Entertainment Weekly - 5 Ways to Save Heroes

[stillanerd]

Much of that article's suggestions for fixing Heroes is pretty spot on, especially with their point about recycling plots (especially the preventing the apocalypse) and forcing their characters to act inconsistently in order to advance the story, rather than having the characters determine the story. However, I do disagree with their stance on Matt, that even though his desert sojourn was a little long, the new potential romance he's developing with Daphne is a good development.

I also disagree with the idea of this season's development of Sylar making him a quasi-good guy first by not only making him a Petrelli, but also saying that his powers drove him insane and not his own childhood upbringing. Hopefully, the time spent with Arthur and that character's eventual death (come on, you know it's coming) will make him the series villian again because he wants revenge against the death of his dad.

With regards to the changing the core cast, the only ones that should remain are those I believe are the heart of the series, which are Peter (who is the "hero" all the other characters gravitate around), Claire (who offers the whole struggle between being normal and special), Hiro and Ando (who is exploring all about what being a hero really means), and yes MohinDUH! (who when he is acting stupid and supporting the villians is supposed to be the "narrator" of the show, which is why it was a really big mistake to give him super powers). Everybody else they can pretty much kill or write out of the show.

 

[GL1]

With regards to the changing the core cast, the only ones that should remain are those I believe are the heart of the series, which are Peter (who is the "hero" all the other characters gravitate around), Claire (who offers the whole struggle between being normal and special), Hiro and Ando (who is exploring all about what being a hero really means), and yes MohinDUH! (who when he is acting stupid and supporting the villians is supposed to be the "narrator" of the show, which is why it was a really big mistake to give him super powers). Everybody else they can pretty much kill or write out of the show.

I agree. And I disagree. I believe that those four characters can't just be written off all of a sudden, but I don't believe they have to continue to fulfill those roles. I think leaving them stuck in that is part of what stagnates the show.

Except Mohinder... he really should stay the Narrator and be the "scientist" aspect forever. Seriously.

 

[RonStoppablefan]

But you can take the focus off of these characters, and remove all the others who are "not the show" and still have something that's pleasing to everyone, even casuals.

It's called "passing the torch." And when done right, it creates some of the most compelling fiction because it invites the user to embrace and experience sacrifice, as the characters do week in and week out.

House did it. Highlander did it. Star Trek did it. Heck, Power Rangers did it (even before the yearly full cast changes). It's been done... it's doable. Do it.

And if it was "a couple constant characters" then that wouldn't hurt the show. Right now they have 5-10 CONSTANT characters, who just plain don't need to be, and the show is hurting for it.

Hmm Passing the tourch, you've given me an idea. Maybe Volume 5 it could be about there kids discovering there powers. They could make Mohinders kid learn from his stupid fathers mistakes

 

[GL1]

Hmm Passing the tourch, you've given me an idea. Maybe Volume 5 it could be about there kids discovering there powers. They could make Mohinders kid learn from his stupid fathers mistakes

Having them pass the torch to their kids, especially this early, only reinforces the idea that the universe revolves around these characters. There are plenty of other people with powers that have great stories to tell, around the country, and around the world.

 

[GhostPoet]

I agree with every single point.

Whoever decided that Heroes, the entire mythos, is about the Bennett and Petrelli families needs to be slapped multiple times.

Actually....that's my favorite aspect of this season.

It could be because I used to be a big comic fan and FAMILY has had a central story in many major comic events.

 

[Abaddon]

This season feels more like "Generations" than the last one.

 

[Visceral]

they should just have h.r.g. kill everyone.

 

[bullets]

The article has good points but you would need to move the storyline in drastic directions to do that . It shouldn't be all about the Petrelli's but they would need to write themselves out of that area and develop a different focus for the show.

 

[Havok83]

I definetly think there are too many characters introduced. Its really hurting the show bc we arent getting good character development out of them

I also hate how this series has turned into a live action comic book. I loved the realism of season 1, where it was normal people who just happened to have powers, trying to live normal lives in the world. Those with powers were rare but now it seems as if everyone has them. These characters are coming across as comic book heroes and villians and not the real people they were before. Its not working

 

[ord0g]

I also hate how this series has turned into a live action comic book. I loved the realism of season 1, where it was normal people who just happened to have powers, trying to live normal lives in the world. Those with powers were rare but now it seems as if everyone has them.

Although it's very X-Men but I thought that would have been good for the show to keep going in that direction.

 

[Fanticon]

I agree with every single point.

Whoever decided that Heroes, the entire mythos, is about the Bennett and Petrelli families needs to be slapped multiple times.

agreed.

 

[Neptune]

They should have done more with the original 12. That hasn't been fleshed out at all. I just don't get why they're killing off all of them. Especially Adam That was so stupid.

 

[Syncos]

But you can take the focus off of these characters, and remove all the others who are "not the show" and still have something that's pleasing to everyone, even casuals.

It's called "passing the torch." And when done right, it creates some of the most compelling fiction because it invites the user to embrace and experience sacrifice, as the characters do week in and week out.

House did it. Highlander did it. Star Trek did it. Heck, Power Rangers did it (even before the yearly full cast changes). It's been done... it's doable. Do it.

And if it was "a couple constant characters" then that wouldn't hurt the show. Right now they have 5-10 CONSTANT characters, who just plain don't need to be, and the show is hurting for it.

This is a great idea.
Power Rangers actually pulled it off pretty well for the first few shifts. The idea is to not eliminate characters from the show, but to have them wrap up their central story (other than a few primes that are still involved).

Absence makes the heart fonder. Later down the road you could introduce heroes back into the mix that either show up to save the day, or show up to end it. but either way, they're characters people haven't seen in awhile, and are going to love being reminded of.

Also, I'm sick of this "the world's going to explode" storylines. Yeah. The world being in danger is a fantastically contrived and effective plot device. But how about seeing a more localized issue spread long the group?

In retrospect, Arthur creating a group of super powered henchmen would be a solid threat to the characters we know, already. Why does the world need to be ending for that to be effective?

 

[Primal Slayer]

Also, I'm sick of this "the world's going to explode" storylines. Yeah. The world being in danger is a fantastically contrived and effective plot device. But how about seeing a more localized issue spread long the group?

In retrospect, Arthur creating a group of super powered henchmen would be a solid threat to the characters we know, already. Why does the world need to be ending for that to be effective?

Well lets just hope this is the last season or volume that involves the world going boom for awhile.

 

[GL1]

This is a great idea.
Power Rangers actually pulled it off pretty well for the first few shifts. The idea is to not eliminate characters from the show, but to have them wrap up their central story (other than a few primes that are still involved).

Absence makes the heart fonder. Later down the road you could introduce heroes back into the mix that either show up to save the day, or show up to end it. but either way, they're characters people haven't seen in awhile, and are going to love being reminded of.

EXACTLY! That could be so hot:

"This week on heroes..." [dramatic door opens revealing..] "Peter returns to Heroes..." [end commercial]. -- the ratings that week would be epic.

Also, I'm sick of this "the world's going to explode" storylines. Yeah. The world being in danger is a fantastically contrived and effective plot device. But how about seeing a more localized issue spread long the group?

In retrospect, Arthur creating a group of super powered henchmen would be a solid threat to the characters we know, already. Why does the world need to be ending for that to be effective?

This season highlights the problem pretty epically. The world splitting is almost completely irrelevant at this point.

 

[YJ1]

I agree with every single point.

Same here. Especially this...

Nothing undermines creative integrity like making characters act out of character just for the sake of advancing plot. Yet Heroes has recklessly committed this sin more than once this season

The only thing I don't agree with in that article is this...

how many of you will still be around to watch it? That's the urgent question facing Heroes and several other returning shows that have found themselves struggling to regain their audiences after being out of sight, out of mind for as long as nine months — a consequence of not coming back last spring following the writers' strike.

People tuning out has nothing to do with the writers strike. It has to do with the awful, convoluted and silly turns the show has taken. I've had many friends and family tell me they're done with Heroes simply because of the storylines.

 

[GL1]

^ Tru dat.

I'm not sure the writers strike has hit other shows so hard, and if so, I'd have a hard time believing the quality would be hit so hard.

I've got a list, now...

GL1's Five Ways to Save Heroes

1. New Writing Staff

A complete shakeup. Keep perhaps two to three of the very best writers, preferably those who were in the planning sessions for S1. Get the most talented guys you can find from different genres, instead of assigning different guys to different characters, get "Writer's League" who excel in different aspects, drama, suspense, action, romance and theme/philosophy. Put these guys into a room until something cool comes out, feed them lines of thought to snowball into an epic multi-faceted storyline running a whole season that provides real depth, pathos, excitement and is plot-hole free.

2. New Direction Imperatives

Steal the Eastern style jump-to-results-shot which both adds dramatic effect to action as well as saves budget and allows for more 'action' without necessarily requiring a lot more effects. Now, characters don't need to be excused from using their powers, they just have to do it with style.

3. Reposition the characters.

The easiest way to recapture the discovery of S1 is what they half-way did in S2. Instead of scrambling everyone into a new place only to bring them back to where they've always been. To do this right, you have to move them from their story positions. Hiro can no longer be the comic relief, nor can he be separated on his own journey. Peter can no longer be grappling with his powers, nor can be the main protagonist and case of the disaster. Claire can no longer be a family girl, nor can she be an unwitting object in the plots of others. Sylar can no longer be a one-track killer, neither can be entirely evil. Some characters have to die and be removed. This is something they just figured out and are doing badly in S3, but S1 understood it clearly enough, and even though I loved each and every character they killed, the show was still great, and we all loved it.

4. Soft Retcons

Hiro is a time traveler. He changes timelines. The worst things about S2 and 3 can be erased or fixed. Manufactured Powers. Adam's death, and the deaths of the other 12s. All fixable.

5. Do it at the end of the volume

Heroes needs a well thought out new birth. It does not, does not does not need knee-jerk reactions that inevitably have unexpected consequences.

 

[GhostPoet]

am I the only one who thinks this is the best season yet?

 

[Syncos]

am I the only one who thinks this is the best season yet?

Yes.





... but it's undeniably better than season two.

 

[GL1]

... but it's undeniably better than season
two.

I deny that. I think both S2 and S3 have different, equally disconcerting issues. Season 2 had less adventure, but it also had less plot holes, for instance.

 

[mre]

I can't stand this season.
I agree with all the points, but why.... WHY is no one asking why Sylar keeps getting his ass kicked in this season? Sylar was the **** in season one, and now anyone can take him.

 

[GL1]

They want Sylar to be the same, but they want to use him differently... obviously, it doesn't work.

 

[Syncos]

I deny that. I think both S2 and S3 have different, equally disconcerting issues. Season 2 had less adventure, but it also had less plot holes, for instance.

Yes. With less plot, you have less plot holes. You're correct. Season two was a simple, boring story, that could have lasted like 5 episodes, that they dragged out.

I can't stand this season.
I agree with all the points, but why.... WHY is no one asking why Sylar keeps getting his ass kicked in this season? Sylar was the **** in season one, and now anyone can take him.

I seem to remember Sylar walking in and owning a room of super powered ex cons. He's badass enough to use his powers to get out of a room where you supposedly can't use powers. I don't know. He seems alright this season.

 

[Neptune]

I agree. The only things i don't like about him are the hunger and the fact that he's a Petrelli.

 

[Koz]

Sylar has always been easily-pawned when the writers have deemed it necessary to further the plot. In the first season, he got thrown off a building by a non-powered Peter, he got knocked out by Mohinder's SUPER BULLETIN BOARD ACTION ATTACK, and he just decided it would be fun to stand there and let Hiro wobble over from a mile away and stab him in the finale.