know if I am looking forward to this or dreading it. So much depends on how they present Sam’s life and his decisions. The preview clip certainly is leaning toward Sam=selfish and horrible to want a normal life, while Dean=noble and wanting to save innocent people. So I’m just not sure how this episode will sit with me.
Thanks so much for this preview. I am really looking forward to tomorrow’s episode, and to having Sam’s story revealed over many episodes. When I want an entire character arc to happen in just a few hours, I watch a movie (or a tv series not as good as this one). I am thrilled with the season so far – Jensen has been stunningly good even in light of how fabulous I thought he was before, and all the stories have me hooked. I am most intrigued by the Sam story right now though, so glad a piece of that will be revealed tomorrow.
Looking forward to the start of Sams story reveal, and hoping, hoping, hoping that it will actually be a great story arc – and hinted at strongly enough in this episode that we’ll come begging back for more.
I agree, Grace232, that Jensen has been fabulous! (even if I don’t like this side of Dean). Please please let Sams story be ‘meaty’ enough that we can say the same about Jared.
Then I will be an ecstatic fan.
Hey st50, I hear you Here is one tidbit that may give you comfort. It seems to me that nobody would be more protective of the Sam character than the actor that has played him for over 7 years, and Jared seems really happy with where his story is heading. Since he knows more than all of us about what is coming, I would say that bodes well.
I have to admit that just looking at Amelia in her sundress, the bright sunlight, and the family dog gives me a headache. I do think that we’ll get our initial look at where Sam was at and I do want Sam to have a good story, so with the aid of some hunter’s helper, I’ll take it on.
I’m really excited to see Alan Ackles join in on the fun. I have no doubt that JA’s directing will be fine — he’s had a lot of Kim Manners going on in the past.
Here’s hoping the viewership numbers remain high again this week. Last week’s were terrific.
Thanks, Grace232. Not sure how much Jared knew or when, but I’m glad he’s happy, and we can have hope.
May take LOTS of hunters helper, Ginger! 😉
Here’s hoping the numbers stay high!
[quote] It makes me think that maybe, all this time, he was simply trying to convince himself that the hunter life was for him but that at his heart, he was always the Sam who wanted a normal life.[/quote]
The thought makes me nauseous. Sam has been through so much and had such character development, and it makes me sick to think that they could just throw all that out and revert to S1 Sam, which would be disappointing and boring.
I’m sticking to the hope that this is a red herring and there’s a lot more going on than we know. I keep thinking of that shadowy figure that was watching him leave Amelia’s. Who was this mysterious character? I know some fans are arguing that Sam left Amelia’s because Dean called him but that makes no sense if he threw all his phones out, and he seemed too surprised at seeing Dean at the cabin. So why did he leave Amelia? Why did she not question him leaving in the middle of the night? I’m not buying the easy answer, and I sure as hell hope that it isn’t what they’re going to try to give us in the end.
Actually Jim Michaels spoke to this on the WinBros podcast.
Jim said that there was no phone call. Sam just went to the cabin and that this is something he’s been doing spasmodically throughout his year.
Thank you. I thought not. It will be interesting to find out why.
It sure will!
I too am really hopeful that we will get some good meaty storyline for Sam that MAKES SENSE. I don’t mind if he’s come full circle to discover that he really does want out of the family business. I don’t feel that you have to give up all the established character growth to get there; in my mind he hasn’t ‘reverted,’ he’s grown. Many people come around full circle in their lives and re-make a decision that they once made long ago, with all of the experiences they have had in the mean time helping to support that decision and the conviction that its right.
I am concerned about the writers though. I don’t really like any of their previous episodes; Slice Girls and Shut Up Dr. Phil were OK, Of Grave Importance seemed like a complete waste of time, and Route 666 was just plain awful; its in my bottom 10. But, part of the success of an episode is partly on the shoulders of the show runner; if he demands more from his writers, then hopefully we’ll get it. Last weeks ep by Dabb and Laughlin was pretty successful even though they aren’t the strongest writing team either.
I dont want or need every mystery surrounding Sam’s year to be answered in this one episode. I would just like some insight into where his head was at, what he went through, what his relationship was like with Amelia and maybe a few more tidbits to propel the mystery of his character forward to keep me interested.
Hm, I suppose we could get a Sam who’s come full circle and really does have the ability to walk away from it all and leave his brother out there alone. It isn’t a Sam I would want to watch and I don’t know where that would leave the show. Dean somehow dragging Sam back in? Been there, done that.
I just want to see something new, not a retread of S1 tropes.
I agree with you about these writers and Adam Glass. I am hoping that strong leadership from the new showrunner has a positive effect on them. While I thought Dabb & Loflin missed the ‘tone’ of SPN, the episode was at least more hit than miss.
And totally off topic. I am pretty new to this site; I’ve been coming here for about a month now, and I am enjoying myself so much. I can’t get over how fast the weeks seem to fly by when I can fill up my time between episodes by coming here! Love.
Totally agree with you E, I’ve been visiting for over a year and love this site so much. So much wisdom and lively discussion. The last hiatus was so much more bearable due to this site, it’s wonderful staff, and the diverse group of fans who comment here. No matter what the issues are, we have in common our passion for this show.
I didn’t think Sam looked that surprised to see Dean. Maybe he just figured he might show up there if he was alive. We’ll see.
I don’t think Sam will ever leave Dean on his own. I just watched “The Man Who Knew too Much” and he said exactly that. He may want out of the life and he’s normal if he’s conflicted, but we’d have no show if he up and left, so somehow they work it out, even if it’s temporary, as Sam said in Season 1. Then, he got pulled back in because he had to do the right thing and he will again, I’m sure.
Last week was Dabb and Loflin’s best effort. I can’t stand Adam Glass’s episodes. I think he needs to go. I have high hopes, though, for this next ep, as Jensen’s directing is top-notch, so whatever is in the script will come out in the best possible light, I’m sure. Also, if he’s directing, you can be sure J&J are collaborating, so they will be especially true to their interpretation of the characters we love so much.
I’m really looking forward to this episode. First of all, it’s Jensen’s third time directing, and his dad is in the episode. I saw “Devour” also (still scratching my head over that one) and I liked his dad in that movie. We get to find out more about Sam’s year (love him eating organic fruit 😀 ), something that I’m sure will build up during the season. And I’m with you Grace232, if Jared is happy with the way Sam’s storyline is going this year, maybe we should all give it a chance. 😉