'Heroes': That's less than ideal
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A short time ago in this space I quoted Heroes creator Tim Kring talking about his show being one "where s**t happens." That has been abundantly, and happily, the case for nearly this entire season, and even this week, there was some s**t that did happen.
But not, for my taste, quite enough. And I'm not even really sure that anyone's to blame, save maybe the folks who set up network TV schedules so you have to make 22 or 23 episodes a season and stretch them out over eight or nine months.
For what we got Monday night was an episode where what forward momentum we got was incremental at best, wheel-spinning at worst. Call it the Curse of the 13th Episode: Serial shows seem to bog down a little just past the midway point of the season. It happened in the first couple seasons of Lost and Veronica Mars, and it's almost as regular as the ticking clock on 24. And, at least this week, Heroes felt a little sluggish too.
Sure, I was just as excited as you to see George Takei make his entrance as Mr. Nakamura, and to meet Claire's fire-starter of a biological mom (that was recent Nip/Tuck semi-regular Jessalyn Gilsig as Meredith Gordon), and more than a little chilled at Sylar's "How's Claire?" But a couple of final-act revelations do not a full episode make, and the pace of this episode was not up to a lot of its predecessors.
I am, however, grooving on the addition of Christopher Eccleston to the cast. His character (who aptly calls himself Claude Rains) may be a familiar one -- the misanthropic crank/sage who may have something to teach an eager young apprentice, in this case Peter -- but he brings a spark to his scenes that's just fun to watch. He's something of the flip side to Hiro, a guy who's really only interested in using his power for his own rather small ends.
And, though it surprises me a little bit to be typing this, I've been pretty impressed with Ali Larter as Niki these past couple weeks. It seems that she and the Vegas prison authorities have hit on a way to keep her genetic anomaly under wraps: heavy sedatives, which appears to be what HRG and his unfortunate associate were feeding Sylar. And Larter is bringing across Niki's torment, realizing her need to be with her family but not wanting to let Jessica back into the world, really well, I think.
But much as I like Greg Grunberg, the Matt Parkman stuff is not really going anywhere at the moment. I think I understand what the show's writers are doing with the character, showing how these "gifts" can really mess up a regular guy's life, but I'd really like him to find his purpose, quick.
Couple other observations:
- Mohinder says his dad had identified 36 people with the genetic marker for special abilities. Considering we've now met more than a dozen such folks, that number seems awfully low, suggesting the professor's survey was far from complete.
- Glad to see, from a story standpoint, that Mohinder is actually trying to figure out what said genetic markers look like and how they function rather than just identify more people. But what does it mean, exactly, to "fix" these anomalies? That feel a little too eugenic-y for anyone else?
- Liked the subtitled "GULP!" when Hiro saw his dad.
- Re Micah's use of his abilities for emptying an ATM: It seems clear he gets his powers from his folks, but I guess he picked up a couple other things from D.L. and Niki too.
- And if we're taking bets on who, based on the teaser for next week, Claire's biological father is, that expensive shirt and hand jewelry looked an awful lot like Nathan to me.
I'm hopeful that, given what else NBC teased for next week, we're in for a return to form for Heroes. And this certainly wasn't a terrible episode -- it just felt a notch or two below most of what's preceded it this season. A couple more like this, though, and I'll be a little more concerned.
What'd you think of Monday's Heroes? Too slow, or just right? And who's Claire's real dad?
I found this episode better than the last one. It was still rather slow compared to what we are used to but last week's episode seemed like a recap episode more than anything else.
I did enjoy that there seemed to be more powers used in this episode and most of all the interesting characters were featured. I like the new invisible man character because finally we have a hero who is using his power like most of us would, by having fun with it. I'm also glad to see Sylar back in his old self and Mohinder's character is being given more purpose. I can't wait to hear about why there was fire 14 years ago. What were they trying to cover up or get rid of? Was it so the mother could disapear or simply to get claire away from the mother?
Where was the Hana Gitleman character last night?
The show wasn't too slow. Perhaps you are taking Nyquil? Heavy duty Sudafed?
"That's how we roll." - HA! A forced line, but I liked it none the less.
I agree, Christopher Eccleston is an excellent addition to the cast - I'm eager to follow his and Peter's journey.
Claire's real father could be Lindermann. And Mom's flaming fingertips? Great CGI.
I was mainly disappointed with Directv's description of last night's ep. It touted Isaac being the center of the show. Guess what? No Isaac.
Well, was ANYONE surprised that the doctor was under the sheet and not Sylar? It would have been MUCH more satisfying if they had NOT shown Sylar open his eyes and HRG lifts the sheet to find the doctor. THEN cut to Sylar.
Questions I have: Will D.L accept the money Micah has "acquired?" D.L is trying to put his life back in the straight and narrow (Isn't he?) and accepting the money would show Micah it is okay to steal.
How will HRG react when he realizes Claire has her memory intact, and the Haitian is talking to her (he saw the chimes - maybe he knows what that means...)
Nathan's wife seems to have disappeared from the storyline. Where'd she go?
A good ep, all in all.
Nathan's wife has popped up over on Fox on "24" as Jack Bauer's Sister-in-Law. Not sure if anyone has noticed this (thankfully for TIVO/DVR)...
Everytime a new character is alluded, i am sure it is Linderman, which may be the case for Claire's dad. I am desprete to know his connection to all of this. I find it interesting that Claire supposedly died in a fire, and her mom is a firestarter... another gift out of control maybe? I love all scenes involving Peter- that is some amazing acting. I simply can't get enough of this show.
i loved the addition of Christopher Eccleston - terrific actor. regarding claire's dad - i am going back and forth from linderman and nathan, sadly the previews in canada did not show anything of an expensive collar and cuff alluding to calire's dad so thanks for the update.
I agree with Mandy, I believe her father is Linderman, who'll we'll finally get to know. He seemed to be too large a figure for Nathan. My first impression after the episode was that it was a 'set-up' episode, but I am very much looking forward to next week. Do we all Agree that the loss of Hiro's powers are all in his head?
Nathan is NOT Claire's dad. Her real father is Mr. Linderman. I'm tellin' ya -- and I'm willing to bet on it. ;-)
Anyway, someone made a faux pas on the number of specials on "the list". We know for sure that Chandra Suresh knew about at least 39 people -- that were also on his list. I wonder why the writers goofed and gave Mohinder a line saying 36 people.
Check out the thread linked to my name for a thread showing the most complete list available, along with the names of the 39 specials on Chandra's list.
Is it worth considering at all that Sylar might be Claire's father? The watch raised the possibility. It would play into the dynamic battle between Sylar and HRG. Any takers?
Sylar as Claire's father?
Nope.
Claire's mom picked up the phone and knew where to call to get a hold of Claire's dad. As far as I'm concerned, Sylar was/is still at primatech - not exactly next to a phone where Mom would know to call.
Interesting pickup on the watch, though.
Am I the only one to think that Claire's adoptive dad is her ACTUAL dad?
It would explain his intense love and concern for her (not that you wouldn't feel that way about an adopted daughter) and the fact that the Haitian (sp?) knows nothing about him.
Hmm???