Heroes: Episode 17, “Company Man”
Spoilers on!
Now this was a great installment of an increasingly solid television series. I’ve enjoyed Heroes from the beginning, but the interlocking continuity, the dynamic FX work, and the increasing tension have combined into making this show rather special. A number of mysteries came to a head tonight, and a few new wrinkles were added.
Frankly, this episode actually showcases what Lost has occasionally done wrong. Don’t get me wrong; I’m a big fan of Lost, but the creators are so determined to be circumspect that they sometimes come across as deliberately obtuse. Heroes managed to reveal a number of important pieces of information, yet none of it deflated the central concerns of the series; in fact, it added more hooks.
Cases in point: we learned details about Mr. Bennett’s employment, the role of “Claude”, the shocking involvement of Hiro’s dad, and the background of “The Haitian”. That’s a huge download of information that’s also rife with suggestions for later plot threads. What a champion job by the writing staff.
It should also be noted that even in weeks when not all of the major characters appear, the episodes still feel important. This installment managed to be significant on a number of levels with Peter, Nathan, Hiro (well, adult Hiro), Sylar, Mohinder, and many others sidelined. That’s the hallmark of an excellent ensemble show.
My one disappointment: I failed to realize that we were to episode 17 already! This season has just, no pun intended, flown by. The show seems to be solidifying its quality every week. I know that not all comic fans love it, but I still believe that this is a damn fine genre entry that still possesses a lot of untapped potential.
