'Heroes': The (Kristen) Bell tolls, an eclipse ends

So, did "Heroes" have an electric ending, or didn't it? They can't do that to Kristen Bell, but did they?!? The measure of a good serialized show is, of course, whether you are enticed to return the next week. Lately, "Heroes," when it isn't a whole episode in a different time period, has gone back to the cliffhanger method -- and that's a good thing.  One small step.

When the people in "Heroes" lost their powers because of the eclipse, we got to see which ones embrace what they've become (Hiro, The Haitian, Peter), reject it to a point (Hayden Panettiere's Claire, right), just kind of work it around their lives (Matt, Nathan), or have let their powers define who they are (Sylar, Daphne, Arthur). This distillation of the characters may even be a good way for the writers to get back to the characters' roots.

Cases in point: Claire and Hiro. Probably the two most popular characters on the show, probably the two who needed help the most. Putting Claire in mortal danger was good. Some of the best episodes/moments this year were ones involving her in creepy peril (Sylar's stalking and the puppetmaster come to mind). In general, making Claire a teen again, with her line "I'm not brave, I'm just a stupid teenager," and her reaction at the end to seeing herself as a baby being handed off to HRG, brought a bit of spark back to her character. And there wasn't a calfskin clutch bag in sight!

Hiro, on the other hand, has always had an overly simplistic way of viewing his heroics -- so why not make him 10 years old and go all the way? Why not have comic books be his guidebook? And, good for the comics duo! Seth Green and Breckin Meyer represent the fanboys. Ones who are able, through their random knowledge and general geekdom, to help save the world by helping Hiro. A bit over the top, but that's who Hiro is, and that's part of who the "Heroes" fanbase is. Best. Day. Ever.

Two other characters that should appeal to the fanbase are HRG and the Haitian.  They are partners at Primatech, and are hard-core as individuals. In their separate story lines, there was very little hesitation from either of them in taking a life. HRG's stalking, box-cutter throat slice of Sylar was no joke (though Gabriel returned), and the Haitian wiping his brother's mind clean (that's what I assume) shows why this duo was probably Primatech's best. A side note: The Petrelli brothers' captivity and sojourn in Haiti did show that Peter has guts with or without powers and that those guts will be put to the test when he has to go up against his logically delusional big brother, Nathan.

And speaking of Sylar ... what kind of roller coaster were he and Elle on? It's always seemed like it was all an act from both of them, but to go from sleeping together on the hardwood floor at the beginning of the episode to Sylar's telekinetic guillotine at the end?  And do we think he even did it?  Either way, now that we know he's planning something, it'll be fun watching to see when he pounces, and who he pounces on. Kristen Bell was/is one of the best things about the show the last couple of seasons, and everyone's curious to see what her fate is.

Oh, and the Matt-Daphne romance is cute, but get back in the game already! Romance doesn't really ever end well on this show anyway. The ups and downs of Matt's roommate, Mohinder, are still a little annoying -- there was even a Maya sighting (gasp!) -- and his scales give me goosebumps. The trials of Santiago on the "Heroes: Destiny" Web series is a bit more fun than his section and worth checking out, though it's not tied in to the main storyline. Not sure if either is as fun as the Miiroes or "South Park Heroes!"

You saps! It seems that a lot of DVR users missed the last two minutes of the show according to comments on NBC.com. No, you didn't miss anything after Kaito handed lil Claire over to HRG. Except the bomb. I read a few comments, and for those who wondered where the baby hot potato came from, for shame. This all played out a while ago in the first season. The only thing we didn't get was a drawn out conversation between HRG and Kaito explaining why. Maybe that'll come.

As the Villains theme comes to a climax, things are looking up.  We'll see if the ratings bear that out.

-- Jevon Phillips

Photo credits: NBC.  Hayden Panettierre as Claire.  Jack Coleman as HRG, with Claire in the background.  Kristen Bell as Elle and Zachary Quinto as Sylar.

Comments

[Jake]

I'm glad someone thinks Kristen Bell was the best thing on this show because I've still been struggling to find out what the point of her character in all this has been for the last two years, especially once her father died (although why someone who can turn things into gold is made key man is beyond me - you'd think an active and particularly defensive power would have been more to the point).

This episode was a bit better, except that they dragged out the eclipse for a very long time - longer than could logically be the case - and it also didn't make enough logically sense. If the first eclipse would give them powers after they didn't have them (or more significantly, act as the catalyst to bring out their powers, post eclipse), it doesn't logically follow that the second eclipse would have only a momentary, temporary impact and only during. Unless the show intends to have a far more lasting effect (which given Claire's comeback and the apparent full use of Sylar's, Nathan, etc. powers, that doesn't seem to be the case). A pointless plot device in a season full of pointless plots. The comic book shop in the middle of nowhere was nice and there were some other cool moments, but a few cool moments after the last two seasons of drudgery do not a TV show make.

[Russell]

To me this show is getting worse and worse. You say Claire and Hiro are the most popular characters? Please. Hiro is scared to go back in time (Which would change everything...), Claires wants to be a Hero but has no training. The main protagonist Peter is stuck powerless, and weak. The show needs to kill off a few of the characters, stop focusing on making more heroes. And keep the plot simple.

[knuttypoo]

Sylar didn't kill Elle, he just opened her head and gave her powers like his.

[Afrothunder_92]

Sandra Bennet's lazy eye was kinda freaky. Ewww

[balh12]

The question is, why did HRG wait till Sylar & Elle bonk each other out, before deciding to shoot him with a sniper? I smell a sleaze. Maybe that's why he didn't kill Elle...

[Rocco]

There is NO WAY Veronica would just lie there and be meekly fingered to death. If that is the method of Elle's demise, you can have that show as far as I'm concerned.

[Gary]

Question for anybody out there in Heroes land. If Peter no longer has powers why is he still considered a threat? Also can any one explain the need for Mohinders existence on the show? I'll take my answer off the air.

[Larr]

Also, what kind of eclipse can be seen from North America all the way to Haiti?
This show gets stupider every week

[twman]

1) Bob was the head of the company because he supplied monetary resources (Gold).
2) "There is NO WAY Veronica would just lie there and be meekly fingered to death." I'm assuming "fingered to death" is what you call Sylar cutting into her skull. Veronica would have no choice; Sylar would have held her still with his telekinesis.

[Jesus!]

I agree, I can't believe they would kill off Elle. She definately woke up this season with her power and her edge...then to just have sylar kill her off? I keep thinking somehow hiro will go back in time, and that'll keep her alive in the present. THey're killing off one of their strongest players... the claire and peter are overplayed and getting very tiresome!

[King Jackoff]

by killing off Claire they've essentially closed the book on the mistake that was Season 2. all new characters from that season have either died or been written off. and the part about Claire and Hiro being the 2 most popular characters is only half true - Hiro is popular, many are tired of Claire.

http://disgustingclaire.blogspot.com

this is my unbiased site for Heroes.

[jesse]

Please! Somebody in a higher rank tell the writers to bring Elle back!
I, along with others, agree that Hiro should go back in time and bring elle back to life because she brought the show to life. Her powers were honestly the coolest and her personality was unique and different compared to everyone else!
And why kill her off if everyone loves her!

It made no sense to do that....unless they're doing it to mess with us and will bring her back in a few later episodes (which would rock!).

If the show wants to survive elle is the key!
Kristen Bell is one of the best actors on the show, literally!

Please....
We want her back.

[jesse]

Please!
Bring Elle Back!

[CJ]

I take the Sylar-Elle relationship on face value.

It was such a tragic story of an insecure young woman finding love in the arms of a man she knows can be both sane and sweet when he isn't driven by outside forces. I think the series should have an eclipse once a season and let us see Gabriel now and then. It would be sort of like a a psychological Brigadoon when the psychopathic Sylar vanishes and the vunerable Gabriel reappears.