Heroes: Girl-on-Girl Action

Let’s jump right in and talk about “the kiss.”

Upon first hearing — and seeing, thanks to the NBC promo department widely circulating a photo of the kiss in the days leading up to this episode — that Hayden Panettiere would be locking lips with a female co-star, you probably thought it was a hopelessly desperate attempt by a once-popular, now-struggling show to get some attention. (I know I did.)

After watching the episode in question — titled “Hysterical Blindness” — I actually think it incorporated the kiss (which WAS an attention-getting stunt no matter how you slice it) in a clever way.

Claire and her fangirl/roommate Gretchen were being recruited by a sorority led by perky go-getter named Rebecca. Claire had been enjoying her newfound normalcy (and chocolate milk) so she was open to the idea of doing “normal girl” things.

I liked the speed-dating introductory sequence in which Claire realized how boring her life is (no boyfriend, dad sells paper, mom trains a show dog) sans her superheroic exploits. (Just like her dad last week.) Unfortunately, weird happenings follow Claire no matter where she goes. First, she found out that Gretchen had been doing extensive research on her online. Then, she was almost impaled during a sorority get-together with Gretchen being the only culprit in sight.

During the season premiere, I guessed that Gretchen had an ulterior motive for buddying up to Claire. Back then, I thought she might have a power and that she was probably involved in Annie’s murder. By last night, things were stacked so much in Gretchen’s favor that you KNEW she couldn’t possibly be the perpetrator. Instead, it turns out that Gretchen is simply “crushing” on Claire. (Is the show afraid to come right out and say she’s a lesbian? Would this make it easier to make the kiss a one-time thing?)

In the episode’s best twist, we learned Rebecca is part of the Sullivan Bros. carnival and has been using her invisibility to try and isolate Claire. Once we learned she was invisible, I think we could’ve all figured out that she was the one who almost impaled Claire, caused the book to fall on Gretchen’s laptop and pushed Annie to her death. Then again, “Heroes” isn’t the most subtle show, so we had to sit through a reenactment of all these scenes.

Speaking of the Sullivan Bros. carnival, there was a bit of movement on that storyline (for a change). Samuel announced that he had found a replacement for his brother Joseph. The only problem was that he had no idea who that was. I don’t mind a slow-building storyline, but we’re going to need answers on this carnie thing pretty soon. I’m feeling a flashback episode on the horizon featuring Joseph and the rest of the Sullivan crew’s exploits. I’m getting a little impatient with all of Samuel’s vague pronouncements.

Still, I think there’s plenty of hope. I liked how the carnival sequences were partly out of focus, giving off a cool feeling of disorientation. Then again, maybe the carnival itself has a life of its own. We learned it seemingly has the ability to raise stakes and move at will as it did to pick up its newest member — Sylar.

I’m going to skim a little on this storyline because I’m in a good mood and I don’t want to get into Griping Mode.

But honestly — Sylar has amnesia now? What’s the point? We all know where this is heading. Zachary Quinto is going to act meek for a couple of weeks, Sylar will feel accepted by the Sullivan Bros. crew at first before he remembers who he is and turns on them. The show seems to now be blatantly marking time until the power-hungry serial killer return.

This storyline also introduced “Ghostbuster” Ernie Hudson as a dick of a cop (a truly thankless role) and the sympathetic Dr. Gibson, who I have a feeling we haven’t seen the last of. (And who may have a power — I’m especially thinking of Sylar asking her how she KNEW to believe him.)

Let’s get back to the positives. I’m really enjoying Deanna Bray as Emma, who is able to see sounds as colors. Super-speedy Peter saved her life and accidentally absorbed her power. (Quick tangent: if Peter has no control over which powers he absorbs, how come he didn’t absorb Samuel’s power when they shook hands a few episodes ago? Consistency, writers!)

Peter and Emma ended up bonding over their now-similar power. I actually liked the idea of a character having an ability that wasn’t necessarily superheroic and was really just lovely. This being an action/drama, that sort of went out the window when Emma was playing her cello at home and accidentally channeled the pretty rays of light into a powerful blast that cracked her ceiling. Oh well, that was a lovely harmless little power while it lasted.

So what’d you think of this episode? Which actor is being wasted more Ernie Hudson or Oscar winner Louise Fletcher as Emma’s mom? What do you think Hiro wants from Peter? Finally, which two same-sex characters would you like to see kiss next time the show needs a ratings boost?