Bloodless Coup

Heroes, Season 1

So I started watching Heroes this season, starting from the season premiere. And I've enjoyed it. But I thought I should catch up on what I missed at some point, so I started watching season 1 of the show and I finally finished that today. Having done that some things are now clearer, though I find a few things even more odd than I did previously.

First off, I now totally get the complaints about this season. Yes, this season has definitely been worse (though the last few episodes have been big improvements over how the season started). And it's pretty much entirely the fault of the writers. Basically, there's nothing going on this season that provides the same sort of intensity and fast action that Sylar and the bomb did last season. And as the show's lost pace it's gotten lost for ages in storylines that've gone nowhere (the tiresome twins, Hiro in Japan). Beyond that, we really haven't seen the moral ambiguity that made a lot of last season dramatic. And they've largely sidelined two of the most interesting characters, Nathan and Sylar (Adrian Pasdar and Zachary Quinto). Plus they largely took one of the most interesting mechanisms of the show, the paintings, out of it.

Some things are better this season. I like the less nervous, now more self-assured Peter (and thank the mouse and disco ball that they cut his hair). And I like the introduction of Bob (Stephen Tobolowsky) who's an interesting villain. But compared to season 1, which was a lot of fun, the current season really seems plodding.

A final thought - to me the strength of the show (by far) is in the Petrellis and the Bennets. So how on Earth was it that Masi Oka was the only member of the cast nominated for an Emmy last year? Yeah, sure, I'm trying to find logic in the Emmys, but still. Masi Oka? A buoyant stereotype can be fun, sure - but award worthy? And over Jack Coleman? That's an odd choice.

In any event watching season 1 has me more sure than ever that I will stick with this show. Hopefully the writing will return to that level and stay there.