Even though there were some obvious areas where things really, REALLY felt like deja va all over again (a character from the past trapped in another nightmare future, a nuclear explosion, Nathan being President) I kinda dug this episode. Not to mention that events have really moved while leaving behind enough interesting questions.
For instance, it's an interesting angle that people born with powers are against those who were artificially given powers and that it would essentially be something used as a form of weaponization and actually increase crime. Of course, the whole concept was played out in the Earth-X miniseries, but it certainly is a unique way of bringing about an apocalypse.
What I found really amusing, however, were the future versions of the characters. For example, kudos to those who said that it was Daphne that Matt was holding in the painting, and the fact that she turns out to be his second wife, which I got to say is an interesting couple to say the least, not to mention that Molly has been officially adopted by them. Likewise, I got a real laugh when Tracy was revealed to be the first lady right after we cut from their first make out session. Claire of the future has really become a stone cold witch with a b, and her partner being Knox is certainly intriguing. And then of course, there was Sylar, or rather Gabriel, and his son. Question is, who is little Noah's mother? I'm guessing it's probably Elle, but if so, what happened to her? Better not be Claire since that would just be all kinds of wrong.
Speaking of Future Gabriel, it was kind of amusing seeing him be all Ozzie Harriet in the beginning, and then understand that he's barely hanging on to what shred of sanity he's got left for the sake of his son. Plus, Zachary Qunito really sold the idea that he has to keep his "hunger" in check, not to mention gave a very good explanation as to how his base power works to Peter. Even so, I still do not like the idea that it's his powers and not his own psychological need to be special that made Sylar a serial killer. It's much, much too lazy to go that route.
Speaking of Peter, they are obviously, the show is further emphasizing the notion of blurring the lines between hero and villian even moreso this season with Peter now acquiring Sylar's inate ability to understand how things work. Again, and this bares repeating, I do not like the idea that this ability makes one into a homicial maniac, but does result in a good "shocker" moment when Peter kills a future version of his brother via going into Sylar mode. And I also like the angle that both himself and Future Peter may have worsened events out of their need to save the world. Although, why didn't Peter already have this power from Sylar already? After all, he was able to absorb the power of the level 5 pyrokinesis guy and he was stuck in the body of someone else, so why not Sylar's base ability? I guess, because Sylar had absorbed so many powers it was buried under a bunch of others making it hard for Peter to find. Still, it did seem odd since the whole plot of the episode revolved around this.
Another person they're obviously doing this with is MohinDUH! whose turning more into Brundlefly. Or maybe the Lizard, as the future version of himself appeared to have scales on his hands and kept making hissing noises. Then again, maybe he was turning into a half-human half cockroach, since there were some scurring about the lab. Anyway, it seems apparent that he might have ended up killing the abusive husband, so once again, the lines between good and evil are blurred once again.
It was also refreshing to see that Hiro and Ando's friendship is now restored once more as the whole "I don't trust you because your future self killed me" tension appears to have quelled, not to mention it was a great moment in nerddom when Ando stood up to Angela to defend Hiro--way to go! Plus, I'm certainly interested in the apparent Hiro and Adam team-up. Considering what Angela ended up seeing in her dream, you know it's not going to go well, yet oddly enough she's the one who told Hiro to dig him back up.
Also, I'm so glad they didn't go the clone route with Tracy. Although, one has to wonder who is Barbara? What's her power in contrast with Niki and Tracy's? And have all the Company's kids had their DNA manipulated to give them powers? According the preview [blackout]Not only were Niki, Tracy, and their third (!) sister has their genes manipulated at birth, but so too were Nathan's.[/blackout]
And next weeks preview looks pretty good as well. All and all, a pretty good episode I'd say.
