Heroes: Where’s the One Armed Man?

There’s no denying that after starting out so strongly last September, the Villains story arc of Heroes took some achingly stupid and convoluted turns.  By the end of the line, I could barely keep straight (or care about) who had their powers stolen, who got new ones, who’s alive, who’s dead, who’s an evil twin, and who’s related to whom by birth, adoption, or tawdry affair.  And while things ended on a promising note, i.e. the murder of Arthur Petrelli and Nathan’s decision to become a hypocritical monster on a mission to capture and detain all superhumans with the government’s blessing, a flood of lingering doubts remain as to whether or not the show will ever be able to stay on track and deliver an arc that maintains its quality beginning, middle, and end.  At least they’re off to a strong start!

Episode one of Volume 4, Fugitives, finds the heroes living decidedly normal lives.  No more annoying companies to worry about, no more archvillains with delusions of making the world a better place, just normal folk problems like work (Peter’s a paramedic), school (Claire’s hanging out at grandma’s house picking a college), and relationship issues (Matt & Daphne aren’t looking so happy).  Unless you’re Hiro, of course.  He’s still powerless and trying to live vicariously through Ando’s new skills (the completely passive ability to amplify other people’s powers.  Hardly makes for an awe-inspiring reign of solo heroism.) Lair, check.  Horrific spandex jumpsuit, check.  The “Ando-Cycle,” Check.  He’s essentially Lucius Fox and Alfred rolled into one delusional & jealous package.  But there are much bigger issues on the horizon.  The episode begins with Tracy’s swift abduction by creepy shock troops clearly outfitted to resist her powers.  They’re led by Danko, aka “The Hunter” (Emmy winner Zeljko Ivanek, furthering his quest to have a role on every network) an eerie government thug who reports directly to Nathan and comes across like Tommy Lee Jones in The Fugitive if he’d been a funeral director.

For some reason, I’m guessing either self-preservation or Oedipal lust, Angela is supporting her eldest child in his petty campaign of fear, but when Claire overhears their plans to take down Peter & Matt, the cheerleader scrambles to her friends’ aid.  But it’s too little, too late when she and the rest of the good guys (save Ando & Daphne) are loaded onto a jumbo jet bound for some sort of Super-Gitmo.  A no longer freaky looking but still physically enhanced Mohinder is included in their number after being burned by trusting Mr. Bennett who, most unfortunately, is working with Nathan & Danko.  Before takeoff, Mr. A-hole Junior Senator From New York himself shows up to spare his daughter, but not his brother.  Claire plays along until given the chance to knock out her driver, scramble up the landing gear, and set about freeing her cohorts.  Chaos ensues when Peter, armed with Tracy’s chilly touch, inadvertently shatters a piece of fuselage wall mid-flight.  The episode ends with everyone on a crash course with terra firma and Mohinder trying desperately to keep Peter from flying away, and not in a good way.

Meanwhile, Sylar’s engaged in a completely disconnected but altogether rad quest to find his real parents.  Sure, the Homeland Security goons try to subdue him, but he’s freakin’ Sylar!

I have only two major complaints about the once again new and improved Heroes.  One: what’s the deal with Peter’s powers now?  Dad took ‘em and the formula gave ‘em back, but in what form?  He needs to actually touch another hero now?  Can he still retain multiple abilities?  Just a small bit of unnecessary convolution.  And two: why in god’s name is Matt having visions of Usutu and developing the power of precog art?  It is well documented just how happy I was to see the end of Isaac Mendez’s lost works, so why must Matt be saddled with this dead horse of a plot device?

Overall, I’m quite optimistic about Fugitives.  It has the potential to be all sorts of topical, frantic, gritty, and suspenseful.  And it’s great to see larger groups of characters working together like never before.  If Heroes keeps feeling the need to reinvent itself every few months, I’m going to need to start making Madonna jokes, but for now I’ll keep giving them the benefit of the doubt so I can kick back and enjoy the leaner, darker, much improved ride.

Season 3, Episode 14: A Clear and Present Danger (originally aired February 2, 2009)

For another take on this episode, check out Inisia Lewis’ review here.

For more on Heroes, click here.

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Photographs courtesy of NBC