Heroes: Lovin’ on the Run

This week’s episode of Heroes was something rather remarkable: a low-key, character-driven entry that drove the plot forward but wasn’t afraid to let the players relax and speak their minds. Hiro, Ando, Mohinder, and Tracy were absolutely nowhere to be seen, and the show was stronger for it. Heroes far too often takes the “if a little is good and more is better, then too much must be just right” approach to storytelling but this one hit all the right notes.

When we last left Claire, she was attempting to hide fugitive Alex in her closet. But you gotta wake up pretty early in the morning to pull one over on Sandra Bennet (at least when she’s not receiving regularly scheduled mind wipes from a certain Haitian). She demands an explanation, as any good mom would do, and Claire responds with an amusing attempt to pass Alex off as her new boyfriend. Frankly I’d rather tell my mom I’m harboring fugitives as opposed to telling her I’m having sex under her roof, but maybe that’s just me. Mom sees through the BS but instead of doling out punishment and informing to the feds, she jumps on the chance to relive her wild child youth and get a little payback on her husband’s cronies by cooking up a fake ID and diverting the agents on stakeout long enough for Claire & Alex to make a hasty getaway. The duo share a sweet moment when Alex uses his powers to give Claire an underwater kiss of life while hiding in a pool before giving the feds the slip and boarding a train to New Mexico. I hope he’s not gone for long, because Claire deserves a little more happiness in her life and she & Alex have great chemistry.

The Luke/Sylar road trip gets revisited this week when a stop at an abandoned burger joint triggers some heinously unpleasant memories for our resident psychopath. It was already revealed that Sylar’s pop sold him to another family, but he had yet to fully recall the moment. It was definitely a little heartbreaking to see a 6-year-old Sylar try to chase down daddy’s car only to (shocker!) witness him giving the now familiar finger swipe of death to the forehead of an unidentified woman, presumably his mom.

In D.C., Peter & Matt’s interrogation escapades have put them at the top of Danko’s most wanted list. But knowing that Daphne still clings to life, all Matt wants to do is head into the belly of the beast. An enormous helping hand from Rebel (who I’m now suspecting must be Micah) lets Pete & Matt escape NYC and as they prepare to invade Building 26, Peter takes on Matt’s power so they can give the Homeland thugs a double shot of “these aren’t the droids you’re looking for” mojo. Nathan and Danko find themselves powerless as their uninvited guests rummage through their most sensitive files while turning the guards against their masters. Pete discovers Daphne’s true location and, just for fun, downloads video of episode 1′s scary detention proceedings to leak to the press.

Back at the Bennet house, the episode cliffhangs on an eerie comeback when creepy S.O.B. Doyle shows up at Rebel’s suggestion to seek Claire’s help. I guess now that they’re all being hunted equally, the time for hero/villain labels is over and the time for unexpected trust and alliances is just beginning.

Season 3, Episode 18: Exposed (originally aired March 2, 2009)

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

For more on Heroes, click here.

Mondays at 9/8C on NBC

Photographs courtesy of NBC Universal, Trae Patton