TV Review: Heroes – Cold Wars

Posted by Adam Sweeney (adam@filmschoolrejects.com) on February 24, 2009

Heroes, NBC, Airs Mondays 9/8c

Episode: “Cold Wars” (Season 3, Episode 17)

Synopsis: While being held hostage, HRG is subjected to Matt Parkman’s unique brand of interrogation, revealing how he became involved with Nathan’s government plot to capture those with abilities. Meanwhile, Matt’s discoveries bring Peter face-to-face with “The Hunter”.

Review: We have a shocking announcement to make. It will likely shake you to the depths of your very being. Ready for it? There will be another apocalyptic showdown on Heroes! Go ahead and yawn. We will wait.

What once was a show chock full of potential is now an excuse to pat itself on the back. Why else would you spend an entire episode devoted to the interrogation of H.R.G. (Jack Coleman)? Much like Mohinder (Sendhil Ramamurthy), Matt (Greg Grunberg) and Peter (Milo Ventimiglia) clearly never had a plan as what to do with their prisoner once they had him, the show seemed to fumble with where to go now that they had a chance at their own remix of a Reservoir Dogs scene.

It seems like Heroes has become that junior college guy or girl that was absolutely gorgeous in your hometown. For a year or so, we were all blown away by her. Why? Well there wasn’t anything like her that we knew of. Maybe with all the praise we threw at the show in the first season, or freshman year, it got a bit proud of itself. It stopped going to the gym and started eating one more Hot Pocket than usual. The resulting freshman fifteen has stuck with Heroes for a bit too long now, and we are starting to look at other eye candy.

Wait. Maybe the episode was an attempt to display the blur in morality that occurs when two sides are fighting for what they believe to be just causes. Maybe, just maybe, Peter’s 10 second reluctance to cater to Matt’s vengeful interrogation of H.R.G. was a nod to the trigger happy reflex of America after the attacks of 9/11. Maybe we have been looking at this whole season the wrong way. Inside of the superhero package is an insightful examination into the politics of war, terrorism and the futile struggle to maintain balance in an unstable world. Or maybe we are grasping at straws in the worst way. Yes … yes, we are.

There were two revelations revealed in the episode; neither of which was surprising. Daphne (Brea Grant) isn’t dead after all, which we called as soon as she took a round straight to her chest. Nobody dies in Heroes-ville! (Cut to scene of me jumping in the air a la Rocky.) We’re thrilled that she’s back, don’t get us wrong. We just want the writers to give her something worthwhile to do. Her character is too interesting to be wasted standing by Matt’s side. The bonus will be that maybe it will actually give the writers something to do. Here’s a suggestion. Take the two part, add in character development and make the two work at getting to know each other. Their love will seem more true and we will eventually love them for it. Maybe we will even love the show more. Who knows?

The “stunning” cliffhanger that was revealed was the aforementioned threat to the world’s existence. When we saw this, the first thing we though was, “if you’re not going to try then why should we?” It’s become a messy relationship that has us on the verge of stress eating. But we won’t grow fat and bloated just because you choose to. You hear us, Heroes? We nerds are going healthy this year. That means no more fatty monologues, no going back on character timelines and no … oh no. Does this mean we have to cut the show from our diet?

Before it seems like we’re ready to throw the show to the wolves, allow us a moment to digress. Cold Wars at least spared us the pain of seeing Hiro (Masi Oka) and Sylar (Zachary Quinto) continuing their pointless quests. For this, we are eternally grateful, if not spared from hitting the fast forward button on our remote.

The show has the talent both in writing, direction and action to be great again. We just need some Elvis time. You know, a little less conversation and a little more action. When Peter and The Hunter (Zeljko Ivanek) face off, for the love of God make them face off in the most explosive of ways! If John Travolta and Nicolas Cage can do it, so can you! Unfortunately, it seems like the show itself is running out of time quicker than the plot within it. If that doesn’t give the minds behind Heroes a sense of urgency, what will?

Up Next Week: After receiving a tip from Rebel, Matt and Peter race to Building 26 to rescue Daphne and recover files that will expose the government’s plans for those with abilities. Claire (Hayden Panettiere) finds help from an unlikely source in smuggling Alex (guest star Justin Baldoni) out of the city. As Sylar (Zachary Quinto) and Luke (guest star Dan Byrd) continue their road trip, Sylar begins to have memories of his father that lead him to the truth about his mother. Meanwhile, The Hunter puts his own agenda into action with an explosive surprise for one of our heroes.

Read More: Heroes Recaps

Did you watch the Cold Wars episode? What did you think?

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