NBC: Heroes - Season 2 Official Thread

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by ISiddiqui

Being that it's the second show, I doubt the arcs have even really taken shape. I surmise that the nightmare man takes all the heros out of their "living normally" lives.

A fair point, though I think there have been at least 3 episodes so far. I don't mind a nicely paced story and understand the need for a "reset", but so far things have not been all that interesting or compelling.

[TroyF]

Originally Posted by MikeVic

I must have missed the fat Candice. It's definitely a different actress though, right? Even when she was in the bikini... she didn't look as hot as last year?

Doesn't it look like the Irish family might have powers too? When the crest tattoo was disappearing off of Peter, it turned into that genetic symbol...

The girl who played Candice last year can be seen on "Reaper" as the love interest of the lead character. (or wanna be love interest at this point)

[gi]

Originally Posted by TroyF

The girl who played Candice last year can be seen on "Reaper" as the love interest of the lead character. (or wanna be love interest at this point)

I thought she looked familar.

[Eaglesfan27]

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

It was good to have Sylar back and I was very, very happy that showed Candice as being fat in reality. I wonder if they realized they dropped the ball last season when she still looked like Candice when unconscious. When she got knocked out all of her illusions went away, but what she looked like. A little inconsistent, but they saved it nicely in this last episode.

Not necessarily. Last year she was just knocked out. Perhaps, she had enough residual subconscious ability left to maintain the illusion. This year, she was killed. That could explain the inconsistency. Shrug. Also, as far as looks go, I definitely prefered Candace to this year's illusion. Also, if you want to learn more about the character including what she looked like, last year's comics online are a must read.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by Eaglesfan27

Not necessarily. Last year she was just knocked out. Perhaps, she had enough residual subconscious ability left to maintain the illusion. This year, she was killed. That could explain the inconsistency. Shrug. Also, as far as looks go, I definitely prefered Candace to this year's illusion. Also, if you want to learn more about the character including what she looked like, last year's comics online are a must read.

I agree that there was a difference. The residual subconscious angle is a good one. I tend to try think the writers have a strong understanding of their worlds and the powers they create, so I try to give them the benefit of the doubt. I like that explanation and shall adopt it.

I totally preferred Candace as well. I found Candace distractingly attractive. Michelle, not so much.

[Toddzilla]

I take the lack of activity and interest in this thread as a sign that people feel about Season 2 much the same as I feel about Season 2.

IT SUCKS

[duckman]

I think this season is pretty good.

[BishopMVP]

I thought last night did a good job setting up some possibilities... isn't November sweeps month? If so, I think next week will start a run of good episodes, or at least cliff hangers.

[MikeVic]

Yeah, I like the season so far. They convinced me for a sec that papa Parkman wasn't the bad guy. I wonder who electro girl was talking to?

[Doug5984]

I liked last nights episode- still a lot of different stories running around not connected so it makes the episodes seem a little jumpy, but you can tell they are getting closer to each other. Not a lot of action last night, but some good story (except Peter's irish girl, she sucks...)

[Toddzilla]

Wow, Claire is intrigued by her ability to heal and she's being hit on by a guy at school who can fly. Hiro is in 17th century Japan fawning over a woman. Peter has lost his memory. A brother and sister with powers are trying to get to the US. Which episode is this? ALL OF THEM.

[Raiders Army]

Originally Posted by MikeVic

Yeah, I like the season so far. They convinced me for a sec that papa Parkman wasn't the bad guy. I wonder who electro girl was talking to?

I thought that Parkman's dad was the bad guy. Huh. Kristen Bell was talking to Needlenose Ned, I think.

[BishopMVP]

Well, except Claire and Maja y Alejandro weren't involved last night, but don't let that get in the way of your narrative.

Also, can we get "Bob" a last name? I mean, Mohinder works for him. Theoretically he at least has a fake name other than just Bob. And I think he is the most likely candidate for who Kristen Bell was talking to.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by Toddzilla

Wow, Claire is intrigued by her ability to heal and she's being hit on by a guy at school who can fly. Hiro is in 17th century Japan fawning over a woman. Peter has lost his memory. A brother and sister with powers are trying to get to the US. Which episode is this? ALL OF THEM.

Aww, come on now. Neither Claire nor the Wonder Death Twins were in this last episode... Though I imagine both will feature prominently, performing their assigned tasks, in next week's episode.

I liked all of the Parkman/Nathan/Mr. Parkman stuff. I thought it was pretty cool.

If Ricky dying means Peter leaves Ireland. Good.

Micah's cousin is boring. Though if I had her power, I would have immediately gone out and rented as many kung fu and action movies as possible and maybe every episode of MacGyver.

Hiro is Japan continues to bore... The whole messages to Ando thing doesn't make much sense and is just a lame story-telling device.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by BishopMVP

And I think he is the most likely candidate for who Kristen Bell was talking to.

Agreed.

[Draft Dodger]

Originally Posted by Toddzilla

Wow, Claire is intrigued by her ability to heal and she's being hit on by a guy at school who can fly. Hiro is in 17th century Japan fawning over a woman. Peter has lost his memory. A brother and sister with powers are trying to get to the US. Which episode is this? ALL OF THEM.

even though you are ripping that off from EW, I agree.

it's also rather annoying that all the plot twists so far - large and small - have been pretty obvious. Last year, I was surprised more than a few times. This year, it's like I'm 20 minutes (or more) ahead of the writers. and I'm not that smart.

[Draft Dodger]

I knew there was something "wrong" about Kristen Bell.

she's a Red Wings fan.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by Draft Dodger

I knew there was something "wrong" about Kristen Bell.

she's a Red Wings fan.

There is nothing wrong with Kristen Bell. There is simply everything right with her. That's what's throwing you off, DD.

As I have mentioned before, the similarities between me and the lovely Ms. Bell are uncanny.

Originally Posted by From Kristen Bell's IMDB bio

Born, Detroit, Michigan (like H_B)

Attended Shrine Catholic High School in Royal Oak, Michigan. (where H_B lives)

Was voted PETA's "World's Sexiest Vegetarian" for 2006. (H_B is not a vegetarian, but if he was, he'd certainly would be one of the world's sexiest)

Roots passionately for the Detroit Red Wings. (Oh yes!)

Was named by Jane magazine in the U.S.A. as one of the "11 People You'd Most Like to See Naked." (Ditto)

She loves animals and often volunteers for animal related charities. (Same here)

She was mentioned in People's Magazine "Most Beautiful 2007" on the Beauty at every age page. She was the beauty at age 26. (I was the beuaty at age 33.)

If I wasn't already married, I am sure our nuptials would be a complete no-brainer for her. I could see it now, me proposing to her at a Wings game on the Jumbotron.

ROMANTIC!

[Rich1033]

Im really enjoying season 2 as well.

[Racer]

Originally Posted by Rich1033

Im really enjoying season 2 as well.

I'm enjoying it now that Kristen Bell is on the show.

[ISiddiqui]

I like this season myself. The first few episodes was to set things up. Without them, the fun plague stuff, that's going to probably be the big bad massive thing won't be adequately explained. And it seems in the previews for next week that Sylar wants Alejandro's power to take the black stuff away from Maya.

The "Nightmare Man" was awesome. And perfectly done. And now Parkman realizes he can do the same thing, with practice.... but he'll probably use it to imprision his father for good. Though I'm not sure that he's the (only) one knocking off the rest of the original heroes... after all, Ando saw the guy knock off Kaito off the roof... unless Ando was in the nightmare as well (though SOMEONE would have had to push Kaito off).

It seems like Noah and the Haitian are in Russia, doing who knows what. Electromagnetic girl (ie, Bell's character) seems to be very interesting (and perhaps has met Peter, hence him shooting bolts)... though i'm seeing a plastic prison in her future (paging Magneto's jail in X-Men movie?).

[Raiders Army]

Originally Posted by ISiddiqui

It seems like Noah and the Haitian are in Russia, doing who knows what.

I thought he was looking for the last six or seven paintings done by that dude who could see the future.

Anyhow, Monica Dawson's (?) power reminds me of the Taskmaster. Instead of calling it Photographic Reflexes, they called it Muscle Mimicry. I really liked the Taskmaster.

[Eaglesfan27]

Originally Posted by ISiddiqui

I like this season myself. The first few episodes was to set things up. Without them, the fun plague stuff, that's going to probably be the big bad massive thing won't be adequately explained. And it seems in the previews for next week that Sylar wants Alejandro's power to take the black stuff away from Maya.

The "Nightmare Man" was awesome. And perfectly done. And now Parkman realizes he can do the same thing, with practice.... but he'll probably use it to imprision his father for good. Though I'm not sure that he's the (only) one knocking off the rest of the original heroes... after all, Ando saw the guy knock off Kaito off the roof... unless Ando was in the nightmare as well (though SOMEONE would have had to push Kaito off).

It seems like Noah and the Haitian are in Russia, doing who knows what. Electromagnetic girl (ie, Bell's character) seems to be very interesting (and perhaps has met Peter, hence him shooting bolts)... though i'm seeing a plastic prison in her future (paging Magneto's jail in X-Men movie?).

I agree with all of this. I'm enjoying season 2 just as much as season 1 and I think they are doing a nice job of buildup and setting up for some great episodes in the upcoming weeks.

[ISiddiqui]

A nice episode tonight, with Noah acting all shades of grey again, to get what he needs to protect his family.

Sylar trying to corrupt Maya and Peter going to a future where a virulent strain has cleared out most of the world... though I'm not sure if it is because of Maya or the Company's experiments on the virus.

Claire is also being slowly corrupted by West (is he working for the Company?). Bob seemingly gives into Mohinder and lets the muscle mimic keep her powers (or was that a ruse?) and gives her Niki as a partner to "make sure there are no more misunderstandings" (sounds omnious).

And Hiro is really messing up with time as a betrayed Kensei decides to turn over everyone to White Beard instead.

[Raiders Army]

I liked the fact that Monica got an iPod with everything that would be cool to do.

[Raiders Army]

Oh, and HRG was excellent as well. He threatened to take away the dead daughter's memories and then killed the guy. Ruthless, I tell you.

[Toddzilla]

Originally Posted by Raiders Army

I liked the fact that Monica got an Tracking Device with everything that would be cool to do.

Fixed...

[Toddzilla]

Dola - FINALLY! An episode with some substance - cheerleader aside that is.

Great story with HRG including help from the Haitian and the nice finish to the interrogation, a nice twist in the dreadful Hiro storyline, and some mystery surrounding Peter that doesn't involve the weak amnesia angle. And hooray for putting a puzzle together to figure out with the paintings, but it would have been nice if it weren't basically a rehash of last year.

As for Claire getting back at the lead cheerleader, my wife asked me if we were watching Heroes or Saved by the Bell. Saved by the Bell was never that lame.

[sachmo71]

This season sucks so far, but last night's episode had some promise.

[gi]

Originally Posted by Toddzilla

As for Claire getting back at the lead cheerleader, my wife asked me if we were watching Heroes or Saved by the Bell. Saved by the Bell was never that lame.

I thought this started Claire down the development path of doing whatever it takes to get what you want...I can see this storyline setting something up with Claire that makes her like her Father (Noah)

[Honolulu_Blue]

I agree. A decent episode, especially the HRG stuff. Those scenes were great.

I find the Hiro stuff painfully dull and I was happy there was little of Peter and Irish Lass.

Certainly an interesting development with Clair and this was by far the best episode of the X-Files Black Oil Twins and Sylar.

[Eaglesfan27]

Originally Posted by Raiders Army

Oh, and HRG was excellent as well. He threatened to take away the dead daughter's memories and then killed the guy. Ruthless, I tell you.

Yep. I loved his scenes. Overall, the best episode of the season.

[ISiddiqui]

Originally Posted by gi

I thought this started Claire down the development path of doing whatever it takes to get what you want...I can see this storyline setting something up with Claire that makes her like her Father (Noah)

Yep, exactly. Claire, who really was the good girl in the series, is now headed down a more sinister path. She was upset afterwards with West about it, but I think she'll find it easier to do. And West seems to be a big proponent of using your powers where it'll benefit you the most. I'm not sure if he isn't working for the Company, but it makes Claire into a more interesting character in the future.

[gi]

Originally Posted by ISiddiqui

Yep, exactly. Claire, who really was the good girl in the series, is now headed down a more sinister path. She was upset afterwards with West about it, but I think she'll find it easier to do. And West seems to be a big proponent of using your powers where it'll benefit you the most. I'm not sure if he isn't working for the Company, but it makes Claire into a more interesting character in the future.

Agreed, I'm hoping they challenge the actress with some good character development.

[Cringer]

Just watched the last episode shown, and I enjoyed it again.

I am wondering who this Adam guy is that Bob had a file of, and then had a message waiting for Peter in Montreal talking about the company.

Still a bit of confusion about who is the real bad guy here once again. The Company, Parkman's father (who could be part of the Co.), or Sylar, or ppossibly this Adam guy.

I also wait to see what happens with the Sylar storyline, since the actor will be leaving the show for a while to go play Spock in November.

[Sublime 2]

Awesome twist...can't say I was expecting that!

[Toddzilla]

now THATS what I'm talking about - writers have really shifted into another gear these last 2 episodes.

[Racer]

That was an awesome twist at the end.

[Raiders Army]

Good twist, but not unexpected. I knew Kensei would show up again...little did I realize so soon.

[ISiddiqui]

I figured that Kensai was Adam in the middle of the episode (after all, he's English... Takezo Kensai can't be his real name). I was hoping they'd drag out the 'surprise' longer. But it should be interesting to see what Adam wants to do with Peter.

And find out everything that happened between the season finale and the this season's premiere.

[saldana]

Originally Posted by Raiders Army

Good twist, but not unexpected. I knew Kensei would show up again...little did I realize so soon.

i agree, great twist, but i think this is the first time in the series that I knew what was going to happen...if peter could survive a nuclear explosion, there was no way Adam wasnt going to survive a simple little black powder detonation.

[Lathum]

I'm glad he has a bigger role.

Anyone who watched Alias remembers him as Sark and he plays a very likeable bad guy.

[Eaglesfan27]

Originally Posted by Raiders Army

Good twist, but not unexpected. I knew Kensei would show up again...little did I realize so soon.

Ditto. Still a very enjoyable episode, and I'm glad we have Ando and Hiro back together again.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by Eaglesfan27

Ditto. Still a very enjoyable episode, and I'm glad we have Ando and Hiro back together again.

Agreed.

Definitely looking forward to next week!

[Anthony]

i think Adam wants Peter to be able to go back in time and get back at Hiro again in old Japan. also, i think Adam murdered Hiro's father - he pushed himself and Hiro's father off a building and used his healing powers to survive the fall.

[thesloppy]

'Heroes' Creator Apologizes to Fans

On the chilly Monday morning that Hollywood's writers went on strike, Heroes creator Tim Kring called from the streets outside the Hollywood studio where his NBC series is shot. ''Yes, I'm picketing my own show,'' says the 50-year-old writer-producer. ''So surreal.''

But Kring wasn't calling to discuss labor woes — he was calling to explain why Heroes, suffering a creative decline and a 15 percent ratings drop from the same period last year, went from Human Torch hot to Iceman cold. The good news? A turnaround appears to be under way. After weeks of sluggish storytelling, the Nov. 5 episode recaptured some of last season's fanciful energy. We've also seen the next two episodes — and we like them, too. The cliff-hangers are back. Narrative purpose has been discovered. Old favorites like Peter (Milo Ventimiglia) and Horn-Rimmed Glasses (Jack Coleman) take center stage. Even more encouraging: Kring himself is keenly aware that Heroes is broken. Here's his candid critique:

THE PACE IS TOO SLOW ''We assumed the audience wanted season 1 — a buildup of intrigue about these characters and the discovery of their powers. We taught [them] to expect a certain kind of storytelling. They wanted adrenaline. We made a mistake.''

THE WORLD-SAVING STAKES SHOULD HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED SOONER The premonition of nuclear apocalypse created a larger context that unified every story line last season. Kring now sees that Volume 2 (the first 11 episodes of season 2) would have been better served if Peter's vision of viral Armageddon had appeared in the season premiere rather than episode 7. ''We took too long to get to the big-picture story,'' he says.

THE ROOKIES DIDN'T GREET THEMSELVES PROPERLY New Heroes Monica (Dana Davis), Maya (Dania Ramirez), and Alejandro (Shalim Ortiz) ''shouldn't have been introduced in separate story lines that felt unattached to the show. The way we introduced Elle (Kristen Bell) — by weaving her in via Peter's story line — is a more logical way to bring new characters into the show.'' (That said, Kring says a few newbies won't make it beyond this second volume, which wraps Dec. 3.)

HIRO WAS IN JAPAN WAY TOO LONG Hiro's (Masi Oka) time-bending adventure in 17th-century Japan — where he mentored samurai hero Takezo Kensei (David Anders) — finally came to an end on Nov. 5. But Kring says it ''should have [lasted] three episodes. We didn't give the audience enough story to justify the time we allotted it.''

YOUNG LOVE STINKS Kring regrets sticking Claire (Hayden Panettiere) with a super-dud boyfriend and forcing Hiro to moon over a cutesy princess. ''I've seen more convincing romances on TV,'' he admits. ''In retrospect, I don't think romance is a natural fit for us.''

Yet while Heroes has finally found some dramatic traction, this second volume is pretty much a wash. The Dec. 3 episode has been retooled to function as a potential season finale — a move inspired by the writers' strike and a desire to give the show ''a clean slate'' when it goes back into production for Volume 3. At that point, Kring wants to craft a rebooted Heroes that can attract new fans and win back those who've tuned out: ''The message is that we've heard the complaints — and we're doing something about it.''

It's encouraging that Kring recognizes many of the common complaints.

[saldana]

sound like he has been reading our thread....WE MADE A DIFFERANCE!!!

[gi]

The only thing that doesn't bother me was the pace, though I enough story-telling. Everything else is spot on.

[ISiddiqui]

Hiro being in Japan for so long isn't a complaint anymore, IMO... especially since now we know that it really was to develop the character of Kensai/Adam. Of course, at the time, we had no idea.

[Easy Mac]

Originally Posted by thesloppy

It's encouraging that Kring recognizes many of the common complaints.

Oddly, earlier in the week he said that they didn't care what people thought and that they had a plan for the season. Sounds like damage control to me.