Heroes (SPOILERS)

[stray]

See, now that was a great episode. When I made earlier gripes about shit not happening, I meant the lack of that.

[EDIT]

I have to say though...

Sylar sucks. Not a cool villain imo. Can someone refresh my memory on why he's such a mean asshole? Wasn't he a fairly normal/nice guy before? Why does he drool and grimace when he kills people? You'd think if all he was concerned about was power, then he'd be more gentleman like / nonchalant when he takes people out.

It's just totally wrong for a longterm villain, especially of the "comic book" variety.

In my opinion, the first rule for these type of characters is: Make them sympathetic somehow. Even to the point where you want to cheer for them. There are as many fans of the Joker, Lex Luthor, or Magneto as there are Batman, Superman, and Professor X.

Sylar has none of that. He's just a shithead. No reason to sympathize with him, and no charisma whatsoever.

Well, I think the reason we're supposed to sort of sympathize with him is that Mohinder's dad pretty much told him to FOAD because he couldn't demonstrate a power.  The guy had spent his whole life wanting to be important or unique or special.  So he figured out how to be that. 

I don't think he's going to be very long term.  I think we have yet to see the true bad guy (unless it's Claire's dad).  Did you see how he was having issues dealing with his new super hearing?  My guess is that as he absorbs more powers, he'll have a harder time controlling them and then croak. 

I hope he's not longterm, but I'm afraid he will be. Peter is becoming WAY too freaking powerful to not have a nemesis to counteract him. Soon enough, both of them will virtually be able to do anything, and need to have a face off like Neo vs Agent Smith.

And it seems unlikely such a faceoff will happen anytime soon. Would be pretty anticlimatic if you carried on the show after something like that.


Also, if that's why I'm supposed to be sympathetic to him, then they haven't played that angle enough for him imo.

[Velorath]

I have to say though...

Sylar sucks. Not a cool villain imo. Can someone refresh my memory on why he's such a mean asshole? Wasn't he a fairly normal/nice guy before? Why does he drool and grimace when he kills people? You'd think if all he was concerned about was power, then he'd be more gentleman like / nonchalant when he takes people out.

It's just totally wrong for a longterm villain, especially of the "comic book" variety.

In my opinion, the first rule for these type of characters is: Make them sympathetic somehow. Even to the point where you want to cheer for them. There are as many fans of the Joker, Lex Luthor, or Magneto as there are Batman, Superman, and Professor X.

Sylar has none of that. He's just a shithead. No reason to sympathize with him, and no charisma whatsoever.

I just don't want to them to drag out the "Mohinder and Sylar travel to meet a new superhuman and Sylar kills him/her" thing.  Mohinder should be smart enough to catch on sooner rather than later.

Mr. Bennet seems to be more of the sympathetic villain and possibly the Haitian too depending on what his goals and motivations actually are.  After this episode Isaac might fit into that category too.

[SnakeCharmer]

I gotta agree with Stray here. 

Sylar sucks.  He's boring.  Further, the best villains are extremely likeable in some way.  Not so much that you're sympathetic to why they are a bad guy, but they generally have something that either you identify with, or they have SOME sort of redeeming quality.

Is Sylar's previous 'every man' persona supposed to be what we as an audience identify with?  The 'we all want to be special and a rock star but we're stuck in our boring mundane lives doing boring mundane things' thing?  He's creepy, but not in a cool creepy kinda way.

I understand that he gets his power from the brains of the person he kills, but HOW does he get them?  Does he pull a Hannibal and eat them, or what?

Well, I think the reason we're supposed to sort of sympathize with him is that Mohinder's dad pretty much told him to FOAD because he couldn't demonstrate a power.

Are you sure about that?  I remember it differently:  Suresh was scared of him, IIRC, due to the way Sylar began to act (psychotic), and asked/told him to leave.  Could be wrong thou.


To Velorath:  Yeah, the whole 'Thelma and Louise' thing that Sylar and Mohinder have going will bore out rather quickly. 

[MrHat]

Peter is a villian worth liking though.

My bet is he gets batty next episode then his brother or someone knocks some sense into him.

[CmdrSlack]

Are you sure about that?  I remember it differently:  Suresh was scared of him, IIRC, due to the way Sylar began to act (psychotic), and asked/told him to leave.  Could be wrong thou.

You could be right.  It has been a while.  I really think he's not that likeable of a bad guy too, but I was trying to find something redeemable about the guy.  Heck, it could just be his general level of crazy.

[Mazakiel]

Dr. Suresh was testing Sylar, and they couldn't discover his power or anything special about him, so Dr. Suresh basically said, "Oh well, we're done.  I've got lots of work to do finding the real special people." and send Sylar on his way.  Sylar then stole the name and number of someone else Dr. Suresh had on the first list, and contacted him.  That guy showed up, showed he could move a teacup, and then asked Sylar if he could fix it and make the power go away.  Seeing someone with a tangible power who wanted to give it up made Sylar snap, so he cracked his skull open and did his thing.  Then he went back and showed Suresh his 'discovered' power.  Somewhere between there and the beginning of the series' events, Sylar further degraded and started debraining people left and right. 

Sylar is basically the drive to be special taken to a crazy extreme.  Though he screamed psychotic from the get go, let alone after he started gnoshing on brains. 

[HaemishM]

See, now that was a great episode. When I made earlier gripes about shit not happening, I meant the lack of that.

[EDIT]

I have to say though...

Sylar sucks. Not a cool villain imo. Can someone refresh my memory on why he's such a mean asshole? Wasn't he a fairly normal/nice guy before? Why does he drool and grimace when he kills people? You'd think if all he was concerned about was power, then he'd be more gentleman like / nonchalant when he takes people out.

It's just totally wrong for a longterm villain, especially of the "comic book" variety.

I don't think Sylar is meant to be a longterm villain. He's a boogeyman that will bind some of the Heroes together, but he's not going to be the main bad guy. The guy's behind Bennett, that's who you have to look at, guys like Linderman. Those are the real bad guys and Sylar is just a fly in their ointment. He'll be like the Invisible Man, someone they'll try to remove.

I agree though, that was one of the best episodes they've done, especially when Peter takes off. I'm really digging his character a lot more now that he's getting some balls.

[Mazakiel]

Having now finished the episode...wow.  That was great. 

It seems Peter doesn't even have to know he's been exposed to the power to be able to call on it later, so I wonder what other powers Sylar might have had in Odessa that he may be able to show off later. 

That might also explain the strange prophetic dreams thing Peter's been able to do since the get go.  My guess is that's something that may have come from his Dad. 

[Bunk]

A couple comments on the latest episode: At first I thought it was silly that Silar would kill Superhearing Lady right away like that, considering the fact they if he keeps that up as a pattern, Mohinder will catch on quickly enough.

Then I looked at Sylar, at the way he intentionally prompted Mohinder to talk about his father's murder,  at some of the other things he's done - it fits. I think he'd see it as a game to see how long he can string along Mohinder as his friend, and how big of a fool he can make out of him. Ultimately, the longer he gets away with it, the bigger the fool Mohinder looks, and the more glee Sylar will get out Mohinder's anguish.

So, did we see another way of Hiro's power to manifest? Up to now, it's seemed that Hiro would could slow time's effect on himself. Based on the last episode though, he would have had to slow and then reverse time in just a localized area around Hope. Otherwise, when the normal time flow resumed, she would have just fired the gun again before she was tackled. So obviously the time reversal only affected her, allowing the guy time to run over and tackle her.

Either that, or they just fucked up.

[MrHat]

I understood it that he reversed time on the bullet, but the energy backfired into the gun.

It was late for me though.

[Morfiend]

I really enjoyed last nights episode. "shit happened" as I have been complaining of not happening. And for once, it felt like a "full" episode. I hope they show is finally starting to get some major legs, and not have that be a one time built up to episode. I have always liked Peter, and like some one else said, its nice to see him getting some balls. I do think Simones death is going to make him go a bit crazy, but then again, maybe not.

I used to really like Hiro and Ando, but their story line REALLY seems to be dragging out, like the same kind of shit in every episode. We need development in that story, not that same rehashed bit every time. Hopefully with Ando leaving, thats signaling the end of that repeating plot. Move forward please.

As to Mohinder and Sylar. Mohinder is supposed to be really smart, but so far he hasnt made very many (any?) smart moves. I like the theory behind the "boogyman" that is Sylar, but its really starting to get a bit old.

I really like Bennet. He isnt good or bad, he just is, and those guys make some of the best characters. I like that he is showing his human side a bit more, as I want the Clair and her Dad plot line to move forward as well.

All in all, I think that was my favorite episode of the entire show.

[Sairon]

I think Ando will stalk Hiro or something and end up saving Hiro in one way or another, and then they will join together again. I'm pretty certain this isn't the last we've seen of Ando at least, perhaps he even has some hidden power.

Peter might go crazy, or he will feel just as guilty as the painter dude. Or he will kill the painter and start another story arc with peters guilt.

I think the Mohinder arc will take a turn pretty soon. Would be cool if he somehow figure out Sylars identity and turn it into some kind of mind game where Mohinder tries to hide the fact that he knows out of fear for his life, it could be pretty cool. Mohinder doesn't have the mind reading power yet.

[Velorath]

I really enjoyed last nights episode. "shit happened" as I have been complaining of not happening. And for once, it felt like a "full" episode. I hope they show is finally starting to get some major legs, and not have that be a one time built up to episode.

Next episode looks like it will have even more happen than this one did, as we're supposed to get more background on Mr. Bennet and Primatech, flashbacks of him meeting the Haitian for the first time and of his run-in with Claude.  This is also going to be the last new episode I think, until the final five are shown at the end of the season.

[SnakeCharmer]

Here's a thought about the Hiro / Ando thing....

Badass Hiro With Swords on the train with Peter (Nathan? I always get their names mixed up) was much more serious.  We've seen flashes of Hiro becoming Badass Hiro With Swords, but he never really takes that last step.

Suppose Ando bites it very soon?

[MrHat]

Here's a thought about the Hiro / Ando thing....

Badass Hiro With Swords on the train with Peter (Nathan? I always get their names mixed up) was much more serious.  We've seen flashes of Hiro becoming Badass Hiro With Swords, but he never really takes that last step.

Suppose Ando bites it very soon?

My thoughts exactly.  Ando follows Hiro to random encounter #11 and Hiro can't save him in time.  Hiro becomes much more serious.  I think the whole show is going to become more serious (what w/ Peter not being such a flake, and Claire owning up to her dad).  Plus, people dying always makes for better TV.

[Samwise]

I understand that he gets his power from the brains of the person he kills, but HOW does he get them?  Does he pull a Hannibal and eat them, or what?

He looks at them and sees how they work.  Once he sees how they work, he's able to replicate the effect.  Like reverse-engineering a watch.  It's almost the exact same thing that Peter does, except that Peter does it empathically and automatically rather than by visual inspection (but he also has less intellectual understanding of it and hence less control).

So, did we see another way of Hiro's power to manifest? Up to now, it's seemed that Hiro would could slow time's effect on himself. Based on the last episode though, he would have had to slow and then reverse time in just a localized area around Hope. Otherwise, when the normal time flow resumed, she would have just fired the gun again before she was tackled. So obviously the time reversal only affected her, allowing the guy time to run over and tackle her.

Either that, or they just fucked up.

In the very first episode, Hiro made his clock run backwards for a second while everything else kept going forward.  The gun trick seems to fit with that.


Was I the only one who noticed the Stan Lee cameo, or was I just the only one that was thoroughly delighted by it?

[schild]

I noticed the Lee cameo when his name came up in the opening credit.

First episode I've liked since the winter break.

[HaemishM]

I noticed the Lee cameo and laughed. Great addition.

I still can't figure out if Sylar needs to see their brain to absorb the power, eat their brains or he just does it because he can. I do think Ando will be back, but I'm not sure about him biting it. After all, Hiro's already had one failure with the waitress. But Ando's death would surely get him super serious.

Please tell me we aren't going to have another goddamn hiatus.

[Samwise]

I still can't figure out if Sylar needs to see their brain to absorb the power, eat their brains or he just does it because he can.

Have we ever heard anyone mention the brains of Sylar's victims being found missing?  I know the tops of their heads are always removed, but it's not clear whether he actually pulls the brain out.

[Nevermore]

I'm pretty sure we saw enough of future Isaac's and frozen guy's heads to see they were debrained.  Plus, didn't the FBI lady say Sylar's victims were missing their brains?  I'd have to go back and rewatch them to be sure.

[Bunk]

Was I the only one who noticed the Stan Lee cameo, or was I just the only one that was thoroughly delighted by it?

It would have been far cooler had I not already seen his name in the credits, but yes, I did recognize him immediately.

[CmdrSlack]

Was I the only one who noticed the Stan Lee cameo, or was I just the only one that was thoroughly delighted by it?

It would have been far cooler had I not already seen his name in the credits, but yes, I did recognize him immediately.

Yeah, you really cannot miss his voice.  Also, I recognize him from cameos in all of the Marvel flicks and Mallrats.

[Mazakiel]

That was a pretty damn good episode, and a great follow-up to last week's.  And some very nifty surprises as well.  Now we know why HRG recognized the Deavoux (sp?) building, and Hiro's dad now seems to have alot more importance.  Granted, now there are new questions raised, but still...very nice. 

[Samwise]

The show's still in progress in my backwards-ass timezone, so I have no comment on the episode yet, except to reiterate that "The Haitian" is possibly the best superhero/villain name EVER.

[Samwise]

Well damn.  If you'd told me an hour ago that by the end of this episode I'd find HRG a likable and sympathetic character, I wouldn't have believed you.  But that last scene was downright touching.

Was this the first episode they've had where they've stuck to a single plotline the whole way through?  I liked it.  More please?

[Velorath]

This was probably my favorite espisode of the series so far.

[stray]

Awesome episode. 

Eric Roberts. That's a cool addition. Guy used to be something else back in the day (kinda trashed his career on B flicks). Hope his character shows up more.

[Evil Elvis]

Awesome episode. 

Eric Roberts. That's a cool addition. Guy used to be something else back in the day (kinda trashed his career on B flicks). Hope his character shows up more.

Eric Roberts is who you get when you can't afford James Woods.  Just sayin'.

Good show though.  I've been waiting for Bennet's character-redeeming storyline for a while now.

[stray]

Hmm? They were nothing alike (I love James Woods too though, don't get me wrong).


For good films, I would suggest Runaway Train, Star 80, and the Pope of Greenwich Village (for Rourke as well....who went off the deep end too for a bit).

[EDIT]

Wait, I see what you're saying. The older Eric Roberts basically is a poor man's James Woods.

[HaemishM]

Well damn.  If you'd told me an hour ago that by the end of this episode I'd find HRG a likable and sympathetic character, I wouldn't have believed you.  But that last scene was downright touching.

Yes.

Was this the first episode they've had where they've stuck to a single plotline the whole way through? 

Yes. But you figure it had to happen eventually. At some point, you have to start addressing specific plot points.

It's funny that Eric Roberts showed up. The buddy I carpool to work with and I were talking about how much we hated his turn as the Master in that Paul McGann Doctor Who Fox movie, and how much we just don't like him. BAM. He shows up. Fucking Eric Roberts.

I honestly didn't see a lot of the developments with Mr. Bennett coming. That's a great way to make him a sympathetic character, and having the Haitan mindwipe him after shooting him was a good idea. Just mindwiping him would lead Eric FUCKING Roberts to doubt Bennett, but with Bennett wounded in the whole thing, he might not have as much doubt. Bennett's still fucked though.

More Christopher Eccleston please.

[stray]

Telling you guys. Star 80. :-D The guy actually had a good thing going there in the early 80's.

It's the story about Dorothy Stratten by the way.

[SnakeCharmer]

Fantastic freaking episode. 

I don't know why it suprised me, but Hiro's dad being involved in the whole thing shocked me a bit.  (An aside, the little kid they got to play little Hiro looked EXACTLY like him, it was freaking scary (bad racist joke:  I guess they do all look the same)).  The scene with Claire spitting up the bullet was awesome, and her spitting out the blood like a boxer really surprised me.  She's turned into a tough little hottie.

If Nuclear Caveman Guy was going all radioactive when he was getting pissed (and even more so after Eric Roberts shot him), wouldn't everyone there pretty much be dead/dying from radiation poisoning?  I realize it's a TV show about people with superhuman powers, but come on...

About Eric Roberts:  I gotta say, he fit the mold for I had in mind for HRG's boss.  And the scene with Invisible Guy was pure genius (popping up during the first meeting).

"The Haitian" is possibly the best superhero/villain name EVER

 
Agreed.  I wish they'd flesh him out a bit more, but there's more than enough people to worry about at this point. 

I'm quite glad the Internet Chick wasn't around.

The previews:  Simone showing back up alive?  Wonder if that was a dream (she's standing up with bloody bulletholes), or if she comes back?  I kinda doubted she would be gone, considering she is one of the highlighted cast on nbc.com's heroes page.  If she shows up with a power.....Just....Bleh.  Somehow, I'm sure we're going to see HRG back in the fold in a pretty big way (previews showing him be damned).  They can't get rid of him that quick.

Is next week the season finale?  If so...BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[HaemishM]

Is next week the season finale?  If so...BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

I think there are 5 more episodes this season.

[Mazakiel]

The preview described the next episode as the beginning of the final chapters of the season, or some such.  I've heard there might be another brief hiatus after next week's episode before they start down the final stretch, but I sure as hell hope that's not the case.  I'm hoping things keep this pace right up to the season finale, where we can see just what has changed about the future, and how well they've managed to avert disaster.  I'm rather certain things will have changed, it's just a question as to how much. 

[Evil Elvis]

That brief glimpse of Linderman at the end looked like the guy who played The Architect in the Matrix sequels.