Look, I don’t mean to kvetch mightily about Heroes (which I totally heart), but if Tim Kring and his staff are going to throw little nuggets our way, they should do it subtly. And by subtly, I don’t mean flashing messages like the "Are You Sure You Want to Quit?" on Mohinder’s computer so big and so often that even casual viewers balancing their checkbooks mid-episode will stop and go, "Ohhh! Mohinder must be questioning his decision not to continue his father’s work!" Don’t even trip because you know I’m right, people. Also, would you let a total stranger shave you with a straight razor, even if she had a cute pixie hairstyle? I didn’t think so. That’s all.

When it comes to superhero stories, the importance of villains cannot be overemphasized. So maybe that’s why the last night’s episode of Heroes — which suffered from a serious deficit of evil — felt a wee bit sluggish. This isn’t to say those scenes with Horn-Rimmed Glasses didn’t crackle. His simple "Shhh" as he hovered over rapist Brody’s hospital bed and ordered his mysterious minion to "hollow him out" was the evening’s highlight, but do we really know for sure that Horn-Rimmed is a baddie? He’s creepy, certainly, but the show’s writers continue to play his intentions close to the vest. Dude obviously has some kind of ulterior motive when it comes to his adopted daughter’s powers, but does that mean he doesn’t truly love her or want to protect her?

Speaking of love, how sweet was Matt’s steak dinner for his wife — at least until he started over-relying on his powers of telepathy? By the time he headed out for a post-coital coffee-ice-cream run, even the Mrs. looked wary. And who could blame her? After all, there’s a big difference between reading a woman’s mind and understanding her feelings. I did love the way Matt impulsively talked that convenience-store robber out of his crime, but even better was the frightening aftermath: Until Matt learns to balance the gift-curse ratio of his abilities, he’s going to remain a deeply conflicted man. Such a conundrum makes me wish NBC had left the similarly themed Medium in the 10 p.m. timeslot (what a nice two hour block that would’ve been!), but not even the most powerful clairvoyant could make sense of the minds of network executives, could they?

A few more questions I’ll be grappling with till next week’s episode:

- Is there a chance Nathan (Adrian Pasdar, pictured) will end up using his power of flight in the pursuit of evil? His snake-oil smile after scoring an extra $2 million from the mysterious Mr. Linderman’s henchwoman was yet another indicator that his obsession with power has the potential to get downright ugly. Also, which was cooler: Nathan’s jetpack-like propulsion or the way he burned his heels on landing?
- Was the throwaway line about Niki’s husband having slipped out of his cuffs another hint that he and Sylar are one and the same?
- Am I the only one who remains unconvinced by Mohinder’s Scully-like skepticism? And is it lackluster writing of Mohinder’s scenes or Sendhil Ramamurthy’s vague performance that’s the issue? Or both?
- What kind of injury is in store for Peter? Hiro’s comment during his trip back in time that the floppy-haired protagonist looked "different without the scar" certainly foreshadowed an injury in the not-too-distant future.
- And finally, was it a clue or mere coincidence that the sketched silhouette of Simone hovered in the background as Peter finished Isaac’s painting of the cheerleader? The third side of the Peter-Isaac love-triangle may not be bad, but she sure is drawn that way.

My colleague Scott Brown posted a link yesterday afternoon to an interview with Heroes creator Tim Kring, in which he noted some of the titular characters "will be tempted by the dark side" this season. And — bam! — just like that, last night’s episode finds most of ‘em doing exactly that. If it wasn’t Isaac (once again) shooting up (and getting all milky-eyed, like Storm), or Niki (the terrific Ali Larter) seducing Nathan on camera to pay off her debt, there was Hiro using his power of teleportation to hilariously cheat at poker and buy designer suits. (Loved Ando’s rationalization, "Is Peter Parker cheating when he sells pictures of Spider- Man?") And let’s not forget last night’s most illegal (and most justifiable) hero-perpetrated crime: indestructible Claire driving serial rapist Brody (remember him on Commander in Chief last year?) right into a brick wall. I let out an unabashed "Woot!" when, responding to Brody’s creepy taunt that there was nothing she could do to stop him from attacking another girl, Claire got that devilish look in her eyes and responded, "I can do this," right before putting the pedal to the metal. She’s my kind of vigilante, and Heroes is my kind of show. That said, a few burning questions to ponder:

• What the heck was that "Don’t Give Your Heart to Just Anyone" poster that was not so subtly placed right between Mohinder and Peter (pictured) during their subway ride? Perhaps a hint that pixie-haired Eden isn’t as sweet as she appears? Or maybe it’s sultry Simone (who’s now bedded two of the mutants) who’s not to be trusted?
• What exactly did Horned Rim Glasses mean when he had Matt strapped to the table, then told his mysterious minion to "Go deep and clean him out"? I don’t think our kind-hearted mind-reader is in for a cleansing coffee colonic!
• Anyone else notice the hilarious portrait of the Bennett family’s pampered pooch on the stairway?
• What was with the special delivery of Dr. Suresh’s remains? "UPS! It’s Dad’s ashes!" I don’t think so. Also, is it just me, or are the floppy haired duo of Milo Ventimiglia and Sendhil Ramamurthy the two cast members who might want to consider a little more time with an acting coach?
• Finally, is it possible that Niki’s alter ego is actually her husband? Note the use of the word "our" when she hissed, "If you threaten our son again, I’m going to put my heel through your skull." And is the snake-like tattoo on her back the same as the necklace worn by the bald black guy who did, well, something, to Matt?

It’s no mystery to PopWatch readers that Ugly Betty is my favorite new female character of the fall 2006 TV season, but after last night’s episode of Heroes, I’ve got a guy to serve as her male counterpart. Indeed, unlike scores of historical superheroes who seem all too blasé about their skills, Hiro (Masi Oka, pictured), the zany (and rather dapper — loved the green jacket!) Japanese office worker of Heroes, treats the recent discovery that he’s got the gift of teleportation with a giddiness that I find relatably dorky. Watching Hiro pose the question, ”Perhaps a costume?” was the funniest moment of Episode 3, but even better, his primary set piece — in which he stops time to rescue a schoolgirl from getting crushed by a delivery truck — was its most visually thrilling. Add him to a band of misfits including indestructible cheerleader Claire, mind-reading teddy bear Matt, and mysteriously two-sided Niki, and you’ve got a show that’s filled my Monday-night dance-card from now till Christmas.

Since there’s only so much time in the day, however, and since I need to purge last night’s Bachelor episode sooner than later, I’ll leave it to you guys to dissect some of the show’s burning questions, after the jump:

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