| "Heroes" is
based around people with powers, but it also has a
strong sense of characterization, and emotions that make
it worth watching by everyone, or anyone who enjoys
comic book lore. "Heroes"
challenges the concepts of heroes and who we can decide
in this life are heroes. It also shows how heroes with
powers can use them to potentially be evil, and what
causes us to act in this manner. The first episode plays
games with the audience, but in a good way. It makes us
think something will happen when it doesn't, it enlists
red herrings, and it signals to massive arcs that will
keep its audience ravaging for more. At the end of the
first episode I was thrilled and I just couldn't wait
for September 25th. The essential questions people will be
asking are: Where is it all leading to? Will these
people ever meet? If so, will they be enemies?
Individuals? Or will they form a team? Who is this man
with the glasses investigating this new science project?
One can only imagine. Sadly, these are the same
questions I found myself asking for "Surface" and that
series only last one whole season on a cliffhanger that
will never be answered. Either NBC are morons, or
they're too ambitious for their own good. But it's great
to see these networks trying for something other than
mind numbing brain mush for once. "Heroes" signals that
these networks are trying, even if they're cashing in on
the superhero fad, and unlike "Smallville" it performs
those feats in an adult and intelligent manner.
But they do it in the most understated
manners. A painter with pre-cognitive abilities, a
cheerleader with an unbreakable body, an accountant in
Japan who can bend time and space, a nurse who thinks he
can fly, a stripper who may have an evil twin working
with or against her, and that's just the tip of the
delicious iceberg. It's the down to Earth atmosphere
that makes this new series so utterly engrossing.
"Heroes" could very well be "X-Men: The Series," a show
about different people from all around the globe
discovering their own abilities.
It can basically be described as an
amalgam of many things, though. It's the dramatic
realism of "Unbreakable," mixed with the wonder of
"X-Men," the real world coincidences of "Crash," and the
supernatural dynamic of "The 4400," and you basically
have "Heroes." And I fucking love it. Hell, the series
even references "X-Men" directly, because "Heroes"
exists in a reality where "X-Men" is just a comic book,
and what's happening is an amazing occurrence in
reality. Did these powers exist all along, or has this
new solar eclipse sparked the pure brunt of these
people's abilities? The writers of "Heroes" pull off an
incredible feat; they write a show about people with
amazing abilities, and build up some potential villains
for the arc, yet never include any sort of action, or
demonstration that requires amazing special effects or a
tornado or cataclysmic event.
Their powers are grounded in reality,
and yet are so utterly fantastic. Though the
performances are great, you'll be inclined to think more
about the story, and where the writers are taking this.
Not to mention you'll wonder if any one of these people
has the ability to fulfill the prophecy set forth. I can
write a twelve page review, and it wouldn't properly
express how utterly taken aback I am by this new series.
Suffice it to say, "Heroes" is amazing, and the pilot
will hold twists, turns, mysteries, questions, and one
hell of a surprise ending that had me literally swearing
up a storm in shock. If you're a comic book fan, or are
a connoisseur of good taste, I strongly urge you to
watch "Heroes" when it comes to NBC September 25th.
I'll surely be watching.
-
Felix Vasquez Jr.
Premiering on NBC September 25th. Check Local Listings. |
