I have been rather slack with Heroes recently, but what can I say? TV shows with multiple narratives confuse me, keeping track of those people This isn’t a Springsteen album damnit, I want things simple.
With that admirable philosophy in mind, I am going to talk about the last three episodes, keeping it to a nice 300 word of less each (hopefully):
206: Was it just me, did this feel like a ‘very special’ episode of Heroes? Not only was there the none too subtle Teen Drinking sermonizing, but there was only the whole illegal immigrants crossing over the border issue. Am I reading to much into this, or is Kristen Bell’ s arrival turning Heroes into the Left Wing equivalent of the Simpsons (kidding…).
Okay, so maybe not, but this will be forever be the episode that really kicked the Second Season of Heroes off (as well as taking away Kristen Bell from us so soon). Noah really showed his badass/ever side by violently executing his mentor (is there any other way?), a fact that showed just how determined he is to keep his family safe. Ambiguity has always been a big playing point in Heroes (even Sylar was something of an antihero once upon a time). Whereas other shows drive ambiguity and trust into a shallow, shallow grave, Heroes does it to near perfection. Prison Break take notes: We sometimes don’t know who to trust, but it’s still truly enjoyable, mainly because the trust issues come down to great character driven moments (see Noah’s execution again).
Whilst Noah may be skirting that thin line between Jack Bauer and Charles Starkweather, Sylar is already well into the ‘picking up 14 year old girls’ stage of insanity (to continue the metaphor*) and the show is damn better for it. Having a villain such as Sylar is a real asset to the show, as even though he is about as ambiguous as Zac Efron, he is still likable (unlike Zac Efron).
207: Like I said, the season is starting to get some Kitkzcah (Jewish word for kick) into it, culminating with the best ‘holy shit’ moment in perhaps the history Heroes (or at least this season). Adam/Takezo appearing there was a great twist, and I’m looking forward until the inevitable Adam/Hiro reunion? What exactly do you say to somebody who killed you 400 years ago? Belated reunions aside, I think that Adam is going to be one of the more interesting characters this season, and the company’s betrayal of him adds yet another line to the ever widening web of Company conspiracy. I mean, stuck in a cell for 30 years? That’s gotta boil the bisque in your bones (does that mean anything?)
In broad series news, we can take this episode as confirmation that the virus is going to play the ‘nuclear bomb’ role of season 1. Whilst I’m interested to see how this turns out, as it doesn’t have the same empathy factor as a human bomb, but I’m also a little disappointed. Although first looks count for nothing in Heroes (barring two very obvious cases)
I’m not that enthused about the crew trying to prevent another NYC evacuation. Also, there had better be a damn good explanation for why exactly this strand of virus to immune to sexy doctor Indian blood (kidding!), and it’s not a case of Deus Ex Machinma.
Another development that left me disappointed was the whole ‘dream sequence’ with Matt’s father, which seemed an extremely corny departure for Heroes. Although, credit to the writers, it didn’t last as long as I thought that it would (luckily).
And, the less said about West and Claire the better. That whole thing was painful. Also, couldn’t Hiro have just grabbed Tazeko? Or at least realized that he would be fine in the explosion?
Of course, it would not be fair to end this section without a section without a talk about Elle, a character I’m starting to really like (and not just because of Ms Mars). Not only is she insane (in a wonderfully awesome way) but as she says herself, her powers have messed up her life something bad. The resentment at having some incredible powers is something not often touched in Heroes, and I think this is really unfortunate. Sure, we see people coming to grips with their power, but we hardly ever see full blown resentment and life ruining from them. I dunno, perhaps people are more interested in horrendously bad teenage romance plots.
208:
You know, the whole Adam Monroe storyline was awesome, but I’m actually more interested in what they didn’t show. I mean, where the fuck where the Bennett’s? Or Sylar? After Peter, surely Sylar’s activates during the hiatus would have been the most interesting? Sure, he might have been asleep for the four or so months, but at least fill us in on who was looking after him, and how he survived the season 1 finale.
The lack of these stories is understandable though, giving the sheer volume that the show had to get through in 40 minutes. There is only a limited time, and the newbie Herrara family kind of had to be included, as did Peter descent into amnesia. This brings me to Hawkins family, who as many you know, are the bane of my Heroes viewing. Nothing personal, it’s just that they’re annoying and I wished them a fiery, fiery death. I must say, this episode proved to be the exception to the rule, as I thought it their story was done really well. Not only was it quite a sweet storyline, with D.L trying to be a ‘true’ hero (and succeeding aplomb!) but it drove home the fact that ‘Heroes’ trying to be normal is the most futile fucking exercise in the history of the universe.
However (you knew it was coming) it felt awfully tacked on, and as I said, that’s kind of unforgivable when there’s amazing narratives like Sylar’s. I mean, split the time of the Hawkins and put in some Sylar time!
As I mentioned before, the newbie’s where kind of a given in this episode, but like the Hawkins, I enjoyed their back story much more than I enjoy whole trek across
Finally there is the Petrelli storyline line, which was done perfectly. So as much as I complain, I also need to give kudos when stories are done properly, and this one wrapped up all the loose ends and tied them into a pretty little bow to wrap around the whole episode. Yeah, I know that’s stupid, but who cares? It’s not as if anyone’s reading this!
*Can you figure I’ve been listening to
**Perhaps the gayest thing I have ever written. Ever. That includes anything that may be stored in hidden folders in my ipod.
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