This Heroes episode, “Homecoming,” was the show at its best: grand questions about destiny and self-worth embedded within a comic book/mystery/adventure story. Hiro’s message to Peter, “Save the cheerleader, save the world,” was addressed (although certainly not fully explained), as Peter rushed to save Claire.
Sylar attempted to murder Claire and steal her brain, but Peter thwarted him and took a step toward fulfilling his destiny in the process. Hiro was unavailable; he had traveled back in time in an attempt to save Charlie, a waitress with special abilities.
Claire finally began to accept herself, including her special power of self-regeneration, and was about to share her secret with her father at the end of the episode. Mohinder fully accepted his destiny to seek out these "more evolved" people with special abilities and help them explore who they are.
Meanwhile, D.L. continued to run with Micah, but Jessica (Niki’s dangerous alter-ego) was right behind him, toting one enormous firearm. Jessica fired at him at the very end of the episode. For D.L.’s sake let’s hope that either his ability to adjust matter applies to bullets or Micah’s ability to fix things applies to people as well as telephones.
The magic of Heroes, however, is not captured in a synopsis of the events. It’s in the meaning of these events. This week was about making the decision to fulfill your destiny, what happens when your destiny finds you, and developing a sense of self-worth in the process.
Peter chose to fulfill his destiny to “save the cheerleader, save the world,” despite Isaac’s painting of him lying dead. His description of himself to Ando, “I’m kinda nobody without somebody,” betrayed his motivation; he wanted to be somebody, even if it meant his death. Peter embodies heroism fueled by a desperate desire to matter by doing something important.
Article comments
1 - ClubStyle_DJ
Good review E.D. Thank goodness..finally somebody has taken writing about this show on. You gonna do it regularly? I was begining to think I was the only BC-ite, BC-itch (what do we call ourselves?) watching the show. I got a feeling DL is done for, that was a pretty big pea shooter Jessica had and no doubt could knock the wings off a knat at 100 yards. Micah could get cash from an ATM maybe but he ain't fixin pappa. Maybe the bullet will "phase" right through him...let's hope. I've read on a blog elsewhere that sylar had a pic of the cheerleader on a map of the "supers" so why did he try to de-brain the bitch...errr..uuhh...other cheerleader. And... ok so the hypnosis/(you need to sleep) chick seems to have power over Sylar is this a good thing? and I wonder why did memory wipe guy pop on the scene? Isn't he in cahoots with HRG. I almost had a handle on this show...now it's coming out of left field with stuff. :^ I don't even want to get into the Hiro picture thing and why nobody recognized him when he came in... if his pic is up on the board and his buddy never left the resturante...oh NM...my noodle is baking already. Still seems kinda parodoxy to me. I don't think Johnny Cochran and crew could get Pete off on the "cheerleader murder" charge that's about to happen, he's goin down and there goes his brothers political career...whaddaya think people?
CSDJ
2 - E.D. Jones
Glad you liked my review, and yes, I definitely plan to continue reviewing every week!
I don't know if DL is done for... something tells me he's not going down that easily. He seems to have the ability to move pretty fast.
That was a surprising mistake for Sylar to make, but Jackie did look a lot like Claire, so it's understandable. That finger scapel bit took me straight back to the slasher-gasher films I used to watch as a teen ;)
I have a feeling I'm going to become frustrated with Eden and HRG capturing Sylar- why didn't they just do that from the beginning, at least to save Claire if not the others? Why go through all that they did with Isaac instead?
To clarify the Hiro/picture thing: in last week's episode, the picture appeared after he time-travelled back into the past. It showed up while Ando was standing by the board, waiting for Hiro to return; it wasn't there when Hiro and Ando first entered the restaurant. I'll be curious to see how that plays out.
I first thought Peter was gone for, too, but a couple of things could get him off: 1) when they realize he's covered in his own blood, not Jackie's (which is what I'm sure the police were assuming, since he'd healed himself), or 2) HRG realizes he has powers too and they break him out so they can inspect him/whatever it is they're doing when they take people.
There's so much to talk about with this show!
3 - ClubStyle_DJ
oh yeah... on multiple points. I look forward to the regular review. Hope it becomes more popular in BC.
4 - Baronius
I thought that I didn't particularly like Hiro, but you could really feel his absence from the episode. The episode had a strange feel, with no Hiro, no cop (Matt?), and very little Niki.
The actor who plays Peter definitely stepped into the gap. He and Claire both rocked their scenes, including their scenes together. It looks like Peter could be the great team-builder that I thought Mohinder would be.
The story itself was kind of weak, but the episode really laid on the suspense. I mean really, Peter the power leech wasn't going to die with Claire around. But as they showed the clock, and the different moments that we've already seen in paintings, it really built up the tension. The episode was very effective.
5 - Bopeep
I just found your reviews! Thank you so much for putting in more than just a summary.
I am a junior pursing a degree in Behavioral Science, I look forward to learning more from you!
6 - E.D. Jones
Hiro's enthusiasm is infectious- at least, it is for me, which is what makes him my favorite.
And the show definitely built the suspense. It also did a great job of tying in all those hints with the paintings.
I get the impression the show is trying to stretch the storyline (the eternal struggle with TV), so it's trying to give some answers to satisfy viewers without ending the story. So far, I think Heroes is doing a much better job than most serialized dramas.
Bopeep- get out while you still can ;) (just kidding!) I'm happy to answer questions ;)
7 - Matthew Milam
Rumor has it Christopher Eccelston is joining heroes.
8 - E.D. Jones
I've heard that rumor too! If it's true, then it'll be interesting to see what this new hero can do. Hopefully his integration will fit the story; it's early to be bringing in new characters just for the sake of "new blood" (like "Lost").