Seriously.
As many of you know, I’ve been kind of ambivalent about Heroes this season. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still among my top 10 favorite shows — and even top, oh, six or so — but this season started out rather sluggishly. Tim Kring & Co. do what a lot of writers do, in that they tried to incorporate too many characters and ended up not doing much with any of them. As a result, the story-telling was often uneven and, in the case of Nikki and Paolo Maya and Alejandro, really, really boring. (And hey, Nikki and Paolo ultimately factored into LOST in a really cool way, so I’d say they’re less ridonkulous than the Exxon Valdez Wonder Twins.)
From her first appearance, however, Kristen Bell has stolen the show. I was curious as to how she’d play a villain, and in true KB fashion, she painted what could’ve been a one-dimensional, albeit fun, villain with varying shades of grey and made us feel for her, conniving sociopath or not. What a tragedy she’s lived through, tortured at the hands of her “father.” And wow, KB played that realization to a tee this evening when Noah revealed the truth to Elle. I teared up.
I loved her throw-down with Sylar (and I finally think the dude is hot, so Cori and Erin can quit nagging me), and even at the end, when Mohinder tells her she’s saved their lives, she could’ve been arrogant or genuinely pleased, and KB chose to interject a bit of a pathetic quality into her emotion. Brilliant.
I’m so glad she’s sticking around.
The deaths weren’t as shocking as I expected them to be, with the exception of Nathan, and even that was kind of inevitable when he was talking about the press conference and then we see the blinking red light of the video camera. I was surprised to see that apparently Angela Petrelli is still a heinous bitch…who else could she be in collusion with, though, except for Bob?
I’m not too torn apart to see Niki go. Also? I was kind of hoping Maya would stay dead, and that maybe that annoying little girl (and yes, if I’m being honest, Mohinder) would’ve caught a ricochet as well.
Great “finale.” Let’s hope the AMPTP and WGA come to an agreement soon so we can get on with Volume III, “Villains,” already. I’ve never seen a more ominous can of spinach.
In other Monday TV news, I am heart-broken that we won’t get any more Chuck will after the new year, and even then, if there’s no strike agreement, there are only two episodes left. My thoughts summed up:
1) The scene where Chuck confronts Sarah about “The Incident” was heart-wrenching. Well-played by both YS and ZL.
2) I want to learn how to pin an alarm clock to the wall with a knife.
3) Casey’s love affair with his Crown Vic was hysterical.
4) Mistletoe is for kissing, not dancing. (I, er, would not have made the same mistake.)
5) Did I mention I’m really going to miss this show?
I’m off to watch Life.
