As an unofficial "fall finale", Episode 11 had some high expectations for a confrontation, and in a way it didn't deliver, but only because it was more subtle than the melodramatic commercials claimed. That's the nature of promos. But still, there was development and a "hero" did indeed die.
After seemingly a month of seeing Jessica/Nikki aim at D.L., there finally is a reckoning and a confrontation; it was cool seeing D.L. phase past the second bullet. Nikki manages to retake control of herself when her alter-ego hurts Micah in a rage, and decides to surrender to police to remove herself as a threat. Again, her storyline isn't bad, it just doesn't link up with the main story as well; it almost feels like a sort of side-story. The writers almost have had to bend over backwards to give Nikki and D.L. slight connections to the rest (Ando spoke to her online, and she slept with Nathan, while D.L. & Micah met Hiro). After 11 episodes, their sideplot was starting to drag a little, but hopefully it will pick up.
As predicted, Peter's arrest meant that he got to meet Matt, and aped his telepathy, which proved for an interesting little scene. Claire and Mr. Bennet also thank him for saving her from Sylar, with Bennet even going so far as to claim he "owes him one". An ally like that, especially with Nathan being what he is, may come in handy. Or become a Faustian deal. There seemed to be a hint of romantic chemistry between Peter and Claire, and if so, that's anime-pedolicious. Claire's, what, 17-18 and Peter's got to be in his mid 20's. Granted, this was a show that had Isaac rely on heroin for his visions for 9 episodes, but still....I can see Tuxedo Mask looking at Peter and going, "Dude, she's kinda young". Yeah.
Maybe I'm just a prude.
Isaac seemingly draws some sketches sober, but doesn't believe they are fortune-seeking, and is told by Mr. Bennet that he has to make a stand. So he decides to call Hiro at the exact moment he speaks of destiny, and the two finally meet (with Ando). Hiro reveals his knowledge of the future and Isaac reveals a scene of Hiro seemingly fighting a dinosaur with a katanna. "I have to get that sword" indeed.
Sylar, meanwhile, is interrogated and matches barbs with Mr. Bennet. His power seems to be "seeing how things work, even people" and somehow aping his DNA to match his enhanced victims, but perhaps at the price of his sanity. Mr. Bennet is ordered to keep Sylar alive, something that disgusts Eden as he did technically kill her friend (Mohinder's dad). Mr. Bennet also gets busy creeping out his daughter by using the Haitian to mindwipe her brother and her friend. Meanwhile, Matt spots the Haitian (after he blocks Claire & Bennet from being mind-read) and starts to put together bits from his own abduction at Bennet's hands. However, the Haitian finally speaks and has his own agenda.
Peter has a seemingly metaphoric dream that the disaster they are all meant to prevent is caused by him, despite himself. Hiro also questions "how do you stop an exploding man", which made me think of Ted, the Radiation Man. He can barely control himself, how could Peter if he suddenly "gained" them?
The show's climax, however, comes when Eden forces a showdown with Sylar, who uses the oppurtunity to smash free of his prison. However, Eden shoots herself in the brain rather than allow Sylar to "gain" her power, as he usually has need brain matter to do it. The actress' contract was not renewed and the NY POST confirmed that she is indeed dead (but may reappear in flashbacks). Some folks predicted her (I believe I did too), and she was a good choice, as her death was climatic but wouldn't shatter the status quo of the show too much, or deprive us of a really major character. I certainly never saw her as a huge character, least when compared to Bennet, Claire, Hiro, Peter, Nathan, Nikki, etc. I'm glad that Sylar is out as getting rid of their only villian so soon would have been a mistake.
Episode 11 had enough edge to keep one anxious for another month but at least not harshly so; I've seen far worse cliffhangers.
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