“Run!”
This is one of those “not much happens” episodes; this concentrates on Matt as he turns first security guard and then jewel thief. The focus is also on Niki as the mysterious Mr Linderman orders her to murder one of his employees who just happens to be the guy Matt’s guarding. Some nice action scenes keep things moving along. Nathan is once again at the centre of the cliffhanger ending as Linderman sets him up as Niki’s next target.
“Unexpected”
Matt and Ted the radioactive man get reunited and the pace really starts to pick up. The characters stories become ever more closely intertwined; Mr Bennet encounters several of the main players this week and ultimately ends up along with his family in the hands of Matt and Ted. It becomes clearer with every chapter just how well this story has been mapped out and while Hiro’s and Niki’s storyline may seem a little distant from the main plot, the reality I think will be very different. In Sylar the series has an excellent villain, an emotional void with a unquenchable thirst for power. The ending shows just how confident the series has become in telling its tale, leaving us with a leading character who may be dead, not just for one week, but for two as the following episode tightens the focus to just a few of the main ensemble.
“Company Man”
A spectacularly good episode, this is the series' current high water mark. The structure, jumping from flashback to present day, works magnificently with Jack Coleman as Mr Bennet giving one of the finest performances I’ve seen in a weekly TV show. Bennet has been something of a bogeyman all season but in just forty-odd minutes Coleman turns all that on its head. We don’t excuse the bad things he’s done — in fact we see him do more as (in flashback) he shoots Claude, but none of that matters. It’s about a man and his love for his daughter and vice versa as both risk their lives for each other. It’s the sign of a good series when it can tap into your emotions well enough to bring a tear to your eye and this was the second show this month that had be blubbering.
Lost
“Not in Portland”
Juliet's past gets a little light shined on it this week and at least on the surface she appears the noble doctor, but things are not always what they seem on this show. She’s already shown a ruthless streak and it’s a given that there will be more twists to her tale. While there's a lot of running around for Sawyer and Kate, not much really happens and after an excellent start to the season the show seems to be treading water.
Article comments
1 - manfred
imo the Nikki/Jessica plot was pretty fun in Run. She finally comes out well , something that hasnt been shown before.
Nice to see you writing again Ian :)
2 - Ian Woolstencroft
Hi manfred.
Yes Run was one of Niki's best episodes. Early on she was one of my favourite characters but she dropped down as the series progressed. She's started working her way back up now though.
The only character who's been at the top of my favourites list since the beginning is Clair and she just gets better and better.
Thanks for reading.