HEROES Episode 3×12 Review
Posted by adrianjames on December 15, 2008
The Pullbox | Geekfest International 
HEROES Volume 3
Chapter 12: “Our Father”
Written by: Adam Armus & Kay Foster
Directed by: Jeannot Szwarc
A lot of people are hating on this season of Heroes. I’ll never understand that. Other than Episode 8, “Villains,” which was lacking in quality and excitement, the rest of the season has been absolutely great. And last week’s episode, “Our Father” is already my favorite of the season. I know I say that a lot. But I mean it every time. Every episode is better than the last, which tells me the show creators have managed to recapture some of the magic of Season One. I’ll admit, they were wrong when they said a new viewer can jump into Volume 3 and not get lost. There’s just so much history, and back-story. For a fan who’s been there from the beginning, like me, this season is phenomenal. For a “newbie,” its understandable that they feel like switching off.
Its not going to be easy to write a season people can just jump into with this show, unless they kill off a lot of main characters and start off a season with 3 or 4 new characters, each discovering their powers for the first time, like Season One.
The fact is, I’m loving this Season. I think its loads better than Season 2, and while it doesn’t have as many moments where you feel a sense of awe at the events or the characters, its replaced those moments with plenty of action, suspense, thrill and mystery. This episode in particular, brought back a lot of the heart we felt in Season One. Hiro’s scenes specifically made me want to cry, and I don’t mind saying it.
Below… Read the full spoiler filled review.
- SPOILER ALERT -
Part of what makes this episode great is how they spent more time on less stories. Meaning instead of getting 5 or 6 stories covered in one episode, we merely got 3 or 4. The Sylar story goes hand in hand with the Peter/Haitian story, which coincides directly with the Arthur/Nathan/Mohinder story. Those are essentially one big story. Then there’s Hiro and Claire with their own story. Finally, there’s Matt, Ando and Daphne with their own tale.
All my worries about Sylar’s redemption, and his new role as a hero, melted away in the previous episode when he was powerless. The point of that episode was to show us what our characters are really like, deep down, regardless of their powers. And deep down, Sylar’s a villain. He’s back, and with a vengeance. He killed Elle, pretty much for the hell of it. And even though his ability is apparently a variation of Peter’s empath ability, he’s not likely to ever use it in that way again. It took a lot for him to actually take and learn Elle’s ability through empathy while the old fashioned “cutting off their head” method seems to work a lot better for him. Sylar is definitely back and I now appreciate his journey in Volume 3 from villain, to hero, to villain again. Its important to see the actors explore new sides of their characters and Zachary Quinto did a fantastic job with this.
Ultimately, some of the funnier moments in this episode belonged to Sylar. Its a real credit to both the writers, and Zachary Quinto, that Sylar can be so sinister and creepy, yet make you laugh all in the same scenes.
My favorite Sylar scene? You guessed it! Sylar killing Arthur Petrelli, (aka “Papatrelli.”) The way he did it, and then admitted that Peter need not worry about him, because Pete no longer has anything Sylarwants… It was a brilliant scene. The performances were spot on. One great part of this scene was the visual confirmation that the Haitian is in full control of who’s powers he blocks and when. And Papatrelli, being as powerful as he is, was far too difficult to hold back for long.
Nathan has switched sides and is clearly taking over as main baddie for the series from here on out. He’ll use the formula to give abilities to people of his choosing. His first test subject - we’ll call him Captain America for now – got super strength from his injection. It remains to be seen whether Pinehearst can choose what specific ability to give people, or if its random, based on their DNA. Its my theory and understanding that everybody has an ability that they are able to develop, and all the formula does is give that ability the green light to manifest. Although… I could be wrong in that. I’m curious to see how Peter’s going to fight his brother without any abilities, although a shot of that formula may be all he needs to get the empath ability back. Then its just a matter of starting to collect them again from scratch.
Hiro and Claire had a fun storyline this time. They’re actually teaming up for the first time. Claire goes and changes her own diaper, and meets Noah, avoiding the introduction of the Catalyst and providing Hiro with the opportunity to be healed by his Mother. His memories are all restored and in the tear-jerker scene of the season, he’s finally able to say goodbye to his mother as she dies in front of him, knowing her Son grows up to be a great hero.
Unfortunately Papatrelli shows up just in time to take the Catalyst, Hiro’s ability, and leave him stranded on a flagpole in the past. How he’s going to get his abilities back and make it back to the future, is beyond me. We’re fresh out of time travelers. Especially since Sylar killed Arthur without taking his abilities.
Claire’s scene with Noah was another favorite. You almost get the feeling that Noah knows what’s going on. He’s always been a smart dude and always figures it all out.
Best of all, Tamlyn Tomita plays Hiro Nakamura’s mother. She’s best known as Kumiko in KARATE KID PART 2. It was pretty wonderful seeing her again. Heroes has a knack for picking guest stars with geeky resumes. It doesn’t get much better than this. The years have definitely been kind to her. She’s absolutely gorgeous.
This episode was full of plenty of moments that made me shout out “hell yeahs” and “woah.” The direction was perfect and major props go to the writers and actors for everything they do. I don’t know how they’re going to top this episode with the mid-season finale. But I believe whole-heartedly that they can and will pull it off.
I’d hate to give this thing a 5 out of 5 rating, only to be blown away by tonight’s upcoming episode and want to give that out a 5 out of 5 as well.. but really… I can’t help it. This episode was perfect.
The A-Train’s “Our Father” Rating: 5 out of 5 Strategically Placed Flag Poles.
