March 15th, 2009
This Week in Heroes Filler News
In lieu of a new episode this week, NBC will instead rerun episode 3.14, “Clear and Present Danger” (full preview here). While we wait for next week’s new episode, 3.20, “Cold Snap” (full preview here), which will also mark the much-anticipated return of Bryan Fuller to the writing staff, here is what’s going on in the Heroes-verse. The good, the bad, the sordid, and oh yeah, some upcoming episode information as well.
Is Hayden trying to get Milo fired?
I hate posting this, because it’s so gossipy and personal. Having said that, does Milo and Hayden’s recent break-up effect the show? Most definitely, if the recent rumors of bad behavior on the set on Hayden’s part turns out to be true. (I stress the if part.) The gossip hounds have always sniffed around the set, mostly for any scent of Hayden and romance with co-star Milo. Now that the two seems to have called it quits, there are disturbing rumors that Hayden is trying to get Milo fired from the show, going so far as refusing to be on the set the same time he is. You can read more about it at the NYDailyNews. Everyone has denied the reports, of course.
I won’t go into details, but if the situation worsens, or turns out to be true, I will report it. Right now, it’s just what one “insider” says, and who knows if they can even be trusted.
Tim Kring is Depressed
Tim Kring, meanwhile, expresses at being “depressed” by the show’s Nielsen ratings, especially in light of the fact that Heroes continues to be the most downloaded show on the Internet, but that number isn’t translating into Nielsen ratings. (Via SFgate)
Kring said that his young son has a fascination with the Guinness Book of World Records, so Kring bought him the latest edition and they were thumbing through it. In the section on television, he saw a picture from his series and learned “Heroes” was the most downloaded show ever. “Nobody had told me that,” he said. And noted: “Unfortunately most of it is illegally downloaded.”
Yet another reason why NBC decided to renew the show despite sagging ratings. Despite the bad numbers, the show is just that popular worldwide. There’s money to be made there, NBC just has to figure out how to cash in.
Bryan Fuller Addresses Ali Larter Rumors
Returning Heroes producer and writer Bryan Fuller, meanwhile, dealt with some rumors involving character deaths on the show — specifically, that Ali Larter wanted out, and the show was going to oblige her by killing off her Tracy Strauss for good. Not so, Fuller tells EW’s Michael Ausiello:
Consulting producer Bryan Fuller is putting to rest rumors that Ali Larter wants off the show. “She’s not going anywhere,” he tells me. “I’ve never seen somebody so committed to the show as Ali, and the show is absolutely committed to Ali.” Fuller says he jumped at the chance to pen an upcoming episode (No. 20) that focuses on Larter’s Tracy. “If you look at the ‘Fugitives’ arc, it all kind of leads up to episode 20 in a nice way,” he says. “There’s a great twist in her arc.” Might that twist be connected to one of the three big deaths coming up (one of which is a fake-out)? Fuller won’t budge, except to say Tracy “ends the season in a fantastic way.”
Well that settles that.
Heroes Accused of Plagiarism by Icelandic Filmmakers
You’ll recall that when the show first started, a couple of artists claimed the show’s ideas were stolen from them. I don’t really know what became of that court case, and to be honest, I’m not all that interested, given that the case seemed shallow to me when I read the details. In any case, another sticky lawsuit has cropped up concerning Heroes, this time involving a scene from the most recent episode (last week’s “Shades of Gray”) where Claire goes into Sam’s Comic Shop to interview for a job. That scene, apparently, looks similar enough to an Icelandic movie called “Astropia” that the filmmakers are suing the show. Below, see the scene in question from Heroes and the trailer for “Astropia” that features a similar looking scene, and judge for yourself. (Via TwitchFilm)
Official Descriptions for 3.21 and 3.22
In brighter news, official descriptions for episodes 3.21 and 3.22 have been released by NBC. Thanks to Ashok Lad.
3.21 “Into the Asylum”
AS THE GAME OF CAT AND MOUSE ESCALATES, DANKO FINDS HIMSELF A SURPRISING NEW ALLY
Now that Nathan’s (Adrian Pasdar) ability has been revealed and he has lost control of his operation, he and Claire (Hayden Panettiere) go into hiding in Mexico. With Emile Danko (guest star Zeljko Ivanek) now in control of the government operation, his plan to destroy everyone with abilities is set into motion as he teams up with an unlikely partner. Meanwhile, Angela (Cristine Rose) and Peter (Milo Ventimiglia) seek refuge in a church and begin to mend their broken relationship.
Kevin Alejandro also guest stars.
3.22 “Turn and Face the Stranger”
RELATIONSHIPS ARE TESTED AS DANKO TAKES THE OPERATION TO A WHOLE NEW LEVE
As Danko (guest star Zeljko Ivanek) spearheads the government operation, someone close to him is put in the line of fire. HRG’s (Jack Coleman) life continues to spiral out of control and his marriage is dangerously close to the breaking point. Meanwhile, Hiro (Masi Oka) and Ando (James Kyson Lee) continue their road trip with a special delivery for Matt Parkman (Greg Grunberg). Elsewhere, Angela Petrelli (Cristine Rose) unearths the demons of her past.
Ashley Crow guest stars.
And finally, just for fun, here’s the latest trailer for the “Star Trek” reboot, which co-stars Zachary Quinto as a Young Spock:
