TV Review: Heroes – Exposed

Posted by Adam Sweeney (adam@filmschoolrejects.com) on March 3, 2009

Heroes, NBC, Airs Mondays 9/8 c

Episode: “Exposed” (Season 3, Episode 18)

Synopsis: After receiving a tip from Rebel, Matt (Greg Grunberg) and Peter (Milo Ventimiglia) race to Building 26 to rescue Daphne (Brea Grant) 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 (Zeljko Ivanek) puts his own agenda into action with an explosive surprise for one of our heroes.

Review: Heroes fans were exposed last night to the laziest example of writing the show has had to offer this season, so I guess technically I should say the show has been exposed for what it is, a cool storyline on the surface with underwhelming writing and lackluster acting overall.

A show that clearly has potential and fans that are willing to hold on through the choppy waters continues to cut corners. Why are we left to ask ourselves questions that the writers should ask when outlining their script, like if Claire can’t die, why is she worried about drowning? Why are agents doing the trite hide in the van routine when they are welcome to walk in and check out what’s on Tivo? If Sylar dislikes his child companion so much, why doesn’t he turn him into a Pez dispenser? Isn’t that kind of Sylar’s thing?

We’re a bit confused why Nathan (Adrian Pasdar) is having a case of the jitters now that The Hunter is starting to exercise some authority. What part of we are detaining all humans with super powers in an unethical manner doesn’t he understand? It really kills our connection to or against Nathan when we see him try to bend the rules as he sees fit, but then again isn’t that what politicians do?

Sylar still is hunting his dad. He realizes that he killed his mom. Meh.

Seeing Sandra Bennet (Ashley Crow) fleshed out a bit more was the best reason to see the episode. It’s amazing to think that we have gone three seasons and knew relatively nothing about her. Giving characters dimension and a backstory is exactly how this show could win our favor, instead it seems to be the equivalent of hoping for cherry bombs and getting a dud instead. We’re waiting for the boom.

We’re not feeling the Claire and Alex relationship. Sorry, it’s just not working and the Aquaman takes a bite out of the kissing scene from Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man had us fighting the urge to grab the remote. Sorry, we know we sound bitter, but this is where we are at this point with Heroes. From the sounds of it, so are many of you.

We did get to see Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me and Cutting Edge star Moira Kelly again, however, and that is ALWAYS amazing. Any chance you get to reference a movie that D.B. Sweeney starred in (who at least three people in my life have asked me if I am related to), you know you’re living the dream. Yeah, we’re actually more excited about Moira Kelly than a show full of “superheroes” at this point. Sigh. (Moira, we love you. We just expected more from the show. Let’s do lunch.)

When the show stops cutting corners and passing up opportunities to breathe life into characters we should be in love with, we will be the first in line to champion the show. We were there on the front line when it was gaining steam. Now it is just blowing in the wind … and not like a plastic bag in a beautiful American Beauty kind of way.

Up Next Week: When Sylar comes face-to-face with his long lost father (guest star John Glover), the reunion proves to be what he least expected. Elsewhere, after receiving a tip from “Rebel,” Claire must decide if she will help her sworn enemy, Eric Doyle (guest star David Lawrence XVII), evade capture. Meanwhile, as “The Hunter” plans to uncover the Petrelli family’s secrets and take control of Nathan’s operation, Matt finds himself in the spotlight and on the verge of leveling Capitol Hill. Jack Coleman, Ali Larter, James Kyson Lee, Masi Oka and Cristine Rose also star. Randall Bentley and Ashley Crow also guest star.

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leonkennedy

the reason claire was worried under the pool, wasnt because of drowing, but possibly because the agents might have seen air bubbles arise from underneath, that and she was losing air a natural thing that when she dies, her body would float!?

only makes sense, simple solution, get air from a boy who can breathe forever.

JMoney

yeah the breathing thing is the least of this show's problems. how about the fact that Peter and Parkman have different powers than they did for the first three story arcs and yet there is no explanation at all

ERoBB

Parkman's power evolved. Remember when he met his father? Its still the same, he just knows how to use it now. Peter on the other hand, is my favorite character, but a writing mess. Him and Hiro went from being the coolest characters, now to nothing but weakened whiners.

JMoney

ahhh, i was talking about painting the future

ERoBB

Ahh, well I guess thats true. He just kinda had a vision of the African guy, Usutu (?) and boom he had it. Doesnt really make much sense.

Dawn

The breathing thing reminded me about earlier this season, when Claire's mom (Fire chick) was "training" her in the empty metal box thing. She told Claire that just because she caan't die, or feel pain, doesn't mean her body doesn't panic at the sensation of dying. She felt like she was suffocating in that episode, and drowning in this one. She can't feel pain, but she can feel shock and panic. That's what I figured.

ERoBB

Whats going on with Claire's hair? Its like hay or straw now.

conor

You just hate every heroes episode before it even airs, quote:

"like if Claire can’t die, why is she worried about drowning? Why are agents doing the trite hide in the van routine when they are welcome to walk in and check out what’s on Tivo? If Sylar dislikes his child companion so much, why doesn’t he turn him into a Pez dispenser? Isn’t that kind of Sylar’s thing?"

I dont know maybe because drowning would be pretty horrible, she was fcuked when her step mom locked her in and turned up the heat so she might not like drowning, and ok get sylar to kill the kid, whats the point in keeping the luke in the show you know he has only been here a few episodes but screw him we want him dead, the reviewer really points out nothing but negatives which he chooses to see in a totally kick ass show, sylar is showing he can control his ability and luke is a good sidekick, anyway heroes is a kick ass show if you take it for what it is! ps the reviewer is bent!

Shane

Uh, how about the fact that Aquadouche would be breathing out carbon dioxide and not oxygen at all?

Cookie_Garris

I've watched the show from the start and parts of last nights episode were breathtaking: BREATHTAKINGLY COMICAL!!! I can't believe no one's commented about when Claire told her mom that she and Alex were having sex to try and hide why he was there. I've tried to keep the faith in Heroes but that had to be the worst acting and written scene out of every episode of each season to this point. THERE IS NOTHING ANYONE CAN SAY TO DEFEND THAT SCENE! I won't bash the show to much cause it has it's good moments to. It just needs to be more consistent in it's acting, writing, and plot direction. But to many more scenes like that tho and it will start feeling like I am watching good porn.

TV Review: Heroes – Exposed

Heroes, NBC, Airs Mondays 9/8 c

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