Heroes
News (Page 3)

Good news: Heroes completed filming on its abysmal fourth season this week.

Bad news: Star Greg Grunberg says complete confidence that the show will return for a fifth season.

"[The season finale] is nowhere near a series finale,” he said at the People’s Choice Awards. “It is cliffhanger-y and exciting, but it is nowhere near an end to a series that people are so invested in. It does not tie everything up in a neat bow... I don’t have any doubt that the show will be back.”

Grunberg, of course, has no actual say in whether or not the series returns. Nor does anyone that runs Heroes.

Of course the show wouldn't air a series-concluding episode without word from NBC that it was giving Heroes the ax.

The actor is correct, however, when he cites strong DVD sales and international popularity as two reasons the drama might go on. He's also incredibly off-base when comparing Heroes to another, truly successful, iconic program:

“Lost announced an end [date] and I think that helped both the people working on the show and the people watching it. They see the finish line and I think it gives them something tangible to invest in and be excited about. It’s like it’s a movie and they want to see the end of it. That’s what I hope happens with our show.”

In conclusion, based on the way NBC has bumbled the Jay Leno/Conan O'Brien situation - and based on the fact that it clearly has no idea how to run a contending network - anything is possible.

But even long-time fans and posters in our Heroes forum appear sick of this season and hesitant to trust Tim Kring to write a new one. Where do you stand?

Dear Tim Kring,

We know the ratings for Heroes are in the toilet. We know this may very well be the show's final season and we know you wish to avoid that fate. But must you really give away major plot developments from the February 8 finale in order to keep fans interested?

In an interview with Fancast.com last week, Kring was asked abut Hiro and Charlie.

Instead of just teasing fans about what's to come, he spilled some major beans: "[Hiro's] quest is  to find Charlie... we will finally deal with that in the season finale when Charlie and Hiro are reunited."

Then again, perhaps we should be thanking Kring. We might not need to tune in to see how this atrocious season concludes anymore!

Elsewhere in the conversation, Kring touched on other storylines and subjects. Excerpts are below...

On Samuel's plans: It’s not so much about what he wants to avenge, but the underlying motive for his slow descent into megalomaniacal insanity is revealed in Episodes 15 and 16.

On Sylar: He re-encounters the carnival, but he’s also on a bit of an existential quest to find out what his life is all about. He was told he would die alone, and that starts to play on him. There is some unexpected stuff between him and Peter in the last two episodes. A strange alliance has to be formed.

On the end of the season: Samuel’s plan to expose the entire world to these people starts to really crank up and build to a crescendo.

Sure. We'll believe that when we see it, considering the utter lack of urgency throughout this entire season. There's been nothing at stake whatsoever.

There's a lot wrong with this season of Heroes: Hiro is a misused, bubbling idiot; Claire and HRG continue to have the same arguments; and Mohinder is still alive.

But there's one overriding issue that plagues the series: Absolutely nothing is at stake.

Think about it. What's the big danger this season? What are viewers and/or characters supposed to be afraid of? Samuel isn't the nicest guy in the world, but does his (VERY) slowly-evolving plan seem to be a threat to the world?

Peter is mourning his brother and saving random people; Claire is confused and in college; Hiro is sick and wants to save Mohinder; HRG wants to get inside the carnival; but, simply put: SO WHAT? Why should viewers be invested in any of these storylines, considering the lack of danger to... well, anyone?

It's indefensible that a show about super heroes could fail to actually set up a true battle between good and evil. Samuel is moving a few pieces around, but there's been no movement at all on the other side. Every episode just focuses on a disconnected set of events regarding "good" guys such as Hiro, Ando and Peter.

Would it really be so difficult to go the 24 route and present the world with a clear threat each season? From there, as we've said before, have the characters unite and fight against a common cause.

In a recent interview with Fancast.com, Tim Kring actually responded to the question of why the Heroes don't band together. He nonsensically said:

"Logistically it becomes very hard to get everybody into one place. It’s a nightmare for shooting, the jigsaw puzzle of it all. Most television tries to avoid more than two people in a scene, for just that reason. It takes a third longer to a shoot a scene with three people, so when you get eight people in a scene, you really start to stretch things."

Ummm, Mr. Kring: You must be a smart individual in order to have created a TV show that's lasted for four seasons. But this response makes zero sense. If you were to unite the heroes, X-Men style, that doesn't mean they'd LITERALLY be in the same room all the time.

Do you disagree with our simple assessment above? Is there any sense of urgency at all this season? And, if not, isn't that a depressing state of affairs for a show based around super heroes?

Comment away!

What did you think of this week's episode of Heroes?

As you might expect, the TV Fanatic staff was less than thrilled with a two-hour episode that barely moved the plot. Do we really not know Samuel's grand plan, with just five episodes remaining this season?

We focus on this problem, along with a few others, in the latest edition of the Heroes Round Table. As always, reader feedback is encouraged...

Hiro's storyline... seriously?!?
M.L. House: My mother always taught me if you have nothing but insulting things to say about the demise of a character and the repetitive way in which a show has utterly destroyed what once made him great, don't say anything at all.

Dr. Shepherd: At least Ando was able to interpret Hiro's ramblings, right? Makes this instance of his incoherent immaturity at least have a point, as opposed to when he thought he was 10 years old.

The Barnacle: Can we even call this a storyline? The heretofore admirable character was featured for approximately 17 seconds, which are 17 seconds of my life I can never get back.

What is Samuel's grand plan?
M.L. House: I really can't believe the show has ruined the interesting character creator by Robert Knepper. The writers can't find the balance between keeping someone mysterious and moving a plot along. Seriously, what has changed with Samuel and the carnival since the season premiere? We STILL don't know what he actually has in mind and the season is over in a month!

Dr. Shepherd: He wants to recruit a slew of Heroes for nefarious purposes. We don't need the exact plans yet. Sometimes it's better to show, not tell, and I've been intrigued by how well the series is dragging out this mystery.

The Barnacle: I assume he's been recruited by Al Gore to save the environment and turn everything green, right?

Continue Reading...

Heroes celebrated the start to 2010 with a two-hour episode that had fans buzzing... and which could easily have been about 10 minutes long.

Someone has to tell Tim Kring that there are only five installments remaining this season, as the finale airs on February 8. Plot developments better start to pick up the pace soon if this show has any chance of getting renewed.

Read through our detailed episode guide to discover what (little) went down this week and let us know if you agree with our character-by-character analysis below...

Hiro was seriously seen on screen for mere minutes, during which time he rambled on about "Dr. Watson" and a castle and other random, historic reference that Ando interpreted as meaning the pair had to go to a mental hospital in Florida. We're not kidding. This was the pair's entire storyline from the two hours. Did Masi Oka lose a bet with writers or something?

HRG and Claire fought. Yes, again. The latter is quickly becoming the most grating character on television, as she refuses to actually embrace her abilities or her place in the world. Note to Claire Bear: you have an amazing power. Use it for something! Anything! Heck, become a villain and destroy the world! At least that would make sense for someone in your position.

Instead, Claire constantly whines about her lot in life, is confused about where she belongs and never seems to understand that her father has a job that often requires lying in the name of the greater good. Does the show actually think viewers aren't sick of these two arguing every other episode?

We do have something positive to say about Samuel and Sylar. It was a pleasure to watch these two characters - the most interesting on the series, played by its best two actors - go head-to-head.

While Sylar stopped being a menacing force seasons ago, at least his apparent destiny of reuniting with Claire enabled the episode to end with a suspenseful cliffhanger. Please, Sylar, kill her and end our suffering.

Peter's storyline wasn't bad, either. Just drawn out and unnecessary. He can only cope with Nathan's death by not thinking about it and helping others? Okay. But isn't that what he was doing when this season started anyway? How has his story advanced this season?

As we leave readers to respond to this review in our Comments section and/or in our Heroes forum, we'll leave you with this question: Do you care at all about Mohinder, Parkman and Tracy anymore?

It's fine for the show to concentrate on different characters from week to week - but those three haven't been heard from in months, and two of them weren't focused on a lot before that. Why are they around? And do you even care what happens to them after all this time?

Heroes kicked off 2010 with a treat for fans: a two-hour episode that took them more inside Samuel's crazy carnival.

As usual, we'll recap/review the installment in detail tomorrow. For now, we hope fans are filling up our Heroes forum with thoughts on the latest storylines and developments.

Let's also take the pulse of the average viewer. What did you think of "Upon This Rock; Let It Bleed?" Respond below:

Over the last couple seasons on Heroes, we've been extremely tough on the character of Hiro - and for good reason.

The NBC drama has utterly destroyed this once-entertaining, once-intriguing individual. He's now reduced to an immature idiot that confusingly travels through time and makes selfish, irrational decisions (way to break open your dad's safe last season, dude!).

This criticism is no reflection of Masi Oka, though, who continues to do the best with the material he's given. The actor spoke to Fancast this week about the storylines to come as Heroes heads toward a season - and, likely, series - finale.

In the interview, Oka admits that the show changes it rules on time traveling each season, a major criticism TV Fanatic has had of the show...

On Hiro's journey: He now he has three specific goals to accomplish: deal with his brain tumor, rescue Suresh, and find Charlie (played by ‘Glee’s’ Jayma Mays). That is a more concrete mission than he had in the first half of the season.

On when Samuel's master plan will be revealed: Within the first two episodes. And towards the end of the season, you’re going to see some unlikely alliances – and some unlikely enemies as well.

On division among the Heroes: A big showdown is coming up, and it involves the crossing of paths for many characters.

On time travel confusion: The rules do change every year. That’s just the nature of time travel storytelling, which is hard to manage. The writers have some creative liberty, so we hope the audience will just go for the ride and not focus on the technicalities of it.

On whether this is the final season of Heroes: Everything’s up in the air. It’s no secret that our ratings have slipped from Season 1, but creatively I think this is the second-strongest season. We want the crew to be working as well, but so many things go into these decisions.

After a long December hiatus, Heroes returns in a major way next week: with a two-hour episode!

The installment is titled "Upon This Rock; Let It Bleed" and it aims to take many characters in many directions. In bullet point form, here's how a NBC press release describes what is about to go down on it:

• As Claire becomes immersed into the world of the Carnival, she becomes increasingly suspicious of Samuel's motives.
• Hiro is on a mission to rescue one of his own, but has difficulty communicating his intentions to Ando.
• Samuel has his sight set on Emma.
• Meanwhile, Sylar returns to the Carnival in search of answers.
• Peter continues to struggle with the loss of his brother.
• HRG sets his plan in motion to take down the carnival.

Sound off in our Heroes forum about what you wanna see next week and check out NBC's official promo for the episode below:

It's unfortunate but true: every primetime show is on hiatus until 2010. Before the calendar flips, though, let's take a look back.

So far, the TV Fanatic staff has reported on the season's pros and cons of The Vampire Diaries, 90210 and House.

Up now: Heroes.

Best character: Samuel Sullivan. This is both a good thing and a bad thing for the show. It's integrated a new character very well into the show... but he's also become more interesting than anyone already on it. That doesn't say much for Tracy, Claire and company.

Still, Samuel's speeches to start and conclude the mid-season were stirring. They left us anxious for what happens next, a rarity on the slow-moving drama these days.

Worst character: Mohinder. It's truly comical at this point that he's still around.

Best storyline: The carnival. It's new and it's exciting. In an ideal world (see below), Heroes would set up the group of carnies as a clear-cut set of bad guys, band the known heroes together and have the sides square off.

There's still potential here, but the show has to pick it up - and quickly, lest it eliminate any chance for a fifth season. After all, as well done as Samuel's aforementioned speeches to his brethren were, didn't they sound almost exactly the same? That doesn't say much for how little this storyline advanced over the course of 12 episodes.

Grade so far: C Minus.

Hopes for 2010: It bears repeating: unite the Heroes for a common cause! Also, less of Claire whining and more of Tracy topless.

Do you agree with these assessments, fans? Disagree? Give the first half of the season a grade in our Heroes forum or in the comments section below!

Because Heroes is currently filming its final episode of season four, creator Tim Kring can say with "complete clarity" that Adrian Pasdar won't return to the series.

The actor's character leaped to his death on "The Fifth Stage," the final Heroes installment of 2009.

“We started discussing it at the end of last season, when we actually killed the character,” Kring told Fancast.com in an interview, “so it really just became a matter of how and when.”

Nathan might be gone, but his relatives Peter and Claire remain. How will his death impact their relationship?

“They are able to sort of bond over the loss of their brother and father,” Kring said. “So you will see those stories start to collide.”

When Heroes returns - with a two-hour episode on January 4; and then at 9 p.m. on Mondays, following Chuck, beginning on January 11 - Samuel’s seemingly sinister plan will “crank up and build to a crescendo,” Kring added. We'll be interested to see what that entails.