Heroes: A Sylar of Relief

"This show isn't as exciting as it was at the beginning of last year." – Erica.

I often quote Erica in my blogs because she has a habit of succinctly summarizing what it takes me dozens and dozens of overwritten sentences (like this one right now) to say.

Now, don't worry, I'm not going to sprain my ankle jumping off the "Heroes" bandwagon, and I realize the show is still putting together a picture that right now is probably only (hmm, what's a random number?) 2/8 complete. Also, what is happening now is pretty similar to the criticism people had about "Lost" Season 3, where a lot of the main characters were scattered from each other and not that much was happening, but eventually "Lost" caught fire, and hopefully this show will do the same soon.

Here's the problem: when "Heroes" set the world on fire during its first year, a lot of people were saying that THIS was the new hot show that delivered action every week (a thinly veiled shot at "Lost" tendency to take its time and establish new mysteries). So now "Heroes" is behaving like "Lost". The only problem is that "Heroes" is nowhere near as competently put together ("Lost" is kinda the thinking man's "Heroes"), so when "Heroes" takes its time it comes off as more boring.

Of course it doesn't help when a good chunk of screen time is dedicated to people we don't care about.

Stop me if you've heard this one before — Maya and Alejandro are on the run, they get separated, Maya kills a bunch of people with her weird power, Alejandro brings them back to life. Zzzz. The only interesting part revelation is that Maya is seemingly/scarily willing to kill people for her own gain (Alejandro's freedom). Actually, it wasn't THAT interesting because I don't care about these people.

Also, if there isn't already some sort of online petition to get Hiro back in the 21st century, someone REALLY should start one. I mean, during the latest episode "Kindred", he helped Kensei find his bravery and embrace his gift, and he even got him and the Japanese princess (Erica's favorite new addition) together. Soooo, why is he still there? I get that Kensei wants him to stay, but how long can they drag this out.

Still, worst of all is Peter and the Irish gang. These scenes are just painful to watch sometimes. The leader of the gang, who persuaded Peter to help them in a boneheaded football/soccer heist, is annoying. What exactly was the purpose of them persuading Peter to participate in their little job, if all he was supposed to do was distract the inept security guard (though he eventually DID use his telepathy and force choke on the traitor)?

I mean, they're all annoying, even Peter's new love interest, who convinced him not to open the box that would presumably reveal his identity. Two things about her: 1)I think she's got a power or is connected to the Company 2) She's just not that pretty. Sorry, but she's not.

Thankfully, we got the return of a few familiar faces with Sylar, Nikki and Micah making their season debuts.

Nikki dropped Micah off with his grandmother in N'Orleans while she sought treatment from the Company because she, presumably, has the virus. Do we think they're going to ask her to go back to her assassin ways as payment for curing her.

Then there's my boy Sylar (pictured), who I was sorely missing from the first few episodes. Seems like perception-altering hero Candice is now Michelle (and a different actress since former "Candice" Missy Peregrym is now on the CW's "Reaper" — my favorite new show of the season) and Candice/Michelle dragged Sylar to safety after his injuries at Kirby Plaza.

Of course it wasn't long until Sylar killed Candice/Michelle (rather crudely without his abilities) and tried to strip her of her powers. The killing also apparently revealed Candice/Michelle's true (fatter) self. How did my brother react?

"Eww" – Joey. Well then.

Anyway, it turns out that Candice/Michelle may not be dead after all since Sylar wasn't able to acquire her ability and he's appears to be stranded on the same island as the cast of "Lost" (there's that show again).

Meanwhile, Claire's classmate, West, continued to annoy Claire (and me) as he continued to needle her about her hiding her power. Fortunately, we won't have to endure any of that anymore as he revealed what he could do and swept Claire off her feet while doing his best "Superman" impression. It's cool that Claire has a boyfriend now and everything, but I never really got that she actually liked this guy. It was more like he was the only one who would talk to her and he was more irritating than anything. Anyway, I'll buy it for now.

The only problem is that Claire's perfect little scene was broken up by the revelation that her dad apparently once tried to kidnap West before wiping his memory. That'll make for an awkward dinner if West ever comes over — well more awkward than usual for that family. Instead, we got a tense goodnight between Claire and her father during a good scene in the end.

Oh yeah, also Mr. Bennett is apparently a dead man, according to the last in a series of paintings by Isaac with started by predicting Kaito Nakamura's death. I mean, hopefully something, ANYTHING will stop Mr. Bennett from taking a bullet in the eye since Jack Coleman is CLEARLY the best actor on the show.

So what did YOU think of this episode? Was the car Maya and Alejandro escaped in thanks to their fellow American convict the same as Claire's stolen ride? Why did Peter's tattoo change into the Kensei symbol then disappear completely? Do you think D.L.'s mom is part of that older generation of heroes that's getting killed off? Finally, could Mohinder and Parkman be any gayer in their little (unintentionally funny) scenes?