Heroes (02/23/09) “Cold Wars”

[Annie]

Welcome to this season’s “Parkman kidnaps HRG to get to the bottom of The Big Conspiracy”/ “Company Man” redux. Kids, this is why you never leave your drink unattended in hotel bars: the fairly fantastic three are looking to give our Noah a rough night- they’re slapped on a blood pressure cuff and set up the IV- hope they gave him a safety word too: (Geeze, guys, is that the same hotel you abducted him from?) (http://www.tv.com/heroes/cold-wars/episode/1251382/summary.html?&tag=buzz;1)


From NBC’s site: (http://www.nbc.com/Heroes/nexton/episode_317.shtml)

While being held hostage, HRG (Jack Coleman) is subjected to Matt Parkman's (Greg Grunberg) unique brand of interrogation, revealing how he became involved with Nathan's (Adrian Pasdar) government plot to capture those with abilities. Meanwhile, Matt's discoveries bring Peter (Milo Ventimiglia) face-to-face with "The Hunter" (guest star Zeljko Ivanek).

Think we’ll get a “GET OUT OF MY HEAD!!!!!!!!!!? ” More Japanese inner monologues? Or maybe Noah’ll just sing the ‘Banana Splits’ theme to himself for 17 hours and drive Matt insane.

[Lightray]

Meh. The been-there, done-that of this season continues.

[DigitalC]

Did they REALLY have to do the scary painting on the floor of Isaacs studio? i mean.... really?

[Annie]

That floor was just one too much call-back for me. But the rest, thumbs up. Characters acting in manners consistent with their past behaviours. Everyone thinking they're working on the side of the righteous. My continued hope for the guys to grow some gorram brains remains a pipe dream, of course. (C'mon Peter, you're getting there!) The show will keep spinning wheels until they take the next step in the narrative, when the heroes get their shit together and act as an effective unit.

The guys and Sylar are both trying to get info on their pursuers, but in their own ways; Sylar mechanically (swipe the laptop); Matt, Peter and Mo, mentally/emotionally. Gee, wouldn't it be weird if the four of them got together to fight a common foe? Naw, that never happens in fiction!

[Baldwin]

I don't know. They seem to just keep recycling a limited number of ideas on this show.

[Mahaloth]

My wife and I felt this episode should have been called:

Black-and-whitey-talky-talky

If Matt was reading Noah's mind, why was everything not from his perspective, like inside John Malcovich's mind in Being John Malcovich?

Annie, what do you mean the floor was too much "call back" for you? I don't get it.

[enalzi]

I don't know. They seem to just keep recycling a limited number of ideas on this show.

I think they're taking the whole "reset" idea a little too far. Oh well, I think this was a pretty great episode compared to the last couple seasons. Of course, the writers were basically copying "Company Man," but that's a great episode to copy. Probably trying to get ready for Fuller to come back. And Peter was practically a genius this episode relative to his previous performances. His save of Parkman was great.

Also, I totally called Bennett telling Matt that Daphne is alive.

[Annie]

Annie, what do you mean the floor was too much "call back" for you? I don't get it.

They're making a lot of references to past events/scenes etc: Peter getting in Mohinder's cab in the first chapter, immediately followed by the Scary Agent Guy, whereupon Mohinder runs away-which happened in the first episode of S1; something last ep that I now forget. That felt more homage than retread. Nuking Washington-retread.

[Orbifold]

Also, I totally called Bennett telling Matt that Daphne is alive.

Oh, good. I haven't actually seen the episode yet, but this is good to hear. The writers' genocidal campaign against any character who wasn't introduced in the first season annoys me.

[Annie]

They're making a lot of references to past events/scenes etc: Pet..... something last ep that I now forget...............

Duh, Matt drugging Noah in the bar; in the first season it was Haitian bagging Matt in a bar and Matt waking up in the Primatech jammies with electrodes on his head. And Claire trying to befriend some nerd who could just not believe the blonde wasn't pulling a prank on him. That was more of a retread than a Zach-back, though

[Rich Mann]

With the 317 missed opportunities (in this episode) to reveal to the special-hunter that Nathan is a special, that brings the total for the season so far to; 2976.

Whoever had 2976 in this week's pool please contact the producers for your fabulous prize!

[enalzi]

With the 317 missed opportunities (in this episode) to reveal to the special-hunter that Nathan is a special, that brings the total for the season so far to; 2976.

Whoever had 2976 in this week's pool please contact the producers for your fabulous prize!

He totally suspects something is up.

[Annie]

The guys (Huey, Dewey & Louie? Kukla, Fran and Ollie? Help me, people), in a bit of backstory that was really self explanatory last week, plan their heavily medicated abduction of the man with the glasses. Peter, knowing his way around a hospital pharm, bags some Phenobarbital and the boys plan their evening. (ed:Hey, I got a dose of that once. Excellent choice, gentlemen. One squirt of that in my IV and I spent the next 4 hours explaining my unified theory of creation to the toddler in traction the next gurney over. But I digress)

Mo:OK, Matt? I know you’ve been on a bit of a rage fuelled enemy killing spree since the SWATs probably didn’t kill your pixie girlfriend, but Noah’s what’s know as a high value asset. We can’t get intel if you make his brain explode.
Matt: Screw you, buddy, I’m getting my Jedi on. Wow, people really do dream in black and white……….

Fade to: The King and Queen of the ambiguously morally grey prom, Noah and Angela.
Noah: We’re getting the band back together? Pretty please?
Angela: Primatech was a stupid idea. And expensive-frankly, ever since Midas Bob bought the farm, the revenue stream has been completely ruined. Why do you think I was trying to recruit Gabriel? We needed someone to gold up the knickknacks. By the way, here’s the last of the petty cash. And a watch. Heh. Guess who gave me that?
Noah: No Company? Now what am I suppose to dooooooo?
Angela: You’ve been a great adoptive dad to my granddaughter- given some thought to becoming a surrogate son for me? I’m hiring again. Gabriel didn’t work out so well. But I won’t lie and tell you I’m your real mother!
Noah: You have two sons already; they’re a little naïve but fundamentally decent.
Angela: And you wonder why we don’t get along?

Matt squints at Noah some more. Mohinder and Peter make tut-tut noises and check Noah’s vitals, but fail to top up the IV. Wavy back in time to:

Nathan: Hey, Noah, let’s get the band back together!
Noah: The government? Rounding people up? I dunno….
Nathan: Oh, now that’s a problem for you? That only took you 18 years
Noah: Naw, not that-it’s just there’s so much paperwork. But let’s go check out my arsenal. I keep it secure with Lyle’s old locker padlock (ed: Combo: May 9/57- I’m calling it! Or 79/May 7. It’s a date, whatever)

Back at Three Stooges HQ:

Mo: You’re torturing him because you’re pissed about them killing Daphne.
Matt: You think you deserve to be hunted because you feel guilty about……well, just being a big dork.
Mo: Are you reading my mind? I thought we agreed…..
Matt: No, you’re just not that complicated. It’s why I love y..oops.
Noah: Oh Maaaaatt- wanna see what me and Mo were up to last month?
Mo: ohshit ohshit oshit!
Matt: You knew? Asshole!
Mo: I thought he was bullshitting me! ‘cause, me? Bullshit magnet.

(Oh Mohinder, you are a big dork. Why do you think you can keep anything secret? Or think any of your plans will work? Just shut up, brush your hair and go back to the lab. Just check with management before you start any new lines of research, ‘k?)

Matt and Mo smash each other across the room for a while, letting Noah escape to the parking lot; where he gets recaptured by Peter. Peter. Last week he’s thwarted by a hatrack, this week it’s empathy boy? Dude, you’re just lucky we can blame this one on the drugs.

(ed: Back to the bickering roommates: were any of you boys listening to Sylar’s rules of engagement last week? Stay focused, don’t let emotions get in the way, plan for your end game, concentrate on your goal. And what do the two of you do? Bitch and fight and play right into the other’s abilities. Mohinder lies to the mind reader, Matt starts a fight with Conan the Professor. And Mohinder always underestimates the dosage required to keep his captives down. Do you remember Sylar pinning you to the ceiling? Hey, get Pete to figure out the sedative strength, he actually trained on humans.)

Matt: Who are you working for now?
Noah : (In Ukrainian or something): Eat me.
Matt: I’m going back in without the drugs. It’s gonna hurt!
Mo: That’s my line, bitch.

Wavy back to Noah trying to get Danko likkered up at his place. Standard dick waving bravado ensues. Peter guns up, just the way we like him, and goes a’ hunter hunt’n

Peter: Hey, Danko, nice speakers! You sure have a lot of surveillance gear. Hey, I think you need to replace that smoke detector battery, it’s blinking
Danko: pardon me while I push buttons on my phone.
Vwoooomp: Nathan, with great restraint, walks through Danko’s door instead of landing on his fire escape or scooting down the chimney. :
Danko: How’d you get here so fast, Senator?
Peter: How’d he get here so fast? You can’t just be figuring this out, Danks.
Nathan: My brother has powers……….my daughter has powers…………. ???
Danko: And???????
Peter: I’d facepalm, but then I’d have to put down the gun. Oh wait, I can do bo- BANG
Danko: Owwwwwww?

The SWAT’s come a’ kicking in hotel doors. Instead of brain mojo-ing them, Matt sends Mo out to stop them. (ed:Wooo! Mohinder’s Patented Door Blocking! It’s the only thing you’re good at, honey. Oh, you took them on? At least read a damn book. I recommend Worst Case Scenario- Civilian Insurrection. And now you’re in shackles? Geeze, too bad you don’t have the strength to bust out of …… Good thing you look hot. It’s pretty much all you got left. Well, at least you’re being blackmailed into working for the bad guys this time. Usually you give it up for lab access...)

Mo: For God’s sake people- “Come ‘n get me, come ‘n get me?” Not busting out of my shackles like they were paper? I’m double agent-ing again, you dopes!
Audience: Because you’re so good at that. How long before you ‘fess up to Nathan? Think you can make it a whole week this time?
Mo: Oh shut up.
Noah: Hey, Mo, double agent? Me too!

Meanwhile: Matt gets apprehended and chocolate milk’d again. The SWAT’s are stupid enough to let Noah walk him to the parking lot, where Peter smoke bombs ‘em again and flies away with Matt. They zoom off to Mohinder’s place, where Matt takes over his lease (again) and makes with the prognostipainting:

Matt: Oh my god, this is horrific!
Peter: It’s ok, you don’t look that bad in person. But what’s with the pipe bombs?

Next week: Danko gets the Rogue. Or something like that.

[Yumblie]

Overall I like where this season is going, but I'm getting sick of the painting the future plot device. It's gotten trite and hackneyed to the point where painting the future seem as mundane as reading a newspaper. And have they explained yet why Matt can do it now? Did I miss that?

And after all this time has Isaac's old apartment still not been rented out to a new tenant? How many layers of paint must be on that floor by now?

Anyway, is this the first time we had an extended sequence of Peter pointing a gun at someone and he actually fired it? He deserves a pat on the back for that. In fact, it seems like Peter's the brains of this whole operation. How about that!

[Maus Magill]

With the 317 missed opportunities (in this episode) to reveal to the special-hunter that Nathan is a special, that brings the total for the season so far to; 2976.
He totally suspects something is up.
Yeah - I think he suspects Nathan. However, I'm beginning to suspect that the Hunter is a special, too.

Next up: People complaining how Peter can fly between Costa Verdi and Washington so quickly.

[Half Man Half Wit]

In fact, it seems like Peter's the brains of this whole operation. How about that!
Well, going by their overall efficiency so far -- yes, it indeed does seem like Peter's the brains of the whole thing. :p

How did they find Mo and Parkman in the end, by the way? Was that explained or just one of those things that secretive government agencies routinely can do if they want, but never when they really need to?

[Enderw24]

Well it's established that they can fly at supersonic speeds. The question is how fast. To even come close to the timetable presented last night, he'd have to be flying at at least 6000 MPH or Mach 8 and it would still take an hour round trip. I'm not going to argue it can't be done, because, frankly, that's about the least improbable thing in a world of time travellers future painters and telekinetics.

[Maus Magill]

Well, going by their overall efficiency so far -- yes, it indeed does seem like Peter's the brains of the whole thing. :p

How did they find Mo and Parkman in the end, by the way? Was that explained or just one of those things that secretive government agencies routinely can do if they want, but never when they really need to?

The baddies knew they were in Costa Verdi because Peter was seen looting the storage facility, which would also be how they knew they had gotten Noah.

I would guess the first place they'd look for Noah would be the motel where he had last used his credit card. Now a smart person would have moved Noah to a different location, but Peter seems to be the brains of the operation.

In fact, I guess we're lucky they didn't start their interrogation right there in the bar.

[Lightray]

Where was this episode supposed to have taken place, anyway? Costa Verde? Or near Washington DC? Peter and Nathan weren't zipping back and forth across the US, were they?

[Ethilrist]

Nice plan, Pete.

So, who do we think can blow up these days?

[Annie]

Next up: People complaining how Peter can fly between Costa Verdi and Washington so quickly.

If the Bennets lived in Maryland, they wouldn't have all the continuity crap of people getting from Claire's house to Prima/Hurst all the time. But I think the show likes to film something in Calif that is actually suppose to be California.

Where was this episode supposed to have taken place, anyway? Costa Verde? Or near Washington DC? Peter and Nathan weren't zipping back and forth across the US, were they?

Just Peter, I think. Nathan was on schmooze patrol in DC.

Overall I like where this season is going, but I'm getting sick of the painting the future plot device. It's gotten trite and hackneyed to the point where painting the future seem as mundane as reading a newspaper.

Just letting the future unfurl without foreknowledge- sounds like a plan!



Anyway, is this the first time we had an extended sequence of Peter pointing a gun at someone and he actually fired it? He deserves a pat on the back for that. In fact, it seems like Peter's the brains of this whole operation. How about that!

Peter actually fired a gun at his dad. Sylar just intercepted the bullet, let it hover while he BS-detected Arthur, then flung it in his forehead when he got BS red line readings. So he actually shot 'at' his dad without carrying the emotional burden of doing so. (Nice rationalization there, Petey!)

[Annie]

So, who do we think can blow up these days?

Micro-boy; he's with Sylar who, it can be said, knows how to develop a talent to its full potential

[Maus Magill]

If the Bennets lived in Maryland, they wouldn't have all the continuity crap of people getting from Claire's house to Prima/Hurst all the time. But I think the show likes to film something in Calif that is actually suppose to be California.

My thoughts exactly. I think they needed a high school for season 2.

I just had a thought (mark the date.) We know Noah is working both sides (like usual). Is there any chance he could be Rebel?

[DigitalC]

Parkman is the one whos supposed to blow up. One of his drawings was him strapped with a ton of dynamite, another one was just a stick of dynamite, so i guess its just an old fashioned kind of explosion. Also when Peter tells him hes not a murderer he points to the explosion drawing and says "how do you explain this then".

[Maus Magill]

If Matt was reading Noah's mind, why was everything not from his perspective, like inside John Malcovich's mind in Being John Malcovich?


Do you really want to watch twenty minutes of first person camera work? I can't think of a single flash-back/memory sequence in any show that was shown in first person.

This being the Dope, though, some one will be along shortly with three examples, two from shows I watch reqularly.

[Lightray]

Just Peter, I think. Nathan was on schmooze patrol in DC.
That's what I thought, at first, but...

Building 26: in DC?

Noah looking for an apartment: in Costa Verde?

motel: in Costa Verde

Noah's locker: in Costa Verde?

Hunter Dude's lonely empty house: in DC?

Hunter Dude, having just got shot, debriefing Noah while they walk to his car to be driven home: DC? Costa Verde?

Noah goes to talk to Angela in the park: wait, where are we again????

Also: Hunter Dude has Claire and Nathan under surveilance. And knows Peter has powers, and knows about Pinehurst. But he doesn't have Angela followed, to notice her clandestine meetings with Noah?? (whom he also doesn't trust, and has under surveilance).

[Enderw24]

Whose clandestine meetings take place 30 seconds after the meeting with hunter-dude. I mean, seriously, in the same shot.

Hey Noah: Just because you don't make eye contact doesn't mean people watching you can't figure out that you're sitting down on a park bench with Mrs. Petrelli.

[elfkin477]

I'm glad that they finally got around to saying what happened to Daphe. Speaking of Daphe, a while back, in possible future land, she and Matt had a baby. And Matt had a kid already, and refered to the baby as "your sister" when speaking to the girl. Where's the kid now? Boarding school or something?

As for the Hunter, does anyone have special powers that could force someone to not to think of something? Because that, or borderline retardation, is only plausable explaination for why it's not obvious that he knows Nathan is super too.

[enalzi]

I'm glad that they finally got around to saying what happened to Daphe. Speaking of Daphe, a while back, in possible future land, she and Matt had a baby. And Matt had a kid already, and refered to the baby as "your sister" when speaking to the girl. Where's the kid now? Boarding school or something?


That's Molly, who he adopted (?) At the start of the season he mentioned sending her away somewhere to be safe, but he didn't specify where.

[Promethea]

Looks like I'm delivering a minority report this week because I thought this was all great - best ep in ages. It's now back in the world of engaging silliness rather than maddening silliness that had me shouting "GAH!" at my screen in exasperation. Stuff that was enjoyable in this vein was stuff like Angela turning up to her park bench seeekret rendezvous with Noah, wearing giant sunglassses just like a REAL spy. Bless! I gave her points for that and for speaking her lines out the corner of her mouth and to the general air in front of her rather than, say chatting like a normal person but there's so much more she could be doing here. To be really throwing herself into the role, I recommend buying a trench coat and turning the collar up and cutting out eyeholes in her newspaper to peer through. Also beginning all conversations with "The ducks fly north to Moscow" or similar. I liked her present of the watch - even her nice gestures have an element of "screw you" to them.

That drugging Bennet thing bugged me - how on earth did they manage to do that under Bennet and the bartender's nose? I was expecting her to tear off a wig and latex mask to reveal she was Matt all along, Charlie's Angels-style or something. Still, I loved Benent gleefully playing divide and rule with Matt & Mohinder. his "Yes WHY didn't you tell him, Mohinder??" in those sad, wounded tones was hilarious - Jack Coleman is awesome and reminded me why he is 30% of my reason for watching this show.

I could live without the future paintings - I agree these are really, really tired (as is the other characters continued doubting of their veracity) but elsewhere I thought things had actually moved for our gang. I liked Bennet realising that his past endless banging on about whatever bad stuff he does, he does for Claire was all along something of a pious self justification and that actually he just plain likes being a spy. I think that's progress. I thought Angela and Bennet joyfully contemplating a future of generally playing both sides off against the other was a joy.

I am enjoying Danko the Hunter as, despite the glaring failing as outlined by Annie for not figuring out Nathan has powers too, he actually seems to have a brain. This makes him a real threat to people like Peter and Nathan who seem increasingly powered by the cognitive equivalent of sawdust. Poor Nathan - every week he seems that little bit more doomed - they can do what they like to try and make him developing that dumb plan all they like, the best that they can do is present him as a well meaning idiot. And that's really more Peter's role.
As an aside, the actor playing the hunter is pretty tiny, isn't he? Whenever he has to talk to Jack Coleman there seems to be nearly two foot worth of height difference.

Oh and all this plus no Sylar, no Luke, no Claire and no Hiro? Hell, this may actually have been one of my favorite ever episodes :)

[Annie]

I have to watch it again, but what we saw of Danko was interesting. G-man instead of Company Man: he gets the file on the new targets around the first of the month, and by Friday he has fully embraced the mission-Specials Are A Menace And A Threat To Our Way Of Life- basically on the say so of Nathan (and ok, maybe the Sylar file) Thus a bunch of regular goobers go from being citizens to targets. The guy seems to be a model for ideal employee engagement.

If you can convince NBC you live in the US Promethea, watch the commentary on the episode-it's by Coleman and Ramamurthy.

[Promethea]

If you can convince NBC you live in the US Promethea, watch the commentary on the episode-it's by Coleman and Ramamurthy.

Alas, I never CAN persuade NBC I'm a US citizen no matter how much of a fake online accent I sport, Annie. I suspect I'm just terminally technologically inept. The online commentaries are a distant, tantalising siren call, therefore and I have to wait to get 'em on the DVDs. I am guessing this week's was pretty entertaining? Those two are generally good value.

[The Devil's Grandmother]

That's Molly, who he adopted (?) At the start of the season he mentioned sending her away somewhere to be safe, but he didn't specify where.

Please, what happened to Matt's (now ex) wife who was pregnant?

That drugging Bennet thing bugged me - how on earth did they manage to do that under Bennet and the bartender's nose?
Peter learned how to be invisible from the character who was Noah's partner before the Haitian {the actor who also played Dr Who in the first season}.

[DigitalC]

Please, what happened to Matt's (now ex) wife who was pregnant?

She cheated on him, the child wasn't his and she ended up leaving him after the first season.


Peter learned how to be invisible from the character who was Noah's partner before the Haitian {the actor who also played Dr Who in the first season}.

Peter doesn't have any of those powers anymore, he now only keeps whichever power he absorbed last, currently flight which seems to have come in pretty handy.

[Johnny L.A.]

I'm sick with a cold today, and have been staring at my work (telecommuting) all morning.

When I saw the tread title I thought it said Herpes (02/23/09) “Cold Wars”.

[Mama Zappa]

Does Peter have some control over which power he absorbs? From the bit in the airplane a few episodes ago, it would seem not - I mean, if you're chained up and drugged in an airplane, I'm thinking you wouldn't intentionally go for the cool-hand-luke thing, right?

Assuming it's whatever power he last touched, with no conscious thought, the scene outside the hotel room should have played out thus:

ZOOOOOOM! GONNA RESCUE MY BUDDY!

<grab>

ZOooooo... {peter? you saved me!}

SHIT!

[It's Not Rocket Surgery!]

She cheated on him, the child wasn't his and she ended up leaving him after the first season.




Peter doesn't have any of those powers anymore, he now only keeps whichever power he absorbed last, currently flight which seems to have come in pretty handy.

When he flew away with Parkman, how come he didn't absorb Matt's power and lose the flight power?

[DigitalC]

When he flew away with Parkman, how come he didn't absorb Matt's power and lose the flight power?

I assume he figured out how to do it at will?

[Promethea]

I assume he figured out how to do it at will?

Maybe he's like Rogue and it has to be flesh to flesh contact?

[Cuckoorex]

Maybe he's like Rogue and it has to be flesh to flesh contact?

Don't think so. Pretty sure that he got all of his recently copied powers by flesh to clothing contact. Tracey was head-to-toe covered, as far as I remember, and when he "zapped" Nathan to get flight his "zapping" hand was on Nathan's clothed chest.

[Promethea]

Don't think so. Pretty sure that he got all of his recently copied powers by flesh to clothing contact. Tracey was head-to-toe covered, as far as I remember, and when he "zapped" Nathan to get flight his "zapping" hand was on Nathan's clothed chest.

Then I got nuthin' :) I guess he really can will his DNA not to abandon whatever ability he has if he thinks the replacement won't be as useful as per DigitalC 's thinking. For some reason that bugs me - it seems cheating somehow on a story level.

ETA: I liked the idea of him having to run the risk of losing a fantastic power for say, Alex the Aquaman's through carelessness

[Cuckoorex]

Well, flight IS pretty useful when you're on the run from the shadow ops people, that's for sure. Wouldn't want to give that up for fish telepathy anytime soon.

[Promethea]

Well, flight IS pretty useful when you're on the run from the shadow ops people, that's for sure. Wouldn't want to give that up for fish telepathy anytime soon.

Yes, that was my point too. So having it be involuntary would have added a bit of drama to it all. Obviously, he would want to keep a power that was useful and also one that wasn't easy to get back (because it isn't like he could go and ask Nathan for it back because he accidentally lost the power of supersonic flight but can now breathe underwater)
The sheer "D'OH!" factor would have been hilarious and of course, potentially dangerous if a new ability were to get absorbed whilst thousands of feet in the air. Still, I'm sure they know what they're doing.

[Cuckoorex]

Yes, that was my point too. So having it be involuntary would have added a bit of drama to it all. Obviously, he would want to keep a power that was useful and also one that wasn't easy to get back (because it isn't like he could go and ask Nathan for it back because he accidentally lost the power of supersonic flight but can now breathe underwater)
The sheer "D'OH!" factor would have been hilarious and of course, potentially dangerous if a new ability were to get absorbed whilst thousands of feet in the air. Still, I'm sure they know what they're doing.

That would be great for a comedy spin-off.

*Peter tries to fly away from trouble, instead lets out an extremely long, melodious belch.*

"Dammit, BurpBoy! Why do you keep following me?"

[Promethea]

That would be great for a comedy spin-off.

*Peter tries to fly away from trouble, instead lets out an extremely long, melodious belch.*

"Dammit, BurpBoy! Why do you keep following me?"

You know, I guess the only way to be 100% sure is to comb back through the eps, but are you SURE there's been power transfer through clothes? The more I think about it that seems to break all the comic book rules. His DNA recognises that under wool there is a power to be got? All he should really be absorbing is anything the sheep might have had.

[Cuckoorex]

You know, I guess the only way to be 100% sure is to comb back through the eps, but are you SURE there's been power transfer through clothes? The more I think about it that seems to break all the comic book rules. His DNA recognises that under wool there is a power to be got? All he should really be absorbing is anything the sheep might have had.

Well, he did absorb powers through skin-on-skin contact with Mohinder and Tracy (just watched the relevant portions of the episode) BUT it certainly appears that he "zapped" Nathan's flight ability through his clothes; the only place where there was a possibility of skin-to-skin contact as he held Nathan hostage was their faces, but the little electrical "zap" was shown on Peter's hand, which was not in contact with Nathan's skin.

In any case, before he didn't even need to touch someone to gain their powers; so if his power is keyed into other powers, then what does the sheep matter, unless the sheep has a power? Also, he had Claire wake Mohinder up before he took his power, which may imply that he needs someone who is able to use their powers to absorb those powers. Or maybe not. I dunno.

[Promethea]

Well, he did absorb powers through skin-on-skin contact with Mohinder and Tracy (just watched the relevant portions of the episode) BUT it certainly appears that he "zapped" Nathan's flight ability through his clothes; the only place where there was a possibility of skin-to-skin contact as he held Nathan hostage was their faces, but the little electrical "zap" was shown on Peter's hand, which was not in contact with Nathan's skin.

In any case, before he didn't even need to touch someone to gain their powers; so if his power is keyed into other powers, then what does the sheep matter, unless the sheep has a power? Also, he had Claire wake Mohinder up before he took his power, which may imply that he needs someone who is able to use their powers to absorb those powers. Or maybe not. I dunno.

Yeah, I was just making a (tiny tiny, really pisspoor gag ;) ) that really if the power transfer could work by Peter grabbing hold of people through their clothes, then that was crazy. And that unless said clothes just so happened to have been fashioned from a super powered sheep or cow (or whatever) the clothes were fashioned from, I wasn't buying it. Or iow I was pointing out the premise was just absurd- if they are going to have the big difference be that Peter needs to touch the person to get their powers, for heaven's sake have him actually make contact. Otherwise it is just a scaled down version of the 'close proximity' thing of old.

I am suspecting that we are given to imply that it works via skin to skin touch if they went out of their way to show most previous efforts worked this way but who knows? I guess we will see for sure one way or another in future eps - thanks for looking!

[Lightray]

When they were on the plane, Peter inadvertently switched Nathan's flight for Tracy's freeze-touch, after touching her. Later, on the ground, he explained to her that he'd only been able to "hang on" to one power at a time since Pinehurst -- indicating that he'd tried... and hence, had been practicing.

Since then, he's been a few days on the run; not really enough time to suddenly master the intricacies of his power and make it fully voluntary-only. It's not like Hiro's dad is around for a training montage, anymore.

Well, flight IS pretty useful when you're on the run from the shadow ops people, that's for sure. Wouldn't want to give that up for fish telepathy anytime soon.
Ah, but as we all know (all too well), the Heroes universe follows cheesy comics tropes.

So, if you are a character on Heroes, and learn you are someone's girlfriend... better start picking out the fridge you'll be buried in.

And if you have the lame power of breathing water... you can be sure, every week, that there'll be a water obstacle to make you relevant and save the day.

So if Peter is on the run from Hunter Dude, with only water breathing to save him, we can rest assured there will be a sudden, unnoticed canal for him to swim to freedom in!

[Annie]

So, if you are a character on Heroes, and learn you are someone's girlfriend... better start picking out the fridge you'll be buried in.

And if you have the lame power of breathing water... you can be sure, every week, that there'll be a water obstacle to make you relevant and save the day.



Don't forget the risks of being Hero While Black*

*offer void in Haiti :D

As far as Pete's get one/lose one; I'm not over thinking it; just rest assured the next gal he gets the hots for will be some special with a horrible ability. And he can never touch her lest he get the coveted 'convert gold into drywall mould' power.

[elfkin477]

Yes, that was my point too. So having it be involuntary would have added a bit of drama to it all. Obviously, he would want to keep a power that was useful and also one that wasn't easy to get back (because it isn't like he could go and ask Nathan for it back because he accidentally lost the power of supersonic flight but can now breathe underwater)
The sheer "D'OH!" factor would have been hilarious and of course, potentially dangerous if a new ability were to get absorbed whilst thousands of feet in the air. Still, I'm sure they know what they're doing. That last bit is what immediately came to mind: Peter, holding on to Matt, suddenly discovers that he's absorbed Matt's ability. Then, he can very usefully read Matt's thought "oh shit!!" as the two of them plummet to the ground.:D

Maybe they'll save that for the series finale.

[levdrakon]

That was just about the longest, boringest ep yet. As soon as Matt said "I'm going in," I thought "uh-oh." Flashbacks are never good. Also, why the hell isn't Matt using his illusion power?

But, I got my Ambiguously Evil Dad back! "I've always been comfortable with morally grey." Woot.

They really saved a lot of money not paying actors this week. I really wanted to see Sylar and his new side-kick. Has a villain in comics ever taken a side-kick?

Mohinder still has super strength? I thought he lost that.

[Ethilrist]

You know, I guess the only way to be 100% sure is to comb back through the eps, but are you SURE there's been power transfer through clothes? The more I think about it that seems to break all the comic book rules. His DNA recognises that under wool there is a power to be got? All he should really be absorbing is anything the sheep might have had.

"Not a creature of the air, is the sheep. It's more of a plummet, actually."

They did show somebody specifically taking Tracy's oven mitts off, and Peter grabbed her hand. He also had serious problems in the first season controlling newly-acquired powers (almost blew up when he met Ted, for instance), but once he had a chance to work with them, he did better.

[GuanoLad]

He totally suspects something is up.My guess is he has super-healing.

[Promethea]

My guess is he has super-healing.

He totally should suspect something is up. In addition to all the stuff Annie and enalzi have pointed out, there remains the fact that Peter is zipping about the place using a power no target in their files is listed as having. They know he gets them from touch (presumably) so Danko really should be querying how on earth Peter is doing this. Unless Nathan has foreseen this problem and scribbled in pen "...and also he can fly sometimes" at the end of the bio in Peter's dossier or something.

And yeah, it's sweet how all the others are too much in the way of good sports to rat Nathan out. Even sweeter that his plan appears to be counting (successfully so far) on everyone he's trying to imprison doing precisely this.

[Baldwin]

Where's the Haitian these days? It occurs to me he's the only one who could potentially make all this go away: there must be a limited number of people involved in the Heroes-hunt, and if could get to them all, he could make them forget the whole thing.

Though, realistically (good luck using that word about this show) how long could the presence of people with real superpowers remain a secret?

When Matt and Mohinder were trashing their hotel room, then looked over to find that Bennett had escaped, I used one of my girlfriend's late dad's phrases: "These geniuses could fuck up a two-car funeral."

[GuanoLad]

He totally should suspect something is up. In addition to all the stuff Annie and enalzi have pointed out, there remains the fact that Peter is zipping about the place using a power no target in their files is listed as having. They know he gets them from touch (presumably) so Danko really should be querying how on earth Peter is doing this. Unless Nathan has foreseen this problem and scribbled in pen "...and also he can fly sometimes" at the end of the bio in Peter's dossier or something.Surely he knows Peter has powers. What he doesn't know is Nathan can fly.

But like I said, judging by his lack of fear of being killed, and his lack of reaction one minute after being shot, I'm guessing he shares Claire's power.

Though I'm probably wrong.

[Baldwin]

Interesting, GuanoLad, I hadn't thought of that. I just thought Danko really didn't care about dying -- or else had read Peter's profile and knew he wasn't a killer. (So we've been told, although he did pull the trigger on his dad.) I thought Danko was essentially calling Peter's bluff -- and once you've established that somebody's not going to kill you, it becomes ridiculous for them to keep pointing a gun at you. I don't know what exactly Peter's plan was.

[Promethea]

My guess is he has super-healing.

Surely he knows Peter has powers. What he doesn't know is Nathan can fly.

But like I said, judging by his lack of fear of being killed, and his lack of reaction one minute after being shot, I'm guessing he shares Claire's power.

Though I'm probably wrong.

Well, he seems well briefed about everyone else's powers - he even knows about Claire's vulnerability to her healing factor. So it seems reasonable to assume he know Peter's absorbs the powers of others, one at a time. Now as he knows no-one on that crashed plane could fly from their files, Danko really should have been querying where that borrowed ability comes from. And that points back to Nathan as being in close proximity each time he's seen him use it.

It's an interesting theory about him having healing powers himself (which I guess will be solved one way or another if Peter ever grabs hold of him if nothing else) but I would point out not even Claire could laugh off being shot in the head at point blank range. I am voting just basically badass and reading that Peter was bluffing.

[Half Man Half Wit]

It's an interesting theory about him having healing powers himself (which I guess will be solved one way or another if Peter ever grabs hold of him if nothing else)
There was a shot with a strange emphasis on Peter touching Noah's wrist to feel his pulse that made me think he'll soon try to fly and find he couldn't, having taken some power from Noah without knowing which one -- I thought that would've been kinda cool, but it was not to be.

[Lightray]

My guess is he has super-healing.
Given that they deliberately show him later, talking to Noah, with his arm in a sling because of the gunshot wound in his shoulder... seems really unlikely.

Also, Noah makes a point of reminding him that Noah had managed to keep men like him from finding anything out about the superpowers, until Nathan spilled the beans. Hardly have been a revelation had he already had powers, himself.

Frankly, the entire plotline is sending up the shrill overreaction of OMG!Terrorists!!1! that may have been relevant a few years ago during the Bush administration, but seems increasingly dated now in the Obama era. Nothing new with this show, being stuck in its own past, though.

[Annie]

Now as he knows no-one on that crashed plane could fly from their files, Danko really should have been querying where that borrowed ability comes from. And that points back to Nathan as being in close proximity each time he's seen him use it.



Possibility A: Danko is as thick as a plank. I'm thinking not.

Possibility B: He knows/suspects Nathan is a special but is sucking it up for the sake of the mission, or retaining the info for future blackmail purposes. Like, once the specials existence becomes public knowledge.

[Maus Magill]

He totally should suspect something is up. In addition to all the stuff Annie and enalzi have pointed out, there remains the fact that Peter is zipping about the place using a power no target in their files is listed as having. I would assume they have The Company's files, which should have West listed. (Remember him? I wish I didn't.)
They know he gets them from touch (presumably) so Danko really should be querying how on earth Peter is doing this. Unless Nathan has foreseen this problem and scribbled in pen "...and also he can fly sometimes" at the end of the bio in Peter's dossier or something.

And yeah, it's sweet how all the others are too much in the way of good sports to rat Nathan out. Even sweeter that his plan appears to be counting (successfully so far) on everyone he's trying to imprison doing precisely this.
Tracy tried to when she was first captured. Wasn't she screaming, "You're one of us, Nathan!!" Or am I misremembering.

[Ethilrist]

And yeah, it's sweet how all the others are too much in the way of good sports to rat Nathan out. Even sweeter that his plan appears to be counting (successfully so far) on everyone he's trying to imprison doing precisely this.
I'm not that charitable. I think they all believe that keeping it a secret somehow gives them power over Nathan. Which is sad. However, I think Tracy's finally catching on, even though getting chained to a chair under a heat lamp didn't clue her in the first time.

So, Nathan's big plan:

1. Lock them all up.
2. Remove their powers, if possible.
3. If not possible:
a. keep them locked up forever.
b. let them go.
c. kill them.

Yeah, the country needs this guy as President.

He also said that he was given his powers, so it must be possible to take them away. That's kinda optimistic, particularly since he's got some people locked up whose powers weren't imposed by his parents et al.

And, re: Danko... I think he's fully aware that Nathan has some kind of power. He's just working so well as bait that it's not worth bagging him just yet. Besides, when he does decide to take Nathan down, it's not like he's going to be hard to find.

[Promethea]

I would assume they have The Company's files, which should have West listed. (Remember him? I wish I didn't.)

We are all trying to forget West *pats shoulder in solidarity*. But West wasn't on the plane (as far as we know) and hence not available to hand over his power. As to them knowing about Peter and how his powers work, I have to presume it is reasonable that Nathan would have briefed the team on what his brother can do. He went out of his way to ensure he was caught in the first place after all, conflicted feelings not withstanding.


Tracy tried to when she was first captured. Wasn't she screaming, "You're one of us, Nathan!!" Or am I misremembering.

Yes, but she made the classic, classic TV error of screaming it like a crazy person as they dragged her away rather than, say pointing it out to Danko calmly and logically. I was only disappointed she didn't throw in a "you've gots to believe me!!!" in there too. But yeah, in any case chalk me up as someone who thinks Danko isn't dumb and is just biding his time.

[Maus Magill]

We are all trying to forget West *pats shoulder in solidarity*. But West wasn't on the plane (as far as we know) and hence not available to hand over his power. As to them knowing about Peter and how his powers work, I have to presume it is reasonable that Nathan would have briefed the team on what his brother can do. He went out of his way to ensure he was caught in the first place after all, conflicted feelings not withstanding.
Maybe West was the one who was pulled out of the plane...


But yeah, in any case chalk me up as someone who thinks Danko isn't dumb and is just biding his time.

Agreed.

[Sateryn76]

I really liked this episode. I'm getting excited again, and the plot and writing seems to be firming up. Until.....

Another stupid future floor painting? Really? And it had explosions? Really?
Can't they come up with any other way to cause a catastrophic event, like a Hulk Hero causing an earthquake, or something, anything?!!!?

[Lightray]

You know, the more I think about it, the dumber chaining Tracy underneath heat lamps seems. Yeah, yeah, her powers are cold, so heat must be her kryptonite, or something.

But she is capable of flash-freezing a human body (or metal hull of an airplane) in seconds.

That is easily more than enough to overcome those stupid Burger King warmer lights they have on her. Other people wander in, wearing full suits or body armor, and converse with her without bursting into flames or melting into puddles of warm goo. Heck, if Nathan walked in with a martini, it probably wouldn't even melt the ice in his drink.

Also fairly stupid, because they have the chocolate milk drip, which keeps supers nice and sedate. Why not just use that, in case the stupid chick figures out she has way more cold wattage than you've got heatlamps, and busts out to freeze another office drone in your totally secret cube farm populated by temps?

[levdrakon]

You know, the more I think about it, the dumber chaining Tracy underneath heat lamps seems. Yeah, yeah, her powers are cold, so heat must be her kryptonite, or something.Well, see... the lamps were connected to a heat sensor, and had the power to go up to 11,000F if the temperature started dropping.

[elfkin477]

So, Nathan's big plan:

1. Lock them all up.
2. Remove their powers, if possible.
3. If not possible:
a. keep them locked up forever.
b. let them go.
c. kill them.

You forgot d. mutant registration

[enalzi]

Does Danko's team know Peter can only have one power at a time now? They're working on info from Primatech's time, so they don't know everything. For example, they went after Hiro instead of Ando, not knowing the change.

[LawMonkey]

A minor question re: Claire & other self-healers. The highspeed government kidnap team has on occasion suggested that "a single bullet to the back of the head" would stop Claire (or Sylar) in her tracks. Is this due to some change in her powers that I missed? As I recall, the only thing that would slow Claire down was 1) massive head trauma with 2) a foreign object actually lodged in her head. In other words, if a bullet makes an exit wound, all we're going to get is a far-too-gory for primetime shot of Claire's face growing back after a few seconds.

[Promethea]

Does Danko's team know Peter can only have one power at a time now? They're working on info from Primatech's time, so they don't know everything. For example, they went after Hiro instead of Ando, not knowing the change.

You know what? you're probably right they don't know about the one power at a time thing. I was assuming Nathan would have added the extra information in but thinking about it, I don't think he knows either so I'll take the comment back.

A minor question re: Claire & other self-healers. The highspeed government kidnap team has on occasion suggested that "a single bullet to the back of the head" would stop Claire (or Sylar) in her tracks. Is this due to some change in her powers that I missed? As I recall, the only thing that would slow Claire down was 1) massive head trauma with 2) a foreign object actually lodged in her head. In other words, if a bullet makes an exit wound, all we're going to get is a far-too-gory for primetime shot of Claire's face growing back after a few seconds.

Yeah, and for this very reason it bugged me last season when Sylar took out Arthur Petrelli apparently by bypassing the healing factor by simply shooting him between the eyes. I guess we can just infer getting shot in the head is fatal for our healers until such time as the writers change their minds.

[Lightray]

Yeah, and for this very reason it bugged me last season when Sylar took out Arthur Petrelli apparently by bypassing the healing factor by simply shooting him between the eyes. I guess we can just infer getting shot in the head is fatal for our healers until such time as the writers change their minds.
I think the better assumption is that the writers have decided "all powers must be nerfed".

[Baldwin]

That is easily more than enough to overcome those stupid Burger King warmer lights they have on her. Other people wander in, wearing full suits or body armor, and converse with her without bursting into flames or melting into puddles of warm goo. Heck, if Nathan walked in with a martini, it probably wouldn't even melt the ice in his drink.Ice in a martini? I don't want to live in that world.

[DigitalC]

Its like zombies, the only way to stop them is by destroying the brain. Bullet to the back of the head is the safest option but one between the eyes would do the job also. Simply lodging something in there just disables the brain until its removed, which is probably why Sylar survived the primatech fire.

[Maus Magill]

Yeah, and for this very reason it bugged me last season when Sylar took out Arthur Petrelli apparently by bypassing the healing factor by simply shooting him between the eyes. I guess we can just infer getting shot in the head is fatal for our healers until such time as the writers change their minds.
Also, the Haitian was suppressing Arthur's powers at the time.

[levdrakon]

Could someone remind me what Sylar's up to? I kind of just let the show play across the screen these days.

What's his current agenda? What's his part in the current round 'em up thing? I know he's looking for his parents, has a side-kick who apparently knows something. What else? What are the powers we know he's got?

He's my favorite now. He's free to be good, and very, very bad.

[Maus Magill]

Could someone remind me what Sylar's up to? I kind of just let the show play across the screen these days.

What's his current agenda? What's his part in the current round 'em up thing? I know he's looking for his parents, has a side-kick who apparently knows something. What else? What are the powers we know he's got?

He's my favorite now. He's free to be good, and very, very bad.

Thanks to Angela's and Arthur's attempts to manipulate him, Sylar's mommy issues are now parent issues. He's now trying to find his real father, and seems to have put the Pokemon mission1 on the shelf for now. As to the powers he has now, I remember:

Lie detection
Electric blast
TK
Super-healing
Sonic Blast
Transmutation


[1] Gotta get them all.

[Annie]

Ability to steal/mooch abilities from others....
.....that 'Where's this object been?" thing he got off that girl Angela gave him when he was on Level 5. Hey, that would be a handy talent to have when you have your enemy's well worn laptop computer! Maybe that computer has some information about SWAT HQ or something. (god, that would be a horrible ability to have if you couldn't turn it off. I'd never be able to touch anything in a public bathroom ever again, that's fer damn sure!)

[enalzi]

I'm starting to wonder, what is Sylar's end-game? He was talking about having a plan a few eps ago , and I realized that he never seemed to have a goal past "Get a bunch of abilities." Never quite figured out what he was going to do with all of them.

[jackdavinci]

Nothing constructive to add, just came in to say I saw the thread title and thought it said "Herpes (02/23/09) "Cold Sores""

[Kaio]

You know what? you're probably right they don't know about the one power at a time thing. I was assuming Nathan would have added the extra information in but thinking about it, I don't think he knows either so I'll take the comment back.

I'm certain they don't. With the bad blood between Pete and Nathan now, I doubt they were very chatty after the Pinehearst fire. And when Nathan came to see Pete to ask him to join the dark side, he did ask "what can you do these days," and Pete was rather deliberately vague.

[enalzi]

I'm certain they don't. With the bad blood between Pete and Nathan now, I doubt they were very chatty after the Pinehearst fire. And when Nathan came to see Pete to ask him to join the dark side, he did ask "what can you do these days," and Pete was rather deliberately vague.

Yeah, I have a feeling he asked that question think that Peter could absorb all powers. I think it was meant as "How many powers have you found?"

[Kaio]

Yeah, I have a feeling he asked that question think that Peter could absorb all powers. I think it was meant as "How many powers have you found?"

That was my thought too, and Peter was vague because he didn't want Nathan to catch on to the one-at-a-time thing. Not like Nathan was keeping a low profile on his "must contain this mystery threat" platform, and Pete probably felt that the less Nathan knew, the better.