So if any good has come out of the failed Jay Leno experiment and the next installment of the late night wars, it’s that it may have bought Heroes another season (for my thoughts on the Leno/Conan “war,” visit my blog). Of course, I guess that depends on your perspective and whether or not fans WANT another season.
I’ve said it before, and a fair argument could be made that the writers have already hammered this point home, but I really do love how HRG’s actions – no matter how despicable they may be – can always be attributed to his love for Claire. Look at all he had gone through this episode, from tracking this woman down to attaining Parkman’s assistance to infiltrating the Carnival – it was all done for Claire. And all the while, he tried to be a respectful, “normal” father by keeping his distance when she needed some space. I know a lot of people tire easily of Claire – and I’m sure HRG’s fan club has diminished somewhat – but these two will ALWAYS be the highlight of the series for me.
That being said, while their final scene together was well written, nicely directed, and wonderfully acted, it felt a little flat to me, only because it didn’t truly feel like anything was on the line. They had only had their disagreement last week, and we’ve seen them fight so many times that it just didn’t feel like this could mark the end for them. And I feel like we were supposed to think that was a possibility.
But yeah, it’s kinda sweet that everything this man does comes back to him wanting to protect his daughter.
I will have to say, though, that while I found Parkman a bit more enjoyable this season than I have in the past, this whole ordeal of people with abilities struggling to find a balance between normal life and something greater is getting a bit tiresome. I feel like we’ve watched every single character essentially go through this inner turmoil – and it’s been happening every single season. Heroes has been on for four years now, and it’s a bit troubling that we’re yet to see any character emerge as a bona fide superhero. For the most part, everybody is still insecure and uncomfortable with their abilities.
I suppose if anybody’s there, Peter’s the closest. Of course, all of his heroics tend to happen off-screen, which doesn’t really help matters. I do now understand Emma’s purpose in this season’s arc – she’ll will people with abilities to Samuel, who will in turn become more and more powerful – but I still have trouble swallowing the fact this woman whose ability reminds me of a Skittles commercial can bring Ice Queen Angela Petrelli to a screeching halt and somehow cause the deaths of thousands of people. That being said, I do think that (presumed) chain of events is pretty clever, and I do like how it came together. I do have to wonder something, though: Emma clearly cares enough about Peter to use her ability to bring him to her apartment. Given that level of trust and emotion, there wasn’t a conceivable way for Peter to calmly explain the importance of destroying her cello? I don’t even really like her character, and even I felt bad for her. He just barges in, late at night, brutally smashes her cello, and leaves. And the girl was so excited about receiving it as a gift. That’s pretty messed up.
If there was a weak point in the episode, it was the Hiro/Ando/Mohinder trifecta, although that should come as no surprise. Truthfully, their scenes were a bit less harmless than they otherwise have been this season, but some of it was a bit hard to swallow. I mean, Ando can creepily hover around the medication and the orderly – evidently the only one in the room – brushes the behavior off after a single inquiry?
I do have to admit, I did laugh at Mohinder’s hurried and urgent, “was it in Florida?” line. His delivery was so matter-of-fact. Hiro, Ando, and Mohinder awkwardly waving like four year old children, on the other hand, was a tad over the top.
Matt Basilo has been writing for Inside Pulse since April 2005, providing his insight into popular television shows such as Lost, 24, Heroes, and Smallville. Be sure to visit his blog at [a case of the blog] and follow him on Twitter.
