(S03E15) The second chapter of the newest volume of Heroes wasn't quite as strong as the first one, but it kept things moving in a positive direction. I guess the writers were wanting to keep the fugitive heroes as weak in power base as possible, based on the casualty we experienced in this episode. In a way, I can say I knew it was coming, but was hopeful that it wouldn't. While I agree that the cast had gotten a little sprawling and out of control at times thorughout the series progression, I never thought this character was a problem.
And at the same time, we're working with a pretty small cast at this time anyway. We've got the band of fugitives, Nathan and his cronies, and Sylar's quest for fatherly love. I wanted the initial chase to last a little longer than it did. The idea of our heroes running through the woods trying to figure out how to get away from hunters hot on their tails was too good to wrap up so quickly and easily. And how good were those hunters anyway? They let everyone come back together at the crash site.
I guess I'm not as enamored with this chapter as I was with the first. As much as I got annoyed at the way Daphne pursed her lips, I liked her as a character, and she would have been handy to have around in their new lives. Not to mention adding some much needed estrogen to the fugitive band. The writers got Tracy captured, Claire sent home and Daphne dead. Don't think the ladies can handle life on the run? You don't have that many women on the cast to begin with.
We got some explanation of Peter's power, which makes it a lot more volatile and unpredictable than before. Not to mention a lot less powerful. Not only can he only have one power at a time, it looks like he has no control of the switch. Last week, when he touched Tracy he accidentally picked up her freezing power, subsequently losing Mohinder's super-strength.
So now we have a new game we can play. Right now Peter has Nathan's flight ability. But as soon as he touches anyone else, he'll lose that. Flight is a pretty handy ability when you're a fugitive. Certainly more effective than super-strength, power enhancement or even Matt's mental abilities.
Yes, Matt was able to take over that hunter and mow down the competition, but he can still easily be overwhelmed whereas Peter can just disappear. I would be interested to see what Matt is capable of when Ando-boosted, though. Assuming, that is, that he can learn to control the cacophony of voices he's overwhelmed by.
Hiro has switched places with Mohinder as the non-powered "hero" on the team. Now, when Peter got dosed with the serum, it brought back his powers, albeit in a reduced capacity. When Mohinder got doused with the serum, his power set was also reduced. So the door is open for Hiro to get a modified version of his powers back. I'm thinking, since they don't want the time travel he can settle for stopping time or teleportation.
Since they got rid of Daphne I don't think they want the fugitives to be able to move to new locations very quickly, so let's go with stopping time. Still very effective and potentially powerful, and it creates those cool visuals that made the show special in the beginning. Now we just get Nathan glowering at the screen all the time. At least it cuts away from Claire's whining scenes.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
2-10-2009 @ 1:13PM
Bob Sassone said...
Daphne dead? Nah, no way.
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2-10-2009 @ 5:20PM
Erik Sagen said...
Agree with Bob.
She isn't dead, not in the least. This is Heroes, remember? Nobody dies on this show and if this is an exception to that rule, well, that stinks.
2-10-2009 @ 1:22PM
Roland said...
7.90 mil buahahahahhaha, Medium makes better!
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2-10-2009 @ 1:23PM
Clayton said...
I know I am just going to be voted down for saying this... But as of last night, I have decided this is the worst show on television.
Even Knight Rider is better than this drivel.
I mean, that meeting at the end where Peter proclaimed that they would need to do thinks they never imagined. Boy was that weak, and stupid! I am sick and tired of these "Heros" being nothing but idiots.
I'm done with this show.
http://makeasitcom.com
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2-10-2009 @ 6:16PM
edgore said...
I assumed that Peter meant that by the end of the arc he would have to sleep with Matt.
2-10-2009 @ 1:30PM
R_man_5K said...
wow... people are being harsh. I had no problem with the show and still love it. I really like that Syler is back...and now may have a side kick.
It is moving well and this should be a good chapter.
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2-10-2009 @ 1:30PM
laura said...
Not one paragraph on Sylar and his young apprentice...Luke.....
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2-10-2009 @ 1:39PM
Malren said...
I KNOW! Best part of the show by FAR. They brought Sylar right back to the bad guy we love and gave him a little bad guy sidekick. Awesome squared, IMHO.
I like the reduced power sets. People were too damn powerful on this show. Going forward I actually want to see Sylar's power reduced in scope or he just becomes Onslaught or some other over-powered bad guy. Marvel is famous for throwing the kitchen sink in on a character and making them ridiculous. Heroes was doing that for a long time. I prefer it the new way. It affords you the chance to deal with the people.
2-10-2009 @ 1:41PM
Naiche said...
Kill the Cheerleader Save the Show! I hate her whinny sub plots, though HGR is one Bad MoFo. I have to admit, Im really liking Sylar, hes always been my favorite but seemed to always be restrained (maybe budget issues for SFx) but now he seems a little more unleashed and extra evil.
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2-10-2009 @ 1:42PM
Martin said...
Syler and his younger brother apparently. How convienent was that.
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2-10-2009 @ 1:52PM
Steve said...
With The Closer and 24 back, Heroes has officially lost its spot on my DVR. This show has now become entertainment for watching online when work is slow.
Time for Heroes to cut its losses.
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2-10-2009 @ 1:55PM
Pooh said...
The writer must either gay or misogynists. They've offed three hotties: Nora Zehetner, Kristen Bell, and now Brea Grant. Stop it!
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2-10-2009 @ 1:56PM
wtf is going on said...
Matt and Daphne were suppossed to be married and have a kid in the future. So I guess the future scenes from last season doesn't mean squat.
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2-11-2009 @ 3:53PM
Oneiroi said...
I could be wrong, but didn't they change that future? Who knows with time travel.
2-10-2009 @ 2:05PM
ReesieKitty said...
Oops! I accidentally hit send~!!! Anyway,
6) CLAIRE IS NEVER 'SAFE' AT HOME. SHE WILL NEVER LIVE A 'NORMAL' LIFE. When will the writers get this through their thick little heads. Although, convienently, it now seems that she won't have to go to college either. I mean, hey, any mom would be happy to have her daughter just hanging out working at a 7/11 instead of pursuing higher education, right? Another very dumb plot device that's totally uneeeded as Claire could just, you know, RUN AWAY again? Like we know she will. Because she has already done it, what? A dozen times since the show started 'sending her home where its safe'? Also, when did her mom get to be such a dumb bunny??? Claire comes back from 'looking at colleges' all messed up emotionally and glazed eyed and her mom believes - after all she's found out in the past- that Claire is just 'tired' from her 'fun' weekend. Yeah, right.
sigh... please. Bryan Fuller, come and save us.
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2-10-2009 @ 2:51PM
Jason said...
My problem with Daphne biting the bullet is Matt's lack of reaction to her death, or the lack of representation by his character's mourning. How very disposable of those writers.
Unless she was taken to a local hospital in the back of that truck towards the end.... hmmm...
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2-10-2009 @ 3:04PM
izikavazo said...
The writers insist on keeping the maincast and that is too much for me. This show is now at the bottom of my priorities, I might be able to catch up in the summer.
- izi
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2-10-2009 @ 2:59PM
Will said...
Well...they didn't show Daphne dead. If she had died, you'd think they would have made a bigger deal out of her death scene and Parkman would have had a different reaction to her death. But they didn't make a big deal out of many of the deals in Volume 3 either. I'm holding out hope for now. Maybe I'm just holding out hope.
After I type that message above, I read episode descriptions for the next few episodes that pretty much settled the question on her status.
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2-10-2009 @ 4:54PM
Jennifer said...
I swear you ppl bitch at everything. Honestly if you dont like the show just dont watch it. I read comments to see if other ppl think like I do (Ex: Is Luke Sylar's lil bro) This is worse than reading a soap blog. (For example: Nick slept with Sharon Yippee- now maybe she'll get over lusting after him) I mean my God!
It's finally starting to get good again. Besides Daphne is at least in the Chapter 17 episode. So we'll find out soon if she has indeed kicked it or not. Tho I seriously doubt it.
As for Claire whining- ppl come on, she's a flipping teenager. That would be like watch Buffy and there not being any teen angst. Mohinder is who bugs me. Maybe some powers will straighten him out.
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2-10-2009 @ 6:11PM
Nathanael B said...
Hmm... I guess I wasn't the only one who thought maybe the kid could be Sylar's little brother. Perhaps I missed something, but it looked like it was hinted at.
I liked this episode overall. Definitely not season 1 quality, but it's starting to feel a little "back on track" after season 2... finally. Hope that trend continues.
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