Heroes

Network: NBC
Status: Returning Series
Timeslot: Monday 9 PM EST
Premiere: September 22nd
Website: www.nbc.com/Heroes

Coming out of the gate, NBC’s multi-character drama about people possessing superpowers was one of the best Science Fiction and Fantasy shows to hit the airwaves since Lost. And it shared structural similarities to that series with its ongoing story arcs and dense, multi-layered episodes. The first season of the series was near perfect as it introduced us to a large cast of super-humans along with the shadowy organization trying to control them. Unfortunately, it ended with a whimper as it hurriedly tried to wrap up most of its loose ends in its final hour-long episode. Season 2 then stumbled out of the gate, providing some uneven episodes early before finally recovering and finishing strong. Because of the writer’s strike, the second season was cut short and the episodes originally planned as the latter half of that campaign will now make up the first half of the third season.

Series creator Tim Kring has broken up Heroes into several volumes, each running a full or partial season, which sort of resemble comic book graphic novels. The first volume, presented in Season 1, was titled “Generations” and introduced us to the central characters of the series. After this one, he decided to split each season into two separate volumes after criticism of the long hiatus that came during the middle of the first season. Volume 2, titled “Generations”, ran through the second season’s eleven episodes and delved into the family ties of the characters we met in Season 1. Volume 3, titled “Villains” and originally intended as the back half of Season 2, will now comprise the first twelve episodes of the third season. Kring has said that this volume will focus on the series’ villains such as Sylar (Zachary Quinto), but will also look at how the powers of all the main characters will tempt them and how each individual possesses the ability to be a hero or a villain. Volume four has received the title “Fugitives” and will comprise the last thirteen episodes of the season (giving us the bonus of twenty five episodes this season). Little more information is available on this volume at the present time.

For the upcoming season, the early word is that Hayden Panettiere’s character, the indestructible cheerleader Claire, will play a major part of the story arc and that we will see her darker side. We will also see several future versions of the characters including the future Hiro who we have met in the past. Also, the immortal Adam Munroe (David Anders), thought to have perished at the end of Season 2, will return to the fold. We will also see more new characters introduced such as a nemesis for Hiro known as the “Speester” (played by Brea Grant) and the sonic-shouting postman from the "Going Postal" webisodes. Also, Kring has said that the shelved project Heroes: Origins may still make it to the air. This six part mini-series would have introduced six new heroes which fans could vote on to become series regulars. NBC originally planned to air it during last season’s Winter hiatus, but decided to axe it allegedly because of the writer’s strike (Season 2’s slumping ratings may have played a part in the decision as well).

Of all the series bowing this Fall, Heroes is highest on my list. I quickly became addicted to the series in its first season and fully believe that last season’s marginal episodes represented nothing more than a bit of a sophomore slump. Heroes has almost unlimited potential with its myriad of characters and range of story possibilities. It takes the superhero concept beyond the costumed characters of comic books and explores how people living in the real world would deal with such immense powers and responsibilities. It also explores the contrasts between heroes and villains and how we all have the ability to act in either capacity. The ratings slumped a bit last season, but NBC has remained committed to the show and plans a major campaign to launch its third season which will include a three hour premiere night (a one hour clips show followed by a two hour season premiere). Stay tuned, I believe Heroes has only scratched the surface of what it will deliver.

Update 9/9/08: Series creator Tim Kring and star Zachary Quinto have promised in an interview with the Sci Fi Wire site that many questions will be answered Season 3. Read the review.

Buy Seasons 1 and 2 of Heroes on DVD at the Axiom's Edge Webstore