Scene-setting is a tricky thing on television. It has to be done, of course; not everyone in the audience is as obsessed as folks like us, and without laying groundwork early, actions down the line won't make much sense.

Do too much of it, though, and your audience will get impatient.

You see where I'm going with this: Heroes has walked the line pretty deftly so far in its short life, but I'm not sure how much more setup I need, want or can take.

(Expository spoilers commencing below.)

Monday's episode featured a couple more good moments with HRG and Claire -- if Hiro is the soul of the show, they've pretty much become its heart -- the return of the Haitian, and some more fine Feudal Hiro action. But in the back of my mind, I was thinking, Enough already. I've seen where just about everyone is now, so let's get moving.

To be fair, we did get some forward momentum in a couple of spots. HRG and Suresh are apparently working together to find eight of the late Isaac's paintings, the only ones he painted that haven't come true yet. Bennet has the first, depicting Kaito Nakamura's death, but the others have gone missing. Suresh is using his position working with Stephen Tobolowsky's Bob to further the search, and conveniently, he's sent to Haiti to cure HRG's former sidekick, who's contracted the power-killing virus.

Suresh's blood vaccine cures him, and he's off to Copy Kingdom, much to Bob's chagrin. I'm wondering a little if the Haitian actually did wipe Suresh's memory, the better to cover everyone's tracks, or whether Suresh was just faking (either way, liked the artful FX shot where Jimmy Jean-Louis dissolved into Tobolowsky leaning over Suresh's desk, hours later). And, of course, how long before Bob figures all this out.

In California, Claire is chafing against her new identity, and lashes out by keeping her car unlocked (guess that Nissan product placement only went so far) and asking too many obvious questions about how lizards regenerate limbs in front of the vastly annoying West. I'm willing to accept some of that, though, when it leads to a fine HRG speech about just how important keeping quiet is to Claire, and then Claire cutting off her little toe to see if it'd grow back (it did, and more kudos to the effects team).

Back in 1670s Japan, Hiro realized that Kensei wouldn't be much good to him drunk and set about trying to fix history himself. Loved his line after vanquishing the bandits the first time: "You should write about this in your history books! 'The Battle of 12 Swords' would be a good name." But was anyone really surprised that Kensei/Sark had healing powers too? (Here's something for you theorists: It's clear that specific powers aren't necessarily passed from generation to generation. But, given Kensei's healing abilities, my mind immediately went to, "Ooh! He's a distant ancestor to Claire!")

And yet again, let me pause here and praise director Allan Arkush for the shot of the cherry blossoms falling around Eriko Tamura's Yaeko. That was just a pretty little piece of filmmaking.

Also enjoyed Parkman and Lt. Castillo catching the investigation of Kaito's death, although the fact that he didn't recognize Hiro's name puzzled me for a minute. I guess, though, that he got shot in the season one finale before Hiro apparated in to stab Sylar, and he'd never had occasion to run across him or Ando in the present.

Now, do we think Angela Petrelli was mentally screaming "Get out of my head" at Parkman, or whoever caused her freakout in the interrogation room? With the sudden attack on Kaito last week, and now Angela getting assaulted with no one else visible in the room, signs point to Claude being the perpetrator. I'm not convinced, though: The flickering lights and the way Angela was acting seem to indicate it was someone else.

As for the rest of it:

• Not really interested in Peter and the Irish Spring Gang, at least not yet. It's not just the overdone accents, or Peter slowly rediscovering his various powers. I'm just not buying that there's all that much in the box Gangster No. 1 is holding that will give Peter his identity back, or whether that's such a big deal.
• Sandra Bennet's mind is apparently all better. Not only is she lucid, she's in on the family secret. Which, I think, is a good call dramatically -- it gives HRG yet one more reason to guard the Bennets' true identity so fiercely.
• Maya's power apparently involves the black oil from The X-Files, and when she cries, people around her die. Unless -- and this is actually kinda cool -- her twin, Alejandro, is around to absorb it. The genetics may be a little fuzzy -- as fraternal twins, they didn't spring from the same egg -- but it gets at the heart of the deep connection twins purportedly feel.

That's a lot of threads unspooled over the course of two episodes. So, OK, Heroes, let's start following some of them, shall we?

And you? Are you ready for the exposition to end and the action to start?

Comments

Possible Future spoiler:
Didn't NBC reveal, when Sark was first cast, that he would play a character who is hundreds of years old (which means I sorta expect him to also pop up in one of the modern plotlines)? I was wondering if his power would be reincarnation or something. But, for anyone who's familiar with Wolverine of the X-Men, the healing power makes sense. ... and I hadn't thought before of the fact that Claire could potentially live forever, or at least a very long time.

Billiam | Oct 1, 2007 9:35:05 PM | #

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Am I the only one annoyed with Claire so far? She really hasn't learned at all from the previous season. She of all people should know the magnitude of her powers and how important it is to keep it quiet. I mean come on, why would you purposely burn your hand IN THE MIDDLE OF CLASS? All this teen angst is getting really old.

Now for Peter. I never really enjoyed his character too much. He seems to be unfairly powerful compared to the other heroes. Why bother with everyone else if he can just absorb their powers and use them all? I would've liked to see him only use other people's power when he was around another hero - it made him more interesting (like earlier in season one). I also don't like how it looks like I'll have to watch him relearn his powers all over again :(

When I think about it, the only 2 things I'm looking forward to is Veronica Mars(!) and what the heck the twins' involvement with everyone else is...

I also love how the pinky toe flew off!

gus | Oct 1, 2007 9:39:07 PM | #

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Peter could so easily get the box from the guy without going through all the nonsense... but I guess they want to add more characters (I really don't know why, since the cast is a bit unwieldy already). Hate the twins... what sort of a lame power is that? Anyway, can't she just not cry when she know's someone good is around? Claire's teen angst is boring, but most teenagers (at least on TV) are boring (except VM).

AC | Oct 1, 2007 9:57:59 PM | #

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Great show no matter what people say!!!!!!

John L | Oct 1, 2007 10:10:48 PM | #

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Claire was annoying and boring. I wonder why the writers always give her so many screen time. It seems she didn't learn anything from last season. And her potential BF is creepy.

Maya and Alejandro are far more tolerable but their story need to speed up fast. I can only take their cross-country adventure for so long and two episodes are stretching it a bit long.

Peter's story doesn't make any sense. If he can use his power then why didn't he just zap those stupid Irish gang members and run away with the box? It makes him seem dumb to want to work with them.

Hiro and Kensei's story was okay. But like Maya and Alejandro's, it takes forever to get off the ground. Maybe things will speed up now.

The murder of the Heroes elder story is actually the most interesting part of the show but they don't get enough exposure. Which is annoying since the main premise of the 2nd season is 'Generation' but they seem to take backseat to all of the other plots.

Kastingel | Oct 2, 2007 2:18:22 AM | #

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I think the expository nature of this episode (and the season premiere which had the feel of a pilot) has to do with the anticipated arrival of new viewers who didn't follow the show last season. Likely, the producers don't want the newbies to feel alienated by dropping them directly into the main story lines. I understand the reasoning but it's a bit frustrating.

Of more concern to me is the ever-expanding cast. The new characters haven't really grabbed me yet. I'd rather have a smaller main cast and see those characters develop.

Liked this ep overall, but I hope they spice up Claire's storyline. Sark and Hiro play off each other pretty well, I think.

Zero Wolf | Oct 2, 2007 2:58:30 AM | #

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I agree...the storyline is moving slow but what's new with Heroes. Claire is irritating, but that's nothing new either.

Fightdfuture | Oct 2, 2007 3:59:24 AM | #

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I'm pretty sure Angela Petrelli screamed in her mind on purpose. Parker mentioned "revenge" out of no where and i think she's wise enough to feel when someone in front of her has powers; so she tried to test him. She was actually surprised when the noise hurt his "ears" a bit.

Z | Oct 2, 2007 6:13:06 AM | #

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Really dissapointed with this second season. Scenes are out of order and the stories do not match.
Please how come kensei came from england???
Peter exploted on last season reappeared in ireland inside a shipment cage and looks like if he had a haircut and shave the previous date. Look at Nathan for example...

dalabera | Oct 2, 2007 6:16:16 AM | #

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Billiam I love that you watched Alias, you referred to David Anders as Sark, as I would have done the exact same thing. As for Heroes itself I drool over Peter so I'm lovely the half-naked scenes and the new haircut which I'm sure everyone is too. He's got the best powers so far and can't wait to see him battle it out with Sylar once again. I miss Sylar and Niki, thank god they are back next week. They've added so many new Heroes but we've only seen like 1 or 2 so far. I agree with the long drawn out new plots, lets get some serious action immediately. I'm very curious about Peter's Mom and her powers too, seems the 7 or 8 of these power founders know more than they are letting on. Maybe everyone is just a powerful Greek God/Goddess from the past resurfacing. I'm hooked on this show, everyone loves a little sci-fi/fantasy but seriously lets get the show rolling already before it becomes the Housewives of yester-year

CHAD | Oct 2, 2007 6:28:18 AM | #

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Let me just remind everyone that this was only the 2nd episode of the season. We've got alteast another 21 episodes to go if they're shooting 23 like last year. Trust me the action will come and I have faith that Heroes will not disappoint. Even last year it was slow but keep in mind that they're intention is to grab new viewers and let them know about these characters but at the same token I think they're doing a good job of stringing the characters along and developing them from last season. Yes Claire knew she could heal but now she's actually testing how far her body will go. Last season we had no idea she could grow back actual limbs but now we see that she can. I think that so far they've given us a lot to look forward regarding and help us find answers to lingering questions from last season regarding the company, the origins of their powers, and they're purpose which is the direction I believe this season will bet taking.

Just like you guys though I want more action. The best part of the night was Peter getting gangsta on the Irish dudes.

And Rick, Ando didn't show up with Hiro to stab Sylar, he was already in Japan.

Till next week...

Greg | Oct 2, 2007 7:07:34 AM | #

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Maybe I'm king of the obvious, but I'm thinking the quote "your blackness can kill the devil" pretty much makes Maya the one who kills the new villain.

Dave | Oct 2, 2007 7:08:57 AM | #

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One thought: If Kensei were a distant ancestor of Claire's due to their shared power, then Nathan and Claire's new beau would be related due to their shared flying ability... and due to the seemingly romantic path that relationship is taking, I would hope not. But I would like to see a twist on the regeneration powers that Claire has, like a reincarnation, as suggested above... though that could just be because I would like David Anders to stick around, even after Hiro returns to the present.
Oh and because it hasn't been mentioned... does anyone else miss Hiro and Ando time? I sure do.

Mandy | Oct 2, 2007 7:22:25 AM | #

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dalabera: Kensei explained he came off an English trade ship, gave himself a badass name, hung around as a mercenary to make some easy money, and suceeded.

Greg: I keep forgetting this is just the 2nd episode. Just goes to show you the copious amounts of "epic level" emotion the "Heroes" team (cast and crew) is drawing up. I wonder what happened to Claire's toe that was lying about? (Deadpool: Must.. grow... back... FINGER!)

It looks like the HEROES all have a limited spectrum of inherited powers; kinda like a cheesy cartoon, people with similar powers might find themselves related. And then killed off my a mutating (sentient?) blood virus.

I can't wait until next week when Peter finds out if his case is the one with the million dollars in it.

pakopako | Oct 2, 2007 7:24:36 AM | #

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Maya's not the new villain, just an annoying character that they shouldn't be bothering with. What really irritates me is that they are taking so much time with her and her brother while neglecting everyone else. Heck, Ali Larter's not even a regular anymore and they still haven't really explored her character's potential limit. For example, how strong is she really? Has she finally managed to gain control of her alter ego as well as her power? I want to know about this not the Wonder Twins!
Enough setup! Its time we saw some action!

steve | Oct 2, 2007 7:28:45 AM | #

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Greg, There are 30, yes, thirty, episodes to watch Clare pout.

Kathy | Oct 2, 2007 7:29:52 AM | #

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so far they are just repeating season 1, instead of sylar killing everyone off we have a new mysterious figure killing off the elders---i would love if they killed off hiro!!!!

tim | Oct 2, 2007 7:31:03 AM | #

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Maybe Claire will cut her lips off to see if they grow back. If they don't then we won't have to watch her pout.

If she's pouting in all of them I'll shoot myself. But I don't think that'll be the case.

I personally like a little build up to my action.

Tim- If they killed Hiro no one would watch, i think you might be in the minority on that thought.

Greg | Oct 2, 2007 7:52:41 AM | #

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pakopako: Hilarious comment about Peter's "case." Loved it.
To all the gripers out there. C'mon. We're only two episodes in. Sure, not everything is as interesting as other parts, but I enjoy Noah (HRG) working in the background to bring down The Company. The story is moving forward, and I think they've shown restraint this season in not overloading us with characters. My head was hurting the first few eps last year because of character overload. That's not the case this time. And not everyone has to have "good" powers or be able to control them. I'm intrigued by the "Wonder Twins" and am willing to give them the benefit of the doubt for now.
Hiro is great!

kents | Oct 2, 2007 8:00:57 AM | #

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Hiro's an annoying kid that needs to grow up into the guy we seen in 5 years gone. I'm tired of him being so happy. Claire needs to do something I'm tired of her breaking bones and cutting things off. Season is pretty slow and uneven right now.

John | Oct 2, 2007 8:03:52 AM | #

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this show is losing its edge. it's ashamed after a disapointing bionic woman, i was hoping this would get good. Like i said, what a major disapointment thus far

rick | Oct 2, 2007 8:19:57 AM | #

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Greg - thanks for the correction re: Ando's locale in the finale -- I guess I've succeeded in putting that out of my mind. Post has been fixed.

Rick | Oct 2, 2007 8:29:01 AM | #

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Um what happens when the twins reach the states anyhow? They don't speak English!?!? I suppose we are going to get another set of characters that rapidly learn English in the course of 3 weeks like Hiro did last season.

I also think Peter's amnesia is a very poor plot devise. What is this, Days of Our Lives? I was hoping that the show wouldn't suffer when Bryan Fuller left to do Pushing Daisies, but I have been pretty underwhelmed since the lackluster season 1 finale

gary | Oct 2, 2007 8:54:04 AM | #

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Well, last year started slow also. Perhaps they will pick it up a little. I agree Claire is getting annoying; in fact she may need help. She heals, but we haven't seen (i don't recall) a lack of pain. So she sticks her hand in boiling water to get mom's ring why?? Didn't that hurt; I think Claire needs some psych help. Also, come on Peter just kick two guys butt, and he allows himself to be blackmailed over that box. He could just take the box. Hiro is the best thing so far.

jbw | Oct 2, 2007 9:25:16 AM | #

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The only stories that are progressing is HRG and Suresh, Hiros, and Parkman's. I can toleratre Claire, but her new friend is the stereotypical sensitive loner that you date in high school and then find out later is gay. Besides he's pretty much Zach with powers. Other then that, I don't find slow plots as long as there's a payoff.

Leigh | Oct 2, 2007 9:35:58 AM | #

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Greg- Kring had Jill Hennessy pouting for five years of Crossing Jordan. I don't expect a different future for Clare.

I just hope he picks up the tempo a little or people like me are going to start treating the show like a soap opera--leave for something new knowing they can come back at any time to see nothing has changed. Kring has a gold mine. The hype the network bought him is unheard of in today's market. I just hope he doesn't screw it up and co live up to it, but I have a feeling I'm going to be disappointed.

Kathy | Oct 2, 2007 9:42:36 AM | #

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I agree Claire's story is going nowhere, and she should already know she can re-grow appendages, Since in Season 1 she had an autopsy and lived and even stuck her had down the garbage disposal cutting off her fingers which re-grew. Plus didn't Zach already give her the book by papa Suresh?

I'm not feeling the Spanish twins story line either.. dragging on too much, and not interesting, 'oh i cry and people die'.. not fun

Hiro's story line is keeping good, along with Parkman's and Mohinders's. Although i don;t see why Mohinder and Parkman decided to go my two dads on Molly walker.

and Altho the Peter forgetfulness thing is kinda dumb, at least hes the only one kicking ass with his powers...

Anthony | Oct 2, 2007 9:55:58 AM | #

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Didn't Heroes have character-centric episodes last year? Two episodes into the second season, all we are getting is bits and pieces of each character's story. Very frustrating. I did like last night's episode though.

CW | Oct 2, 2007 10:22:24 AM | #

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Yes, they are trying to make Heroes accessible to new viewers, so let's hope our patience will soon be rewarded.

Yes, Claire is pouting, but I hope that was just to set up HRG's killer speech (also aimed at new viewers, I think), and that she will now move on.

But what I really find annoying about Claire's storyline is the very existence of West: Gee, is there a teenager with powers in every high school in America?? And besides being able to fly, is he also clarvoyent (no pun intended!)? What led him to suspect Claire has powers right from the start, and how does he just happen to be there each time she uses them (hurt leg after cheerleading jump, bunsen burner, cutting off toe)? This is a bit of lazy writing, to my taste.

I am intrigued by the notion of Maya being this season's villain killer. Good catch, to whomever caught the quote!

And finally, I am ignoring Peter's silly Irish caper, and focusing on how he got in the container in the first place. Who did it and why? Unless it is another example of lazy writing, I think the Haitian caused his amnesia.

George | Oct 2, 2007 10:35:06 AM | #

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Heroes left me high and dry last year. Then when I see more of the same confusing plot set ups I just turned it off. Gee, that is novel, a whole hour with the TV turned off. Too bad Howie Mandel is already on two nights.

webfriar | Oct 2, 2007 10:44:46 AM | #

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Worst Irish accents EVER! No Irish person sounds like that! Especially people from Cork! They could have done some research into it!

Eoin | Oct 2, 2007 10:45:34 AM | #

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I must be the only person around who watches TV shows just to be entertained. Over-thinking every little thing ruins it for me, I just enjoy the ride!

Jo | Oct 2, 2007 11:12:10 AM | #

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Did anyone consider that, if Claire can re-grow a toe, she may re-grow a whole new Clair from the toe she cut off?

adgirl007 | Oct 2, 2007 12:12:16 PM | #

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I think Kensei is the hoodie-Kaito-killer guy. 'Cause he is Sark, after all.

Hey Jo - make me the second person who watches TV shows just to be entertained. Suspension of disbelief is an old friend of mine!

Jenn | Oct 2, 2007 4:49:20 PM | #

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I've long since decided, after watching Star Trek and numerous other science fiction shows that tend to emphasize the latter word as opposed to the former, that there is no use trying to implant any kind of logic or scientific realism into certain aspects of shows such as Heroes. Good as it is for its character and convoluted-yet-involving plot, the science parts of the show tend to get tossed out with Claire's sliced off pinkie toe. So I really try not to think too much about, as adgirl007 said, Claire growing a new self from her cut off toe. Besides the huge ick factor, that would introduce logic into a plot device that is not quite logical (for example, when Claire was clinically dead last season and they had already started the autopsy on her, since her heart had been stopped for a goodly amount of time, how did she not have brain damage from lack of oxygen, etc?). I just hope Claire doesn't become so intent on proving herself to herself that she blows her head off with a shotgun just to see if she can grow back a new one. Actually, that would make a favish SNL skit...faux-Claire commits suicide by 12-guage, only to have her come back to life with the head of David Spade. I'd watch that. Anyway, I'm interested in the Mexican twins (presuming they're from Mexico...their accents are Mexican, not South American, and I don't believe their country of origin has been mentioned yet...if it was, I missed it), if only because I find their gift/curse to be fascinating. The overriding question with them, of course, should be what happens to the world if the brother dies? Hiro's storyline is too cute sometimes to be palatable, but I have to agree with other posters: the cherry blossoms falling on the young Japanese woman really was a breathtaking scene, and very well shot. The bad thing about this season so far is that it seems as if the creators are introducing new viewers to characters that long-time viewers already know, which may be why things seem tedious to some. As the season progresses, I'm sure things will pick up. Oh, and as for those who don't care for the Irish folks...I'll take that lass with the soft accent any day. She is gorgeous, her voice is to die for, and she can nurse me back to health whenever she has time. My, my, my. And rather than Maya being the villain, I'd laugh with evil glee if it turned out to be Molly instead. Scary little girls always steal the show, and given that this one has a helluva temper, it would be quite funny to me. Fourth grader kills Sulu...what a red-shirt way to die.

Dark Disciple | Oct 2, 2007 5:03:54 PM | #

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Couldn't they afford some actual linguistic coaching? Those Irish accents sound like a jr. high play in Atlanta (no offense Atlanta). Hard to take those scenes seriously.

hmmm | Oct 2, 2007 6:07:03 PM | #

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I had a thought I havn't seen any one mention. The Peter in the container has the haircut, but he also has a necklace with that Kanji symbol. I don't recall Peter having that last year. Could this be a different Peter, much like Nikki's alter ego last year, she had the symbol on her shoulder. Maybe I've missed something else.

Love the show, though like others, I don't get too hung up on detail. Star Trek and Star Wars could be very fustrating if you tried to analyze everything:)

jimkata | Oct 2, 2007 7:18:02 PM | #

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I dont think Claire and Kensei have to be related just because they have the same powers. Her Dad Fly's and Mom can make Fire? So, just because on has one power, dosent mean that their child would have the same and so on. Right?

Ray | Oct 3, 2007 7:47:09 AM | #

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Hey Ray,

You're right. I don't think they are necessarily related either. Most of the heroes powers I believe stem from the necessity at the time. i.e. Claire becoming invulnerable due to the fire, jessica becoming super strong because she was always the weaker one, and DL able to walk through walls from being in prison. If your parents have the genetic marker of having the ability, you will have one too but what that ability is can't be pre-determined. There's a lot more info on this topic at the Activating Evolution website.

Greg | Oct 3, 2007 9:44:42 AM | #

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I thought that the twins were from Guatamala, they crossed into Mexico first before trying to get to the states.

Kynn | Oct 3, 2007 1:01:41 PM | #

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I thought we first saw the twins in Honduras, actually. Could have been Guatamala...
I love Hiro and the thought that he becomes his own hero! But, yes, I miss him and Ando together.
I love SciFi for the entertainment value, but it does have to make a certain amount of sense.

Joan | Oct 3, 2007 1:33:27 PM | #

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The second show was less expository than the first; it was also better paced and smarter, namely because it largely dropped the ridiculous character Sark is playing. Let's hope that continues. The less time Kensei is in there, the better, given that his character is so blatantly ahistorical.

Kras | Oct 3, 2007 4:43:32 PM | #

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Rick & Friends,
I'm not sure what Show you saw last season that was told or concluded in Two - four Episodes. It seems like some on here have the attention span of a Nat.

I'm pretty much happy with the pace the show is taken. And again like some have already written the season will have over 20 episodes to sort itself out. If you don’t like it stop watching. I mean really!

And the Garage about too many characters seems just a little over blown. We've only seen a few and don't know what has happen to the rest.

The word Sci-fi means Science fiction with the key word being Fiction (imaginary tale or inventive story). Not Fact, not reason.

| Oct 3, 2007 4:45:11 PM | #

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To those who are saying that the show will have 20 episodes to sort itself out well, Volume 2 is only supposed to last till episode 10.

Jed | Oct 3, 2007 10:57:10 PM | #

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Heroes is a good show but some of the characters are really irritating.

Bob | Apr 2, 2008 4:34:58 PM | #

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