Heroes 1x04: Collision

[khaosworks]

Seriously, this show is getting better and better, especially now we've gotten a chance to start getting invested in the characters. This episode was originally called "Come Together", and renamed "Collision" for some reason (maybe because of the last scene with Claire) — either way, the title fits, because man, shit starts whacking together in this one. The cliffhangers have been consistently awesome since episode two, and this one is no exception. And although it's moving a bit slowly; unlike, say, Lost, there's at least a ticking bomb in the storyline that's propelling things forward.

If you'll allow me a little fanboy speculation, although I'm sure someone's noticed before, the irony fairy seems to be working overtime when it comes to their powers. It's sort of like Wild Cards, where the person's subconscious desires and character influence the powers they get. For example:

Claire Bennet - high school cheerleader, protective parents, everyone thinks she's fragile and airheaded... and she's actually indestructible.

Niki Sanders - single mother trying to get buy in a society whose mores paint her as immoral and unfit... and she has an alter ego that does whatever the hell she wants.

Nathan Petrelli - a politician trying just as hard to conform, always restricted by his family, his position, his ambition... and he just wants to fly.

Hiro Nakamura - a salaryman, a Japanese worker stuck in a job and a society that puts insane demands on his time... and he can bend it to his will.

Matt Parkman - an ambitious cop who thinks he's good enough to be detective, but really isn't all that bright or smart enough, except he'd make the perfect detective because... he can read minds.

Isaac Mendez - an artist whose heroin addiction would destroy any other person, but when he's actually high... he can paint the future.

Peter Petrelli - a doormat who has lived his life for other people, who wishes that he could make a mark for himself, that he's destined for greater things... and he can only be powerful when other people with powers are around.

This is probably what the writers intended, of course.

Comments

[daveon.livejournal.com]

I'm not going to be able to catch up until I get back to the UK and the magic of BT. However, I must agree, this series had an average pilot but the following episodes have been excellent.

[batyatoon]

Looks like, yeah.

This is exactly why they need appropriate code names.

[khaosworks.livejournal.com]

Hmm... I like Bounceback and Timelord, but for the others:

Peter has to be Mimic. Doesn't really matter if it's taken by another comic character.

For Niki, I like the sound of Mirrorshade.

Matt's a definite Headcase.

For Isaac I'd go for Futurist; particularly since he's an artist.

Nathan will be christened Flyboy, a name he'll absolutely hate.

Mohinder has no powers, so no name for him. Dr. Singh will do.

[batyatoon]

Bounceback and Timelord are my favorites, too. :)

Peter: I don't wanna reuse Mimic. Copycat, maybe?

Niki: ... Mirrorshade is a pretty cool name.

Matt: Iiii don't know about Headcase, but Psychout sounds a little too teenagery, so it has that advantage.

Isaac: Nope, sticking with The Visionary. :P

Nathan: Only if they don't get to pick their own names.

And Mohinder's gonna be team leader! He needs a code name! Professor M wasn't really a serious suggestion, though.

[dan-ad-nauseam.livejournal.com]

Mirrorshade is appropriate only if there's a Mozart around. :-)

[batyatoon]

...I don't get it.

[khaosworks.livejournal.com]

"Mozart in Mirrorshades" was a cyberpunk short story written by Bruce Sterling and Lewis Shiner in, oh, 1985 or thereabouts.

[batyatoon]

Ahh.

[khaosworks.livejournal.com]

Claire icony goodness.

[batyatoon]

Nice!