This episode kicked rear, even if it lacked the action sequence of last week (Matt vs. Syler). The characters are starting to come together after the first month's worth of episodes, either directly (Peter meeting with Mohinder to find Isaac, or Nikki having sex with Nathan) or indirectly (Hiro & his buddy happening to be in Vegas at the same time Nikki & Nathan are). When I hear the talk of Mohinder's father's research and the whole "evolution" theory they have to explain the sudden burst of super-powers, yeah, I'll admit it does sound a lot like "mutants" and the X-Men (only without the derogitory term like "mutant"). But that's not a major problem for me. Shows, comics, etc. take bits and pieces from what was done before all the time. How many times has Superman's premise been ripped off? So it's nothing to get upset over.
The show also does have some "stereotypes", the newest being that the only male black character yet to show up is, of course, working for a white guy (Claire's connected dad, who may or may not be Syler). This minion apparently may have some sort of psychic powers, as he caused Matt to fall unconsious in the bar and was ordered to "wipe him clean" by Claire's dad (who works for your "generic evil secret organization", although their purpose and intentions aren't known, but if they're kidnapping people/characters, the audience will see them as evil). Again, despite how cool the show is, it does have stereotypes; blond cheerleader, nerdy Japanese "otaku", an Indian guy acting in a "sage" role connecting people, etc. But, like the allusions to the X-Men, I'm enjoying the show enough that it doesn't really matter. We'd go nuts trying to count all the stereotypes TV projects anyway (Italians usually still have it rough; most times they're only featured prominantly when they're either being goofy "Mamma Mia" jokesters or mobsters).
But maybe there is another angle of inspiration...DBZ? I know, a longshot, but Hiro, especially at the end, is starting to remind me of Trunks; dorky in the present, bad-arse in the Future. That final scene with Peter meeting "Future Hiro", complete with a suit, a sword (right?) and a confident command of English and his powers all but stole the show for me, which ain't bad for a cliffhanger.
I still wonder how long they're going to insist that Isaac shoot up to use his powers; does HEROES really want to "encourage" it? I can imagine Conservatives bursting a vein about it. I like that he, like Hiro, is trying to be heroic with his gifts, but the drug thing may turn people off eventually. Granted, there are superheroes who relied on drugs; Hourman, Elongated Man, Patriot, and really anyone who's taken the "super soldier serum", which is basically a steriod. But that's not the same as heroin. I get that it's edgy, I just hope HEROES doesn't overdo it.
We finally got to see Nikki's "Ms. Hyde" form, and there're no bulging muscles or green skin, just a nastier demeaner, some combat instinct and enough strength to manhandle a guy who outweighed her by maybe 100 lbs. I can see where the writers are being truthful to comparing HEROES to UNBREAKABLE; the superpowers are kept at a less-ridiculous level, at least for now (although time travel is rather hardcore). But I doubt we'll see Nikki throwing cars through buildings.
Peter's power was finally defined as a sort of "omnipower" simular to Synch or Rogue, in that he gains whatever powers of the "special" he is near. He's closest to his brother Nathan but also briefly gained Isaac's power (a tidbit I'd forgotten). On the downside, this sort of power is commonly used for plot-device purposes. On the upside, this means that he and Nathan don't have to hold hands and share a "sibling power" like the Wonder Twins, Fenris, or Mas & Menos, which is a huge upside to me, because I HATE that gimmick. I also wonder if Peter may get "messed up" if he is amung more than one special. Could he command all of their powers at once, or pick one at a time, or go out of control and spasm?
Claire also went through the ringer, waking up in the morgue, sneaking home and then getting revenge on her remourseless, date-raping jock of an ex (another stereotype), which was cool. Despite her seeming apathy towards things she has done some heroic stuff, saving a fireman and now doing a bit of "vigilante" justice. Her father obviously is keeping some eye on her but eventually other people are going to notice it. Her connection to her dad is probably why a clue is "save the cheerleader, save the world".
Hiro & his buddy did some power-betting in Vegas, which was an amusing scene. Hiro didn't think it was right using his powers that way and it looks like a bit of "karma" proved him right (although cheating as he did at the poker match was asking for it; of course the cowboy would notice his hand change in an eyeblink and suspect cheating). But Future Hiro sort of blew that away. It makes some sense but time travel is a nasty beast to write for even the best of 'em, and hopefully Loeb & Co. have a handle on it.
Looks like Nathan may end up flying sooner than Clark did on SMALLVILLE. Cool.
At the pilot, I liked the show but wasn't ravenous for it. But the show seems to improve by the episode, which is a healthy sign of progression. Consider me hooked.
