Heroes Returns!

Heroes returns!  And with it an abundance of answers, yet with those answers, an abundance of questions.  

 Much of Monday’s return focused around Linderman and the revalation that he is not only a nortorious mobster in Las Vegas, but a gifted hero himself.  However, Linderman’s views on how to use his powers are somewhat skewed, doing very evil and deadly things, but all under the notion that he is pushing humanity forward, cutting our losses and continuing the evolutionary process. 

Mrs. Patrelli’s character recieved a little more definition on Monday, as well, but the writers took the character in a somwhat unexpected direction.  Portrayed as more of an adversary rather than an allie, she convinces Clair that she must leave her family and go into hiding if she is to ever have a chance at a normal life. 

The most interesting thing about Monday’s show, however, was the teaser for next week’s episode.  It appears that even though they just came back from a long break, they are going back and using yet another filler episode before the end of the season.  The episode will take place in the future, five years to be exact.  It will revolve around the premise that the heroes fail and Peter explodes in the middle of New York City.  Hiro and Ando explore new New York and look for clues as to how they failed in the past to they can fix their mistakes.  I think that the episode is random and a little unnerving because it automatically gets ride of one option that could have occurred at the end of the season.   I mean, no, I don’t think anyone really thinks that the season would have ended with New York exploding, but now we know that this will definitely not happen because, presumably, Hiro and Ando figure it out and then try to fix the problem in the last three episodes of the season.  With a lot of season finales, I feel like there is always one option that the writers could go with that is completely out of the question, but the viewers always think, “what if?”  What if it did end that certain way that would be catastrophic for the characters.  Well, now, that “What if?” is completely taken away and one door is completely closed.

 Granted, I know I’m taking a lot for granted, but this episode idea was so strange to me.  Its unlike anything I have ever seen, which I give them credit for, but at the same time, I just see it being more humerous and honestly confusing than interesting and plot driving.  I could be, and hope that I am, completely wrong.  I dont want to see the show go down hill so quickly but decisions like this just leave me scratching my head.  I guess we can all find out tomorrow night…

The Uncanny Heroes…?

With all of this time off Heroesis taking, I have taken it upon myself to get better acquainted with the part of the season living on my iPod.  While the show has characteristics that are unique to itself, multiple viewings will reveal that the entire storyline is basically lifted right out of the X-Men legend.  The story remains original and the storytelling is flawless, but the idea is rather worn. 

If you look close enough and fill in a few gaps, you begin to connect the dots between Heroes and X-Men.  Both have names for the genetic changes that happens to these people, (Mutants on X-Men, Heroes on Heroes). Both have leaders that are working to not only help these people that have become different, but to understand what is happening to humans as a race (Professor Charles Xavier and Mohinder Seresh, respectively).  Both also have the general feeling of uncertainty and concern that comes along with any drastic change in humanity as we know it.  Both of these stories take a very real look at how people would respond if the world were to all of a sudden exist with people who have extraordinary powers.  In superhero stories like Superman and Batman, the general public accepted these people as saviors; people looking out for the better good of that particular city, or even the world.  But in the X-Men and Heroesstoryline, the “freaks” have to fight to stop a power that could destroy humanity while fighting the humanity that rejects them. 

However, there are certain distinct differences between the storylines as well.  For instance, the issues between humans and “freaks” in X-Men is far more racially driven than on Heroes.  Mutants are outcasts; they are largely feared generally looked upon negatively.  Not enough people in the world know about the Heroes for there to be a general concern, but there still is some fear, but it is primarily between the Heroes themselves; fear of what they can do and fear that they will hurt others. 

 With Heroes returning in two weeks, we can only wait and see if this trend continues.  Even if it does, the storyline is still fantastic and the structure is so captivating that it really doesn’t matter.  All I care about is that the show continues to be good.

Save the cheerleader… Save the world…

So I want to go on record saying that this whole month and a half break that Heroes is taking is probably the smartest idea the producers of the show have ever had. Naturally, as a die hard fan of the show, I was quite perturbed when I saw that the show would not be returning until April 23^rd, but once I looked at the big picture I saw that they pretty much had no other choice.

The series has pretty much been in high gear since the premiere back in August, with the last three to four episodes climaxing the season and answering many questions that have been plaguing viewers since the beginning (the mystery behind Mr. Bennett, who Linderman actually is (which was highly anti-climactic)). While many questions still remain, the break in the season came at a very appropriate time. I began to question how the writers were going to flesh out the story (assuming that the finale of the show will have something to do with the Exploding Man theory), but taking such a long break right before the final 4-5 episodes of the season really saves the series from boring fluff that just doesn’t fit with the show. It can now keep the high energy that has been flowing all season and end with just as big of a bang as it came in on, without any pointless lulls in the plot.

Of course, this is all speculation, and I could be completely wrong. The show could return and enter a five or six episode lull, running well into June and then building back up into the finale, but the timing of this break just seems a little too perfect for it to just be some crazy crackpot idea.

Okay. Now for the show itself. We haven’t heard much from Sanders/Hawkins family; and other than Nikki/Jessica sleeping with Nathan, the tatoo, and the whole Linderman thing, I’m not entirely sure how their plot line fits in with the rest of the characters, so that will be something interesting to watch for as the season comes to a close. Also, the transition Peter made from being the character with the lamest power on the show when he couldn’t hold onto powers, to being the most important character as he learns to keep his powers was pure greatness. Maybe I’m a bit thick, but that came out of left field and just clicked everything into place, pushing the story closer to the inevitability that New York will explode.

As the season comes to a conclusion the connection between the characters gets closer and closer, Hiro’s father, Mr. Bennett, The Patrelli’s, the Hatian, Linderman, Claire, they’re all connected, but by what? Is it some scheme that Linderman or another higher up has created? Or is it more; is something supernatural? And what the hell does that ancient Japanese tatoo have to do with any of this?

Basically, as the show stands now, the first part of the season was wrapped up into a nice, neat little package, while new questions were asked that set up the story for a spectacular bang upon its return. In even shorter terms, I cant freakin wait!