First, I want to say good job to the folks at NBC-Universal. I thought that I would have the will power to bitch about the narrator until they got rid of him, but clearly my laziness is a much stronger force than I could have ever imagined, because I've decided it's not worth the effort to conjure up enough hate for this little rants to be worth it. So congrats! You won! But you still should have listened to me (and, well, everybody else in the country) about Joey. Oh, and if you don't like gross screencaps, there is one later in the recap, so be warned!
Mohinder's words to live by for this week were short, telling us, "We are, if anything, creatures of habit. Drawn to the safety and comfort of the familiar. But what happens when the familiar becomes unsafe? When the fear we have been desperately trying to avoid finds us where we live?" Uhh, I don't know. What happens when you ask several rhetorical questions at the beginning of a television show? Or a recap?
We start the episode out in Odessa, Texas. It is the night of the homecoming game, and you know what happens on the night of the homecoming game? They crown the homecoming queen! Although things like homecoming queen and prom king and queen seem like antiquated vestiges from the Truman administration, there are places where it still holds meaning. And although the stereotype is that the bitch girl who sleeps with half the school always wins, the two girls who won in my senior year in high school were very sweet. I mention this partly because my ten-year high school reunion is coming up and I want to make sure I put lots of complimentary phrases about all my classmates so they won't have me after visiting my blog, but it also happens to be true. Really!
It seems that the students at Claire's high school have bucked the popularity trend because the person we thought would win, Jackie, was not the one chosen by her classmates. The Homecoming Queen was none other than Claire Bennett! Yay! Claire is going through some tough times. Her body is changing, and her brother knows her big secret (will anything ever come of THAT?), but there are bigger issues at her school.

Uh oh. Jailbait!
Claire used to identify with the cheerleaders, and I am not sure if I am slipping and didn't notice this before, but have you noticed that the cheerleader uniforms are a little, uh, low cut? The skirts look pretty normal, but the tops are cut low enough that actual cleavage is poking through. I mean, we haven't quite made it to Debbie Does Dallas levels of skin, but I don't remember too many squads dressing up like this. And take a look at this picture on the official NBC website. The sweater is cut much higher! I'm not complaining, because who cares if a cheerleader is showing off cleavage and perhaps a proud nipple? I'm just saying that Hayden Panettiere is not yet 18, and if they are going to make me force me to ogle her every week, at least let her be legal!
Where were we? Oh yes, homecoming queen. The cheerleaders have shunned Claire because she did incapacitate Brody, the star quarterback, and even though there were probably a number of people chomping at the bit, they might have waited until after the big game. You can imagine Jackie's surprise when Claire won, but she wasn't even as surprised as Claire, whose name was being chanted by all of the generic outcasts that the school has.
« Daily Digest: November 21, 2006 | Main | Recap: Jetblue: Thanksgiving or Bust! »



Comments (42)
I thought it was cool that Claire was near Peter at "his death." That never occurred to us after seeing the painting. I think Micah will do something to prevent DL's death or maybe a bullet goes through him just as he goes through objects. As for Peter getting out of jail, I imagine Audrey Hanson will get him out. Then he can meet Parkman. As for Ando, we've been concerned since we saw Hiro speak on the subway. We wondered what happened to him.
Mainly, I'm just enjoying the ride and can't wait til the next episode!
1 of 42 | Posted by geewits
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Posted on November 21, 2006 11:27 PM
"HRG says that she has no idea what she has done, and when she says that Claire is going to hate him for it, he says, "I hope so". Not sure what that is supposed to mean, but now it is time to get to the most exciting part of the episode."
She said Claire is going to hate him for a long time. I assume he hopes so because that means she would be alive for a long time.
2 of 42 | Posted by cappy
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Posted on November 22, 2006 12:37 AM
That was a heart-pumping episode. It moved so fast I kept reminding myself to breath.
Side talker Peter saved the Cheerleader...so how did that save the world?
How did Pixie Chick know exactly where to stand to intercept Sylar?
Thanks JoJo for another great recap. (Love Mohinder's List)
hb
3 of 42 | Posted by HoneyBunny
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Posted on November 22, 2006 7:28 AM
It occurs to me that we are missing the fact that Sylar did, in fact, KILL a Cheerleader...did he not? Time will tell...Given the fact that, like "Lost," this show has many layers; ya just never know...Great recap(although I am not all that interested in teenaged cleavage)...a couple of things. It is definitely Not the banner from the previous show--wrong colorr and waaaaaay to big. I think Nathan is ONLY interested in Nathan and now with his brother I jail for a very gruesome murder...well? The plot thickens.
4 of 42 | Posted by Roni
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Posted on November 22, 2006 8:07 AM
"That means that he has whatever telekinetic and other abilities Sylar had. Peter might be able to get out on his own."
Have we figured out how long Peter keep's the abilities he absorbs off other people?
I loved the Ando-Peter scene in the diner. The sheepish look on Peter's face when he admits he needs other heroes to be useful and Ando trying to hide his disappointment was priceless.
I like the thought about DL "phasing" to avoid bullet damage, or perhaps Micah can heal people the way he heals telephones.
I hate the previews. They give too much away.
5 of 42 | Posted by brilliantmistake
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Posted on November 22, 2006 9:08 AM
I found it funny that the list, though apparently compiled in India, listed the Americans first, and by state: "New York, NY" rather than "New York, USA." But "Tokyo, Japan" for Hiro.
Even if Mohinder's dad made the list while in the States, you'd think they would list by country and not state.
6 of 42 | Posted by Ms. Tumnus
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Posted on November 22, 2006 9:13 AM
This is a completely random theory I just had, but what if the "cheerleader" isn't Claire at all, but this waitress from the diner? She's cute, from a small town, very perky so it would make senst that she was probably a cheerleader in high school. Now that Hiro is back in time he can save her which may in fact prevent the NYC explosion in a way that relates more than Claire who could just be a red herring. I just can't make the connection to saving Claire inturn saving the world; although (as quoted from Angel) it could be a "Random confluence of events that just went all confluey" and we still have to fit the pieces together.
Either way, great recap and great episode.
7 of 42 | Posted by fozziebare13
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Posted on November 22, 2006 9:14 AM
This is a completely random theory I just had, but what if the "cheerleader" isn't Claire at all, but this waitress from the diner? She's cute, from a small town, very perky so it would make senst that she was probably a cheerleader in high school. Now that Hiro is back in time he can save her which may in fact prevent the NYC explosion in a way that relates more than Claire who could just be a red herring. I just can't make the connection to saving Claire inturn saving the world; although (as quoted from Angel) it could be a "Random confluence of events that just went all confluey" and we still have to fit the pieces together.
Either way, great recap and great episode.
8 of 42 | Posted by fozziebare13
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Posted on November 22, 2006 9:15 AM
I agree that this was a great fucking episode. It had me actually yelling at the TV which I haven't done in a long time. I was suprised that Sylar killed the other cheerleader, for some reason I never though of that yet it made perfect sense.
I think Peter will meet up with Matt and Audrey since they will suspect he is Sylar. Matt will interrogate him and Peter will realize he can read his mind, and then they both realize that the other has powers.
I never thought of making Eden just tag along with claire, but I guess that would seem really wierd since claire doesn't know her father is in some secret agency. HRG did tell Eden to be in the school though, so I don't know what to think of her being outside and capturing Sylar.
As for DL getting shot, my theory is that he does get a bullet inside him but Micah will use his powers to "fix" him. I think that would be pretty cool and give Micah a bigger role in the show.
I actually loved the Ando/Peter conversation, especially where Ando said he was nothing, I felt sorry for him =(. I can't wait to find out what happened with Hiro next week.
9 of 42 | Posted by silentfire
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Posted on November 22, 2006 9:17 AM
That doesn't make sense since Sylar didn't even know that Claire WAS the cheerleader he was supposed to kill. I think he was just being a nice guy.
10 of 42 | Posted by mizta
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Posted on November 22, 2006 9:24 AM
OMG!
The recap sounds soooo good! Good Job J!
Unfortunately, I missed the one show I was eagerly awaiting!.. (Damn Voluteer work anyways!)... I tried to get home to watch the second run of the episode but alas only caught the credits....damn volunteer work again!...
Does anybody know if it will be on again?....
thanks!
TP
11 of 42 | Posted by twnpeeks
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Posted on November 22, 2006 9:34 AM
P.S.
Where does it say that Zach is gay?...This last show was THE only one I missed!
12 of 42 | Posted by twnpeeks
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Posted on November 22, 2006 10:03 AM
TP-I think they re-play the show on the Sci-fi channel. I'm not sure when tough.
13 of 42 | Posted by LuvzSunshine
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Posted on November 22, 2006 10:15 AM
hmmm. well, at the diner, after hiro went back in time and ando was still there (you all with me?) there was a "shrine" to charlie! i think she's still dead. i don't think that hiro saved her at all...
ALSO, micha is pretty darn sharp for a 8 year old AND DL bought the jessica/nikki 2.0 story pretty quick - that was probably my only gripe...this show is totally kicking LOST's ass.
14 of 42 | Posted by molls
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Posted on November 22, 2006 10:40 AM
TP-they replay the latest episode on NBC.com. And without commercials.
15 of 42 | Posted by air376
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Posted on November 22, 2006 10:44 AM
Commenting on: "HRG says that she has no idea what she has done, and when she says that Claire is going to hate him for it, he says, "I hope so". Not sure what that is supposed to mean, but now it is time to get to the most exciting part of the episode."
I agree that he said that because it means that she will be alive in order to do so. I also believe that Charlie is dead since there is a shrine there.
16 of 42 | Posted by soupgirl
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Posted on November 22, 2006 10:51 AM
I have a possible theory re. Eden:
Remember how she apologized after Claire saw her at HRG's office like it was a big deal? And how HRG told Eden something like "do you remember what you were when I found you?". And how HRG seems to have some hold/power over her? And now we know she is a hero (persuasion).
My theory: She is Claire's biological mother. That's why HRG tries to keep them apart and why they both have powers. Somehow HRG helped Eden when she was young and pregnant and then adopted the baby, probably knowing she would have powers.
What do you think?
17 of 42 | Posted by shan
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Posted on November 22, 2006 11:09 AM
Wow Shan! Good theory. I never thought of that but it definitely sounds like a possibility.
18 of 42 | Posted by tvismylife
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Posted on November 22, 2006 11:35 AM
Iteresting theory, but I'm not sure how well it goes along with this week's graphic novel, which deals with Eden's backstory
19 of 42 | Posted by 626
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Posted on November 22, 2006 12:31 PM
Dear J-Unit:
Have you stopped recapping Veronica Mars? Some of us need to discuss LoVe รท Piz = ?
20 of 42 | Posted by MCBoomCat
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Posted on November 22, 2006 12:38 PM
MCBoomCat,
We are working on getting a new VM writer. I am going to try and do a few catch-up posts until then, but people are talking about the show in the forums
http://forums.tvgasm.com
21 of 42 | Posted by J Unit
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Posted on November 22, 2006 12:42 PM
Shan - HRG explained how he got Claire last week. He said that one of the heroes mistook their intentions and apparently was killed. Claire was left an orphan and HRG and his wife took her in because they couldn't have a child of their own.
Also, at the shrine to Charlie did anyone notice the picture under the one of her and Hiro? It looked like a close up of Mohinder's dad.
22 of 42 | Posted by gotogirl
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Posted on November 22, 2006 1:05 PM
No way Jackie was the cheerleader they were supposed to save. And an even bigger no way that it was Charlie, the waitress. Wasn't it Hiro who delivered the "save the cheerleader" message in the first place? Why wouldn't he say "save the waitress", he just likes making things tough on himself?
Eden as Claire's mother - no way. What would she have been, 10 at the oldest when Claire was born? An that's pushing it.
When Bennet/HRG was talking to Eden he said something to the effect of "go to the high school, use the paintings as a guide. Wait for Sylar. He'll have help" - I'm pretty sure that it was "He'll" and not "You'll". If I heard correct, then there's definitely a yang to HRG's yin...Linderman?
23 of 42 | Posted by ThereBeNoShelterHere
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Posted on November 22, 2006 1:07 PM
Has anyone noticed that the weird symbol that keeps popping up here and there (it was on Mohinder's computer, on Isaac's paintings, and, my personal favorite, on Nikki's back) looks like it could be a broken DNA chain?? Just a thought..
24 of 42 | Posted by juliazo
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Posted on November 22, 2006 1:13 PM
Maybe "Save the cheerleader, save the world" means that Claire will be needed at some point to save the world ... without her around, the world will go boom. I love the show, but I for one am glad that the cheerleader is saved ... that ad campaign was getting pretty damn annoying.
Or, as someone suggested a few weeks ago, maybe it's two items on a list.
1) Save the cheerleader
2) Save the world
3) Buy cat litter
25 of 42 | Posted by dumbanddumber
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Posted on November 22, 2006 1:19 PM
If Eden cared more about Isaac not shooting up again than finding where Sylar is so they could save her daughter, then she's one bad mother.
So I don't think Claire is her daughter, unless the Euro dude erased her memory and she doesn't know that Claire is her daughter.
26 of 42 | Posted by mizta
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Posted on November 22, 2006 1:26 PM
I assumed Claire needed to be saved so that Sylar couldn't take her power (spontaneous regeneration).
27 of 42 | Posted by asjs5
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Posted on November 22, 2006 1:28 PM
I thought this episode was great. I didn't expect to have all my questions answered, nor did I want to. This show does a better job than Lost at parsing out a story and keeping the interesting questions coming, IMO.
I love the parallels this show makes to things like adolescence and coming out of the closet. I'm over 30, but I act like a high schooler with this show. When Peter told Claire life gets better after high school I wanted to die. Can't get enough. The weeks are too long as far as I'm concerned. Can't wait for Mondays.
28 of 42 | Posted by pbjunkie
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Posted on November 22, 2006 1:29 PM
Shan: Interesting, but, to me, Eden looks about... 24? And Claire is a senior in high school. I don't know... unless Eden's second hero power is giving birth at age 6.
I love that this show is so interesting, because I have completely different takes on a lot of the stuff that happened... first of all, I don't think that HRG knows that Eden went to get Sylar, and maybe he doesn't know about scary silent guy who was with her... just like how Mohinder doesn't know that she's working with HRG. She's like a quadruple agent or something.
Also, I'm pretty sure that being near sylar won't give peter his powers, because... he could fly when he was with Nathan, but not later... and he didn't heal from the fall until Claire came back. I think he only has the power while he's with the hero.
29 of 42 | Posted by MalloryS
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Posted on November 22, 2006 1:31 PM
asjs5:
That's awesome. I'd never thought of it, but now I'm convinced.
30 of 42 | Posted by MalloryS
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Posted on November 22, 2006 1:34 PM
I'm still waiting for next week's ep.
Turns out Jessica is the name of Niki's dead sister. Thanks to the magic of tivo, I was able to read the gravestone in detail:
Jessica Sanders
Beloved daughter and sister
1976-1987
GASP!
I wonder what this means for Niki's powers. Being about to be controlled by the dead? Pfft.
31 of 42 | Posted by MMW
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Posted on November 22, 2006 2:05 PM
Mallory--
Actually, he fixed his foot right before the cops got there, after Claire had already left the scene. And, if I remember correctly, he made the napkin drawing predicting the future after he left Isaac's studio...
BTW, if anyone is reading the comic, this week's is about Eden, and it makes it seem as if her power is really VERY strong.
32 of 42 | Posted by dumbanddumber
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Posted on November 22, 2006 2:09 PM
Good find MMW!
Maybe Niki has some sort of power that helps her communicate with the dead and her dead sister is using this power to gain control of her body to in a way come back to life.
I can't wait till Monday :D
33 of 42 | Posted by 626
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Posted on November 22, 2006 3:08 PM
I am guessing he saw the newspaper article about Claire (but attributed to her friend), so off he went...
Speaking of which, did Issac actually draw Claire's dead friend in that painting of the beheaded cheerleader, or was it sppsd to be Claire?
It's normally on SFC at 7:00 PM Fridays and 7 or 8 PM Mondays, but with the Thanksgiving weekend, I am not sure.34 of 42 | Posted by Ubiquitous
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Posted on November 23, 2006 5:21 PM
The other waitress at the Burnt Toast told Ando that she know Hiro - that he left (disappeared?) two weeks ago or something. Does this mean he teleported somewhere else?
And what's up with the Haitian dude roughing up Sylar? You'd think Eden would just finish him off somehow.
And speaking of Eden, she does have an impressive ass. But you could chalk it up to her skinniness, the lack of any meat on her bones makes a normally mediocre ass look great in tight black pants and heels. It's an illusion!
Maybe by saving Claire, she's now able to go difuse the new-queue-lar bomb by cutting the red wire?
35 of 42 | Posted by GiadaFan
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Posted on November 23, 2006 10:20 PM
One thing about Mohinder's list ... it does confirm, I guess, that Niki does have a power, and isn't just crazy.
36 of 42 | Posted by dumbanddumber
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Posted on November 24, 2006 11:42 AM
MMW do you think that Jessica & Niki could be twins since we now know that they are sisters? Did you note that Jessica would have been 11 years old when she died? How old do you think that Mohinder's sister was when she died? Could they have died together somehow? Don't know, don't know......but I love this show!
37 of 42 | Posted by Herstory
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Posted on November 24, 2006 6:38 PM
I think they could be twins - mainly because it said somewhere that Niki's 30, and if Jessica were still alive she'd be 30 as well.
I think the Sanders family might be a little less than "normal" though because there's evidence of classic daddy/daughter issues when we see Niki choking some old white guy she calls 'daddy' in the preview for the "6 Months Ago" ep.
Now either that WAS her dad and maybe he has something to do with settng this power of hers off, or she's simply choking some old white guy she likes to call daddy.
I don't really know anything new for sure about her power besides the dead sister/twin.
38 of 42 | Posted by MMW
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Posted on November 25, 2006 12:34 PM
Good point on the suddenly low cut cheerleader tops, although they seem to have Hayden busting out as much as possible. Damn writers making me feel like (more of) a perv. This was a pretty sweet episode and I can't wait for Monday's. I plan my life around not missing this show.
39 of 42 | Posted by Elder Young
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Posted on November 26, 2006 12:43 PM
They saved A cheerleader but since a cheerleader did still die maybe they haven't saved the world?
40 of 42 | Posted by AmberPdidit
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Posted on November 27, 2006 12:13 AM
They saved A cheerleader but since a cheerleader did still die maybe they haven't saved the world?
41 of 42 | Posted by AmberPdidit
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Posted on November 27, 2006 12:14 AM
I wondered if the dead cheerleader in that painting was really Jackie and not Claire...
42 of 42 | Posted by Ubiquitous
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Posted on November 27, 2006 5:19 PM