| Heroes: Fight or Flight |
| Sunday, 21 October 2007 | |
|
Wait a second? When did Nathan become a good character? I really didn't like him last season, but for whatever reason this year he rocks. Out loud. In stereo. And even though I spent all day looking for it, I just can't seem to find whatever channel they're showing the Hiro storyline on. I mean, they wouldn't just skip the entire story and replace it with a lame voiceover, would they? Apparently, they would. Parkman After the events of last week, Parkman decides to go after his father, but first has to book a flight on Air Petrelli. That's right, Nathan Petrelli is finally starting to kick a little ass. Parkman agrees to let him help since they can get there faster, to which Nathan replies “I'm not a cargo plane!” once again cementing my belief that all you have to do to go from stick-in-the-mud to badass is grow a huge beard and party your ass off for a few months (see Al Gore).
The hits keep on coming too! When they get to Philly, Parkman turns into a four-year old and can't do go through with it. Nathan, on the other hand, knocks on the door without a second thought and tells Parkman repeatedly to get his gun out. Classic. How is Nathan the butch one here when Parkman is the cop with the gun?
When they finally meet Papa Parkman, he looks and acts like a lovable slob and tries to convince Matt that he left him as a child for a good reason. As it turns out, he has a death card as well, and offers to show Matt something that will help him “understand” his powers better. Of course, this is all just a scam and Matt's father turns out to be just as cold-blooded and evil as Molly thought he was. Papa Parkman locks Nathan and Parkman in their own worst nightmares: Parkman is locked away and his ex accuses him of abandoning their child (apparently the baby might be his after all) just like Matt's father left him all those years ago; Nathan faces off against his burnt doppleganger atop the Devreau building in an apocalyptic New York after the explosion from last year. Wow. I've been pondering where all the special effect money went the last few episodes, and tonight, my question was answered. The scarred burnt out shell of New York that Nathan peered out into was... awesome.
Parkman's dad escapes and it's revealed that Parkman and Nathan are actually fighting each other. Parkman figures it out and uses his powers to stop it, and they find a death card of Bob in the apartment. I'm trying to think up a witty comment here, but quite frankly, this is the kind of action and twisting storyline I've been waiting for all season.
On the other hand, though, there's... In the present, Ando has taken the ancient parchments to a scientist (I'm assuming at Nakamura Co.) who chemically treats them so that they can read them. After what they read, however, they might as well just thrown the damn things in the trash.
 The secret message is... Drink Your Ovaltine? Wha? Once again, Hiro, in a voiceover, tells us about all the really cool adventures he and Takezo had that WE NEVER GET TO SEE.
To mark that a significant amount of time has passed, they've given Takezo a skeezy batch of facial scruff. Oooh! How inventive! Or, how about this: how about we mark the passage of time by actually seeing them do something for once! How did they get past the frozen waterfall? Find the single peony? You can't just mention it in passing and expect us not to throw our hands up in frustration. You've got a guy who can teleport anywhere with a gesture and a guy who is literally invincible, both running about with swords fighting an army of opponents, and all we get is a voice-over?
Pretty weak, Heroes writers... pretty weak.
Speaking of weak... After Parkman mans up and heads off to face his psychopathic father, Mohinder takes the opportunity to grow lady parts by turning Molly over to the Company. Oh yeah, that's a great idea. Turn the world's greatest tracking device back over to the exact same people that you took her from (bloodily, I might add) in the first place. I'm sure she'll be thrilled when she wakes up.
While at the Company's offices, Bob gives Mohinder his next assignment and a taser gun. When asked why he needs the gun, Bob simply replies “Sometimes it's easier to ask for forgiveness than for permission.” Wow, and these are the people you just handed your little girl over to. Smart move, Mo.
Even more disturbing is that Nikki (or is it Jessica?) goes on a rampage through the halls and very nearly kills Bob, but luckily Mohinder stops her with the stungun. Uh-huh, “luckily” my ass. Mohinder saves Bob from an out of control Nikki by using the taser gun he “just so happened” to be given a second earlier. Hmmm. That's not suspicious at all (sarcasm).
When Nikki comes to, Mohinder tries to help her escape but is surprised when Nikki wants to stay. Apparently, the Company is helping Nikki overcome her “split personality”. Mohinder ends up taking the assignment, which is to track down and retrieve...
Thankfully, the pace picks up once she arrives home and finds Micah at the piano. After only sitting for a moment, she learns the piece of music and begins playing it perfectly. Then at double speed. Then at triple speed.
Micah recognizes the ability, shows Monica his powers, and tells her about Nikki and D.L. He then shows her an issue of 9th Wonders (how many issues did that series have?) with a character called Saint Joan who can copy any motion once she's seen it. We know better than to think that's a coincidence, right? Anyway, Micah suggests that Monica test out her new powers, and they head down to the local sports park where Monica kicks out the double dutch jams. Boooo... I was hoping for the slam dunk.
Later, after watching Dragon: The Bruce Lee story on TV, Monica picks up some sweet Kung Fu moves, including an awesome front flip. I'm glad to see that we'll finally get to see some martial arts action in the near future (I'm glaring in your direction, Hiro). And then, just when I think it's going to get good, Monica goes back to “wah-I-just-want-answers” mode just in time to greet Mohinder at the door.
And last, but not least...
Whatever caused Peter to develop amnesia must have also mucked up his eyesight. Case in point? He's trying to bone down with the homely Irish chick.
Taste in women aside, Peter's got some problems this week. Elle, a mysterious young woman is looking for him, and surprise, surprise... she's got the electric shock powers. Patty McFourLeafClover tells Peter to lay low, and he'll “handle it”. Ok, seriously. How dumb are you?
You've seen Peter almost choke a man to death with his psychic powers and you actually think you can go up against someone who would be willingly chasing him down? Sure. Have another pint, buddy. There aren't any brain cells left to kill, especially after Elle fries him to a crisp.
Meanwhile, back at the Irish girl's place, Peter finally opens the box, but nothing in it helps him remember who he is. There's an ID, a passport, a picture of him and Nathan, and most importantly: a plane ticket to Montreal. The Irish girl just happens to be a painter, and whaddaya know? Peter goes all Isaac on one of her canvases and paints a picture of the two of them in Montreal.
They get a call and hear about Patty's death. Upon arriving at the pub and seeing his smoking carcass on the floor, Peter tells the girl it was his fault and decides to stop hiding. About friggin' time, Pete.
Finally, all the rumors and hints and veiled clues about Elle make sense:
Sorry, this part is for members only and may contain spoilers. If you'd like to read it, please LOG IN or REGISTER. As for the whodunit involving the older generation of Heroes, I'm still rooting for the Kensei/Kane switch, but now I'm convinced that Papa Parkman is behind the deaths. He easily could have made Kaito Nakamura see someone he knew as his assassin, just like he could have easily made Angela Petrelli attack herself in the police station. The picture of Bob in his apartment pretty much closes the book on that case. But, the real question is why? Why is he killing all of the old Heroes? Why now?
I guess we'll find out soon. See you next episode. Peter Sorensen is a part time reviewer and is nothing but a dotty mess up close. Thoughts? Opinions? Good Natured Rant About Irish Chicks? Post a comment below and let us know! Comments (16)
 Write comment
|
HEROES 
