(S01E01) Originally, I hadn't intended to watch this show figuring I'd had my fill of people-with-special-powers seek-answers-and-follow-destinies shows from Kyle XY and The 4400 this summer to last me awhile. But with so much buzz about Heroes on the web, I decided to give it a look and I'm glad I did.
Right off, this beautifully made pilot, with its luscious photography and rich soundtrack grabbed me. The action spans the globe from India, to rural Texas, to Tokyo, and each location is richly realized. Just on a technical level this pilot was the most effective I've seen this season. Clearly NBC is behind the series. Despite all the globe-trotting, most of the action slowly begins to gather around New York City -- just like in Marvel Comics. Another good sign about this series: it is not shy or embarrassed about acknowledging its root inspiration in comics. One character, Hiro Nakamura (played by Masi Oka), is a Trekkie and an X-Men fan. Not coincidentally, he is the one character with little trouble accepting his abilities, nor has he any trouble conceiving what to use them for. They're going to need a guy like him, as many of the others are understandably confused and frightened by their developing abilities.
These characters are a mixed bag, though hardly any of them has been setting the world on fire yet. Hiro, the aforementioned guy from Tokyo, and potential master of time and space, is my breakout favorite. I could watch on entire show based around him and his skeptical cubicle mate. Another standout is Peter, (Milo Ventimiglia: Jess of Gilmore Girls) the kind-hearted nurse in NYC who has lived in his politician brother's shadow most of his life. He still might be living in his brother's shadow after this, depending on how the twist at the end plays out.
Other heroes have an even tougher road ahead of them ( one's a heroin addict, another's a former gambling addict). There's a six-degrees-of-separation thing going on as we see lives intersect in ordinary and not-so-ordinary ways. The character I had the least sympathy for was the Odessa, Texas cheerleader, Claire, who's whining about being stuck with about the most handy superpower imaginable: she can heal from any injury. Imagine how miserable she'd be if she had Niki's weird mirror-twin/blackout-and-kill-all-your-enemies power. But by the end, after seeing Clair's woo-woo Mom, and X-Files-esque villain of a father, I guess she does have her reasons to stress, so I'll give her another chance.
As an aside, Niki, (Ali Larter) the Vegas stripper, has a son, Micah, who is gifted, and I'm not sure if he's just really smart or if he has a superpower. Either way, he's an enjoyable level-headed counterbalance to his stressed-out Mom, who had trouble keeping him in what has to be the snottiest fake prep-school in the greater Las Vegas metro area.
Good start, and, as I can tell from cast photos, not even all the major characters have been introduced yet. I'm sticking with this one for awhile.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
9-25-2006 @ 10:14PM
Chris Bender said...
Absolutely the best new show this year!!! Hooked............
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9-25-2006 @ 10:31PM
Tim said...
I wasn't planning on watching this show but happened to flip the channel over after I realized there wasn't anything else on that I wanted to watch at the moment. Wow, I'm really glad I did! I think this show has a whole lot of possibilities to be a great new series! I'll be back next Monday!
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9-25-2006 @ 10:34PM
wardude said...
it would have been worthy of a 2 hour pilot, it be a long time until next Monday.
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9-25-2006 @ 11:41PM
Jay said...
The show started off a bit slowly but the ending completely floored me. Best pliot of the new season hands down.
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9-26-2006 @ 10:00AM
jason said...
yeah great show, this and studio 60. me thinks nbc is making a comeback.
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9-25-2006 @ 11:44PM
Steven Weinstein said...
http://www.heroesforums.com/
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9-26-2006 @ 12:09AM
Tim Dorr said...
I'm also thinking I'm going to like this. But like most other shows, it takes me a few episodes to really hook me. The only show that's gotten me with one before is Lost, but that's the rare exception.
Can someone please explain Niki's power, though? I mean, it doesn't look like she has a power at all. She's just schizophrenic, it seems. I'm not really sure how there's a power there, unless this other person actually exists outside her body and no one can see them. Sort of like a guardian angel, only with an evil streak. I'm just confused when it comes to her...
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9-26-2006 @ 12:10AM
david said...
Yep, I'm hooked too -- it's like a pre-cursor to "X-Men" or even "The Tomorrow People," as we get to witness the actual "birth" of superheroes. Hope it lives up to the promise of this first episode.
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9-26-2006 @ 12:28AM
mb said...
ay yall who did that song wit the lyrics... "in your eyes" ?
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9-26-2006 @ 1:00AM
Danny Cohen said...
It was like watching a comic book, especially when the Japanese people were speaking, their subtitles were like dialog bubbles.
If you are looking for something more than an enjoyable graphic novel thrown up on screen, then turn away.
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9-26-2006 @ 1:00AM
Walt said...
Line for line, I agree with this review.
I loved how the stakes were raised, and the twist on who flew was very well done. It fooled me.
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9-26-2006 @ 1:00AM
Mase said...
Niki's ability is that her mirror twin can act independently of her (and the reason she blacked out was that the goon hit her; it had nothing to do with her ability).
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9-26-2006 @ 1:30AM
Mark Rabinowitz said...
Agreed! I saw this pilot a couple of weeks ago and am watching it again (on DVR) now. I am SO enamoured of this show that I am certain NBC is going to cancel it. They always do that shit. Bastards.
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9-26-2006 @ 1:35AM
Will Humes said...
I couldn't agree with your review more. I have added a few more thoughts on my site at http://faith2hope2love.wordpress.com/2006/09/26/heroes-series-premiere-a-review/, if you are interested, as well as a review of MNF return to New Orleans
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9-26-2006 @ 2:45AM
Nelson said...
#9, Rogue Wave - Eyes. It was Apple iTunes's free single of the week April 13, 2006.
Everybody else, I really enjoyed this show. I was stuck to the screen the entire time (this may also be due to the fact there were only two commercial blocks thanks to Nissan). And ABC, if you're watching, THIS is how you do six degrees of seperation.
I think NBC's lineup really has the strength to compete this fall. Between this and Studio 60, Friday Night Lights, 30 Rock and Twenty Good Years, I will be a very happy customer.
Take that, ABC!
(I still love you LOST, and i'm sure The Nine)
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9-26-2006 @ 3:16AM
Jeff said...
I'm totally hooked. I would have liked a two hour show, but it ended on a great cliffhanger. I saw that the show is on tomorrow as well. Can anyone tell me if this is just a repeat of tonights or the second half. thanks
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9-26-2006 @ 3:16AM
Nelson said...
I feel stupid for forgetting My Name is Earl and The Office. Last thursday's episode of the office? *genius*
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9-26-2006 @ 6:00AM
Dave said...
Has potential but I think they could have shrunk the cast down. In fact, I don't remember any names except for their powers
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9-26-2006 @ 5:59AM
MichaelGC said...
I just finished watching the episode and absolutely loved it!!!!! i grew up on X-Men and in my own skewed mind i always thought that maybe someday I would have powers. it's so fun to watch the birth of these "heroes" and seeing how their powers and lives develop over the season. I like that is was so natural, things weren't forced or that they were trying to milk for laughs...very well written and acted...so far this season I've loved STUDIO 60 and HEROES, They really could become 2 of my faves. Still a loyal LOST fan. What's nice is to have 2 great shows on a Monday night. WOW NBC has me hooked on 2 nights. Thursdays also with OFFICE and EARL...i congradulate them on taking some chances...i hope there becomes a good fanbase for this show and that it continues for a while...never know with these crazy networks....
Let's get some word of mouth out there!!!!!
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9-26-2006 @ 10:49PM
Michelle said...
I liked the show, too. I think the characters were well written and introduced. It'll be interesting to see how they all intersect and for what reason they're finding themselves with these new powers.
I have to say the garbage disposal scene was not for the squeamish, though. LOL
I think this and Jericho are my faves of the season's new shows.
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