1 post tagged “super powers”

So the Heroes were able to save the cheerleader, but it remains unknown if able to yet save the world.  As you might have guessed, I'm rapping about the exciting Heroes series on NBC.  Tonight, Episode #11: Fallout, was the last new episode for 2006.  If you missed tonight's episode, here's the scoop on the supes.

The timeline has shifted back to current day, just after Sylar's attempt to kill Claire at the Union Wells High School Homecoming.  Matt Parkman, the telepath, and his mundane FBI partner, Audrey, investigate the scene and realize Peter is innocent and that Sylar had escaped but was wounded in his five-story fall. Matt and Audrey interrogate Peter where Matt tries to measure up Peter and read his thoughts.  Peter is confronted with the fact that all the blood on him was his own yet he has no apparent physical injuries after his fall.  Peter's power of mimicry kicks into action where he acquires the same severe headaches and telepathic abilities as Matt.  The interrogation becomes both verbal and mental so Matt realizes Peter is another "special"...and Peter realizes Matt is as well.  Peter is returned to his cell where he has a terrible nightmare about Sylar.

Sylar is being contained and interrogated by Bennett and his mutant clan at Primatech Paper.  Apparently, Bennet isn't in charge of the secret superhero-tracking organization and is required to keep Sylar alive and imprisoned.  His superiors remain cloaked in mystery.  Eden, who carries the power of persuasion, offers to "convince" Sylar to kill himself to avenge his attempt on Claire's life..as well as protect other specials from further deaths at Sylar's hands, including her own life.  Bennett hesitantly rejects her offer.  Bennett, Claire's father, comes clean with her about his long kept knowledge of her healing and recovery powers.  He also allusively confides that he's "done some things" to protect her secret.  He warns her that there are others like Sylar that will come to kill her for her special gift.  Bennett swears Claire to secrecy and prods from her all those who share knowledge of her secret including her brother. 

Meanwhile, Eden meets with Isaac Mendez, the artistic prophet, who continues to recover from his heroin addiction. Eden says goodbye to Isaac as she plans to leave Bennett's organization.  She encourages Isaac to continue to create his prophetic illustrations without the use of narcotics.  And she surreptitiously provides him with a mobile phone and a telephone number.

Jessica, Nikki's super strong-arm split personality, takes control and shoots her husband, D.L, with a high-powered rifle.  The first shot  makes a direct hit in his shoulder.  Before Jessica can make another hit, D.L. activates his phasing power allowing the bullets to pass harmlessly through his intangible body.  D.L. escapes into the woods with their son, Micah with Jessica in pursuit.  Jessica finds the two in a cabin and tosses D.L. around like he was made of straw.  In the confrontation, Jessica injures Micah which pulls Nikki back into control of her physical body.  Nikki realizes that she doesn't have control against Jessica and abandons her family to turn herself into the police for murder.  I suspect the murders of the mafiosos she decimated in previous episodes.

Bennett brings Claire to the police for interview regarding the incidents of Sylar's attack on her and the murder of fellow, powerless cheerleader, Jackie.  Matt tries to scan their thoughts but runs into strong mental feedback that impairs his ability.  After the interview, Claire requests to meet with Peter.  Claire instantly bonds with Peter.  The two superheroes collaborate and discover the other's powers.  Peter looks visibly ill.  Bennett doesn't allow them much time alone; he and Claire depart.  Matt confides to Audrey that he experienced the same feedback feeling with Bennett when he blacked out in the bar.  Matt and Audrey follow Benett to Primatech Paper and spot him with the Haitian.  Matt tries to scan their thoughts but is blocked out causing a nose bleed.

Hiro and Ando arrive at Odessa High School but believe they've been too late to save the cheerleader and do not realize that Claire is still alive.  Hiro worries that he has failed to save Claire just as with Charlene, his mutant girlfriend, and ultimately failed to save the world.  But after a moment of doubt, Hiro reaffirms their pursuit of destiny to change the future.  The two decide to try to reconnect with Peter Petrelli and Isaac Mendez.  Ironically, Hiro's mobile phone rings and it is Isaac.  Hiro and Ando meet up with Isaac at the diner.  In their reunion discussion, Isaac realizes his latest sketches depicted future happenings despite being sober.  The three head to another location for Isaac to attempt another masterpiece.  Isaac comes into a block but Hiro offers support.  He suggests focusing (squenches eyes).  Isaac takes focus, closes eyes, concentrates and his eyes open in the white-out mode that ignites his foretelling brush strokes.

Claire returns home after destroying the videotapes of her deadly falls with Zac.  She talks to her brother about keeping her abilities secret per their father.  After a few moments of disconnect, Claire realizes that Lyle has no recollection of her power.  Claire urgently calls Zac to meet only to find that he has no memory of her in the recent years.  Claire is unnerved that everyone close to her has no memory of her healing power.

Meanwhile, Isaac completes his painting.  Oddly enough, the artwork shows Hiro armed with a sword in a battle with a large dinosaur (T-Rex).  Hiro worries that he will change the future of mankind if he time travels to the prehistoric past.  He also is equally worried about finding the sword to fight the thunder lizard.

Claire rushes back home and contacts her father by phone.  Thankfully, he remembers her gift and tells her not to worry that he is on his way to her.  Then, Claire realizes no one is home and questions their absence.  Suddenly, the quiet Haitian employed by Bennett appears behind her and immobilizes her thus ending the call with Dad.  The Haitian calms Claire and explains that he has been sent by her father to use his memory erasure talent on her.  He has already cleared the memories of Zac, Lyle and Claire's mother (many times over). Her father wants Claire scanned too, but the Haitian confides that it is extremely important that "she" remember.

Nathan Petrelli arrives at the Odessa jail to bail out his brother, Peter.  As the brothers depart, Peter continues to relay the events of his previous night's adventures to Nathan.  Nathan continues to be obstinent about Peter's "special" ability as well as his own power of flight. In their argument, Peter collapses only to awaken in dream state in a vacant New York City.  In his dreamscape, Peter sees the other heroes and Mohinder together with him.  The others are running away from him and he realizes he is heating up.  He continues to physically destabilize and becomes a meltdown that explodes.  Undoubtedly, Peter has somehow absorbed the power of the atomic man, Theodore Sprague, that is full of uncontrollable rage and accidentally killed his wife by exposing her to radiation that developed into cancer.  Peter awakens briefly and conveys to Nathan that "he" is the bomb in NYC.  He knows that he will explode and destroy the world.  Then, Peter passes back into unconsciousness.

Back at Primatech Paper, Eden calls Mohinder and apologizes for not being honest about her true identity.  She promises to make things right by assassinating the murderer of his father, Chandra. She hangs up immediately.  Eden enters Sylar's interrogation room.  Sylar senses and realizes her power.  She reveals a powerful handgun and "suggests" that he kill himself.  In an instant, Sylar uses his acquired telekinesis to slam Eden's head against the thick glass.  As the glass shatters, Sylar grabs the gun and proudly announces his intention to take her persuasion power and more importantly acquire Claire's gift of healing.  The camera pans away to hear a gunshot and bloodspatter.  It remains a mystery whether Sylar was the shooter or if it was Eden.  Me thinks Eden took a bullet to the head to prevent Sylar acquiring her power.

And that's where our story concludes for the next seven weeks.  Previews of the next episode show that the Heroes continue their adventure to save the world.  Some "specials" don't deserve their power and Mohinder's list has some significance in their destiny.  The episode will begin with a question, "Are You On The List?"  The episode is scheduled to air on Monday, January 22.  If you've missed any of the previous episodes, you can download each episode from iTunes for $1.99 each. 

I'm a fan of many of the comic superheroes but was never an overzealous, fanatical collector.  However, I think Heroes is a very well-written series.  You'll notice that we have still yet to see a full demonstration of their powers and those same powers are often downplayed in the story.  I'm glad to see the show is not just about superhero powers as that mistake would make Heroes a facsimile of other superheroic shows like Mutant X, Hercules, and Xena that fail to capture primetime audiences.  The show does not use superficial sound effects or magical, over-the-top effects when a hero uses their abilities.  Rather Heroes has focused largely on story and character development.  I believe this focus has largely contributed to Heroes' success as a good story and plot is the most important factor in any series.  The character development seems to parallel the self-awareness of Peter Parker in the Marvel Spider-man series, where the hero struggles with their identity, powers, ethics and social implications.  This recipe is not unique but makes for great plot as everyone enjoys a hero that faces a conflict bigger than him/herself. 

If you haven't gotten a chance to watch the Heroes series and enjoy sci-fi grounded with realism and drama, be sure to take the opportunity to catch up.  Maybe you'll realize there's a hero in you afterall...