Comic book writer Warren Ellis once had a character offer the following truism: “Do you know what twenty superhumans working in concert are capable of? Given a day, twenty superhumans could destroy all life on Earth.” Which makes the superhumans of Heroes feel like the biggest underachievers ever.
Because when they could be, oh I dunno, dominating mankind — or, conversely, helping them — they’re scaring sorority girls, drinking to excess, or running a carnival recruitment drive. I’m just saying, these superbeings have set the bar awfully low.
Here are the three items of note in “Strange Attractors,” a placeholder of an episode if ever there was one:
1. If you’re going to do the four-pretty-girls-in-a-haunted-house bit, and not play it for laughs, then you’d better kill someone. I actually didn’t mind the whole Screamin’ Scavenger Hunt thing — it was a little Hostel-cliched, but it allowed Claire and Gretchen to have a couple of nice moments. I like that they’re not closing the door on their relationship, but not dodging it, either. And Claire’s newly admitted virginity plays into her wanting to keep that door open: she’s never even sampled what love has to offer, let alone know which flavor she’s built to love.
But to have a charnel house run by a homicidal carny exchange student, and not kill either of the nameless girls, feels like a fundamental betrayal of the horror ethos. Especially for a show that kills its extras with glee.
2. Noah never learns. This is a man that’s been screwing with people’s lives for decades — locking them up for simply having abilities — and he’s surprised when his efforts to help Jeremy the Good/Bad Touch Boy fall short. Jeremy’s story is a sad one — and one that is clearly meant to evoke the lives of small-town kids who grow up under the heel of small-town ignorance. Noah tries to get Jeremy out of jail (he did kill his parents) and set him up, alone, in DC — going so far as to bring Tracy down to Georgia to assist. But as soon as Jeremy steps out of the police station, he accidentally kills a man. One of the deputies, explaining to Jeremy that he’s “not normal,” takes him to the edge of town and proceeds to drag him behind his car — bringing to mind some of America’s more brutal hate crimes.
It’s a well-modulated metaphor — even if X-Men comics have been equating having powers with being a repressed minority for decades. But then there was the following exchange between Tracy (who’s clearly gonna join Samuel’s carnival crusade) and Noah:
“Do we have to be invisible? You ever think we could just live, Noah? Out in the open.”
“After today? No.”
“After today?” What about about after all of last season, when people with abilities were hunted by their government, assisted by Noah? Or after most of Noah’s adult life, which he devoted to imprisoning would-be heroes or villains or erasing their memories? Or hasn’t Noah been present for that?
3. Head Sylar is screwing with Matt. And screwing Matt’s wife. And I can’t bring myself to care. Firstly, it’s never been adequately explained to me just how Sylar’s personality ended up in Matt’s head when it was, according to the show, simply overwritten by Nathan Petrelli’s. Secondly, watching a fat dude drink by himself does not a good television episode make. “Let’s quiet those voices, shall we?” If I wanted to watch that, I’d turn on my own damned webcam. Thirdly…ah, who cares. Just kill Parkman already, so we can move on. So something can happen. Because I’m tired of waiting.
Heroes had made some interesting progress up until this week — never entirely on-point, but each of the last three episodes had something to recommend, some novel treatment of what could’ve been pablum. Tonight? Not so much. Heroes had better deliver…big and soon. What do you think?
Image Credit: Adam Taylor/NBC
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wow! I was kind of surprised by your recap. I thought this was a really good episode. The recap left me with the feeling that no matter what the episode had been, you were not going to like it. I thought it was exciting and sad, and I agree with you that the Claire/Gretchen “relationship” is being handled well.
this guy is a total douche who reviews this show, if I saw him in person I’d spit in his face!
It’s evident by your comment, that you are the actual douche
So you love watching a fat guy get drunk and talk to himself?
I actually agree with the review. As a fan since the moment the show premiered, I find myself, after nearly every segment, going “Meh.”
what is “meh” that sounds like the dumbest thing i have ever heard anyone say. You actually sit at home and say “meh”? what are you a cat? Your an idiot if you dont like the show say ” after every segment i find myself thinking its not that great” saying something like “meh” is stupid. some people who post on this thing are complete idoits. save yourself some dignity and keep stupid comments to yourself
Daniel the goat boy
Nope…”meh” is a very viable term and expression. Get a grip, tiko. And check your spelling and punctuation before posting if you’re going to call out other people.
Where I’m from no one ever says that. This is a message posting board not the championship for spelling in grammar Glory hole
Since this is a message posting board STFU and stop complaining about other people’s comments! This episode was horrible, which is the pretty much the norm.
no I just dont understand why people who think the show sucks and still get on here and stay stuff and still watch the show? Pete if you think its horrible then why do you watch it? Its people like you that keep the show on the air by giving it ratings. If its so horrible dont watch stay home and drink your problems away like Parkman im sure your as fat as him anyway.
Nothing about the Parkman storyline makes sense. Everything he does is impossibly absurd, every move devoid of even simple logic. You have mind control superpowers, and yet you turn to alcohol to cast away Sylar??? Seriously? This show needs to start shedding these walking dead characters.
I have to agree, Parkman is getting a bit dull and boring. Too bad you opted not to call up Bennett for advice. At least he’ll give you more of the time of day on this situation than Angela did a few episodes ago.
More than just boring, it makes no SENSE. Sylar was never put inside Matt -Nathan was put inside SYLAR!
I’m guessing that since Nathan was put inside Sylar, Sylar’s mind had to go somewhere, so it latched onto Matt (kind of Harry Potterish)
1. Well Quinto finally gave that maniacal laugh that I knew was coming. Last week I begged the directors to reign in Quinto’s in-Matt’s-head over acting…
2. Whatever, I’ve just about given up on this show. I can’t event be bothered to provide real production notes.
3. The clock’s ticking. I’m expecting Jay Leno to soon take over the time slot…
The plot line only makes sense when you consider what every review of this show was screaming last season: “more Zachary Quinto!” So now, as requested, he is in two places at once, Carnivale (good steal NBC) and Parkman’s gorgeous, his wife must have landed a really amazing job to be able to afford that as a single mom, condo.
The logic behind “Head Sylar” was copied from X-Men, where the act of wiping Magneto’s mind caused Professor Xavier to become Onslaught. Basically, the stress and trauma of the wipe rebounded and caused elements of the wiped psyche to go into the telepath’s head.
I just came here to skim through this awful review from this awful writer.
This episode was fantastic as been this season. And T-Bag literally bringing down the house was a nuts!
i love t-bag so glad he’s on the show!
And, I’m glad Darth Maul is on the show too !
The reviewer was spot on. ONE act of superhuman ability in an hour is all we get? And not even by a main character?
One? Tracy went watery, teleportation to the carnival (not sure who did that), Claire healed herself after being pulled off the spikes, the giant sinkhole, invisible girl being invisible… Unless you redefine “human”, there were quite a few superhuman abilities shown off.
Your recaps suck.
I’ve given up on this show, its not worth it. Even for 40 minutes of Zachary Quinto.
ZQ needs to get himself a better show, STAT. He’s such a crazy-good actor (re: Star Trek), and to be honest, I’m surprised he’s not left Heroes already. (although he seems like a nice guy, so maybe that’s why?)
Can’t wait for the pain of Heroes to end. The contrived lesbian subplot for Claire? Wow…never seen that before. How original. It is a train wreck and I know I have choices when watching television, but I don’t want to be a “giver upper”. However, more episodes like this and my DVR will have much more free space on it.
Another awful recap by Mr. Marc Bernardin whose clearly just now out to throw subtle jabs at Heroes.
Hey, it beats watching 80% of CBS.
CBS beats NBC by a thousand miles.
The WB, ABC and cable beats NBC and CBS every single time.
I think this is a great recap. Let’s admit it: Heroes hasn’t been good since Mid-Season 1. For someone to watch this show and say that is is great TV (or even great TV writing) is horribly mistaken. This show has so much potential and never comes close to reaching it. The writers should be ashamed. I mean, Bryan Fuller is the only reason the good episode are good. They have wasted amazing material and conned us into liking it or continually watching it out of some sort of obligation. It really is too bad. This episode was just one of those Heroes Episodes that just saddens me.
Just admit it Bryan, you didn’t even watch the episode.
Oh no, I did watch it. If I didn’t watch it, I wouldn’t have commented. You can’t have a real/true opinion of something you don’t watch. (Plus House and HIMYM weren’t new, freeing up plenty of Heroes time…)
Heroes is still on????
And of course, here’s the inevitable “this is still on, I’m so cool I didn’t even realize it” response …
I’m officially done trying to make sense of your perceptions of this show. Lined with strong moral themes, a couple truly frightening moments, and that whole frekkin-twisted Sylar storyline, this episode was anything but a placeholder.
Obviously you should not be recapping this show anymore. You have nothing positive to say, and a glowering critique each week is nothing but destructive. I think EW could exercise better judgment in its assignments. This is clearly a verdict long reached for you. Goodbye.
Wow, you must be very easily entertained! This whole season so far has been a snoozer.
How can you know mention Samuel’s power in full effect and how he manipulated Tracy… ?
Also Sylar is now Matt! That was a great twist… you know Sylar as matt is going to go on the look for his body! Confrontation time
Plus it’s fairly logical how Sylar ended up in Matts head. Matt went deep into Sylar’s head trying box of Sylar – not remove him, and make him think he is Nathan, so the fact he used his mind ability to get deep into Sylar’s head, it ended up in his mind.
I dont understand how you get this.
It’s practically the same as when Murray went round trapping people in nightmares etc.
What a horrible recap. Maybe if you would wait for the explanation of Sylar in Matt’s head it will come. Personally, I think Matt is losing his mind over what he did, and feels guilty, and that’s why Sylar is in his head.
I agree. I said this in an earlier post: I believe that Sylar is just a manifestation of Parkman’s guilt.
I think that Sylar is in Matt’s head because of Sylar’s ability. Sylar understands how things work and knows that by studying the brain. When matt was inside Sylars head Sylar got into Matts head he was able to figure how Matt was erasing his memory and latched on to Matts subconcious while Matt was “reparing” Sylar’s subconcious. Also since Sylar is offically in Matt’s brain he should be able to study his brain and obtain and retain Matt’s ability which will only make Slyar more powerful
That’s a less compelling and novel storyline compared to EV’s suggestion, which means it’s the one that Heroes will use.
Note that I’ve hated Heroes all season, but I really enjoyed tonight’s episode. The stuff with Jeremy was powerful and surprising. I really enjoyed how nuanced the conclusion of that whole storyline was. Rather than plainly state “these common folk hate what they don’t understand and what is different from them,” (like Heroes usually does) they showed a truly horrific act to make the point. Even better, when Samuel destroyed the police station, you could see how he was feeling based on the acting and the act. He didn’t say something lame and blatant like “this is for my family and all people like me.” The writers actually gave the viewers a little credit to make the simple, logical leap to understand that.
I really enjoyed the Matt/Sylar storyline. It has to be a ton of fun for both of those actors, especially Quinto, every time he jumps in with something snarky. I liked that Matt actually told Janice what was going on for once and did the smart thing by getting her away from him. The twist at the end was obviously the best part. I knew that drinking Sylar away wouldn’t work, but I didn’t expect the role reversal. I seriously wonder if Matt is going to find a way to kill himself in order to get rid of Sylar’s conscience. It would certainly be a big risk for the show to take, but a great one.
Given my vitriolic hatred for the character of Claire, I chose to fast forward through all of her scenes. Best decision I’ve ever made with this show. I enjoyed it so much more without being annoyed by the awful acting, ridiculous tangential storyline, and utter stupidity that usually encompasses Claire-stories.
Is Hayden Panettiere *still* a wh|ore? Ah, trick question: She’ll NEVER stop being one.
You’re writing this recap and you still don’t know how Sylar’s mind got in Matt’s head? Are you kidding? Obviously, when Matt placed Nathan’s memories in Sylar’s body, Matt absorbed Sylar’s mind into his own head. Call it a side effect of what he does, that’s what happened. If you don’t know that by now EW needs a new person to recap.
I’ve watched every second of every episode and didn’t know that.. nor did I care. The writing is horrible and the acting is average at best. Hayden Panatierri is too smug to watch, knowing how she is in real life has ruined her on the show.
He has done that before and never “absorbed” anyone. His father also had the same power and never showed any signs of it.
No, he’s never replaced one person’s memories w/ someone else’s. That was a new thing for him to do when he did that to Sylar. Yes, the show is confusing at times but lets not go out of our way to bash it!
This recapper obviously stopped being a fan of Heroes a long time ago. How can you call this episode a placeholder when Claire discovered that her sorority leader or whatever she is was a hero w/ invisibility powers, and was trying to kill Gretchen? They may not have revisited that but trust me, that exposition will be very important to upcoming episodes. So will Sylar finally being able to take full control of Matt’s body. That storyline is just going to start getting interesting now. Placeholder? Ugh, can we get an actual fan of the show to recap? Just recap-not give your opinion. You’re just supposed to recap what happened, devoid of commentary.
Did you write that last bit Chris? Because maybe you should apply for a job with the show. Every sci fi show follows rules of logic and common sense….except Heroes and Smallville apparently.
I thought the ep was good. Red Herring’s (Claire and Gretchen in the slaughter house), did not see Jeremy getting killed in the way that he did (sad, brutal)nor Samuels response (he’s Heroes version of Mr Sinister or Magneto)and Sylar continues to kill me with lines like “Your the second Parkman I’ve made scream tonight”. Now that Sylar’s consciousness has taken over Parkmans body, we get an “evil” Matt Parkman. Heroes delievers, but it takes it’s time in doing so.
And if you really want these superhumans to show what they’re really capable of just have Samuel the earth-mover destroy everything, the whole planet. See, show’s over so they can’t do it. Even in the X-Men they’re fighting other mutants 95% of the time.
Claire is a virgin on the show, what makes her a whore? She’s dated like one guy from the show…seriously you people are rude. Honestly the lesbian relationship seems natural, they have a lot of chemistry.
And besides, West is probably living in San Francisco with a hot new bf by now.
your so right people take there hate out on others. i thought there chemistry this episode was strong and can’t wait to see more. ladies and gents this isn’t the first time on tv this happened does anyone remember willow from buffy?
Marc, Heroes has redeemed itself in my opinion! It has done everything the fans asked for:
1. It added a ton of new characters and villains.
2. It has put the extraordinary people back in ordinary lives.
3. It’s building up a season long story arc and not just killing people randomly episode to episode.
Yet you still aren’t happy.
SHUT UP!
The villains are good, its the heroes that are the problem.
I gave this episode 10 mins, up until the contrived ratings stunt of the lesbian Claire and that was officially the last straw. For a season and change I’ve been asking why I keep watching it, but now I’m done.
”Noah Never Learns” Hey at least you can’t blame him for trying. And as it is obvious that you’re not an HRG fan I’ll say no more other than it’s never to late for second chances.
I think I am going to stop reading your column since it never makes sense and I think you say the same thing over and over so there will be a bunch of dittos, however you don’t really review the show.
I think you need to get a REAL reviewer to watch this episode, get of your high horse and crawl into a tunnell where no one can hear your so called reviews ever again
But you liked last week’s? are you for real because according to you Hiro was doing his usual tiresome bit last week so you like it. Give me a break and go watch the mentalist. Light and fluff because clearly you want Heroes to be light and fluff. The Parkman/Sylar story doesn’t need to make sense it is a tv show about super heroes. The story is chilling and darker than anything else on. Claire was well Claire. The Tracy/HGR story was good because it reminded us of another young man killed because he was deemed ‘different’ will give you a hint his first name was Matthew. Why do all you critics come on these boards read the loudest most empty voices and then suck up to them instead of watching the show without your bias. There is a lot wrong with Heroes and a lot right, last week was ok this week was darker and better. Review the show next time.
Actually, I think that the death of the kid on Heroes was supposed to be more reminiscent of the death of James Byrd.
IMO the show will not regain what it was in season 1. but i am going to watch it until its cancelled. good review or bad.
laughed out loud moment – when they are kidnapping Claire and invisible girl tells her you didnt have to go all Buffy. very funny.
YES! Loved that Buffy joke! I agree, I will watch to the end, but I no longer expect greatness or even competence out of these writers… such a let down from what was such a compelling show in season 1.
Marc, I read the AV review which stated that somehow Claire must decide by now that she is straight, bi or gay and was saddened by the naivete of that comment. Then I came here and saw your mature, thoughtful comments. It is one thing to pick up on what the show was stating last night but it also takes an open mind. You have one. I will stick to this site from now on when reading reviews.
it sucked – wasted majority of 2 weeks on a character that ended up being killed. parkman/syler = stupid. parkman charcter is making up for the stupidity of missing shuresh. and has anyone in the gov’t realized yet that a senator is missing? maybe he is off hiking in the canadian rockies with his brazilian girlfriend, but that sounds way to familiar. lastly, why do the lesbian storyline for claire, it just seems to be an unnecessary conflict in a show that should want to avoid that, unless they are aiming at a new demographic for an add’l viewing audience.
And it looks like next week won’t be addressing the lack of Nathan either!
I don’t see why nobody seems to get what happened with Sylar/Nathan/Matt. Over the last two or three episodes they’ve made it pretty clear.
Disgusting and pathetic of NBC to show a dragging death of a boy after the hate crime murder of James Byrd. NBC you should be ashamed.
You do realize that James Byrd was not the first dragging death ever, correct? The purpose of the scene was to show how no matter where the heroes go, they will always have to deal with people who don’t understand and want to kill them. Yes, that would be a “hate” crime. Yes, real people have died of hate crimes.
I’m sure that Pete is aware of that, but it is by far the most infamous. I’m sure Lorenna Bobbit isn’t the only woman who has dismembered her husband, but there’s a reason why she’s the first to come to mind. Same with Amy Fisher, and a million other famous cases.
I completely agree. Disgusting. Just because it happens does not mean it needs to be on primetime, pg13 television. It’s unnecessary. I get that they are trying to evoke a reaction from the audience, but that scene in addition to Claire’s sudden change in sexual orientation show how desperate this show has gotten. I’m crossing my fingers for ZQ to get on a show worth watching soon, because he is the only reason I continue to watch.
I just dropped by to see what I missed … or didn’t miss. I tried to drop this show several times over the last two seasons and couldn’t quite make the break. Force of habit. This year I finally dropped it, though. I haven’t watched in weeks, and life has been wonderful without it.
Your life was that bad when you were watching this show? You must be awfully sensitive.