December 2nd, 2007
Heroes Episode Review: Season 2 Episode 11 (2.11) Powerless
When we last saw Heroes, it was heroes versus heroes: Peter Petrelli, now allied with the duplicitous Adam Monroe, was confronted by Hiro in Odessa, Texas; Sylar has finally made his way to New York with Maya, and now faces off with his old foe, Mohinder; Claire, meanwhile, has decided to stop running and confront Elle and the Company; and Monica, having gotten a hold of her inner hero, finds herself captured by some New Orleans gangbangers, because, you know, she’s hopelessly useless that way. What will “Powerless”, quite possibly the final episode of a shortened Season 2, bring us?
We begin in New York, as Mohinder comes face to face with Sylar once again, except this time Sylar is the one with the gun. Maya is also there to cook them eggs, which is awfully nice of her. Off to Mohinder’s lab they go, Molly in tow, for the promise of a cure to Maya’s terrible power and Sylar’s lack of power. And when Maya asks Molly to find her brother, she gets a rude awakening, leading to a confrontation with Sylar. Well, sort of. It was dull knowing ya, Maya.
In Petrelli central, Angela has been released from jail, thanks to Matt Parkman. Matt and Nathan want information on Adam Monroe, but Angela is not willing to part with it — that is, until she learns Peter is still alive. Angela sends the dynamic duo off with one pearl of wisdom — one shot, through the head, for Adam … and Peter, if necessary. Oh, motherly love, it’s so grand, ain’t it? And so how do Matt and Nathan reach Texas? Well, one of them can fly, and you know plane tickets nowadays, it’s ridiculously high. Peanuts?
Meanwhile, over at Matt and Nathan’s eventual destination, aka Primatech Paper, the much-heralded confrontation between Hiro and Peter commences, leaving Hiro on the floor unconscious, Adam with his sword, and Peter still as gullible as ever. This leaves our other dynamic duo free to cut a swath through Primatech paper’s surprisingly thin layer of security on their way to the Shanti virus, held in a thick vault below the faux company. But the question is, will Peter finally see through Adam’s charade? Um, probably not. By the way, Peter, I have some swampland in Florida and a bridge in New York to sell ya.
In sunny California, all is not well, nor all that sunny in the Bennet household. Claire has made a fateful decision to save her family — reveal her powers to the public and take down The Company. Or something to that affect. She’s not exactly a long-term planner, so good luck trying to figure out the girl’s chances of success. But before she can act, a familiar face appears. And no, I’m not talking about West.
Speaking of which, at the Company, Elle’s confrontation with Claire in the previous episode results in estrangement between father and daughter. Or should I say, even more estrangement. Bob Bishop, it would appear, is quite not Father of the Year. Ever. Unfortunately for him, HRG is there to lend an ear to Elle, much to Bob’s chagrin. And who is that on Bob’s super secret security monitor? Why, it’s Sylar, in Mohinder’s lab, and Elle so much wants to make daddy proud of her…
Meanwhile, in New Orleans, Micah goes to Niki for help to rescue the captured Monica. Remember, Monica is pretty much useless, so when the gangbangers decide to “countrified” her with some gasoline and lighter, she’s all but dead unless Niki and Micah get there first. Which leads me to this question: Is it wrong of me to hope that they don’t make it in time?
“Powerless” gives us superpowered battles, but nothing of comic book proportions. Then again, if you were here last year for “How to Stop an Exploding Man”, you won’t be expecting flying “Matrix”-style fisticuffs. This is Heroes, and Heroes has a style all its own. That means superpowered fights, yes, but no outrageous stunts, although a time freezing confrontation between Peter and Hiro does come somewhat close.
Thus ends Volume 2, “Generations”. Next stop:
Volume 3, “Villains”…
Notables:
“Can you hear me now…?”
“No mas, no mas…”
Niki goes out in flames…
“Hey, is this sword sharp enough?…”
Hey, Adam, don’t ever mess with a guy who can teleport…
Sylar is baaaaack…
Nathan falls…
Nathan’s shooter — from behind…
