Has 'Heroes' rescued itself?

If you've been a fan of the show in the past, perhaps you should be.

You know this series has had a rocky road -- it rose quickly in popularity its first season only to creatively fall apart in its second season. This course-correcting third season hasn't been perfect but the show ends on a high note, which is a good thing considering the series has already been picked up for another season. (As a side note, I think it is strange NBC chose to pick up "Heroes" so early. Discuss.)

Now I'm considering the finale relative to the quality of "Heroes" in general -- I think the show is back to its season one level. I still have concerns that Sylar has become too much for the show. He's a good villain but he dominates the series and the show hasn't really come up with a villain of his level again. They need a new and different Big Bad that really pops every season. And I remain concerned that the show still resorts to too many sci-fi clichés (most recently shape shifting) and the plots are on a revolving cycle. Quite often, everything old becomes new again.

Volume Four ends with a bizarre plot twist that I'm still not sure how I feel about. I won't spoil it here but as I think about it, I at times find it totally goofy and other times fairly clever. "Heroes" isn't the only show that asks viewers to take leaps of logic but the leaps are not always fully justified or explained.

What have you thought about "Heroes" this season? Are you excited for the finale? Talk about it below.

Highlights of the Week Ahead

All times listed are Eastern Standard Time for April 27-May 3

People, tonight is the night to tune into "Chuck" (Monday, NBC, 8 p.m.). It's the season finale but let's not let it be the series finale. It's Ellie's wedding day but Ted Roark (Chevy Chase) has different plans. Tony Hale, Morgan Fairchild, Bruce Boxleitner and Scott Bakula all guest star.

I'm more than a little wary about House chatting up a very dead Amber on "House" (Monday, FOX, 8 p.m.). But you guys seem very open to the idea. Here's hoping you are right -- that this will be a good thing for the show. I am excited that Chase and Cameron are finally getting some well deserved screen time. Tonight House throws Chase a bachelor party.

I'm still in denial that Tony is the bad guy on "24." Last week while I was watching I kept waiting for the big reveal that Tony is really still on Jack's side. Do you think there's any possibility that this is the case? Jack and Jonas Hodge face off tonight at 9 p.m. on FOX.

Chris O'Donnell and LL Cool J guest star on "NCIS" (Tuesday, CBS, 8 p.m.). The two-part episode will conclude next Tuesday and sets up the "NCIS" spin-off that we may see in the fall.

Okay"90210," listen up. You know I love me some bad boys, but Liam is not working for me at all. Nor is his "relationship" with Naomi. But let me tell you what really won't work for me -- Liam dating Annie. Have you not been listening? Every character becomes more annoying when they are with Annie. Also I want to again stress that I think it's a bad idea to get rid of Ethan next season. He started off poorly written but now I think his character is on the right track. And finally I thought Donna seeing a psychic was classic Donna -- having Donna and Kelly together again was so much fun. Really could anything be more "90210" than Donna throwing together a grand opening for her store in one night? I'm struck every time by how strange it is to be able to pick up with these characters I said goodbye to nine years ago. This week (Tuesday, CW, 9 p.m.), Naomi's sister arrives on the scene.

You can get a look at this week's episode of "My Boys" (Tuesday, TBS, 10 p.m.) by clicking here.

Ted must win over the only employees who don't like him in the season finale of "Better Off Ted" (Wednesday, ABC, 8:30 p.m.). I am so rooting for this show to come back next season.

I can't take it any more with "Lost" (Wednesday, ABC, 9 p.m.). I need to know if Rose and Bernard are okay and I need to know now.

Well I'm almost afraid to say this out loud since this is typically what prompts ABC to quickly cancel one of their shows, so if the executives at ABC could place their hands over their ears for this next part that would be great. Thanks for your cooperation. I officially like "The Unusuals" (Wednesday, ABC, 10 p.m.) and I hope it gets to have a second season. The series has settled down since the pilot and made the characters more than the sum of their quirks. And it is the perfect role for Amber Tamblyn who can be sardonic without appearing like she doesn't care. Plus I really appreciate how genuinely funny the rapport between the characters is. Although I would still lose the dispatch woman and her silly remarks. The show doesn't need it. This week, Cole's old friend Frank Lutz is back and causing all sorts of trouble. Now that you've seen a couple of episodes, what do you think of "The Unusuals?" Are you liking the show? Talk about it below.

Okay I definitely found the most recent episode of "Parks and Recreation" (Thursday, NBC, 8:30 p.m.) to be the most funny one so far. But I still think the problem is I don't really understand some of the characters -- like what is Mark Brendanawicz all about. Is he a jerk? Or a good guy? Am I supposed to root for him or despise him? With, for example, Jim on "The Office," we always knew he was the good guy, so we were on his side when he played practical jokes on Dwight. I'm not sure I'm on Mark's side yet. This week Andy wants to surprise Anne.

Alan Tudyk begins his guest star stint on "Dollhouse" this Friday at 9 p.m. on FOX. The show has been really good lately with the right mix of stand alone episodes and the show's mythology. I may be the only one still watching, but I will watch to the end.

If you are like me you may have missed some of the episodes of the SOAPnet series "Being Erica." Thankfully, you can catch up on all the episodes before the May 14 season finale in a marathon on Saturday beginning at 3 p.m.

That's all for today. I'm back on Wednesday with this week's familiar faces and thoughts on the return of "Ugly Betty," "Grey's Anatomy" and the season finale of "Private Practice." Have a question? Seen a familiar face? Want to nominate a quote of the week? Write me at amytvgal@zap2it.com. Talk to you on Wednesday.

E-mail

• Digg
• Facebook
• Fark
• Yahoo Buzz
• Stumbleupon