Well, I keep grappling with the idea that the writers know where this show is going. So many differing plot threads with so few resolutions to others. However, this is only the 4th chapter of this Volume, so I'm sure that things will "work" themselves out, in whichever direction they seem to go. First, a few things.
- Gaining Sylar's ability has absolutely marked Peter as a definite casualty this year, which is sad because of how tragic his character seems to be now. The only person who consistently seems to want to do the right thing and to "save the world" is getting screwed by a banal plot device to provide artificial depth to a character who started out as THE bad guy. Not some schlep, but THE "bogeyman" as he himself pointed out. I love Peter. He's the one guy you can count on as being the "Hero". Now, he's going to become Sylar 2.0, but unlike 1.0, he will more than likely get offed for good. Which is sad.
- Sylar-Gabriel, Gabriel-Sylar. It was apparent that Gabriel had abandonment issues and thus was driven by his own apparent lack of self-esteem to try and become "special" so that he could be accepted by those he loved. That was absolutely apparent. Now it's a side-effect of his powers? Weak. Weaker than weak. Absolute shenanigans I say. It destroys what little character development that he had in lieu of this whole "Nice guy" swap they're pulling with him. Which doesn't make any sense to me, because it seems as if they're setting him up to be THE Hero which seems kind of forced. Why is it to hard to just have Good Guys that are good and Bad Guys that are bad just for the sake of it? We all criticize people like Raimi for trying to humanize villains or those that try to give Villains like Joker a backstory (Burton) so why give these guys a pass? Why this unnecessary inner-conflict? I mean, this is after all a TV Show.
- The Future. Old, tired, plot device. Because in the end, it won't matter. The scene in Costa Verde (while it developed rather nicely, unfortunately causing the death of a young innocent--something no one wants to see) will be relatively meaningless unless the writers actually decide to suck it up and say "Here is the point where we can't actually change the future" a la Terminator 3 (love it or hate it, I loved the fact that there was the realization that Judgement Day was ALWAYS going to happen). Be it in this incarnation or another, the future will be bleak because of the heroes, and in the end the only way to stop it is to wipe them all out in some way shape or form.
- I know this Volume is titled Villains, but where's the Heroes? Hiro is a dunderhead, no reason Ando kills him (in the future that's not going to happen anyways); Mohinder just as much; Maya's pouting about... well, whatever it is she opens her mouth to talk about; Peter's now a head-chopping psychopath because "the powers told me to do it"; Claire's turning into emo-girl; Nathan's a religious zealot; Tracy is Maya, just skinnier and with more teeth; Matt's following a turtle in Africa; HRG is... well, no clue; and almost everyone else is doing something equally devious/pointless. Again, I have no clue if the writer's actually know where this is going, or if they're just winging it at this point.
I didn't watch S1 when it came out. Wasn't interested in a cliche'd show about people with power, etc. and whatnot. But apparently it's done well for itself </sarcasm>. I caught on the last half of S2 (my wife watched the show the whole time and loves it) and was intrigued, to say the least. So I wound up buying S1 and 2 on DVD here recently and was absolutely stunned at what I had missed in S1 (loved it) and was only mildly entertained in S2 (and understandably so because I had seen half of it, and the writer's strike killed half the intended season anyways). Some people are saying that the show is getting back to its S1 roots. I'm not so sure. One of the things that caught me about S1 was the atmosphere. The music helped alot, but for the most part, this just seems like Angel/Buffy with a better production budget (in terms of presentation, not actual plot) and while those are respectible shows in their own right, I felt spoiled that the first season was portrayed more... well, almost emotionally. I don't get that this season, and I pray that it gets better.
And why on earth would Peter suddenly feel "the hunger" and saw people's heads of to take their power? THE GUY ALREADY ABSORBS ALL THE POWERS AROUND HIM! He can literally absorb powers in his sleep. Other than that, great episode. I'm glad Adam's back 
t: He needs to stuff his sword down Hiro's chubby troath.
