Heroes

I'm a relative newcomer to Heroes, only getting into the series (from the start) this year. I had tried twice before to get into this show, but both times I had given up by episode 4.

The first problem I had was with how they chose to start the story. Volume 1 is called Origins, yet this is not what we get. We see characters testing their special powers, not discovering or obtaining them.

However, the biggest hurdle I faced was Ali Larter's character, Nikki. She would look in the mirror at a different version of herself nodding and smiling mysteriously, with no explanation as to what the hell was going on. I didn't feel intrigued to find out, I felt irritated at being forced to wait so long for an explanation so I could at least follow what I was watching.

Little was I to know it was only an episode or two away, so the third time I was determined to make it through at least the first season- and was eventually glad that I did. Great characters, nicely interwoven stories, fabulous special effects, and some interesting ideas.

Season 2 was unpopular with fans, but I was fine with it. It was the first half of season 3, aka Volume 3: Villains, where the show started to lose me.

The biggest problem this time was Arthur Petrelli. Nothing against Robert Forster, I love him in Jackie Brown. It was the way his character only served to undermine Angela, who by now was revealed as something of a secret puppet master. Suddenly she was relegated to the role of wife to the puppet master. Fortunately, he was killed off, and Sylar was allowed to step forward as the true villain of the show once more.

By the start of Volume 4, Fugitives, I was up-to-date and kept waiting week by week like everyone else. Step in podcasts 9th Wonder and 10th Wonder to keep me excited between episodes (and beyond). This coincided with a vast improvement in the show, as the cast was streamlined and the story was refocused, giving Angela her chance to finally tell her story.

So here we are at the shortened series 4, aka Volume 5: Redemption. Here's hoping they live up to the title, given the show has lost a lot of respect (not to mention viewership) after the first season became a phenomenon.