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Who's Your Daddy?
Hayden Panettiere by Trae Patton/NBC
Episode Recap: "The Kindness of Strangers"
This wasn’t the strongest episode of the second season, but it did offer some insight. Not every chapter of a story is meant to be entertaining. Each chapter has a purpose: Some may hold solutions, while others bridge the gaps between clues.
I know many have complained about the increase of characters. The truth is, in order to have death, we need more life. I can’t think of a former Hero I am ready to part with, so if a newbie bites the dust, I won’t feel so bad. However, I’d like Micah’s cousin to stick around for a while. Not the bratty wrestling fan — the other cousin. Monica Dawson is a fast learner. When Monica sees something — a somewhat simple task (I’m sure she can’t regenerate or fly by viewing) — she can mimic it. For example, she carved a tomato into a rose and used a "pro" wrestling move on a thief. I think she can only perform this “power” when she sees something on television. Micah and Monica had a strong connection. It looked like he could read her when they hugged. Did anyone else catch that?
The Rogue appears again! And you thought you could escape the commercials, haha. That is Claire’s car, and Maya and Alejandro came across Gabrielle — “like the angel.“ Very ironic choice of words. (At first glance, I thought the body lying face down in the road was Hiro, but no. We didn‘t see Hiro at all...) I don’t think Sylar will be too quick to steal the twins’ powers. He is weak and trying to get back home. He needs them just as much as they need him.
I’m glad Nathan listened to his kids. He looked terrible with all that facial hair. But like his mother said, “Shaving doesn’t make you clean and sober.” That was definitely his burned reflection in the mirror. Is it his guilt, or did something else happen? I’m still waiting for the episode that will flash back to the four months we missed. A lot happened. How bad did it get? Not only did Nathan become a drunk and lose his family, but Matt discovered that his wife was pregnant with the other man’s baby. I think we all questioned that pregnancy at first, but last season's future episode told us that Matt's child had to go into hiding. I think there is more to the story, as usual.
We finally got a glimpse of The Company, which consists of our current Heroes’ parents. Mr. Petrelli’s face was not very visible (which will help in the future if the role needs to be cast). The photo also included Mrs. Petrelli, Mr. Nakamura, Mr. Deveaux, Mr. Linderman, Bob and the “Nightmare Man,“ Matt Parkman’s father. Matt said he hasn’t seen his father since he was thirteen years old. Apparently Parkman Sr. stole a lot of money from important people and had to disappear. But he couldn’t hide from Molly… or maybe it’s the other way around. I think Matt’s father wanted Molly to track him down. I’m not sure what exactly happened to her. Matt can still read her thoughts; is she trapped inside her own subconscious? Are Matt‘s mind-reading powers limited? He’s never tried his power on a comatose patient, has he?
I thought a lot of this episode’s scenes felt forced. The affection between characters doesn't always seem natural to me — like in the season finale when the Petrellis said their “I love you’s” before they flew away, which felt out of place. Claire and West, Monica and Micah, even Molly with Parkman are played out for too long and become awkward. Does anyone else agree?
I really want to know what the deal is with the cockroaches. Are they mentioned in the online comics? I know a lot of Heroes fans read the online graphic novels and other sources. I think that’s awesome. So, if you do know extra information and answers, please feel free to share with comments below.
Now, who’s ready for some Kristen Bell?
Check out our Online Video Guide for full episodes, clips and interviews with all your favorite Heroes.
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Oct 15, 2007 11:36 PM
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Wow! Lot's of surprises that were not given away by the previews.
Matt's father is the Big Evil! Nice! Never saw that coming.
And now that "Gabriel" had been found , it looks like Nikki and Paola - I mean Maya and Alejandro - may not make it t the USA after all.
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Oct 15, 2007 11:48 PM
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I second the question about the roaches.
I still don't trust West. I know that he was extremely dashing and all that, but it seems too perfect. There has to be something else.
I agree- it really looked like Micah read Monica. I'm also wondering if grandma is going to end up having a power.
I've got a general question- my friends and I were trying to remember the powers of Mr. Deveaux and Mrs. Petrelli. We know Mr. Deveaux's had something to do with dreams and we thought Mrs. Petrelli's had to do with premonition dreaming. Can anyone help?
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Oct 16, 2007 12:17 AM
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I thought this was a good episode. I don't see the bonding scenes between characters as being forced, or lasting too long. I particularly like Claire and West's scenes. Interesting that after so many fans wanting a Peter/Claire pairing that, since that wont be happening, they've created a character that Peter esque? Similar appearance, hairstyle, power. Of course, when you break it down like that, it does seem suspicious; but until I see something more insideous about him, I'm going to trust that it was all simple designed to have the fans warm up to the pairing faster.
I don't know if I care for another round of secrets at the Bennett house. Partly because I don't completely understand Claire's sudden loss of faith in her dad. She knew what he did before, that he was in the chick of things. He erased her mom's memory so many times it made her ill; his actions prompted men to come to their home and hold them at gun point. I can understand that make her question her faith somewhat, but she's been down this road before, and ultimately he proved which side he was on when he, not only risked everything, including his own life to protect her; but he helped save the world in the process. On top of all of that, he's trying to keep her from the people who would dissect her. Maybe it's the surreal, realization that the type of people he's trying to protect her from is the type of men that he used to be. But I think everything he's done over the last few months should account for something.
I'm ready for the wonder twins story to be done. Can't we just have Syler eat them and be done with it?
Speaking of Sylar, how in the world did he get off that island, or wherever he was? Is the fact his watch is broken effected him psychologically somehow? We know he has an obsession with how things work, and clocks played into that, because it was a family business; and that he choose his name from his watch.
Hmmm......
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Oct 16, 2007 12:33 AM
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Personally, I thought this was the best episode of season 2 so far. I enjoyed the premiere, the 2nd episode was kinda "meh" to me and I thought last week's episode was really lame. Things finally started happening in this episode!
Nathan finally shaved and WOW! did he look hot again! Adrian Pasdar was awesome this week. They really need to show him more often. The Petrellis are my favorites, but I didn't miss Peter this week (Ireland storyline = zzzzzz)
Matt's dad is the "nightmare man". Cool. Poor Molly though
I still don't like West. I'm hoping he's a plant working for the Company or something even though it would obviously suck for Claire to fall for someone who's just using her.
I actually really like the new girl, Monica. She's sassy and has a lot of potential.
Anyway, I can't wait until next week!!
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Oct 16, 2007 12:42 AM
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In terms of Matt reading a comatose person's mind, he read Ted's wife's mind in the hospital when we first encountered Ted last season (remember thermoenergy guy). We didn't hear what she was thinking, but Matt relayed the message to Ted. I assume he wasn't just bluffing because Mat was telling Ted stuff only he and his wife would have known.
Speaking of Matt, when I found out that this season was "Generations" oriented, I figured one of his parents must have had powers. I didn't see that his dad was the big bad dude of whom Molly is terrified.
I couldn't see the woman on the far left of the picture standing next to the now dead Linderman, but I think the woman next to Matt's dad was Joanna Cassidy. I looked on IMDB.com, but there's no credit for Heroes listed.
I don't know about anyone else, but I've got a bad vibe about West. Aside from that final panel of Isaac's in which Mr. Bennett is dead with Claire kissing a guy in the background, there's something off about the flying boy. Maybe he's Nathan's kid, which would mean that Claire could hook up with Peter when he returns.
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Oct 16, 2007 12:59 AM
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The roaches are a nod to the very first episode of Heroes. Mohinder is lecturing about how indestructible roaches are and offers the supposition that ROACHES are made in God's image. I think in a way it is supposed to be a nod to divine intervention, etc. when we see them. We have seen them with Sylar when he was drugged and held captive in TX, when he escaped Kirby Plaza in NY and again here.
I agree about the forced affection. I think West and Claire comes off cheesy and unreal. I inwardly groaned at the whole date scene. Let's see how many more predictible cliches they can come up with for the new "super couple", UGH!
I also feel like Matt is trying to be parental to Molly and just doesn't have that natural affection for her that Mohinder has. He acts more like a "baby-sitter" he wants her to be happy and safe but doesn't have the same emotional investment that a parent would. Look how willing he was to use her as a means to an end. Mohinder of course has true affection for her (she is a surrogate for his lost sister in a way) and refuses the idea of putting her in harm's way no matter how much good it might do in the long run.
I really had fun running the whole photo of the previous generation frame by frame. I was thrilled to see that we do have Hispanic and African American members to help bolster the theory that everyone is connected. So now it is a giant game of connect the dots...
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Oct 16, 2007 1:10 AM
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I think something's up with West also. He was watching her through her window. Either he's a weird stalker, or he must be connected with something else. But I hope he's not connected with the company, so many people are connected with the company. It would be interesting if there was more than one organization that was causing some of the problems.
I wonder if Sylar was able to take both of the twins powers, if he would be able to turn off Maya's power with Alejandro's when he choose.
I think it's messed up that Niki left Micah with Monica, who is already supporting two other people. Even if she's sick, that isn't the most considerate thing to do.
Another thing, being a cheerleader is not that cool. Not that many girls are into it. I don't get why Claire has to be one, even if it is to get her dad off her back.
How come Nathan isn't calling Mr. Bennet to tell that someone tried to kill his mom. What if the murderer decided to kill off the whole Petrilli family? Wouldn't that be something that the Bennets should be aware of?
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Oct 16, 2007 2:23 AM
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I don't a alot of things:
..when did we learn that Matt's ex was having another man's baby? I missed that.
..Nathan and Matt act like they didn't meet before, didn't Matt see him in the plaza in the finale when Nathan and Peter flew away?...and before that at the police station when Matt read Peter's mind...I am so confused by these pple who met before acting like they didn't....
..I don't get Claire's sudden distrust of daddy either...it is all forced and contrived...
..hate the twins...happy eating Sylar..
We haven't yet learned Mrs. Petrelli's power.
Like last year's flash forward, which was really good, I hope they do an awesome flashback to the missing 4 months. Although it sucks DL is gone. Nikki is the one who should be gone, her power is dumb and that actress sucks.
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Oct 16, 2007 2:56 AM
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Robola Why would we want Claire and Peter to get together? Peter is her Uncle.
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Oct 16, 2007 3:44 AM
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Lol Charliy. The only way Maya and Alejandro could come close to the disaster that was Nikki and Paolo would be if we had a flashback to the first season and saw that M&A had "seamlessly" been added to every other scene.
I was also against Matt using Molly's powers to locate his dad. She pretty much gave him all the info he needed. Did he really need the apartment number too? Isn't he supposed to be a detective?
I couldn't help but be a little disappointed by the reveal though, just because Mr. Parkman didn't look all that menacing. Bob looked more sinister in the picture. Was anyone else expecting to see Niki's father in the pic? I'm thinking the woman that was sitting next to Charles might end up being Nana.
I'm confused about the role of the twelve in the company. I thought the twelve created the company. But Mrs. Petrelli's warning made it seem like the twelve didn't know about others with powers. Or was she referring to the company? I'm so confused (but in a good way). Also, if Bob is part of the twelve, why would he be working so closely with Mohinder? You would think he'd be behind the scenes somewhere.
I wonder if Sylar had Monica's powers would he still want to do the whole brain thing. But I guess if her power only works with televised images he would sort of have to.
I think Micah's powers may be evolving. Maybe now he can also manipulate organic material and not just software.
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Oct 16, 2007 4:06 AM
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Did I see the actress Joanna Cassidy standing beside Matt's dad in the photograph??
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Oct 16, 2007 4:48 AM
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Charliy, loved the Nikki & Paulo comment! I hate the twins too.
There are several things I don't understand. One is how some people come into their powers as children (Molly, Micah), others as teens (Claire, West, Maya, Alejandro), and others not until they're fully grown (Matt, Niki, etc). The other is the genetics of it all. How can Flying Man & Fire Woman produce Indestructible Girl? And how can the man who walks through walls & the super strong woman have Mr. Mechanico?
What about Nathan's sons? Do they have powers? They should. And why didn't Simone if her father did?
I'd love to hear other people's ideas on this. . .
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Oct 16, 2007 5:43 AM
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"This wasn’t the strongest episode of the second season, but it was insightful."
On the contrary, this is the best episode along with the premiere. It actually moves a lot of the plot instead of being static like last week's episode. It also has more character development in the space of 1 hour in comparison to last week's episode.
" like in the season finale when the Petrelli’s said their “I love you’s” before they flew away - it was out of place"
I couldn't disagree more. If there's one aspect of the finale that the writers managed to sell, it was the love that both brothers have for each other. It's a theme that was already there from the first episode of the first season.
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Oct 16, 2007 5:49 AM
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Did anyone else see Sylar in West? There were times and certain angles that West seemed to me to be looking at Claire like she was "dinner", much the same way Sylar looks at other heroes. There's something "feral" about both of them.
Thanks for the roach explanation. It's been driving me buggy (pun intended).
Are we going to find out why the American was in a Mexican jail and had stolen Claire's car. It can't simply be a "vehicle" for Sylar & the twins to meet and get to NY. The writers don't seem to use such simple "tricks" to further the story line.
Next week & Kristen Bell! Can't wait.
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Oct 16, 2007 6:17 AM
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