You know what? Better. Much better. Heroes still isn’t what it should be — the last season and a half of mediocrity left NBC’s super-power-hour at the bottom of a pretty big ditch — but the "Fugitives" arc shows some promise.
Why? A couple of POTENTIALLY SPOILERY thoughts after the jump.
1) A slower pace. For the first time in a long time, it didn’t feel like Heroes was jumping around like the Bourne Ultimatum editor on a trampoline. We got to register everyone’s desire for normalcy — Mohinder back behind the wheel of a cab, Peter’s new gig as a paramedic, Matt and Daphne’s life as a proto-couple — in a manner that didn’t seem like a race.
2) A new threat. It’s not the Company. Or Sylar. Or Sylar working for the Company. Or a new Company with Sylar picking up some extra hours. Sure, the black-camo’d government spooks hunting heroes is right out of X-Men 2, but at least it’s something different.
3) Hiro, minimized. It’s kinda nice seeing the Once (and, I’m sure) Future King of Heroes bucked down to a mixture between Alfred and Q. And it’s refreshing to see Ando using "the Ando-Cycle" to pick up strippers. Some people are motivated by the need to Do the Right Thing. Others are motivated by their pants. To each his own.
Sure, the show still wears its influences very much on its sleeve — right down to the very Lost-y tease for next episode ("The plane crash that will change their lives forever") — and Claire wears too much lipstick, but I’ll tune in next week. Which is more than I might’ve said a few hours ago.
What about you? Did "Fugitives" shift the must-see meter one way or the other?
I concur. Better. Much, much better.
… still not great. The X-2 plot is woefully derivative, but there were at least a couple of decent moments, including Sylar fighting off all the commandos. What the show really needs is a broom to sweep out some “major” characters. Peter Grimace Face has had his time in the sun. Same goes for Clare … umm … Grimace Face, too (I guess it makes sense, since they’re related). If this show truly wants to be bold and reboot for the 11th time, it will eliminate the majority of its “stars” and start over with new lead characters.
I totally agree. Not the best episode, but I’m seeing some promise in this new volume of the series. I’m looking forward to next week’s episode. Here’s hoping ‘Fugitives’ can take the show back to its glory days.
It was better, the narrowed cast, the sense of normalcy and everyone working together. Not to mention the Sylar above reproach scene was cool. I don’t know where this plane crash is heading it seemed like a mix between Prison Break meets Lost meets X-Men but I am willing to stick with it to see what comes next. I just hope someone takes the makeup and hair weave off of Clare and let her be her beautiful self. It was a nice set up can’t wait to see what will happen next.
Wow, both “Heros” viewers like the new episode. Mission accomplished NBC!!!
Why do they put that awful wig on Claire?
Sorry disagree with eliminating the chars they have. I liked this reboot but I hope they give Peter back his intial coolness from the first season. I have to say at least this episode had me on the edge of my seat, had some jaw dropping twists and I am looking forward to the next episode. Here hoping they are back on track.
It’s unfortunate. We’re so excited that this didn’t suck as much as last season that we’re not ready to admit that it still sucked.
Well its better than the formula crap they pulled.
Things that needed changing Claire and Peter being the central of everything. Some of the acting needs work too
Each Volume is getting worse… I will tune in for 2 more episodes, if its not giving me what i want i’m done.
An improvement I’d say, and I’m looking forward to next week…..And I think if NBC eliminated the majority of the main characters and started off with completely new set of leads…the show would be canceled within a few weeks.
honestly, I’m hooked to this volume already. Great.
Much much better. Yes it was X-menish but it was always derivitive of something. At least it was interesting and I can honestly say they were a few moments where I just couldn’t wait to see what happened next.
I love the completely empty parking garage in NEW YORK FREAKIN’ CITY.
Of course I liked the episode. But, however a derivation the plot is becoming… I feel confident that the writers will put their own spin on things and important character development will take place that will help explain why the future was (or will be) the way it was.
I’m excited.