May 22nd, 2007
Chapter 23 Review and Season 1 Finale Recap (SPOILERS)
At last, the long journey comes to an end, and a circle is completed while another one begins, as Season 1 of “Heroes” closes much the same way it opened all those months ago: effectively, simply, and with another journey to be taken. Not a terrible surprise that there were no final superpowered battle to awe and shock, considering that this has always been a show that relied more on interpersonal drama created by cause-and-effect rather than CGI flash and pop. Even when characters are jetting across the skyline, there was always a matter-of-fact way about it that made “Heroes” stand out from the crop of similarly themed shows.
And so, the climax of a 23-episode season wraps, and despite lacking the extra hour that was promised many months ago, Chapter 23, “How to Stop an Exploding Man” brought many of our favorites (and some not so much) to their, for some expected and others unexpected conclusions.
The list of survivors and casualties are shocking, but not completely surprising.
Sylar, of course, the villain of Season 1, was fallen by Hiro’s sword. Not exactly the demise many had predicted, considering all the evidence available, including the now-moot “Five Years Gone” future episode, where we saw a nefarious Sylar assuming the identity of a President Nathan Petrelli. But is Sylar really, truly dead? Can a villain in a superhero-themed show really die? The focus on the cockroach at the end might be a hint. It’s damn hard to kill a cockroach, don’t you know.
The criminal mastermind Linderman, was killed in a previous episode, having realized too late that one should never come between a mother and her child. Or the father, for that matter. Can a man who can heal with a touch heal himself minus a brain? Possibly, but considering actor Malcolm McDowell’s healthy film schedule for the foreseeable future, Linderman’s return to the small screen seems highly doubtful.
The brothers Nathan and Peter Petrelli, with the former presumed dead, having sacrificed himself to save the city, including his daughter Claire, and by doing so turning his back on his mother’s prophecy, who as it turns out had been plotting the destruction of New York City for many years now. The evil witch.
The death of Nathan Petrelli is easy to accept; he was a hero turned villain who eventually redeemed himself in the end. The full Hero’s Journey. Peter Petrelli’s death is in doubt. One assumes Peter would have absorbed Nathan’s power of flight, and having already possessed Claire’s incredible healing powers, could, in theory, survive “going nuclear” over New York City.
You have to feel good for young Peter Petrelli. In the end, his unconditional love and faith in his big brother has paid off. His bro came through.
And Hiro? He successfully saved Ando before completing his own Hero’s Journey. Now he finds himself trapped in the past, face to face with the real Kensei, when — wait, is that an eclipse? In Ancient Japan? Something is definitely afoot…
As for the rest:
Mohinder Suresh has found a substitute little sister in young Mollie Walker; Matt Parkman laid shot to ribbons, but one suspect he is still alive. It takes more than a few lousy bullets to bring down a stubborn man like Parkman.
HRG, aka Mr. Bennet, aka Noah Bennet, was reunited with his daughter Claire, and a strong father-daughter relationship torn asunder by lies buried on top of lies is made stronger by truth, sacrifice, and the instinctive knowledge that sharing blood is not the only indicator of family.
And the other family? D.L. seems to have been saved, Niki seems to have regained control of herself (or should we say, come to grips with herself), while Micah shows again that being able to talk to machines is a very handy power indeed.
As for illusionist Candice Wilmer — well, we’ll see more of her in Season 2, I’ll bet.
What’s left to say about the show’s incredibly successful (high viewership, a loyal fanbase, and critical acclaim) first year? It bodes well for Season 2, titled “Generations”.
What’s more to say? Nothing. See ya for Season 2, kids.
Until then,
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