Heroes 2.06 - The Line

[weewarrior]

Spoilers behind the cut:



Swordsmith: Whitebeard has guns! He will topple the Shogun Emperor!
Hiro: Oh no, that means the age of swords and samurai will end!
me: And that's bad how?

Themes - oh, temptations left and right, and people giving in, usually at an ethical cost. Trusting the wrong person, making shady alliances - it's all there.

• Company Business - The dynamics between Bob and Mohinder are shaping up to be a very interesting relationship. First Bob tries to bully Mohinder into testing the virus on Monica, seemingly going into the direction Bennet predicted, but then he appears to turn around, assuring Mohinder how valuable he is to the Company, that he keeps their priorities in check, and serves to point out ethical boundaries. What's interesting here is the multiple parallels and contrasts that can be drawn: to 5YG Mohinder, who had sold himself and his principles; to Peter, who was Nathan's proclaimed external conscience in S1; to Hiro who did a horrible job at being Kensei's conscience; and to Alejandro, who is both figuratively and literally what holds Maya back from going all Typhoid Mary.


• Another parallel is to Bennet, both as a father concerned for his child and willing to commit questionable acts for her - and how clever that Bennet clearly notices and uses this - and as one part of a ambiguous Mentor - Student relationship. Mohinder of course is still principled enough to refuse both Bob and Noah when it comes to harming Monica, an innocent, while Noah, though clearly regretful, doesn't hesitate to commit murder to keep his family safe.
  One could argue that Noah becomes Mohinder's dark mirror in this episode, but there are some tricky aspects: Bob may assure Mohinder that the Company has changed and will take his lead, but still he assigns him a partner that seems meant to keep him in line; and Noah, like Mohinder, is tempted by his own mentor to come back to the Company and gain safety for his loved ones, but refuses out of principle and because he knows they are dangerous. Really love the ambiguity here, though I'm inclined to believe that Noah is right.

• Claire and West Do Heathers - For a Claire/West plot that wasn't all that bad - and I'm saying this silently crying at the thought of how much I loved Claire last season and how very much I want her to be awesome again - and I think I'm beginning to see the purpose here. A lot of the more idealistic characters from last season are going through an ambivalent phase where they are ruthless and selfish and make bad judgement calls that hurt others - Hiro stays in Japan and first lies to Yaeko and Kensei, and then kisses her despite knowing what Kensei feels for her, Peter wants to stay in Idyllic Postcard Ireland with his newest squeeze despite knowing that whoever chained him in that container will likely come to get him, and Claire, since she can't change her trapped situation, lashes out at people she can actually reach.
  This is a nice callback to her more vengeful side with Brody last season, and Debbie kind of had it coming to her, but still there is an inherit pettiness to the latter situation - bullying a bully still makes Claire one, and given that setting up Debbie gained her a spot on the Squad, it's hard to see her actions as selfless in any way.


• I'm not too fond of West coaxing her into the plan, but the parallels to Heathers were so obvious, I can only hope West will stay on J.D.'s path. Claire, for all her coolness points, always had a bit of Veronica in her, so I can live with that comparison as well.


• Speaking of shifty, I know that was likely unintentional, but Sweet Little Brunette Cheerleader (May?) sure seemed like she was setting Debbie up for a fall here, wasn't she? Some schemer she is. Maybe Claire can introduce her to her grandma some time?

• Ancient Japanese LiveRoleplaying - so Yaeko realizes she loved Cyrano Hiro all along, which is sad for Kensei and a devastating blow to my dreams of an OT3, but at least it involved her being smart, which is always a great plus in masqueraded-stranger-is-really-good-friend plots. Where love interests of superheroes are concerned, she at least manages to one-up Lois Lane!
  
  I also liked that she ultimately wasn't all that shocked about Hiro having magical powers. In a pre-rational age that does seem to make sense. (Historically more sensitive readers, feel free to correct me on this one.)
  
• Speaking of what makes sense for the times, I'm trying not to be incredibly hard on this one - obviously, this is about as historically correct as the Elizabeth movies - so I'm okay that Yaeko wanted to kiss Hiro on the lips, even though that wasn't necessarily Japanese convention, but shouldn't Otosan Swordsmith be more concerned about Whitebeard killing the Shogun, who after all was the greatest political power in the country? I don't think the Emperor really did much more than be there, basically.


• Ando:"I must know every detail!"
  So, now we know who to blame for the slow pacing. Thanks a lot, Masahashi! Seriously, though? The meta entries about how to follow a story correctly were starting to bug a little. Especially the Kensei-Hiro storyline would have been a lot better if you had cut it down and not added so many scenes of the Threesome pointlessly meandering about, so try not to feel too smug here, writers.


• Kensei's betrayal: I liked that this had more to do with his character in general, and wasn't about Hiro and Yaeko doing him wrong, although he of course presents it that way. In addition, he doesn't seem to take personal betrayal too gently, which is an interesting streak.


• Kensei's power seems to develop quite rapidly - either they fast-forwarded it for storytelling purposes, or he doesn't quite have regeneration after all, since the guard's blade didn't effectively seem to do much to him. Claire would have been incapacitated for at least quite a while.


• As far as dark mirrors go, as obvious as Kensei is one to Claire due to their powers being at least similar, I can't help but thinking that he is also one to Nathan, due to both of them being morally ambiguous, prone to drink, and tied to Hiro.
  Of course, Kensei initially seemed a lot more harmless than Nathan in his S1 incarnation, which nicely ties him into this season's league of more ambiguous, possibly dangerous ally characters. Also, where Nathan is some sort of more or less tarnished knight figure, Kensei is a trickster gone bad, so the similarities are probably mostly on the surface - which again throws a negative light on Hiro's ability to make sound character judgements.

• Noah and the Haitian Go To Odessa: cold, ruthless Bennet from the beginning of Season One made a reappearance as he tortures his former mentor Ivan for information on the paintings. This turns rather uncomfortable pretty soon, as the Haitian purposefully takes beloved memories of Ivan's family from him.
  Bennet is on a slippery slope here, his methodical preparation of Ivan's room to look ransacked seems increasingly frantic (and would have been a lot more convincing in its paranoia if he had used gloves to hide his fingerprints, but alas, details) and his finale bits of conversation with Ivan seem to indicate that he has indeed gone too far: "If you shoot me, you condemn yourself to hell." *shoots* "I know."
  Reminiscient both of killing Thompson and shooting Claude, this is the third time Noah steps over personal loyalty to an old friend - in terms of possible justifications, this is a lot closer to his betrayal of Claude, though, since while erasing Ivan's memory would have hinted at Bennet being involved, there would have been more ways to hide the trace than resolving to murder.


• There seems to be a pretty religiously (catholic?) themed streak this season with Maya looking for salvation, Nathan looking for redemption, the Haitian feeling he deserves punishment for sinfully using his powers, and Noah knowingly condemning himself, but, having been raised secularly with only murky religious undertones and having little academic knowledge on the subject, I can't really comment much on this. Anyone on the flist perhaps?


• Speaking of redemption: whatever became of The Big Nameless One's trouble with abusing his powers? Does he really feel he was forgiven because Mohinder was able to cure him?

• Mayalejandro, Sylabriel, and the Roadtrip of Doom: This was a mixture of both the stereotypically expected - Alejandro getting jealous and releasing his inner macho on both Maya and Sylar, Maya mostly crying and falling for her new hot travelling buddy who still fails to skeeve her out - is everyone's shiftiness radar off this season? - and Sylar being smugly creepy and openly taunting the unknowing Alejandro. Of course, buying that Al wouldn't understand "I['ll] kill you" stretches my disbelief somewhat, but otherwise this made for nice exposition regarding Sylar's plans for the coming episodes.


• I wasn't too fond of the "Serialkiller's apprentice" plot back in Profiler, and I would have preferred if Maya had explored the ambiguity of her power on her own, instead of being edged on by yet another man.


• I'm left to wonder if it was the Company who saved Sylar after all . Bob seems pretty keen on using him as an example for mutants dangerous due to their abilities, which seems factually wrong to me, since I think Gabriel would have starting killing sooner or later, no matter if that was over powers or over a
  "painting with water colours" course, but it does make me speculate if he was one of their test objects.

• Peter and Caitlin Go To the Future: I found it a little annoying that Caitlin focussed exclusively on vengeance, instead of blaming Peter at least a little for Ricky's death, but as long as that means she is a Peter girlfriend who is not tossed aside and forgotten while he runs off to save the world/stalk blondes, I'm game. The warehouse was quite intriguing, as was the little love note from "Adam," who aside from being Peter's buddy also seems to get Bob's hackles up a bit. Intriguing.


• As was the 12 Monkeys-type ending - seriously, I was waiting for a grizzly bear to suddenly turn up and growl at our lovebirds - which once again proves that the world would probably be a lot safer, if there weren't any mutants around.

Next week: NBC wishes to inform us what is really important about this show - hint: they think it's not the characters - and Global starts one hour earlier.

Comments

[cadesama.livejournal.com]

Swordsmith: Whitebeard has guns! He will topple the Shogun Emperor!
Hiro: Oh no, that means the age of swords and samurai will end!
me: And that's bad how?

Well, you know Hiro... He likes living in a comic book, or a samurai legend. He's yet to quite grasp that the consequences and pitfalls to those universes are of a much higher magnitude than in a regular universe. Nor has he quite grasped the sheer unfairness of those very, very classist universes. Hmm, do you think the virus plot, with the distinct split between mutant and non-mutants, will bring that home to him?

Kensei's power seems to develop quite rapidly - either they fast-forwarded it for storytelling purposes, or he doesn't quite have regeneration after all, since the guard's blade didn't effectively seem to do much to him. Claire would have been incapacitated for at least quite a while.

Kensei's version does seem fairly different from Claire's. Leaving aside the question of immortality for her, he doesn't seem to feel pain at all. So even though the rule does seem to be that you have to remove the object for him to heal, just as with Claire, the lack of pain makes it so he can function around it.

Speaking of redemption: whatever became of The Big Nameless One's trouble with abusing his powers? Does he really feel he was forgiven because Mohinder was able to cure him?

That, and I think that bad company breeds bad habits. Especially since Noah is keeping the Haitian secret from his family because of those very habits. Not having to face up to the people he's harmed makes it very easy to slip back into harming others. (Or he figured they were both damned, and he's along for the ride with Noah.)

I'm left to wonder if it was the Company who saved Sylar after all .

Perhaps it was a rogue element in the Company, like Adam? Maybe I'll get my wish for a Peter-Sylar team up after all...

I found it a little annoying that Caitlin focussed exclusively on vengeance, instead of blaming Peter at least a little for Ricky's death, but as long as that means she is a Peter girlfriend who is not tossed aside and forgotten while he runs off to save the world/stalk blondes, I'm game.

Like many of Peter's girlfriends, I think she's been sucked in by what he needs her to be without realizing it. She's physically interested in him and intrigued by his powers. But because he so desperately wants her to control him, she can't just blame him and stalk off. Nope. She's got to decide that her interest is still shallow, she just wants to use him to find her brother's killer. Of course, it doesn't hurt that she was a criminal to begin with, and perhaps prone to wanting revenge anyway.

[wee-warrior.livejournal.com]

Well, you know Hiro... He likes living in a comic book, or a samurai legend. He's yet to quite grasp that the consequences and pitfalls to those universes are of a much higher magnitude than in a regular universe. Nor has he quite grasped the sheer unfairness of those very, very classist universes.

I think this is really a point where his naivety is grating for me. But people thinking that the past was some sort of fun theme park with extras providing local colour is a bad pet peeve of mine.

Hmm, do you think the virus plot, with the distinct split between mutant and non-mutants, will bring that home to him?

Do you think there will be a split because the mutants are the ones apparently spreading the disease, or because it mutates and they grow immune, so that they are basically the only ones left?

Leaving aside the question of immortality for her, he doesn't seem to feel pain at all.

I can't see that being positive on a psychological level at all.

Perhaps it was a rogue element in the Company, like Adam? Maybe I'll get my wish for a Peter-Sylar team up after all...

Hmm. I thought since Bob had the file and seemed rather preoccupied with it that Adam wasn't with the company at all right now - at least his note to Peter seems to point that way I'd think.

Of course, it doesn't hurt that she was a criminal to begin with, and perhaps prone to wanting revenge anyway.

True, I always forget that she is also a thief. They really made me drink the Kool-Aid with the Irish gang.

[cadesama.livejournal.com]

I think this is really a point where his naivety is grating for me. But people thinking that the past was some sort of fun theme park with extras providing local colour is a bad pet peeve of mine.

Hopefully that viewpoint will be stomped out of him. Not that he's going to be doing more historical vacationing anyway.

Do you think there will be a split because the mutants are the ones apparently spreading the disease, or because it mutates and they grow immune, so that they are basically the only ones left?

I was thinking there might be a split between mutants, since they have access to the vaccine through the Company, and the general populace. But with 93% of the populace dead, it does make me wonder exactly why those people lived. Are all mutants dead in that future? Did they get vaccinated so they make up most of that remaining 7% (although 7% is waaaay too large a number for a mutant population, so it can't be just them)? Or is it mostly even less evolved humans.

Hmm. I thought since Bob had the file and seemed rather preoccupied with it that Adam wasn't with the company at all right now - at least his note to Peter seems to point that way I'd think.

Well, I'm thinking in terms of what happened four months ago. We don't know whether Adam was still actually with the Company four months ago, or at least pretending to be with the. If he was with them, he could have recruited Candice for a side project and gotten her to pick up Sylar.

[wee-warrior.livejournal.com]

Not that he's going to be doing more historical vacationing anyway.

No, I guess that phase is luckily behind him.

I was thinking there might be a split between mutants, since they have access to the vaccine through the Company, and the general populace. But with 93% of the populace dead, it does make me wonder exactly why those people lived. Are all mutants dead in that future? Did they get vaccinated so they make up most of that remaining 7% (although 7% is waaaay too large a number for a mutant population, so it can't be just them)? Or is it mostly even less evolved humans.

Maybe it's arbitrary, so that both mutants and humans lived. Or everyone who has at least one of the genes lived - and given that Kensei, provided he is the first, really had an awful lot of time to spread his genes... I don't know if that would work, actually, it's been a while since I did genetics in school.

I think it also depends - if it is Shanti's virus, it has to have mutated, since Muggles didn't contract it before - so maybe it now doesn't attack Mutants any longer?

We don't know whether Adam was still actually with the Company four months ago, or at least pretending to be with the. If he was with them, he could have recruited Candice for a side project and gotten her to pick up Sylar.

Hmm, that would make sense. It would also explain why Sylar woke up in such a "rustic" environment.

[cadesama.livejournal.com]

Or everyone who has at least one of the genes lived - and given that Kensei, provided he is the first, really had an awful lot of time to spread his genes... I don't know if that would work, actually, it's been a while since I did genetics in school.

The idea that some people are carrying for the mutation and thus more resistant to the virus (if they are eventually somehow resistant) would make sense. I think we'll get some good time line markers for just when each events happened for the virus's progress next week, to give Peter some clearly delineated goals and so that we can start freaking out when the Company, or whomever, tries more experimental crap.

Speaking of Kensei's possible genetic line (sort of), what do you think of the theory that he's Elle father, and that Bob stole her from him? I think it over complicates her Daddy issues and Kensei himself, but it would be interesting to see how many character sets they can parallel at once.

[wee-warrior.livejournal.com]

Speaking of Kensei's possible genetic line (sort of), what do you think of the theory that he's Elle father, and that Bob stole her from him? I think it over complicates her Daddy issues and Kensei himself, but it would be interesting to see how many character sets they can parallel at once.

Hmm. It does seem a little overly melodramatic, but it would connect Kensei to another character, and it would give Elle the possibility to regard the Company as something questionable. Besides, it makes more sense to make him Elle's bio Dad rather than Arthur Petrelli. Not least it would not only give Elle another parallel to Claire, but also Kensei another parallel to Nathan.

This really is just a gigantic soap with superpowers, isn't it?

[cadesama.livejournal.com]

Yep, and it might also explain those "deeper relationship" comments. If Elle isn't actually related to Claire, it makes sense that she'd be the strongest parallel possible.

And as to the soap aspect... well, you know that Guiding Light (I think it's that one) is actually a canonical part of the Marvel universe, right? Comic books and soap operas are really the same thing, just produced for different audiences.

[funky-donut.livejournal.com]

Hi!!!

I kinda can't wait to find out who Adam Monroe is. Maybe that's the name Peter used while he was working for the Company? So he's leaving himself notes? But then again, the Company would have known who he really was, so it wouldn't make sense for Bob to have a file on his fake name.

That was totally Jessica, right? Slight edge of menace, confidence, nice hair -- not Niki. I'm not surprised that Mohinder didn't figure that out, since he didn't know her that well, but he did seem skeptical of her, so good on him.

Definitely missed Matt and Nathan this week, although I'm kind of confused about the timeline. Mohinder being back and testing Monica, Molly's condition worsening, etc., makes it seem like time has passed since Matt and Nathan had their dream duel. But when Mohinder called Noah, it looked like Noah and the Haitian were walking on the same road they were when Mohinder talked to him last week. And Matt and Nathan apparently aren't back from their trip to Philly, so...I'm probably overthinking this.

My only thoughts about the Ancient Japan storyline are that David Anders is a) hot, and b) a really good actor. He was awesome. I'm still really sick of this storyline, though. It needs to get tied back in with the main plot, imo, stat. And not just by poor Ando and the scroll-deciphering guy. Who, by the way, should be a little more suspicious and confused about how these scrolls came to be, and how this "hiro" person knows so much about the legends. Time travel confuses me. I mean, if Hiro diverged from history and changed the future, how is Ando still reading the scrolls and understanding how the future was supposed to be? Like, shouldn't he be living in a Japan that's radically different that had no stories about Kensei Takezo being a good guy? Or if Hiro created an alternate reality/universe that diverges from Ando's reality, then the scrolls shouldn't be there. Argh. I have a headache now. Apparently I *did* have more thoughts than just that "David Anders is Hot." But he is. Hot.

I was surprised that Bitchy Cheerleader didn't put up more of a fuss about what she really saw. Drunk or not, seeing someone flown up in the air and dropped to her death should have sobered her up a bit, and she shouldn't have been so quick to doubt her own memories. She was really horrible, though, with the weight stuff. I thought one line from West was pretty telling, when Claire was asking if he didn't have to listen to his parents. Something about "I can fly, why should I?" Or something like that. This kid definitely has a screwed up moral compass, and I really like your comparison to J.D. and Veronica.

I'm reserving judgment on Peter and Irish Girl go to the future until next week. The impact of that ending was ruined for me in that I was in the middle of getting my sleep study wires attached, so I couldn't see the screen without my glasses on. I rewatched online today, and it was pretty cool, so I definitely want to see how it plays out.

[wee-warrior.livejournal.com]

Hi!!!
Hiya! *glomps* How is the sleeping experiment going?

I kinda can't wait to find out who Adam Monroe is.

Uhhm, I know. But I'm keeping my mouth shut about this, as it is really cool.

That was totally Jessica, right? Slight edge of menace, confidence, nice hair

Heh, I hadn't noticed the hair, but you're right!

I'm kind of confused about the timeline.

I think time is as flexible on Heroes as geography was on Alias. I blame Hiro and Peter. (it simply doesn't work, they seem to have diverging timelines for every single storyline, and they are inconsistent within themselves, too.)
The only thing I can imagine is that Nathan and Matt were in the nightmares a lot longer than it seemed, and are now stuck in traffic with no mobile phone reception.

I'm still really sick of this storyline, though. It needs to get tied back in with the main plot, imo, stat.

I think it does next week, in a way. At least it's done with after next week.

And not just by poor Ando and the scroll-deciphering guy. Who, by the way, should be a little more suspicious and confused about how these scrolls came to be, and how this "hiro" person knows so much about the legends. Time travel confuses me.

That one does make sense to me. Remember that Hiro went into the past - whatever he did in Japan, it is part of the history of the timeline the restorator and Ando are living in now, so they wouldn't be astonished if their version of Kensei's stories has changed from the version Hiro grew up with (Hiro is out of the time stream as soon as he has travelled and changed something - this doesn't work quite smoothly, but let's use this scenario for now lest our brains explode) - they wouldn't notice, because for them, the stories have always been that way.

Besides, history is hardly fixed, especially if your main source is legends and myths - there are several different versions of Greek mythology, for instance, and not all are compatible, so the restorator would be intrigued by new sources on this Kensei character, especially if they contain new material. (Not to mention that he would likely not have let Ando near the scrolls again, but that's another matter)

I thought one line from West was pretty telling, when Claire was asking if he didn't have to listen to his parents. Something about "I can fly, why should I?" Or something like that. This kid definitely has a screwed up moral compass, and I really like your comparison to J.D. and Veronica.

I'm seriously waiting for the other shoe to drop. Claire is unfortunately somewhat easily intimidated by "cooler" people, but she's also bright and down-to-earth, she must notice that this boy isn't the greatest thing on earth.

(Hopefully sooner rather than later)

I'm reserving judgment on Peter and Irish Girl go to the future until next week. The impact of that ending was ruined for me in that I was in the middle of getting my sleep study wires attached, so I couldn't see the screen without my glasses on. I rewatched online today, and it was pretty cool, so I definitely want to see how it plays out.

I found it impressive. Although I was slightly distracted by the fact that Adrian and Milo seem to have the same eye colour. For people who aren't related, they look scarily like they were.

[funky-donut.livejournal.com]

How is the sleeping experiment going? Okay. The air pressure mask was very uncomfortable last night. But I have high hopes that fixing the apnea might fix a lot of my health problems, so we'll see.

Uhhm, I know. But I'm keeping my mouth shut about this, as it is really cool. Heh. I thought you weren't doing spoilers this season!

I think time is as flexible on Heroes as geography was on Alias. I blame Hiro and Peter. (it simply doesn't work, they seem to have diverging timelines for every single storyline, and they are inconsistent within themselves, too.) The only thing I can imagine is that Nathan and Matt were in the nightmares a lot longer than it seemed, and are now stuck in traffic with no mobile phone reception. Hah! I love your analogy to Alias geography! I can also buy that Matt and Nathan were in that nightmare for a long time.

Besides, history is hardly fixed, especially if your main source is legends and myths - there are several different versions of Greek mythology, for instance, and not all are compatible, so the restorator would be intrigued by new sources on this Kensei character, especially if they contain new material. Ooh, I really like this. It makes a lot more sense to me than, say, going back in history, stepping on a bug, and suddenly humans don't exist. What Hiro is doing IS changing things, but probably more subtly than we're expecting. And perhaps he was part of history all along!


I'm seriously waiting for the other shoe to drop. Me too!

I found it impressive. Although I was slightly distracted by the fact that Adrian and Milo seem to have the same eye colour. For people who aren't related, they look scarily like they were. Interesting. I hadn't noticed that. I am usually distracted by Adrian's nose, which I find slightly puggish. But that's probably mean of me. :)

[wee-warrior.livejournal.com]

Okay. The air pressure mask was very uncomfortable last night. But I have high hopes that fixing the apnea might fix a lot of my health problems, so we'll see.

I'll keep my fingers crossed that it works and is not too uncomfortable.

Heh. I thought you weren't doing spoilers this season!

*whistles*

Ooh, I really like this. It makes a lot more sense to me than, say, going back in history, stepping on a bug, and suddenly humans don't exist. What Hiro is doing IS changing things, but probably more subtly than we're expecting. And perhaps he was part of history all along!

I think it's two somewhat similar concepts - in both cases even the smallest thing can affect the future, but in the variety the show is using the flow of time is incredibly resilient - like a river that will keep returning to its bed. You need something very massive to happen to change its course, but you can't be too blunt, either, or you'll break time (at least if we can trust Hiro's expertise).

I am usually distracted by Adrian's nose, which I find slightly puggish. But that's probably mean of me. :)

He does have a pretty even profile, though. (and seriously, if even his nose were beautiful, it would be impossible to look at the screen. Sendhil is bad enough in that respect.)

[funky-donut.livejournal.com]

He does have a pretty even profile, though. (and seriously, if even his nose were beautiful, it would be impossible to look at the screen. Sendhil is bad enough in that respect.) Argh, I meant CAITLIN's nose. Stupid me. I don't find Adrian's nose puggish at all! And yes, I do think Adrian and Milo look a lot alike. For some reason I completely misread your comment.

I think it's two somewhat similar concepts - in both cases even the smallest thing can affect the future, but in the variety the show is using the flow of time is incredibly resilient - like a river that will keep returning to its bed. You need something very massive to happen to change its course, but you can't be too blunt, either, or you'll break time (at least if we can trust Hiro's expertise). Heh. For some reason, I don't trust Hiro's expertise at all!

[monanotlisa.livejournal.com]

Your "nice hair" had me in stitches -- and yes, my thought exactly. If not Jessica, then I'm thinking the Company *did* integrate the two of them, which would make for an interesting change (and hopefully some agency; dear God, this season is such a bummer in that regard).

w.w., loving your review!

is everyone's shiftiness radar off this season?

Srsly, yes. Alas.

Just nodding along happily, and oh yeah, a lot of redemption there -- temptation was actually the first key word that came to mind, I think, but I don't have the time or energy to get into Heroes meta at this point. *sigh*

[wee-warrior.livejournal.com]

loving your review!

*beams* Thank you!

Just nodding along happily, and oh yeah, a lot of redemption there -- temptation was actually the first key word that came to mind, I think,

I wish I knew more about these concepts to really see how it is used, but alas, my knowledge is purely pop cultural.

but I don't have the time or energy to get into Heroes meta at this point. *sigh*

Maybe after you're through with the exams.

I mostly do these to get some writing exercise, but it's fun to poke around in the episodes, looking for underlying things. And discussing them with you guys, of course.*g*

[funky-donut.livejournal.com]

Your "nice hair" had me in stitches -- and yes, my thought exactly. If not Jessica, then I'm thinking the Company *did* integrate the two of them, which would make for an interesting change (and hopefully some agency; dear God, this season is such a bummer in that regard).

Heh, thanks. Also, I'm mostly worried that the company eliminated Niki completely somehow. That would be awful for Micah -- first he lost D.L., now the only parent he's got left is Jessica? I mean, sure, she's protective of him in a fierce way, but in the first season, it seemed like she was only capable of being really motherly when she was pretending to be Niki.