Heroes Commentary: Let Them Die!
Elle returned to Heroes this week.
And while we're fans of Kristen Bell and of the character, our immediate reaction was an audible groan. After all, does the show really need more characters?
In our latest critique of the show, we focus on some seriously tough love: it's time to kill off a few Heroes.
Please, kill someone, Arthur. Make viewers actually afraid of you.
Long-running dramas such as Lost and 24 survive for numerous reasons; but a major appeal of these shows is that they are unafraid to do away with significant characters. The killing off of major players has a double appeal:
- It ensures that the show doesn't get caught up in too many confusing story lines;
- It raises the stakes.
Let's focus on the second point first: Heroes is a show about the fate of the world... yet not a single major character (no offense, D.L.) has been subject to that fate yet. Sure, Niki died last season in a noble act, but the show still felt obligated to bring Ali Larter back. For what purpose? Wouldn't it have been more effective to prove that these characters might perish in their efforts to save the universe?
There's no drama remaining. Did anyone think Hiro really killed Ando last week? Or that Parkman or Peter had met their demise in the latest episode?
This lack of intrigue ties into the problem that most critics agree plagues the series as a whole: there are far too many characters. This chapter is shaping up as a battle between Arthur Petrelli's villains and Angela Petrelli's heroes. And that's promising. But do Mohinder and Parkman really serve a purpose in the grand scheme of the show at this point?
Mohinder, once again, is working for the enemy (seriously, for a scientist, the guy is a moron); and Parkman was relegated to Africa for a few episodes. Since then, he's befriended a turtle and formed a fragile alliance with Daphne, a woman he's intent on saving... because he saw some vision of a future we all know will never exist.
If the show wants us to be remotely afraid of Knox, it would be nice to see him actually accomplish something sinister. So far, he's been fooled to think that Hiro killed Ando; and that he took the life of Parkman. If either of those events had actually come to fruition, wouldn't the stakes this season be instantly raised? Wouldn't a volume titled "villains" actually resonate more?
As it stands now, I yawned at the notion that Daphne might turn on Parkman. After all, the series has given is no reason to think any of its characters' lives are actually in danger.
Agree? Disagree? We'd love to hear feedback!
Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.
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Sylar: I can't bring Nathan back Peter, but I can sure as Hell swing a sledgehammer.
November 2nd, 2008 7:28 PM
well somebody should kill of you for saying that!
All characters are needed
I cant even explain why they are important because the season is not over! You stupid assholes. Don't base your opinion on something that may or may not happen. And definetly not on a so called fansite. And season 3 of heroes is just like season 1 jumping from character to character. If you dont like the storyline so much stop watching it and stop saying you are fans jackasses.
Rank: Extra
October 30th, 2008 10:45 PM
If you want show that tells a single story that you are most likely to forget 13 minutes after watching it, i suggest you watch Law and Order.
The series has help from Tim Sale and Jeph Loeb, two men responsible for some of the best known and best selling Batman tales of all time. Rather than second guessing these men, sit back and watch the show. It's a very simple premiss.
October 30th, 2008 9:37 PM
Wow. I can't believe you people.
Heroes has been like this since the very beginning: Plenty of characters, a few minutes here, a few minutes there, one big story. Although the stories may not be connected at first, they always somehow wind up together.
How could you want to kill Claire, Nathan, Hiro? I just don't understand!
I personally don't mind Claire's storyline. I see how you guys are annoyed by it, though. Still... it's Claire!
In my opinion, if the story had a 'main' character, it would be Peter. Right behind him are Hiro and Claire (not necessarily in that order).
A few of the characters I understand, and the article makes a great point. Ali Larter is also now fairly useless, although she is a big part of Heroes. Had a great storyline in the first season.
Mohinder's storyline sorta sucks right now, but it just started. Its still unraveling. It might turn out good!
Personally, I don't like him having powers and going all phsyco. He is no longer the man he was a
October 30th, 2008 12:06 PM
Yeah i agree some of these characters are in dire need of some either dying or changes, just throwing it out there since I know the writer's idea's are much better than mine but anyways;
Mohinder: I think a side story could be Mohinder's unperfected formula. It shows in use that is increases the agression even in a wimp like Mohinder (OK passive character but come on what a wuss)and gives then a variesty of Phisical powers. What if his formula was "accidentally given to a bunch of people and we have some superhuman misfits, who are highly agressive, out and causing a huge problem on society. Bam here some some heroes to clean up that mess (Primatech, Pineherst, or even a group put together by Matt or someone)
Nathan: falls madly inlove with Tracey and they become soul mates, we see they are together in a possible future, and then is killed off (looks like everyone is looking forward to this) therefore driving to Nathan to do things that he may not do with his considerable power (a
October 30th, 2008 8:50 AM
I agree, but problem has been around since Season 1 lol. The show DID do good by getting rid of Maya, a character whose story ultimately did nothing for Heroes. (Though the writer's strike may be part of that reason, I admit)
My candidates for a speedy kill/leaving/whatever:
1. Claire. This one will NEVER happen because Hiro and her are the "mascots" of the show but she should go. For 3 seasons we've had the same crap: "Wahhhh! I'm different!". ENOUGH. All of us are sick of her whining. I think think them trying to "toughen" up Claire is hysterical, because as much as Claire tries, ultimately she's can just heal and can't be a badass fighter. What they need to do is kill her off and leave her father. Two birds with one stone; it gets rid of Claire and gives Bennet (and the other characters) more screentime.
2. Mohinder. Oh, how this man needs to go. If you had to pick any character whose deteriorated as time went on, this guy gets the award. Was great in season one, not as gr
October 30th, 2008 7:51 AM
Note: There are too many blondes on the show.
Blondes that could be killed off:
1. Meredith
2. Tracey
(both of whom were/are Nathan's women)
I don't think Claire should be killed. Remember "Save the cheerleader, save the world"? One of the best catchphrases on Heroes. It would be stupid if they saved her back then, only to have her killed in this chapter.
I do agree, though, that Mohinder in all his stupidity should be killed.
October 30th, 2008 7:07 AM
About slyar's futer son:it seems that yes the boy would have had to been concieved already to be the age he is in the futer.My guess is that in the flashback ep we'll see that sylar and elle had a relationship before telling her about his power.if she was already with child,fear would have set in for bouth herself and the baby.it could explaine why she's so hell bent on getting rid of him.she wouldn't ever want someone like him to know he had a child out there somewhere.if the writers plan on keeping the story of the son this could be a way to do it.
October 30th, 2008 4:55 AM
Well, I have to disagree with you although there are points you made I have to agree with. One thing is for certain, DEATH IS NEVER WHAT IT SEEMS and THE CATASTROPHIC FUTURE WILL NEVER HAPPEN.
The future we saw in Volume 2, where 93% of the world is dead did happen, if not for the writer's strike. It was supposed to happen and if it did, I am sure this article wouldn't include the sentence "he saw some vision of a future we all know will never exist." The show would have stamped its authority that they dare to show us that Villains do prevail. But due to the strike, we were proven that Heroes ALWAYS prevail.
Death is never final. Although I am caught somewhere in between agreeing and disagreeing with you. I have to agree that none of us though Matt or Peter is going to die in the previous episode, but, BUT, there are a couple of characters that have either died or excluded from the storyline since season 1.
Maya, West, Bob, Niki/Jessica, D.L, Monica, Takezo Kensei/Adam Monro
October 29th, 2008 9:30 PM
Characters needed for the story to progress:
Arthur Petrelli - Seriously, hes the only guy whos ruthless enough to kill people off randomly. Best villain this season. Wasn't expecting the Maury death at all. About time we had some unseen futures ;). Isn't it funny that the most surprising things so far this season have revlved around this man. Example, being alive for one, taking peters abilities, killing adam, killing maury.
Peter Petrelli - If, with his powers gone, he can finally return to his roots as the man with "unconditional love for living things" and finally lose his "THE WORLDS GONNA END AGAIN" persona that he rants about every 5 seconds, maybe he can be come the peter that we love from season 1.
Sylar - I seriously just want to see sylar kill off all of Ali Larters characters. Shes just not needed any more. If sylar can get back to the mysterious shadow as seen when he attacked claire, it will be more than enough of a fan service.
Mohinder - We have yet to see the
October 29th, 2008 9:15 PM
Look, the problem isn't that there's too many characters, it's that they feature too many per episode. I like all the random peripheral people - it makes it cool and special when one shows up unexpectedly.
And I like both Mat and Mohinder.
The sorta "super secret connection" they all seem to share one way or another gets kinda lame though. Pretty soon, they're all going to be related.