Trying to Save the World From Another Conspiracy-Lined Apocalypse

heroes9-25-06

Monday night was the much anticipated premiere of Heroes on NBC. With the quality of every episode of Smallville in steady decline, and The 4400 only around long enough to be counted as a summer fix, I was counting on Heroes to bring me something that I was missing on network television every week. Heroes is not as grim as Jericho, or as conspiracy-addled as Lost, and yes it does have an X-Men-ish sort of feel and at times tries to be a little too over dramatic, but I have never been so interested in so many characters after only one episode.

So, what is the story like? Quoth the intro "A seemingly random group of individuals has emerged with what can only be described as "special" abilities. Although unaware of it now, these individuals will not only save the world, but change it forever. This transformation from ordinary to extraordinary will not occur overnight. Every story has a beginning. Volume One of their epic tale begins here." Or in this case, after the jump.

The series opens with the shot that many of us have seen from commercials. A young guy is standing on the side of building, looking down as if he was going to jump. In the background, some guy with an accent is asking all sorts of metaphysical type questions. I wish that I could tell you that I had written down all of the questions, but I was never able to pay attention during Philosophy class in college, so I think I dosed off a little bit. What I can tell you is that the kid at the beginning was only dreaming. If I were this, I might try and fall asleep to something a little more pleasant before I go to bed so my dreams aren't scary. For instance, I fall asleep to the Tyra Show and as a result, my sex with supermodels dreams have increased 20% and falling off random buildings in New York City dreams have yet to surface. Now that's what I call progress!

Since there can never be too many moments of random dudes with accents spouting out things about metaphysics, we next visit a classroom in India. I have never been to India, but I am really glad to see that Indian students get just as bored in class as students here in the United States. Then again, they are aided by the fact that their Indian professor likes to hear himself talk just as much as any professor in the United States. He is giving one of those kinds of lectures you hear in those biology classes set up for hockey, football, and lacrosse players so they can spend more time getting their heads bashed in than filling their heads with silly things like education.

heroes9-25-06a

The professor goes on and on about how humans are not the pinnacle of evolution. If we were than why can a cockroach live without food for a month, or days without a head, and is resistant to radiation? An interesting way to think about the problem, for sure, but when a cockroach creates a series of tubes that allows many computers around the world to share porn information, then we'll talk. And while I'm talking about useless information, did anybody else notice that all of the women in this guy's class were in traditional dress and the guys looked like they had been shopping at JC Punjabi?

Trying to Save the World From Another Conspiracy-Lined Apocalypse Sections:  1  |  2  |  3  |  4  |  5  |  6  |  7 

« Umnata Needs Some Help Getting Into Heaven | Main | Smells Like Teen Spirit! »

Comments (25)

Ubiquitous Author Profile Page:

I was underwhelmed, quite honestly. The professor's silly lecture about roaches and the human brain made me roll my eyes.

may1 Author Profile Page:

Great recap J-Unit. Love the show, Hiro is my favorite so far, and until you spelled it out for me, I didn't realize the male Peter didn't acutally fly - it was his brother catching him. Thank you for that.
Didn't the Indian guy that informed the professor about his father - look like he had a spray on tan, and wig? Didn't look like he was from India.

Ubiquitous Author Profile Page:

I already knew Peter's brother was the one who could fly. In fact, I just realized all the commercials I've been seeing for months and months were the nightlights of the pilot. Argh.

I must admit though, that I liked the LOST-esque six degrees of seperation they did with the main chars: The one guy was watching the Vegas stripper, the cheerleader at the fire on the TV in the background, Hiro's comic book character, etc.

MrsC Author Profile Page:

Loved Hiro! How else would a geeky comic book star trek loving guy act if he found out he has super powers? His happiness bubbled over into my heart.

I also thought that both brothers were flying.

I hope this show makes it, it is the best new show for fall, imo. And it will be good for helping to fill the LOST void. Although I never thought I could go so long without LOST, waiting sooooo long between new episodes has kinda toughen me up to not miss it as much. I think Heroes might just help me out there.

Great recap J-Unit! I am so glad you thought this show worthy of one.

Come on... how did you miss one of the funniest jokes in the show? When Hiro was going on and on to his friend in the alley, the friend called him "Super Hiro". Well, I laughed.

I just want to know why Hiro was so excited to have moved the clock back a second, thus extending the day at the cubicle farm. Wouldn't it be far better to move forward in time to the end of the work day? (*wishing I had that power right now*)

EdHill Author Profile Page:

You’re right about the decline of Smallville. The only thing the writers can do right anymore is concoct storylines that somehow manage to get Lois Lane in lingerie or a bikini. In fact that’s pretty much the only thing that keeps me coming back. Although they could throw Chloe into some S&M gear every once and a while for variety. In that Vein, Ali Larter is looking better than ever these days.

As for the show, it’s kind of clichéd. Ali Larter the single mom stripper with the heart of gold, the popular high school girl with a secret. Just once I’d like to see a real stripper. You know, the soul sucking harpies that only care about you’re money. Sorry, I’m venting. Damn you Barbi with an i!

I enjoyed how upset the chick was getting when he was destroying his paintings because she thought the artwork was brilliant. Then they show it and its just oversized comic book pictures.

Still, its got an interesting premise so I’ll keep watching. But man I hate that guy from Gilmore Girls. He talks out of the side of his mouth. Its aggravating.

dumbanddumber Author Profile Page:

EdHill, we don't know for sure yet that she has a heart of gold ... she still might turn out to be the Queen of the Harpies. Plus, she has a cool creepy superpower and a nice butt.

I liked this show a lot; I also liked it last summer when it was called The 4400...

CrazyTrain Author Profile Page:

Well, i don't think the caps of the dead guys was warrented.

Interesting show, and until I read your recap I didn't realize how they did a good job of showing the different reactions of the characters - from Hiro's unbridled glee (totally aesome!) to the cheerleader doing everything to test her powers to the Vegas girl being totally scared by hers (as well she should!!). Good twist with the other brother being able to fly.

Intersting show. I hope it doesn't get more confusing w/the addition of mlore heroes.

may1 Author Profile Page:

EdHill, I absolutely agree with you about the Gilmore Girls guy. I hated that he talked that way. Does he have chew in his mouth? gross

HoneyBunny Author Profile Page:

" Isaac keeps on painting images of terrible shit that is going to happen. I know that if I had this power, I would probably start by painting a scene depicting Sarah Michelle Gellar divorcing Freddie Prinze Jr. and having a half dozen kids with me."

JoJo - you would have kids with a smoker?!

I liked the first episode enough to watch the second. I hope it lives up to half my expectations.


hb

campfiregirl Author Profile Page:

I liked most of the show, it was a good start. Maybe it's the mom in me but I was pissed of about the cheerleader in her uniform doing all the crap. It's not like they aren't really expensive and
available at the local Walmart. I know I'll start to really like it and NBC will cancell.

tritonkpw Author Profile Page:

the show was awesome, but i wish the minorities weren't so stereotypical.

megan Author Profile Page:

I am a slave to Guitar Hero..
I'm a rockstar when I play Iron Man and Take Me Out

DDE Author Profile Page:

GREAT show. Loved the hell out of it. I like the super hero shit and this show caught my attention. I think all of the heros are cool. Although the hero/villain? played by Ali Larter (HOTTIE) is going to be interesting. What is her name? SuperCrazyPsychoKillYouIfYouF*&^WithMeBitch...That might be the baddest super hero ever....

I saw the previews for the next episode and there are other heros that are going to be introduced. Just hope they don't take away from the story. I think this show is and will be the shit!!!!

Then I can stop watching The Apprentice.

Shollia Author Profile Page:

Hiro (that is his name)... Is my fav so far. Come on.. how can you just not love this guy! His enthusiasm! His nerdiness! He's just awesome! I wanna go and punch his chubby cheeks.
I hope the younger brother gets a special power. He was SO excited about being able to fly and then he gets upstaged by his older brother once again.

YouWannaBMe Author Profile Page:

THIS IS THE BEST NEW SHOW OF THE SEASON!!!

I TOTALLY agree that the Indian guy who told Mohinder about his father looked very spray-on tan and wiggish...

I think Peter CAN fly but had a lot of doubt doing it... Nathan is naturally more confident and courageous and things obviously come easier to him. Peter, however, seems to have a lot of heart, and he is going to fly once he and his brother "connect" - didn't anyone else notice that they're trying to shove it down our throat that he isn't jealous of Nathan's success because he "loves his brother" ?

campfiregirl - I'm not a mom and was never a cheerleader, but I was thinking the same thing about the cheerleader uniform! Maybe she's indestructible, but those uniforms aren't and don't they have to be ordered? How many does she go through a week? I'd love to hear that conversation with the cheerleader faculty adviser - "Um, can you order another uniform for me? The last one kinda got burned up when I walked into a burning boxcar this week."

Otherwise, I liked the show enough to watch it again, but I'm not making a full season commitment at this point. Really liked the interrelatedness of the characters.

campfiregirl - I'm not a mom and was never a cheerleader, but I was thinking the same thing about the cheerleader uniform! Maybe she's indestructible, but those uniforms aren't and don't they have to be ordered? How many does she go through a week? I'd love to hear that conversation with the cheerleader faculty adviser - "Um, can you order another uniform for me? The last one kinda got burned up when I walked into a burning boxcar this week."

Otherwise, I liked the show enough to watch it again, but I'm not making a full season commitment at this point. Really liked the interrelatedness of the characters.

Oops - sorry about the double post!

Tony A. Author Profile Page:

Nah. Think I'll pass on this one.

wniffene Author Profile Page:

Good recap, and I like the show but two things:

First I'm pretty sure MoMo was at his apartment not his fathers because I think the shadowy government guy mentioned something about him not being home yet when his phone rang.

Second the time line for MoMo hearing about his fathers death, which was 3 days before the eclipse, flying to NY, renting his dead fathers apartment getting a job as a cav driver and taking his first shift was a little extreme.

shmoogrrrl Author Profile Page:

My favorite characters so far are Claire and Peter. Of course, I am sure that will change when they introduce Greg Grunberg's character (the police officer who can hear thoughts). I love him so.

Anyway, I thought that the first Episode was very intereting and enough to get me hooked. I love that while they have these super powers and could save the world, there could really be a dark side to ALL of their powers (especially Nikki). Makes them seem more human.

dragonfly_diva Author Profile Page:

I love Heroes so far! It is not the type of series I would normally watch and I think that is part of the appeal.

My favorite character is Claire. I love how she can 'put herself back together'. After watching episode 2, I really like the cop now too!

I don't really have a least favorite character right now. They all intrigue me!

I think Claire's father new of her ability and that is why they adopted her!

dragonfly_diva Author Profile Page:

campfiregirl, you made me chuckle! My daughter is a cheerleader and you are so right about the uniform. You'll notice in the second episode it is sparkling clean. I kept thinking, how in the world did they fix that uniform so quickly. LOL!

Post a comment

Post a comment

116