TVSquad

After watching the penultimate episode of "Volume Four: Fugitives" on NBC's Heroes last week, I have to say I was pleasantly surprised when a dashing young man in a FedEx uniform delivered a surprise package to my doorstep later in the week. Inside was a rough cut of "An Invisible Thread," the season finale of Heroes. Now this wasn't nearly as rough as the X-Men Origins: Wolverine debacle floating around the interwebs, but neither was it the completely polished version we'll see this upcoming Monday at 9:00 PM ET.

Overall, I found myself a little disappointed as I've been with every volume finale we've had since the very beginning. And admittedly, I might just be wanting something a little bit more than what we're able to get here. As for deaths and new beginnings, those we do get. I'll tell you this: one person who I felt certain was going to die didn't. One person who I thought as a possibility to die did ... but sort of didn't. But really did. The only hint I'll give you is Marvel's first Exiles series.

There were some good action sequences in this episode. As expected, the gang was going to get to Washington to deal with Sylar impersonating Nathan, and deal with that they did (though more behind closed doors than I would have liked). Danko too was dealt with, as he had to be. After all, he embodied the whole core of the volume, and you can't move on without addressing the symbol of this phase in your development.

Two things stood out to me while watching the episode. There was one very conspicuous absence in the episode, and I'm not sure what that means. Hopefully, it just means we'll get more later. The other thing that stood out is that Hiro and Ando always seem to stick out like sore thumbs when the gang gets together. They really don't hang out with the others that much, and don't have any of those relationship connections. It's odd, and I'm not sure why they haven't been more integrated.

We did get a tease of "Volume Five," which has a very good subtitle. Of course, "Fugitives" was a very good subtitle and they didn't really give us enough of that. After that plane crash, they were on the run for maybe an episode. When I think of fugitives, I'm thinking more the second season of Prison Break. This was just a lot of talking and whining, which seems to be the rut Heroes falls into.

I can tell you that there are two important moments in the teaser. There is an important return, which most people are expecting, setting up something that could work out very well for the series. The other key moment was really more inevitable, considering how "Volume Four" ended. Of course it's going to happen, it's like a ticking time bomb at this point. It's a matter of when, not if. Hopefully, though, not too soon. A slow burn will be a lot better on this one.

The teaser was also a lot more vague than in volumes past. Even the title is open to vast interpretation. I wonder if this was intentional to allow them the hiatus to really focus on putting this show back on track and making sure that season four redeems the show, improving on seasons two and three tremendously. Ultimately, I remain optimistic about the future. I do wish they'd be a little more bloodthirsty on the show as originally planned. Some more key deaths in this core group of characters wouldn't hurt anything. I can name some names!