Too bad, though. I really liked the kid’s character and his power. And to bring him in to a “Days of Future Past” style interment camp story would have some real emotional punch.

“A Heroes story arc, apparently, cannot be written without precognitive paintings. Seriously, this is such an overused plot device that it is now devoid of meaning.”

Yeah, sad but true, although it’s actually not bugging me that much. I’m willing to give it the benefit of the doubt because I can’t believe it was only introduced for the “Ooh, a picture of Daphne getting shot! Ooh, the picture came true!” gimmick. The show must have a better reason for bringing the device back after they killed off Usutu and sucked the ability out of Peter.

“Shock tactics aren’t working anymore; they leave me feeling either angry that they’ve taken away an awesome character (such as Daphne), fearful for the fate of my other favourite characters (such as Tracy), or expecting a miraculous revival.”

I tend to sympathize with TPTBs when it comes to this, because to me it seems like an impossible dilemma. Everyone has a different favorite character. There are fans who loved Maya and Simone and were sad when they were written out. I don’t know if the show should be killing off characters just because a few vocal fans don’t like them. Sometimes there’s a less vocal portion of the fanbase that responds to those characters, and sometimes there’s a plan for that character further down the road that justifies keeping them around. Lots of us were bored to death by Matt reading his wife’s mind and fixing leaky pipes in Season One, but I think the storyline now would be weaker if the show had listened to us and either changed Matt’s storyline or written him out.

Mostly, when it comes to this, I’m content to trust TPTBs, provided they write out characters in a way that’s fitting and respectful. If they want to write out a character because they feel the character’s storyline has run its course, I think that’s the way to go, even if it’s a beloved character. Sometimes I kind of want to say “Huh? Why?!”, and Isaac’s one of those instances (as are Charlie and Adam), but I think the alternative would be worse. If the show held onto characters it had nothing to write about, it would hurt the show more; and if it wrote out characters based solely on the perception that fans didn’t “like” them, it’d turn into a bizarre reality-show scenario where the writers catered to fan response instead of writing the story they actually wanted to write.

“I just cannot stand Hiro. He adds nothing to the show.”

That statement, all on its own?… says so much.

Sergio, welcome, and thanks so much for reading.

“I LOVE the fact that your reviews are really long, this is a monstrously detailed show, so, it needs a monstrously deteiled review.”

Thanks. That’s pretty much my reasoning too. As long as you guys want to read it, I’ll write it.

“I Lot of people hated this episode, and that´s sad, bacause usually it´s not the show who dissapoints me, the “fans” does, not all of course, but some people are always complaining and whining, looking an excuse for critique the show.”

I know what you mean. I’m glad the show’s been getting more favorable (although less widespread) press lately, and I think that’s helped. I know people who gave up on Volume Three and came back for Volume Four because of what they’d heard about it, and that’s got to be a good sign.

B., welcome!

“I give the ep a 3.5 out of 5.”

That’s fair.

“It’s difficult to watch Sylar’s scenes because while he’s my favorite, his scenes ARE distracting. Mainly because they have nothing to do with the main plot.”

Yeah, I feel the same way. Based on the episode descriptions and images from the next few weeks, it looks like his storyline will rejoin the main arc, so here’s hoping.

“Luke is an OK kid.”

I dunno …

“I kinda like him, only because it proves that even though Sylar is still a murderer, he’ll never be the same solitary killer he once was.”

Oh, I agree with you there. Luke’s role will probably help to develop Sylar’s character arc. He still creeps me out, though, and I think the similarities between him and Sylar have been overemphasized a little.

“I think Micah is the Rebel … Angela feels like an obvious choice.”

This seems to be the popular theory. I think, if Angela’s an obvious choice, it’s because there’d be an obvious symmetry to the story if she did turn out to be Rebel. There’d be something full-circle about a character becoming a symbol of hope for the people her organization used to hunt and experiment on.

Adrienne, thank you. I was starting to wonder if I was the only one who saw Peter’s storyline that way.

I agree. Once upon a time the show would only have had a glimmer of Peter apporaching a darker, less naive self yet in this episode it was clearly illustrated. Peter was always the one looking for an out where no on would get hurt but he’s quickly come to realize that this situation is not going to play out that way. And now it presents that ethical dilemma as you said. How far doesn one go to protect themself? Should he or the specials restrain their defenses because they are essentially more powerful?

I’ve always enjoyed reading your reviews; this is my first time posting.

I give the ep a 3.5 out of 5. Daphne didn’t die; as you said, there was no build up to the scene, or any real concern after. I admit, I’m not invested in her character (especially not with Matt) so if she’s gone for a while, that’s OK by me. But she definitely isn’t dead.

It’s difficult to watch Sylar’s scenes because while he’s my favorite, his scenes ARE distracting. Mainly because they have nothing to do with the main plot. The writers need to find a way to segue them in because I feel like I’m watching a completely different show, with him and Luke. Luke is an OK kid. I kinda like him, only because it proves that even though Sylar is still a murderer, he’ll never be the same solitary killer he once was. His experiences with the Petrelli’s and Elle proved that even he wants some human connection, not just the kind he can steal. That’s a character growth that makes sense to me.

Thumbs down on Matt-the-Precog. I’m just sick of seeing this ability show up in half the characters. It feels like the writers are saying “Damn, why DID we kill off Isaac?”

The trailer park scene was excellent. I keep forgetting that the Heroes live in the real world, instead of the fantasyland you find at Primatech or Pinehearst or whatever. And the Sylar’s special mug goes right up there w/Mohinder’s “World’s Greatest Dad” apron.

I think Micah is the Rebel. Besides his techno-savvy, he was one of the few people shown to the President when Nathan betrayed them. Angela feels like an obvious choice.

I LOVE the fact that your reviews are really long, this is a monstrously detailed show, so, it needs a monstrously deteiled review.

I Lot of people hated this episode, and that´s sad, bacause usually it´s not the show who dissapoints me, the “fans” does, not all of course, but some people are always complaining and whining, looking an excuse for critique the show.

I think the way people is too severe on Heroes is because of his success and its impact on pop culture, i think this is a real testament of how people love more about buliding up heroes, is to make them fall.

Anyway, Awesome review, as always

I agree with most of your points, and I’m excited that after a disappointing third volume, “Fugitives” has had an extremely promising start. While Heroes hasn’t been perfect for a while, I don’t think it’s deserved a lot of the criticism it’s received; in fact, I think it’s a testament to the strength of Season One that people are outraged when the quality drops even a little.

Despite that, however, I still think the show has one or two fundamental flaws that are undermining its potential:

*A Heroes story arc, apparently, cannot be written without precognitive paintings. Seriously, this is such an overused plot device that it is now devoid of meaning. They finally clean the cast out of those who possess this ability (with the exception of Sylar, who never uses it), and then they actually write around their own actions to reintroduce it? It’s a shame, too, because the rest of Matt’s arc is so good - I’m actually excited about his character for the first time in ages, and can’t wait to see his descent into darkness. I actually grinned when he turned the guards against each other.
*The show doesn’t recognise its strongest players, and I find myself with a haunting feeling that Tracy may soon be following Daphne in the list of deaths or “deaths”. Shock tactics aren’t working anymore; they leave me feeling either angry that they’ve taken away an awesome character (such as Daphne), fearful for the fate of my other favourite characters (such as Tracy), or expecting a miraculous revival. I’m glad this season is moving back towards gritty realism, but that realism needs death to be a constant…and that constant needs to be applied to the weakest characters if any.
*I just cannot stand Hiro. He adds nothing to the show. When he has his ability, he’s too powerful and yet a joke at the same time. When he doesn’t, he’s just irritating and either putting Ando down or whining about his destiny. If anyone should’ve taken a bullet or two, why oh why wasn’t it him?! I find myself wondering at which point the supporting character, Ando, became a better character than the main.

However, there are some great features that are appearing already: Peter’s new attitude and the adjustment to his powers, Matt’s dark edge, Tracy just being Tracy, Claire’s story arc, and too much else to list.

Let’s hope they follow through on the awesomeness…and that this isn’t too much of an essay

–Matt

You’re not the only one to forget that. On the commentary, they didn’t think they had met before either.