Better Halves (Heroes)
Hiro and Ando flee a poker game; Claire meets impostor parents.
"Better Halves" is the sixth episode of the first season of the American superhero drama television series Heroes. It was written by co-executive producer Natalie Chaidez and directed by co-executive producer Greg Beeman, originally airing on NBC on October 30, 2006. The episode became the most watched installment of the series up to that point, drawing an estimated 14.89 million household viewers.
Quick Facts
- Series
- Heroes
- Season
- 1
- Episode
- 6
- Released
- 30 October 2006
- Length
- 43 minutes
- Director
- Greg Beeman
- Writer
- Natalie Chaidez
- Photographer
- John Aronson
Facts from the source article.
Plot
After Peter completes Isaac's painting and relays Future Hiro's message to "Save the cheerleader, save the world," Isaac receives another confusing call from Hiro. Peter answers and tells Hiro and Ando about his encounter with Future Hiro, instructing them to come to New York. Peter and Isaac then try to locate the cheerleader through Isaac's paintings, but Isaac reveals Simone has taken one to be sold. In Las Vegas, Hiro and Ando are stopped by the high-roller they previously cheated, who forces them to help him win a high-stakes poker game. During the game, Ando notices one of the card players has a gun under the table. After hurrying Hiro into a bathroom to discuss escape, they hear violence in the room and flee through a back entrance to their car. Hiro struggles with his lack of bravery; Ando suggests he might later travel back in time to "do it over." Cheered, Hiro and Ando begin driving to New York. Mohinder tells Eden about his encounter with Peter and, skeptical of Peter's stories, decides to abandon his investigation into his father's death. He bids Eden farewell and prepares to return to India to bury his father. In Odessa, Texas, Mr. Bennet arranges a meeting between Claire and her biological parents, who claim her biological mother did not want the baby and mention a family medical history of diabetes and cancer. Claire is disappointed that nothing they say reveals information about her healing abilities.
Reception
In its original American broadcast, "Better Halves" was seen by an estimated 14.89 million household viewers with a 5.3 in the 18–49 demographics, meaning 5.3 percent of all households with televisions watched the episode. It finished 15th out of 102 programs airing from October 30–November 5, 2007, a slight increase in viewership from the previous episode, which had 14.45 million household viewers and a 5.1 in the 18–49 demographics. The episode received positive reviews from critics. Robert Canning of IGN gave it a "good" 7.8 out of 10, writing that while some parts feel like filler, the bigger superpower moments and the twist of Claire's biological parents being impostors keep the show entertaining. Alan Sepinwall noted the absence of Nathan, Parkman, and Simone, expressing hope that the producers were easing Simone out. Angel Cohn of TV Guide remarked on D.L.'s apparent willingness to forgive Niki before the plan changed. Michael Canfield of TV Squad found it refreshing when characters are as smart as the audience. Television Without Pity gave the episode a "B+" grade. Ali Larter submitted this episode for consideration for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series at the 59th Primetime Emmy Awards.
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