OK, so this isn't really a very early review, since the pilot episode appears on iTunes today, but since Heroes officially premieres on NBC on September 25, this works.
We caught an early look at this show back in June, but since we were told the copy was "not for review," I left my initial impressions pretty light. But now I guess the gloves come
I think the premise has been discussed to death, but I'll give it to you quick. Think a TV version of M. Night Shyamalan's 'Unbreakable', only there are multiple hero-types in different locations around the world, and for most of them their powers are quite a bit more defined than Bruce Willis's super-stong man in the movie.
So far the powers these people possess are pretty boring -- no eyeball flames, metal claws or altered forms. In fact, there are some (one in particular that deals with mirrors) that I have a hard time figuring out how they'd benefit someone in a superhero way. I guess this makes sense, though, as these people are suddenly finding this powers at seemingly the same time -- no puberty causing these to come forth like in many comic books.
One thing you learn from the pilot is that there seems to be an overall sinister plan that will eventually call for these heroes to unite and defeat somehow. It's not clear if this reveal is the "big bad" of the season or if it's just something that we'll see resolved within a couple of episodes or so.
You'll also see that in some strange ways, every one of these people seems to have a Lost-like relationship to one another. I can't really say a whole lot more without giving away too much.
The first episode ends with a shocker that I just didn't see coming, and I'd love to hear from you if you genuinely figure it out. Though hopefully my saying there's a shocker won't give anything away there.
This show really is a tough call from only seeing the first episode. It has that overall feeling that, if they continue with the current feeling of the show, people will lose interest. At the same time, though, you see bits and pieces that make you see a definite promise, parts where you hope the writers continue to play off of. For example, more of those shockers throughout the season.
I'll do a more thorough review once the season starts. I really, really want this to be a good show, and I can see NBC is doing all it can to promote it. The fact that they've been fiercely hyping this show and showing it early does worry me, though, as it seems they're genuinely as afraid as I am that it could tank.
So, have you watched it yet? What're your thoughts?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-01-2006 @ 4:25PM
Joel said...
I liked it. Seemed a bit 4400ish though. That not withstanding I could see this being a captivating show in it's own right.
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9-01-2006 @ 4:30PM
BartmanDK said...
Think its pretty cool too.. but agree with you, that cam-girl's superpower isent really that helpfull to her.. from what i could gather it was an alterego she had.. a pretty powerfull one since it killed thoes guys trying to get money from her!
For now we dont really know what "the big plan" is but from the shot in the endning it lookes like something bad is comming and all the Heroes have to stand together to prevent it
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9-01-2006 @ 5:02PM
Carter said...
It could have been cool.. but the writing really sucked. it was a mess -- all over the place.. And the pacing was SLOOOOOOW! Give me something off the top to get me excited about the show already. I don't have high hopes for it.
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9-02-2006 @ 10:58AM
Scotimus said...
is the pilot still being released on Itunes??? I cant seem to find it....
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9-02-2006 @ 5:55AM
Dan said...
Does it say that all of the main characters will be heroes? It'd be interesting to see the making of a villain too so to speak.
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9-02-2006 @ 7:48AM
lee said...
i loved the pilot,but the cheerleader was a bit weak. otherwise,i say this will be a huge hit this fall
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9-02-2006 @ 10:14AM
Danny Cohen said...
Where in the darn it is it on iTunes!?
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9-02-2006 @ 1:44PM
kip said...
yeha I don;t see the pilot either. Any ideas or youtube links?
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9-02-2006 @ 2:09PM
Joey Geraci said...
24 minutes later and still not on itunes. LYING LITTLE NBC LIARS!!!! Can someone put it on youtube already!
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9-02-2006 @ 5:25PM
Marco said...
I love supers, can't get enough of them. When I heard about Heroes I got really excited but after seeing the pilot I had the impression they are not taking it seriously. It seems that they think the superpower thing can make it fly by itself (no pun intended). It can't. The characters are in general extremely boring and inconsistent. What makes a show great is NEVER the idea but the writing. My favorite example now is Veronica Mars: worse idea ever turned into the best show ever. Heroes might be a good idea but this is just not enough.
PS.: I liked the "internet lady" and the cheerleader. Happy people sucks.
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9-05-2006 @ 12:20PM
LA Dave said...
The Heroes on iTunes is only free with a promo code from a movie theater. You cannot get it without going to a local AMC, Regal or Cinemark theaters and getting a promo card.
Each code is unique it can't be reused.
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9-12-2006 @ 3:06PM
teek said...
Did iTunes pull Heroes? I cannot find it on there.
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10-13-2006 @ 10:21PM
Dwayne Conyers said...
I am just happy that SciFi is rerunning the episodes since schedules conflict on Monday nights.
--
dwacon
http://dwacon.blogspot.com
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10-20-2006 @ 12:41AM
scififan9009 said...
This is the best show to hit television since BSG. There's a preview of the next episode here:
http://tinyurl.com/ygm5b9
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