Heroes Episode Review: Season 2 Episode 5 (2.05) Fight or Flight
By Sam | October 22, 2007 (9:12 pm) | More: Heroes Episode Reviews, Heroes Season 2 Spoilers/News
Kristen Bell makes her debut in the Heroes universe with tonight’s episode, “Fight or Flight”, which is definitely a very appropriate title. Almost all of our characters, it seems, has a decision to make tonight: fight or run. And why exactly should anyone run from little ol Kristen Bell? Well, if those blue electrical sparks that are shooting out of her fingers are any indication, she’s more than meets the eye. Good bye, Veronica Mars — Hellooooooo Elle, not-all-there operative for The Company. How loony is this girl? I would tell you, but I’m too afraid she’ll come after me.
Our episode catches up with Peter Petrelli, still in Cork, Ireland, where he has developed quite the relationship with local lass Caitlin. They’ve become very friendly, and afternoon delights have become a norm. Too bad, then, that Elle doesn’t take No for an answer, as Caitlin’s big bro finds out. That’s right, Peter, you can’t hide anymore, you can’t hide…
Back in New Orleans, our new hero Monica has a decision to make: become a hero and eyeball the gangbanger who tried to rob her last episode, or not. Of course, she still has to explain her “flying karate kick thing” to people. She should just blame it on TV, I know I do whenever I foil a robbery. Well at least she has a piano-playing genius back home who has secrets of his own, and is willing to share. But of course, try telling your buddy that you’re a “muscle mimic”, and just wait for the piles of laughter to follow.
Meanwhile, our favorite team of Two Men and a Psychic Girl splits up, with Matt Parkman heading to confront his dad in Philadelphia while Mohinder watches over a comatose Molly Walker. Nathan decides to tag along with Matt, which makes sense, because he can fly and they could save on the airfare. In Philly, Matt finally has that reunion with dear ol pop, except the man who Molly calls worst than Sylar is, well, kinda disappointing. You’d think the ultimate Nightmare Man would have better hygiene, but that’s parents for ya, always letting the kids down. Well, at least he can read minds, too, but that’s not all; he can do other things, other very cool things. Oh, Matt, you’re so gullible.
Somewhere half a world away, the newly reconstituted team of HRG and The Haitian are on a mission. It looks cold over there, guys, so it’s a good thing they’re so chummy with their secret mission to save the world and all that good stuff. With the duo indisposed, Mohinder takes Molly to The Company for help. They are more than willing to lend a hand, especially if it means they get to send Mohinder out on a mission of his own, although I’m not sure if he should trust th — wait, who is that? Um, Niki? Long time no — wait, that’s not Niki, it’s — Jessica! One word: “Don’t tase her, bro! Don’t tase her!”
Back in Salaryman Land, Ando endeavors to find out what happened to his bestest bud Hiro, who is still in Feudal Japan helping Takezo Kensei live up to his legend. Or is he? One suspects that our poor, beleaguered hero is staying back in time for purely selfish reasons. It’s too bad he’s already helped Kensei nab the undying affections of that cute Yaeko, who our hero secretly longs. I tell you, the only person on TV with worst luck than Hiro in the love arena is Jack Bauer.
MIA for this episode: Heroes 90210, and Sylar and the Wonder Twins.
Notables:
Come on, Matt, that kid is way too big not to be yours…
Get a room, you two…
You don’t want to make Elle mad…
Who is “daddy”?…
And off we go to Canada…
I love this serial ..it is the best I ever saw ...lost,prison break.... are nothing against Heroes!! It is like ...
looks awesome, but 133 days is too long... 
I WANTED TO WATCH THE EPISODE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!P.S NATHAN DOES NOT HAVE ISSUES! 
Sorry I disagree and so do the people here, that's why 39% voted that it was HRG who shot Nathan. ...
Wasn't HRG or Peter.
Peter has loves his brother why would he do it, yes he can be influenced but his ...
J on 23 October 2007:
just my opinion i think the bomb might still go off cause if peter doesnt remember his powers, then he could accedently call the nuclear power and be like wtf and explode! just my opinion
Phill on 23 October 2007:
Claire did not appear!
I was so happy!
Hallelujah!
Niki is the best character in the show!
NIki I love you!
TJ on 23 October 2007:
Hey, J, that’s actually a good opinion, even though the writers probably fail to realize that. I thought it was great how Matt (Parkman) instead of reading minds actually communicated to Nathan via his mind telling him to “wake up”. On a different note, does anyone else feel like the writers have too much on their plate? I mean, they don’t even have the time to move the story that much with the 1 hour slot. I think they’ve begun to dig themselves into a hole and hopefully, sadly to say, some of these heroes will die just so they can actually fit all of the heroes into one show. Instead of leaving out other characters, (ie. Claire/ West and Sylar last night).
Berceuse on 23 October 2007:
Nathan and Matt’s story is the best so far. Nathan’s character is probably the most interesting thus far. I really want to know more what happened 4 months ago that caused Nathan to see that freak face.
Kane on 23 October 2007:
I agree with you Phill
Rosylin on 23 October 2007:
i
Rosylin on 23 October 2007:
Sorry it cut me off, but I was about to say, I missed Claire and west, but iunderstood their absense, they cant move their story along THAT fast otherwise one will need to die. morbid i know, but i lke their story (hopeless romantic).
same withpeter and caitlin, their love story might not outlast the season.
AS FOR MATT”S DAD. he pissed me offhes such a wussy.
and im hoping thats not matt’s kid. i didnt like her.
who is kristins daddy? bob? a supposedly dead papa petrelli?
as for takezo kensei. DO TO THE SECOND TO LAST EPISODE OF SEASON ONE. the swordfixer. that is hiM!!!!! think it LOOKS like him, he knows the sword automatically, he’s friends with hiro’s dad and mr. nakumaraalways said those stories when hiro was little. if kensei is immortal this raises questions about claire and peter as well… can their powers (regeneration) make them immortal?
and how is nathan even alive, and how is that man nathan, that disfigured face?
Marcus on 23 October 2007:
I am happy with the way the season is progressing. I would like to say one thing however, KILL SOMEONE. I love all the characters in their own way (some of them I love to HATE) but I for one would like to see someone die, and I don’t mean at Sylar’s hand. I want someone to get taken out, at this point I don’t care who, just so long as they die in a gruesome fashion (think Eden from season one). Like the Romans who watched gladiators battle to the death, we need a heroes deathmatch. GIVE US BLOOD!!!
shout on 23 October 2007:
Enjoying the ride. Matt’s and Nathan’s scene via powers from daddy do wrong stole the night.. anybody think it is somewhat vaguely familiar?.. Freddy Krueger anyone?
Monica is the new sweetheart of the show.
rock ‘n roll..
TJ on 23 October 2007:
I’ve noticed alot of people have been speculating that Kensei is still alive in modern times, but what about Hiro’s favorite story, Kensei and the Dragon in which Kensei cuts out his own heart, which I’m assuming could kill him. And then that leaves Hiro a wide open opportunity to make with the lovin……
Emily on 23 October 2007:
“… What about Hiro’s favorite story, Kensei and the Dragon in which Kensei cuts out his own heart, which I’m assuming could kill him.”
Buuuuut, doesn’t Kensei have regeneration, like Claire?
If toes will grow back, perhaps hearts will, too.
Goode on 23 October 2007:
I can’t believe no one guessed who the killer is yet. Lets see, what do we know about the killer. He is white, can fly, and about 5′ 11″. Hmmmm Anyone one we can think of to match the description?
How about Clair’s b/f West. Why does he want to get so close to clair in the first place? Remember the painting HRG got of him? Clair was in the backround with someone else.
So far eveything seems to be pointing to him as the killer. I highly doubt “the boogy man” is behind the killings because he himself is marked for death.
BTW - Did neone else notice that HRG is in the photo with the original heroes?
TJ on 23 October 2007:
Goode> where do you see HRG?
TJ on 23 October 2007:
The person who you are thinking of is in fact Father Petrelli. What I can’t figure out is, everybody is looking straight at the camera except for him. What’’s he looking at? Or talking to?
Benjamin on 23 October 2007:
so a couple of things..
1- WHO IS ELLE’S DADDY?!??!??!?!….i like the idea that her father is bob..that kinda makes sense..and it’d connect to the story more…it also would make sense that the bob would recruit his own daughter to work for the company too..idk just my opinion..
oh yeah.. so how did everyone love the amazing and oh so noticeable Sprint advertising when Elle was on her phone??? haha i laughed alot at that..
2- MATT’S FATHER?!?! ..was I the only one who was kinda disappointed with matts dad’s appearance…i kinda thought that for someone who is supposedly worse than sylar..he’d be kinda more…bad looking? idk maybe they were obviously going for the whole ironic thing….OHH and when matt dad put nathan and matt in the room..how did he know about the future and the bomb going off?? if he made nathan see that in his vision or whatever that was..wouldn’t he have to know about it to be able to make nathan see it?? on the other hand he could most def know about janice and the baby seeing as how its his daughter-in-law..
3- CLAIRE/WEST - if im not mistaken claire has been in every episode so far..i kinda missed her in this one, even though her story is all “90210″ now..and the “west is the killer” story also makes sense to me..
4- DEATHS?!? - I agree that someone needs to die in some ginormo showdown..i’ve come to like all the characters so much now that i dont really want any of them to die..but it kinda does need to happen sometime soon..
-however I’d like to know alot more about the petrelli parents, so i really hope angela doesn’t end up dying..
-CAITLIN…….ickkkkkk i HATE her sooo much..if only Peter remembered that he went out with Simone and he could do soo much better..whatever..he or Elle will probably/hopefully zap her eventually..
-i like the idea that the haitian is behind peter’s memory loss..
-and whats in montreal?? hmm…
-another thing…what if Molly is bad?? what if she’s faking the whole thing and shes working with matt’s dad or something?? its a really far stretch, but hey its heroes and anything can happen right?? ..that would be a majorly good twist..
sorry this was so long..
comments anyone??
TJ on 23 October 2007:
Benjamin> Molly being bad is a HUGE stretch seeing as how Sylar killed her parents and Matt saved her. But I totally agree with somebody dying. Something needs to happen SOON. And I was soooooo glad they didn’t have the “twins” in this episode. I really don’t see what they have to do with this show AT ALL. Maybe they could just die, not by Sylar, just die. That’d be a good twist.
Benjamin on 23 October 2007:
hahaha TJ, yeah the twins haven’t really contributed to the show at all..im pretty sure alejandro will end up dead before they get to new york..but im sure they’ll probably have a big part in the story by the end of the season..and yeah the whole molly being bad thing is a big stretch..but hey..they need something no one is gunna expect…
Benjamin on 23 October 2007:
oh TJ I also agree with your kensei heart thing…im pretty sure you can’t grow back a heart…thing about the whole lizard thing…they can grow backs the limbs of the body….NOT their freakin heart people..think..
but for all we know, hiro could change the past so as make that story so it never even happened and kensei wouldn’t have to rip his heart out at all….making him continue to live in modern times..
Ross on 23 October 2007:
Here is my crazy thought: Nathan and Peter’s father is the real killer. Afterall, we saw that Parkman and his father both have the same ability, shouldn’t Nathan and his father?
Also, I don’t think that the fact that Takezo and Claire and Nathan and West have the same abilities is a coincidence. Surely they must be related, or something close to it. I think we will find out a lot more about Takezo in future episodes; the writers are too good to just let a story like that go on for no reason.
Adrian on 23 October 2007:
As per what Goode mentioned about the boogey man not being the killer because he is marked.
I’d say there is a high possibility he is, since he also had a marked picture of Bob (midas touch). Why would he have it?
Shan on 24 October 2007:
Why cant you grow a heart back. The human body can live for 4 minutes without oxygen prior to brain danage ocurring. As their other organs grew back much faster than that. Kensai could hack his heart out, drop dead, then come to life again when his ‘new’ heart has filled his body with blood again. Admittedly the amount of blood lost inside the heart would probably leave him pretty woozy, but heh, it is a tv show, remember??!
Ryman on 24 October 2007:
How ’bout the fact that Peter’s picture is ACTUALLY…. of him and Monica in the French Quarter?? Ehh?
311 on 24 October 2007:
It was cool how Peter painted the future again but it was so obvious that he was going to do so. I thought it was very stupid that they killed the big Irish guy. He’s the guy who was in Fight Club, “his name was Robert Paulson”. He died in a horrible dishonorable way, come on writers, stop frying all the cool characters. The Parkman/Nathan story is very interesting so far and those mind traps they were in I enjoyed. I think Parkman may be able to reach max potential and that’s exciting.
Some questions remain however, will Bob die? Who will take over the company when he’s dead? When will Peter make the choice to finally goto New York or Montreal? Will Sylar ever meet his match?
The show is still really awesome but there have been alot less jaw-dropping parts in each episode and more crying.
Can’t at least one person who finds they have an ability enjoy having it? “Oh no I can shoot fire from my hands, I’m a freak” isn’t what I’d be saying. I’d be the hero at any BBQ
Ryman on 24 October 2007:
Yeah, there are definitely some major shortcomings this season in comparison to last, and last season wasn’t perfect either. The one thing that gets under my skin the most is Peter’s story line. Obviously, they gave him too much power in the 1st season. He could single-handedly take down anyone else so…….. they had to take his memory away? That sort of wreaks of cheesiness. The farther away they get from meaningless, unexplained, physical obstacles and the closer they get to genuine, detailed, inner struggles the better off the series will be. What if he was purposely restraining his own powers because what happened at the end of season 1 really scared him. Something that is entirely believable since he IS just a kid that worked as a care-giver before all of this happened. (remember that wide-eyed, naive, day-dreaming kid wearing the trench coat at the beginning of season 1) And what if he purposely ran away to Ireland in order to hide and start a new life in secrecy because he didn’t want to be involved in anything anymore… now THAT is a juicy story that could go a number of interesting ways! I’m not saying thats the only way it could have gone instead, but i must say that the whole “amnesia” thing is really lame.
XOb on 24 October 2007:
Wow, what a ‘boogeyman’? Looks can be decieving!!
That overstuffed, unshaven dolt was Matt’s dad a.k.a BOOGEYMAN!? LOL-x.
Anyways, looks like Maya-Bro-Sylar trio could get any screentime. TJ is right. They ain’t takin the show anywhere, just streching it.
Elle looks like some Company working sparky chick. Better not set her off.
Finally “amnesiastic” Peter is getting somewhere. Let’s hope his new trip is adventurous and exciting unlike Claire’s highschool drama. I’m glad, there was NO mention of her in this episode.
Nikki’s counterpart Jessica seems to show up again and almost kill Bob. If only Nikki would listen to Mohinder. SPOILER below:-
Besides, Mr.Bob’s end is nearing as in next ep.
As for Micah-Monica saga. OkaY! We goddit! Miss Monica can be ‘copycat’. Let’s move on to some fighting or something better, please!
What about Hiro? Oh yeah, the guy who turns back time and is currently trapped in feudal Japan helping his childhood hero Kensei. Why the hell can’t he come back to NYC and lend a helping hand to Nathan, Matt and the others in maybe stopping the killer?
i hate the Kensei-Feudal Japan saga too. it’s so frustrating. Hiro was better off stabbing Sylar and by the way, Sylar is back! So pack your bags and return to NYC before Sylar and restab him or something before he kills off the wonder twins(jerks)!
Veronica Mars on Heroes « My Observations on 24 October 2007:
[...] wife, the excitement turned to disappointment within minutes of Bells’ arrival in the episode “Fight or Flight.” You see, I had high expectations that the infusion of Bell to Heroes would lift this season out [...]
Rob on 24 October 2007:
Wow, was it me or did Bell’s character’s seem a lot like the one she just played - Veronica Mars. I was quite disappointed that the writers/producers did not user her better or create an unquie heroe that maximizes her increadible talents. This season is sinking faster than the Titantic…on a postivie side, the plot tread that deals with Parkman/His Father/”League of Twelve” is really taking off. Too bad we can’t see more of that plot thread each week.
Nikki on 24 October 2007:
Benjamin - you were asking a lot of questions about Matt’s Dad (Nightmare man)…
He wasn’t showing Nathan and Matt visions of true things. He was trapping them in their own worst nightmares.
NIGHTMARE man. What do you guys think?
Bob the Alchemist on 25 October 2007:
The Nightmare man was awesome! An old fat slob who looks kinda like the violator from spawn, great casting, makes it easy to dislike him, real scumbag. The nightmare battle was the best fight the show has had yet! Is it just me or did Nathan take a turn into hard ass territory this episode. He throws a headbutt into Parkmans face, and was close to choking out his burnt face alter ego, and that rapid fire shotgun loading … SPREAD IT ON!
I think the show is really starting to ramp up. there is a lot to cover but that is what makes the weaving of the writing so great.
The one thing about last episode that i really couldn’t stand and i am kinda surprised no one else is really mentioning is how terrible the new Monica character/actress is. Her character is insufferable, bringing scenes she is in to a screeching halt, and her lines are delivered as if she was on some kind of soap opera. i mean damn, get an actor with some chops next time you introduce someone crucial to the plot.
Theories and possible spoilers below
Nightmare could be the killer. After seeing what he can do, It seems fully possible for him to have mentally attacked Mom Petrelli in the police station, and also make Sulu think that there was a killer up on the roof with him, maybe it seemed that Ando was the hooded man. The fact that he had Bob’s picture is also suspicious.
Elle’s daddy is …. Kensei!
Benjamin on 25 October 2007:
Bob the Alchemist…..what are you talking about with monica?!?!?!
i think its so good to see someone as different as monica..there hasnt been anyone else like her on the show..and i think that her acting is great for her part….im surprised no one has mentioned how bad Caitlin is..ohhh GOD! someone please kill her now…i just hate how her lines are delivered..and just the fact that her character even exists..gahh i really just dont like the whole story with her and peter…but i do have a crazy theory that she’s another isaac..what are the odds that she just happens to be another crazy painter..for all we know peter absorbed another dose of precognitive painting skills from her..maybe there’s a reason shes being so understanding towards him and his abilities..hmmmm just a thought…
Mikey on 25 October 2007:
I so hope Monica and Mikah and his Mom all get cut from this show. they are so useless. Wth kind of power is Mimic. Like she didn’t do anything crazy, sure she knocked a guy through glass. SO? any body could have done that. Double Dutch? oh man this show is turning into a disney flick. You can’t even consider this a power. Nikki, why couldn’t they just give her intense strength without the split personality, that is just so annoying.
but yeah. cut monica. WORST POWER EVER. the writer who came up with the idea of giving her a mimic power should get fired.
Goode on 25 October 2007:
Dude monica can be a very dangerous hero. She can mimic nething and one would think that would include powers. Powers seems to be hard to control and if she mimiced a dangerous one, I believe that she would not be able to control it and kill someone very dear to her.
erin taylor on 25 October 2007:
the West arc is LOSER-ish .. he actually looks like a young Clark Kent with the whole flyin thing. - NEXT !
Benjamin on 25 October 2007:
ahaha clark kent?? uhh noo
TJ on 25 October 2007:
Goode> Monica’s not that type of hero. Peter is, but Monica can only mimic “actions”. Hence the term “muscle mimic”.
Kris on 25 October 2007:
The Monica story needs to move fast, i swear she said about 50 times “Im not supposed to be here” or some variation of whining about how she lost her shot at school and becoming something. Its one thing to show us she, like Hiro, feels like she was meant for something bigger, but the point is being bashed into our skulls. OK she can repeat whatever physical action she sees, it could be a very useful gift to take her places in life (dancing, martial arts, fighting, ballet, gymnastics etc.) but enough is enough of the whining all the time.
West is working with Elle. In the picture with HRG dead, we see a blond kissing a guy. we assume its Claire and West but it might be Elle and West.
H.illarious R.esponse G.enerator on 26 October 2007:
Monica sucks!..
Doubledutch??!….. DOUBLEDUTCH!?…… I MEAN OH MY GOD! HOW AMAZING! … YOU MEAN THE BLACK GIRL CAN SKIP ROPE NOW!!! …. what an absolutely incredible demonstration of her new power!
hopefully that clip of mohinder sticking a needle into her arm will be him removing her power and thus her from the show.
Erick on 27 October 2007:
Remember before Hiro’s dad went off the side of the building, he said. “Out of all of us, I never thought it would be you” or something like that. So it has to be someone from the old generation, not West like someone suggested. Peter and Nathan’s dad looks like the prime suspect. We need to know exactly who the leader was of the old generation, it is mostly likely them.
311 on 27 October 2007:
I agree the following characters should be removed from the show:
Micha
Monica
Nikki/Jessica(or remove the disorder)
West(give him to Sylar)
Maya & her brother(make them die in a way where Sylar cannot take their powers)
Somehow bring back:
Issac(I enjoyed his paintings as part of the show, it’s different when Sylar or Peter do it)
Linderman(killed too easily for such a cool guy)
Candice/Michelle(killed off for stupid reasons: the actress left the show/fired so it was all the more reason to give her to Sylar)
DL(we hardly knew him, I was just starting to like him)
Finally, remove all cheerleading storyline and high school BS from the show. Bring back a severe threat like impending doom from a bomb or something worse. Bring Claude back on the show.
Ratings will go up if they comply.
Jen on 27 October 2007:
I don’t really watch a lot of TV, but for the first time in a long time I’ve found a show worth keeping up with in Heroes. The direction the new season is taking is really depressing! The show began with real, human characters with storylines you could really feel for…. and it’s all turning into contrived garbage. The lines seem canned, and it seems like they’re more concerned with fitting in as many characters and powers into each episode as possible. I want the old Heroes back.
a-man on 28 October 2007:
i like how heroes is going and i dont think ppl should lose faith just yet.
Rob on 1 November 2007:
Did anyone see where Hereos Origins may not happen after all? Looks like the pending writters strike and lack luster ratings of Heroes is taking it’s toll on the spin off. I am now wondering what maybe the fate of Heroes if continues to be beat on Monday nights.
Anupriya on 4 November 2007:
I jus think that the new season is gathering up steam.. Things will start falling into place and the awesome thrills will come soon.
I like the storyline with the old generation and Kensei.. Cant wait to find out more there..
Nathan’s and Peter’s story(not the present one but how he got where he is etc etc), Matt et al are interesting too..
and I love the way the Wonder Twins yap in Spanish.. hehe.. its fun!
becky on 20 November 2007:
mannnnn,i really luv thihs episode
man,,i hate that gal with peter.
does she have special powers too??????/
she sooooo…………
plizz,just make him get over her a get back to business:D