"Only you can prevent me from going back to my heathen ways - you're like a conscience!"

[adeline]

Heroes, 2x03: Kindred

This was typically the kind of TV episode that set me so strongly against getting in too deep with an OTP and/or OTC. Of course, by the time I realize it, it's oftentimes too late. I've read here and there from a couple of different people that they thought this was the best episode yet this season, and I'm like, "wait, what?" So beware, I'm afraid I might be slightly biased.

I'll just divide this up between what I liked and didn't like, trying to even out both lists. Oh, and the wtf-element, can't forget that!

+++ (i.e. on the plus side)

Sylar is back. AND HAS THE VIRUS OMG. Or so it seems. Yay! And Sylar's characterization? Awesome. I'm glad the new writer seems to be getting him right. Also, HAIR OF WIN omg. And Zach's voice = more guh!

Matt and Mohinder just make me happy. Hee, Matt was so the worried wife. It's all beauteous. Did Matt sleep in Mohinder's bed? I THINK SO. *glee*

"Or something more familiar, if that's what you're into." LOLOL, busted! Selflove ftw.

Peter trying to summon his powers, hee! The shirtlessness was also nice, though a bit mindboggling - but don't go thinking that's a complaint or anything.

Candice, despite being recast, was written consistently from last season. Very in-character dialogue, I liked that. And then she died, lolz. That scene was ftw!

Ando playing video games at work = lolz! I love Ando. "Sumimasen. *sigh* " And he misses Hiro so much, aw! <\3

Kensei's reaction to discovering his power was excellent, and I love how casual Hiro was about it. "No, look!" and he removes the arrow. LOL! Also: Kensei's reaction to Hiro leaving. D'awww! "What if I can't do it without you?" How adorable is David Anders, anyway? Overall, I think this was my favorite storyline this week.

Alejandro's determination to take care of his sister is definitely touching. I like that they don't speak any English, too. Maya having some modicum of control over her power, and when to use it, was an interesting reveal.

Isaac's loft, yay! And Mohinder's ongoing cluelessness = ♥ Also, Isaac's art? Still rocks like a rocking thing.

Teehee, "Paris, London, Japan." Hehe, callbacks to the HWT? I think so, and it made me squee.

Um, I have no thoughts about Niki having the virus. I don't know if that's a good or bad thing. Ooh! Maybe DL died from it! That would be good! *moves line from '???' list to '+++' list*

--- (i.e. on the minus side)

NO NATHAN! ;__________;

Not enough Matt.

Daniel Lawrence Hawkins - 1976 - 2007. He better not be dead too soon after being shot by Linderman, because I will go POSTAL over sloppy continuity. Also, that was a lame way to write out the character. D:

It became especially apparent this week how the show clearly overestimates its mainstream audience. If you were never a Trekkie before, as is my case, the scene where Niki brings Micah to his relatives' house? Was just an old lady opening the door. Diegetically pointless.

Claire and West. Where do I begin? *sigh*
    'kay, technicalities first: West was blatantly referring to Claire picking up her discarded toe and re-attaching it, rather than growing a new one. This is because that was the original script for Lizards. I already had a beef with the fact that they changed it over logistics issues: that it didn't seem big enough of a PLOT POINT to keep intact kind of shocks me. If they go ignoring the very recent canon entirely... I don't even know. It bugged me like hell.
    Secondly, the reveal about HRG bagging and tagging West before was sooo phoned in. Color me underwhelmed.
    Did I mention the cheese? Because, oh, my lord, the cheese. Seriously. THE MUSIC. I thought I was watching One Tree Hill for a minute there. Not a good thing.

PETER NOT OPENING THE BOX. D: D: D: I can't properly express how much that made me cringe. I saw it coming, but then I figured they wouldn't go with the cliché, alas... My hopes were dashed. Lame! I don't even mind the hookup - which kind of came out of left field, too, unless Caitlin has a hidden agenda of some sort. But not wanting to find out who he is, that just... ugh, frustrates me. Damn you, Haitian of soul-killing mind-wipery! D:

Speaking of whom, where were you this week?

As much as I loved Sylar in this episode, he seriously needs to stop TALKING TO HIMSELF. Or dead people. (Same difference.) I was laughing, for real, and not with him, if you catch my drift. Please.

I hope to gods HRG isn't one of the freakin' older generation heroes. Enough retcon; this would totally ruin the character for me. Not to mention, Company Man would become void of all meaning. It would also inherently make his natural levels of ass-kickery a lot less impressive. I'd totally change my vote to Bauer. DO NOT WANT. He don't need no special powers, I say!

??? (i.e. on the wtf side)

Why is Candice even trying to entice Sylar with sex when he's supposedly at risk of tearing stitches with the slightest movements? I can't blame her, because, heh, who wouldn't - but it's not the most sensible thing.

The blue-screen scenes in this episode were TERRIBLE. I couldn't believe it. Maui, Ronin temple... Crappy visuals all around.

I was trying to rationalize how Claire wouldn't even MENTION to West she knew other people who could fly (see: my bias) and coming up short of any valid explanation. She could easily say her biological father and uncle could do it without having to give names, so, yeah. What the hell.

The currency in Ireland isn't called the dollar, Pete. :p

I didn't mind West too much when he was telling Claire to STFU with her I'm-a-freak-zomg leitmotiv. And then that scene turned into the most cheese-o-tastic thing ever, bar none.

lol, Derek drives a Nissan Rogue. Oops, did I just pull a SPN-fandom-like name-spoilery trick?

I guess the infamous 8 missing Mendez art pieces (Mendezes?) did not all represent older generation heroes then. LEST THE REVEAL OF DOOM.

In conclusion: I wouldn't say it was outright bad from beginning to end, but that was most definitely not among my favorite episodes. The best parts (Feudal Japan, Mohinder, Sylar) don't quite manage to redeem the lackluster (Niki and Micah, Alejandro y Maya), disappointing (Peter), and cringe-worthy (Claire) parts. Well! There's always next week. Here's hoping.

And I haven't watched the preview for next week's episode, so please don't spoil. Done. Going to watch Chuck now.

Comments

[never-evil.livejournal.com]

Matt and Mohinder just make me happy. Hee, Matt was so the worried wife. It's all beauteous. Did Matt sleep in Mohinder's bed? I THINK SO. *glee*
Hee these two make me smile :)

My most favourite scenes this episode were of David Anders. He was so awesome as Kensei ♥

Heh I absolutely adore TPTB for remembering that Mohinder has always had this sort of...naiveté about him. The bit about "lucky timing" was so cute.

the scene where Niki brings Micah to his relatives' house? Was just an old lady opening the door. Diegetically pointless.
LOL that was exactly what it was for me? Why is there something special about the door (or lady?)??

It became especially apparent this week how the show clearly overestimates its mainstream audience.
I think sometimes the directors/writers do stuff just cause they are fanboys and think it would be so cool...not bad per se - glad they are having fun XD

Errr West is an idiot. The science classes are annoying me. And that was a random/stupid question to ask. TPTB just wanted Claire & West to have a major fight so they can fly, kiss and make up but this was a lame way to go about it :/

It totally did not occur to me that having a painting of HRG means he has a power??? Likely because I was just too outraged by that painting to think any further. Remind me why we think HRG has powers now? Did they explicitly state that the paintings were of the Heroes or did they just mention it was of people who worked for the company? And BTW why the heck did Isaac not tell HRG that he had painted him dead when they were friends associates?

What I wanna know is why Claire did not think -OMG does Nathan have ANOTHER love child D:- LOLZ

When he was like "shut up Claire" I kind of melted against my wishes and then they started going all - A whole new worrrrrrrrrlllllldddddddd - on me and it got weird (read:LAME).

I can't find next week's promo ANYWHERE. Maybe this is a sign.

THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE NATHAN BEFORE I DIE OF WITHDRAWL.

[totallybalanced.livejournal.com]

Few people on my flist have been a bit 'meh' about this ep. In all honesty I'm just looking forward to seeing Sylar again *wishes my work day was over already*

[canadian-turtle.livejournal.com]

HAIR OF WIN omg. And Zach's voice = more guh!
Hell yeah. ON first watch I just stared blankly at my screen, second watch I stared blankly at his hair, thirs watch I stared blankly at his arm muscles, fourth watch I swooned over his voice xD

Did Matt sleep in Mohinder's bed? I THINK SO. *glee*
OMG! My mind! It went straight into that gutter again.

Isaac's loft, yay!
I am surprised you didn't mention this to be a BSW set :P

Teehee, "Paris, London, Japan." Hehe, callbacks to the HWT? I think so, and it made me squee.
I thought so too!!!

Daniel Lawrence Hawkins - 1976 - 2007.
No way Matt coul've survived all those bullets to the chest and D.L. would've died from one. So this was a subtly way to tell alert viewers something happened later on that killed D.L. ;) We'll find out.

PETER NOT OPENING THE BOX. D: D: D:
So annoyed with this. Someone started to compare Peter to Jack Sheppard and I agree. Which is not a good thing.

As much as I loved Sylar in this episode, he seriously needs to stop TALKING TO HIMSELF. Or dead people. (Same difference.)
I liek it, it is yet another thing to show how disturbed his mind works.

Have fun with Chuck \o/

[aelora.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad I'm not the only one less than thrilled with this episode. I'm surprised at those who loved it so much - I mean, I get it. Sylar tends to blind us to most things. But if you actually sit down and go through the ep piece by piece... it's filled with a lot of crap!

I swear, this is turning into Season Two Lost!

[12-12-12.livejournal.com]

PETER NOT OPENING THE BOX. D: D: D: I can't properly express how much that made me cringe. I saw it coming, but then I figured they wouldn't go with the cliché, alas... My hopes were dashed. Lame! I don't even mind the hookup - which kind of came out of left field, too, unless Caitlin has a hidden agenda of some sort. But not wanting to find out who he is, that just... ugh, frustrates me. Damn you, Haitian of soul-killing mind-wipery! D:

Don't get me wrong, I wanted him to open the box, too. Not least because I'm so damn curious to know what's inside it. But...I can understand why he didn't. I mean, if I woke up with amnesia, found out that I was some sort of mutant freak who could shoot lightning out of my hands, use TK, could heal from any wound, and had just unleashed my inner Vader and almost killed someone, I'd be pretty scared about finding out who I was, too. I've done the same thing with e-mails and letters that I was afraid contained bad news--just let them sit there without opening them. Heh.

Teehee, "Paris, London, Japan." Hehe, callbacks to the HWT? I think so, and it made me squee.

Oh, I didn't even get that! Watching Sylar freak out over not being able to use his powers was pretty damn cool.

[marcal-92.livejournal.com]

If you were never a Trekkie before, as is my case, the scene where Niki brings Micah to his relatives' house? Was just an old lady opening the door.

Not a Trekkie, but kind of good with the familiar face of Star Trek. (Nimoy, Shatner, Takei, Nichols...) But my brain completely farted when she came on screen lol I was like 'Why do I know her?' Then completely randomly this morning, I was like 'That was Nichelle Nichols, silly':)

Greens

[nobodysomeday.livejournal.com]

It was just so cheesy. So much of it. And I don't quite get Alejandro and Maya. And...well...I don't really like Sylar. *ducks*

[chrryblssmninja.livejournal.com]

Sylar is back. AND HAS THE VIRUS OMG. Or so it seems.
yeah...no one else on my flist had thought of that, and then I was just thinking about it today...

ooh, he's going to need Mohinder's blood as the cure

Selflove ftw
ha

Candice, despite being recast, was written consistently from last season. Very in-character dialogue, I liked that. And then she died, lolz. That scene was ftw!
indeed. Props to the actress, too, for keeping the character consistent as well.

Secondly, the reveal about HRG bagging and tagging West before was sooo phoned in
yeah. And that was the best thing about the Claire/West scenes. agggh Claire stop attracting creepy stalkers

As much as I loved Sylar in this episode, he seriously needs to stop TALKING TO HIMSELF.
yes.

I don't think HRG is killed because he's an Elder...I think, since one of them is probably doing it, he takes that dude/dudette's place. And if it's Claude, then Claude would go last for the guy that tried to kill him. The drama.

I think Candice was going to do a tempt-trick thing, but Sylar beat her to it. Ha! Interesting how they had two normal kisses after Sylar's almost-kiss...kill! thing.

The blue-screen scenes in this episode were TERRIBLE.
SO TRUE.

how Claire wouldn't even MENTION to West she knew other people who could fly
yeah

The currency in Ireland isn't called the dollar, Pete.
hee

A lot of interesting events were going on in this ep, which is why I'm surprised that I'm so underwhelmed overall. You pointed out a lot of the things wrong...I noticed that it was done by a writer and director I don't think I've seen in the credits before. I'm a Maya y Alejandro supporter but I still think their scenes were among the many here that could have been rewritten or simply tightened up or shot better.

BUT YAY SYLAR BACK...ON LOST ISLAND! HAHA! SYLAR V. SMOKE MONSTER!

[nitro26.livejournal.com]

Meh. I've seen better of Heroes. You're right, it wasn't outright bad, but it could've been better with a few tweaks here and there.

Candice, despite being recast, was written consistently from last season. Very in-character dialogue, I liked that. And then she died, lolz. That scene was ftw!

Oh, what a tragedy. Never liked her anyway.

Isaac's loft, yay! And Mohinder's ongoing cluelessness = ♥ Also, Isaac's art? Still rocks like a rocking thing.

Mohinder is awesome, clueless or not. =) I like how, even though Isaac is dead, they still, in a way, kept his character alive with those paintings.

Claire and West. Where do I begin? *sigh*

West was horribly mean in the beginning of the episode, especially in class. Whatever, I love him anyway. =P I actually was okay with everything until the flying part. CORNINESS. And, like you also said, the blue-screen was awful.

PETER NOT OPENING THE BOX. D: D: D:

He should've opened it! Darn, I want him to go back to his family. I hope his powers go out of control and he kills Caitlyn with them. XD

I hope to gods HRG isn't one of the freakin' older generation heroes.

I hope so, too. He's cooler without powers.

I was trying to rationalize how Claire wouldn't even MENTION to West she knew other people who could fly (see: my bias) and coming up short of any valid explanation. She could easily say her biological father and uncle could do it without having to give names, so, yeah. What the hell.

Yeah, that definitely occurred to me, too. Maybe she doesn't want to talk about Nathan and Peter...or maybe she'll mention it in the next episode. *hopes*


OMG. The ending of the episode was SO unexpected. HRG can't DIE! He's probably the coolest character on the show! Who do you think that guy is with Claire in the background? I thought it was Nathan at first, either comforting her or trying to pull her away. But on got-heroes.com, most people are saying it's West that's kissing her. But why the hell would she be kissing someone if her Dad just died? I hope it's Nathan, I miss the Claire and Nathan interactions...

[cybeleadam.livejournal.com]

Comme tu vois, je regarde encore sans attendre la recap. J'ai simplement décidé d'utiliser des écouteurs de walkman pour pouvoir mettre le son plus fort sans qu'on entende à travers la porte (à 2h du matin, ce serait pas génial) et, tout de suite, y a moins de trucs qui m'échappent ! ^^)

Did Matt sleep in Mohinder's bed? I THINK SO. *glee*
Très possible... Et maintenant qu'ils sont là tous les deux, ils font quoi ? lol (Bon, d'accord, il doit y avoir un canapé.)

1976, ça me perturbe (comme pour Jessica, d'ailleurs). Parce que c'est mon année de naissance. Et je ne peux pas arriver à me mettre dans la tête que des gens de mon âge ont des enfants.

But not wanting to find out who he is, that just... ugh, frustrates me.
Tout à fait. C'est agaçant.

I was trying to rationalize how Claire wouldn't even MENTION to West she knew other people who could fly (see: my bias) and coming up short of any valid explanation.
Ça aussi - agaçant. A part que ce serait vexant de dire "Oh, ça ne m'impressionne pas: mon père et mon oncle peuvent voler, eux aussi !", je ne vois pas non plus ce qui l'empêche d'en parler.

If you were never a Trekkie before, as is my case, the scene where Niki brings Micah to his relatives' house? Was just an old lady opening the door.
Pareil pour les gens qui ne connaissent la série d'origine qu'en version livres. (Bon, d'accord, ça c'est que moi. lol) La seule que je connaisse aussi en version télé, c'est la "next generation".