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Pandora's Box
Episode Recap: "Powerless"
I’m trying to figure out what to write, so I’m going over my notes and the last thing I wrote was: "the pet. bro. are so cut"… then Nathan gets shot! WTF.
I knew it was coming. A political assasination was predictable at 9:59pm.
Possible Spoiler: This is what I’ve heard of the fallen heroes: dead, uncertain and healed. We know Maya was healed. I’m glad she survived. Personally, I’d pick Nathan over her, but the best way to “fix” a character problem is to get rid of the old and bring in the new. Many have complained about Maya, but you have to imagine her character’s possibilities. She’s a weapon of mass destruction and pissed. I can’t wait to see her in action. She and Sylar will meet again.
So, is it Niki or Nathan that is uncertain? Although Peter’s healing abilities (and those who've already received blood transfusions from Adam and Claire) are still questionable. Nathan looked like a goner and Niki dying in the explosion could just be an assumption. Speaking of Peter, did anyone notice the “walk” of the shooter? It definitely looked like a walk I’ve seen from back in the Gilmore Girls day. Could Peter have traveled through time (the future) and assassinated his own brother? Would it really be for the greater good? I may be wrong. It could have been anyone, but that walk was such a Milo move. [Update: After sleep and coffee, I start to think differently. And dream about what I wrote... scary, I know... anyway, I remembered the video camera in the vault recording Nathan and Parkman. The Company knew their plan and probably asked Noah to get rid of Nathan. Its ironic, doncha think? Claire's blood saves her dad, so he can kill her biological father; and both she and Nathan had the same plans to tell the world.]
Why do I still love Angela Petrelli? There’s something about Angela that won’t allow me to dislike her. I know she received a phone call from Nathan’s killer, but there has to be more to that story.
The best part of this entire episode was Hiro - as usual. His time continuum fight with Peter was classic, his reaction to “flying man!” was priceless and his solution to rid the world of Adam/Kensei? YATTA! Adam can always return, but for now he’s six feet under with the best known secret keepers: the dead. I am still astonished at how gullible Peter became. Even as Adam walked through the building slaying guards like wheat in a field, Peter didn’t flinch. “Please, it’s been 30 years.” The old Peter - who by the way never got to Caitlyn - would never trust that comment! He was told not to trust Adam by Victoria, Hiro and Parkman. Finally, Nathan came along and convinced Peter to destroy the virus himself. Did Peter use radiation or a combination of abilities? And why was the virus kept for so long? The Company knew it was dangerous and yet they kept it locked away with brains and golden keys… did anyone else notice Adam reaching towards that large golden key when Peter walked in? I thought that was weird. Adam had the virus in one hand behind his back, but he was clearly reaching for something else.
Okay, I know Mohinder is not the brightest crayon in the box of colorful heroes, but not every character can make the right decisions. Someone has to be the screw up. He still risked his life for Molly and was devastated when Sylar took Niki’s cure. He wants to help the people he cares about, he just doesn’t always think before he reacts.
Aside from Hiro, I enjoyed Kristen Bell’s scenes the most. I loved when she typed “Midas” as her father’s password. I’m glad Elle survived. She has been the best addition to this show. The complexity of her character is fascinating. No matter what she discovers she still wants to please her father and make him proud. Her response to Noah, “I don’t have anyone else to talk to.“ and her reactions to failing with Sylar and then realizing she saved Molly and Mohinder were heartbreaking. It may all go back to when she was seven years old. Her memory may not remember it, but her mind still has the psychological damage of her father declaring her "strong enough to take it", but failing. It’s like when parents push their kids to achieve excellence, but nothing is ever good enough. There’s always a bigger and better challenge.
I enjoyed this episode and I think it ended Volume II well and gave the viewers a nice lead into Volume III. The acting could have used some work, especially the scenes in Odessa, but the writers and networks knew a strike was coming. They did their best to prepare for an early winter finale. Sylar was cured of the Shanti Virus, but who injected him in the first place? We know Candace saved him in the finale, but was she working for The Company or someone else? Remember - this is not a season or series finale. If the strike doesn’t end soon (which sorry fans, but the last one went strong for 22 weeks) this will most likely be sold as an eleven episode Volume II DVD edition; with massive amounts of commentary and extras.
Thank you to everyone who has read this blog and commented each week. I’ve always looked forward to reading your thoughts and theories. I know Heroes started off slow, but new characters are needed to introduce new storylines. Hopefully, Volume III will pick up where we left off and our favorite remaining heroes will soar. (Quick musical note: I’ve wanted to mention this since last season's finale. Fans: listen to the song “Light Up the Sky” by Yellowcard. You will instantly think of the Petrelli brothers and love it!)
"Life has its poetry, doesn't it?" -Sylar
If you missed anything or want to watch it again visit our Online Video Guide here.
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Dec 4, 2007 12:12 AM
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My two cents: Nathan had an infusion of Adam's blood, so he'll heal. Nikki's a goner.
Loved Hiro!
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Dec 4, 2007 12:18 AM
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If Parkman can take 4 bullets to the chest and survive the season 1 finale, Nathan better survive taking 2 to the chest.
*sulks*
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Dec 4, 2007 12:32 AM
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You’ll be pleased to know, Casey, that I actually enjoyed this episode! While yes, there were a lot of dull moments, I’m willing to give a little leeway due to the Writer’s Strike (and the fact that they had to rewrite the script so that all the information had to fit into one episode)
(DISCLAIMER: I sound more negative than I really am. I liked this episode, but I can’t help to emphasize its faults.)
Nikki/Micah/Monica: This plotline sucked so much, it made me miss Maya and Alejandro.
Last season finale, we had Nikki wielding an iron pole and knocking Sylar 50 feet back. This season, she just kicks someone in the groin. Okaaay.
When will Tim Krieg stop using the “because I told it to” jokes with Micah? Yes, Micah’s power is weird, we don’t need it shoved down our throats. Just let him be weird.
Monica…she didn’t even use her power at all. You’d think that karate would help in the escape of a burning building.
There was no shot of Nikki after the building exploded, and no reference to her later in the episode. Until Ali Larter confirms she’s dead, I think Krieg can pull a Tony Almedia and bring her back.
Thankfully, that plot was very, very short.
Claire/West: Aside from packages of 8.5 x 14 inch paper (??), this scene was pretty typical. I like adamant Claire, not whiny Claire. West…I wish he’d just die.
Hiro/Peter: When will Hiro learn that holding bad guys at the throat with a sword = bad? In the first season, Sylar froze his sword. Here, Peter electrocuted him.
Matt/Nathan: They found Peter and Adam’s fingerprints at Victoria Pratt’s manor?! Riiight, considering that neither of their DNA would be on file. That seemed like a major cop-out to explain that Peter is alive and working with Adam.
Regardless, the scene of Matt riding Nathan was pretty funny, albeit once again distorts the sense of time in the show (They came from New York to Texas in less than 5 minutes. That’s faster than the speed of sound.)
Mohinder/Maya/Sylar/Molly: Wow, Mohinder actually tried to do something smart for once by trying to surprise Sylar in his weakness? Maya, acting totally normal and wearing the “I’m the Dad” (or something like that) apron, was so out of place it was funny.
However, when Molly had the black eyes, that really hit me.
Zachary Quinto is too good as Sylar. “Oh, this is where I killed Issac Mendez! ” Sylar is one of my favorite villans ever; it’s a shame we didn’t get more of him this season.
So Maya is not dead. A bad idea, in my opinion, as she’s unlikable.
Elle/HRG: “Pleeeeeeeease? ” So cute, yet so menacing. I’ve been skeptical of Elle and Kiersten Bell and her role in the show, but I would be comfortable having her as a member of the cast.
Elle/Sylar: There’s one thing I’ve never understood which happens in every single movie, TV show, and book: why does the good guy always announce his/her presence, thereby losing the element of surprise? “Sylar!” “Oh, crap, gotta run.”
Peter/Adam: Peter with telekinesis, Adam with a samurai sword; how exactly would you beat them, anyways?
I wonder why Peter didn’t just phase through the vault with Adam.
HRG/Bob: HRG turns evil, again, to protect his family. He switches sides more than your typical 24 villan.
Matt/Nathan/Peter: Here’s when the fun blogging begins. The Nathan and Peter reunion was pretty sentimental. I guess the biblical reference to Peter defying Adam was correct.
Hiro/Adam: Hey, where’s the duel predicted in the Issac Mendez painting? Damn you, WGA!
I was surprised that there was no reference to Yumiko, as that was the reason Adam and Hiro parted ways.
Regardless, the ending seemed somewhat poetic to me. It reminded me of the series finale of Alias, where the evil mastermind obtains immortality then gets imprisoned in a tomb. Coincidentally, David Anders (and Greg Grunberg, if you want to extend the metaphor that far) were also on Alias. Not implying anything, just think it’s interesting.
I believe the grave Hiro placed Adam in was Kensei’s original grave, thus preserving the cycle of life in history.
Ending: I did not expect Nathan to die. That was a good twist. The person who left after the assassination seemed to be HRG, which would make sense.
Sylar… “I’m back.” Couldn’t have been said any better. Who would have thought Sylar would have a better comeback than Britney Spears?
A Loose End…: What the heck happened to Catelyn? I guess, since Peter changed the future, she ceases to exist. Way to go.
While this season finale was not as good as last season, I was thoroughly satisfied.
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Dec 4, 2007 12:33 AM
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The second Nathan said he was going to hold a news conference I knew he was dead - and that person walking away? Sure looked like Noah to me. I'd have taken the precaution of having Peter set up some kind of telekinetic shield.
Did Sylar just take the cure for the Shanti virus, or did he also take a shot of Claire-acillin? I don't think Mohinder's blood would make wounds instantly heal, it would just resotre your powers and make you gullible. So Sylar has regained telekinesis, which was his original power, but does he also have all the powers he harvested?
Nice try Elle, but rule #1 is you call for backup before you go charging in. (You'd be amazed how many houses burn down because people try to put it out themselves instead of calling 911 first.)
I loved Hiro's solution to the Kensei/Adam problem. Yoku dekimash'ta! I'm guessing Peter used a combination of Elle and Ted to dispose of the virus.
It's worth noting that the next chapter is called Villains (plural) - that could be interesting
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Dec 4, 2007 12:37 AM
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"makes you gullible," Ha! I love it.
He definitely took a shot of Claire's blood, since Mohinder said he had the same strain as Nikki, and his blood wasn't enough to cure that.
Telekinesis isn't Sylar's original power. His power is to understand how things work (and with him being a clock maker, the whole ticking sound effect is....well, the gears turning in his head, basically, understanding how another heroes' power works so he can take and absorb it.
I agree, I thought it looked HRG walking away, but it really could be anyone.
I'd like to see Nathan live, but if he does, then he has to explain to the press what he was about to say. Although, if any special means are taken to save him, that's a whole other topic of explaining to do.
The second they stepped into news room, I saw it coming.
I'm torn as to which should be considered ambiguous. Nathan's shooting seems straight forward, 'till you take into so many extenuating circumstances this show has with mortality. On the other hand, the fact that we saw Nikki standing in the burning room and then cut away to the building blowing up....that's a classic situation where the character somehow survived. (Honestly, I don't care for the explaination that her power is merely strength; given them promoting her as the soccer mom who can be in two places at once, I thought it was going to have something to do with the dual identities in the mirror or some mirror based powers like the mirror master. With that said, I wouldn't mind if the writers changed their minds and made that her power and used that somehow for her to survive. But then they have the pesky problem of the virus stirpping her powers....maybe some astral form of her is in the mirror, immune to the virus?) Other than that, my first thought was that DL was somehow still alive and he phased in and saved her at the last second. He's done it once under the same circumstances.....
Speaking of phasing, did anyone else wonder why Peter didn't just phase into the vault; or teleport for that matter?
Other than that, great episode. Claire's part seemed a bit underwhelming, but with Noah's return from the dead, there's bound to be more when the show returns. I doubt Claire's going to accept her fatehr being alive, only for him to leave them again.
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Dec 4, 2007 12:51 AM
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The person who shot Nathan was Angela Petrelli. It was too obvious to me. I thought others would have caught that but I guess I was the only one. I believe that she was the one who shot Nathan. I thought it as soon as I saw the person turn to walk away and Peter was looking after the person like he knew or suspected. Plus the next scene where she was wearing black and talking on the phone. It was like she was telling someone that the deed was done. I suspect that Angela killed Nathan. She was willing to let Peter die. I think she would be willing to let Nathan die to keep the company's secret.
Also has everyone forgotten that Nathan is Claire's real dad. That Peter is her uncle. I feel like they have just let that go. Where is that connection?
I love Elle. Kristen Bell has definitely become a favorite of mine. Hope she becomes a regular. I still feel like she is connected to the Petrellis in some way.
Great episode. I was shocked in the end. I knew Nikki was going to get stuck in that building. It just upsets me b/c Micah loses another parent. Nathan getting shocked in the ending had me gasping. I didn't see that coming. I just love Nathan so much. He and Peter are great together. So glad to see them back as family only to be pulled apart again. Especially by their crazy mother.
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Dec 4, 2007 1:06 AM
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That was fanfreakingtastic. But I hate Maya....If they traded Maya for Nathan...well that would suck. You need the ping pong with Peter...to make Nathan work.
The Sylar thing was gold...but I agree, the best bits were Hiros. How did he get him in the coffin? It would have been really cramped....did he zap them both in then get himself out?
THe look on Claires face was priceless.....Little Claire bear is growing up fast. Perhaps your theory about Peter shooting Nathan is tied to Claire also...
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Dec 4, 2007 1:10 AM
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<<Thank you to everyone who has read this blog>>
Thank you, Casey, for a consistently outstanding blog. See you in 2008.
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Dec 4, 2007 1:18 AM
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I, too, wondered aloud, "Wasn't that Noah walking away from Nathan's shooting?" He was wearing glasses.
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Dec 4, 2007 1:25 AM
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Really loved this episode. Yes, it did try to wrap up everything pretty quickly, but it had that special something that made me fall in love with the show last year.
I'm bummed that Maya is still with us, but I'm hoping that they will make better use of her whenever the show returns.
As for the Nikki situation- it won't depress me all that much if she's gone for good. I feel awful for poor Micah though.
No matter how many bad things she does, I still can't help but love Mrs. Petrelli. The look on her face when she heard about Nathan was heartbreaking and I can't help but think she will finally break from the Company and fight on the side of good.
Glad to see Mohinder get some sense back. But come on, not realizing that Sylar (who got some of the best lines of the season- I really missed the real Sylar this year) would take the blood? Seriously?
The whole showdown in Odessa obviously suffered from the writer's strike induced ending, but it was still pretty well done. Love that Hiro got some revenge. Zinger314, I also immediately thought of the Alias connection- a nice touch if it was at all intentional.
I knew something was gonna happen to Nathan when he decided to tell the truth to the world. If his death sticks it would really change the show- after all, he seems to be the only one capable of reigning Peter in. As for who shot him, I'm pretty sure that it was HRG- it certainly was a man, and it looked like Jack Coleman's back.
I hope the strike ends sooner rather than later so we can get Volume III. Either way- thanks Casey for the always interesting blogs!
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Dec 4, 2007 1:33 AM
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Well, I'm glad that Nathan is dead. I wish it was Maja or West instead of Nikki.
Good stuff... lotsa powers being used. Adam's fate. Matt vs. Peter.
Bad stuff... Veronica Mars' weak character arc. Micah's comic book gangsta lean. Sylar has all of his previous powers.
And why isn't Peter interested in saving Caitlin? Where is she?
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Dec 4, 2007 1:39 AM
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And why isn't Peter interested in saving Caitlin?
What gives you the impression that he isn't? It's like we were discussing a couple of weeks ago where just cause something isn't shown doesn't mean that it doesn't exist. In this case just because we as viewers didn't see him show concern for her at the very end of the episode, doesn't make it nonexistant, especially when he made his concern clear earlier in the episode. I'm sure that it will be revisited early in the next volume.
Where is she?
What the heck happened to Catelyn? I guess, since Peter changed the future, she ceases to exist. Way to go.
Time travel is sometimes presented in a context where if someone is in a certain time and something is changed in the past, things change around them. Therefore she's possibly still in the future, only the world has changed around her with people suddenly being alive, amongst other things. So she's possibly in a much safer place, though still trapped there regardless (for now.)
That or the future now ceases to exist meaning that Peter will probably be even more pissed off about the situation than he already is. Between that and whatever happens with Nathan, it could change his character to some degree.
Considering that it sometimes takes years to get answers to certain things (Lost, Sopranos, etc.) I don't personally feel the need to get everything answered a.s.a.p. This doesn't strike me as something that will go unanswered for too long.
Also has everyone forgotten that Nathan is Claire's real dad. That Peter is her uncle. I feel like they have just let that go. Where is that connection?
It was mentioned a couple of weeks ago and it's another thing that I assume will be revisited on a greater level in the future. Based on the given storylines, and each character doing their own thing to set up storylines, there was no reason to interact.
Anyway, I enjoyed the episode a lot and look forward to the next volume.
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Dec 4, 2007 2:55 AM
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Two things of import, beyond the obvious aspects of the episode (such as Hiro absolutely and completely opening the proverbial can of whoop-keister on Takeo Kensei):
1) In the Company's vault, in one of the clear bins, there was a gold, wavy-bladed dagger. On the cover of the "9th Wonders" that the gang banger burnt, the hero girl that Micah compared Monica to was also wielding a wavy bladed dagger. Methinks foreshadowing I see.
2) For all that people don't like Maya (I don't mind her myself, and she's easy on the eyes), there was the witchy-woman in Mexico who read Maya's palm and predicted that she would have the power to defeat the dark man. Now, it's kind of up in the air who this dark man might be (Matt's father, Takeo Kensei, and Sylar all qualify), but she's gotta be around for that.
Oh, and as for getting Peter's fingerprints, remember that before he turned into a superpowered sponge, he was an in-home nurse. That means he was probably bonded, and that means his fingerprints are on record. Dunno about Takeo Kensei.
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Dec 4, 2007 3:41 AM
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 Don't kill Nathan!!!!!
Darn it Kring!!
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Dec 4, 2007 5:15 AM
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