Heroes is good again

Gotta say, this new season of Heroes has picked up its game after the last two lackluster installments. As the gravelly voiced announcer guy says: They're on the run ... from the U.S. Government. Plus Sylar's new sidekick Microwave Boy, fairly major characters dying, and Peter Petrelli's ham-fisted plot exposition dialogue.

Sure, the whole show is about as subtle as a 2x4 to the ribs. It's not "smart" or "deep" but sometimes its nice when every thing is spelled out, and it makes sense (unlike last season). Even the oh so ambiguous HRG hits the audience over the head with his moral grayness. Oh really, you had the shot but didn't take it? What's next, arguing with his daughter about something. Speaking of which, does anyone else want to see a My Two Dads type spin-off with HRG, the cheerleader and Nathan?

That's neither here nor there. This season shows how much better socio-political commentary works in television as compared to time travel. I read somewhere that they picked up a writer from Battlestar, and it shows in that they are going with more a topical narrative. Orange jumpsuits! Black-clad gunmen! Hoods! So much better than rolling out new characters with random-ass powers every week. Black hole Bubbles comes to mind. Terrible.

Anyway, the Sylar torture scene was probably the highlight of the episode, even if I laughed at Microwave Boy's frying the coffee cup to stop his slutty mom from getting choked out (Must ... help!). Also, Sylar had two of the best lines I can remember from this show -- the ones comparing himself to a force of nature, and about letting the kid live being a big deal. Almost enough to make up for Peter's consistent terribleness.

Coming next week? Fingers crossed for Japanese people in India!