Claire Bennet

Who's Getting Excited?

NBC just released a bunch of promo images for the cast members.  I have to admit, they're pretty cool.  The funny thing is they look kind of like trading cards.  I'm sure a series of cards will be released for this season.  I think I may have heard about a card set for the past seasons.  Are people still buying trading cards these days?

The new season is almost upon us.  As I've mentioned before, the first episode alone makes up for last season.  It's a good one.

Season 2 was far from perfect.  Things were getting set up and then it abruptly came to an end (because of the writers' strike).  Despite the fact that we did not get a full season, it's not really fair to fault the episodes that did come out.  After hearing what was supposed to happen later in the season, I think I'm a little thankful that it did end the way it did.  I'll get to that in a moment.  I decided to get the season on Blu-ray.  I'm picky and wanted the best quality picture possible.  I'm pretty sure the Blu-ray doesn't have anything that the four disc dvd set has besides the HD quality and pop up menus.

Disc 1:
Episodes 1-4.
Deleted Scenes:

 "Four Months Later..."  I Too Have A Special Ability
Ando is talking to Kaito Nakamura as he waits for Hiro to return.  Ando asks, "How do you know he'll be back?"
Kaito replies, "I too have a special ability.  Mine is to see the variables of any situation...and predict the outcome."
Ando asks, "You're like a computer?"
Kaito says, "I'm faster.  How do you think I've done so well in the stock market."
He then returns to his paper and sees some numbers jump out at him (like Russel Crowe in A Beautiful Mind).  That's when the picture marking him for death falls out of the paper and he knows he'll be dead within 24 hours.

Petrellis Don't Deserve To Be Saved
Nathan is drinking and his mom comes in asking for his help.  She knows she's being targeted.  She tells him rather than spend his time thinking of the past, to save her.  Nathan replies that Petrellis don't deserve to be saved.

The other feature on Disc 1 is a special entitled, Takezo Kensei - Sword Saint.  This is basically a history lesson on the legend.  It is given courtesy of www.yamagatofellowship.org.  Going to the website you can find the clips along with a video of Kaito Nakamura speaking (only it's in Japanese so I have no idea what he said).

Also on each disc is "Heroes Connections" which is an interactive map of each character.  The deleted scenes are only in 480i/p.

Disc 2:
Episodes 5-8
Deleted scenes:

"Fight Or Flight"  Look Yaeko - He Had It All Along
Kensei failed to bring Yaeko the full map to free her father.  She says he needs to get the other half.  He is about to say he can't until Hiro stops time and teleports to get it.

And She Hits Me Hard
Kensei tries to kiss Yaeko which results in her slapping him.  Kensei is ready to give up on her.

I'm The Only Normal Person In This Family
Monica Dawson is watching a Bruce Lee video practicing her new powers.  Her brother asks her what she's doing as she leaves for work.

You Think I Don't Know You, Hiro
Hiro is dressed in the mask talking to Yaeko.  Kensei is listening from behind a tree.  Hiro tells her he loves her.  She begins to tell him that she knows it's not his voice and removes the mask.  In Hiro's place now stands Kensei.

Don't Thank Me Yet
Monica is at work throwing out the garbage.  The guy she helped chase away is back, angry that the police are after him.  She decides to use her new Bruce Lee moves on him and gets in a fighting stance.  He pulls out a gun which makes her beg for her life.  The guy gets tasered from behind by Suresh.  Monica thanks him but Suresh tasers her too.

"The Line"  So It Does Run in the Family
Monica practices some gymnastics moves and talks to Suresh and Bob.

To Fight Alongside the Great Takezo Kensei
Hiro and Kensei are ready to free Yaeko's father.

No More Taser Kidnapping?
Bob brings Monica back home.  He gives her some information along with the video player.

"Out Of Time"  Get Down From There
Claire's mom is trying to change light bulbs in their living room.  Claire's boyfriend offers to help.  When she leaves the room, he flies up to change the bulbs.

She Can Find Peter
Nathan wants Molly to use her power to find Peter.  Matt puts his foot down.  He says he wants to let her be a kid.

"Four Months Ago..."  Happy Birthday Micah
Niki takes a prescription pill before bringing Micah his birthday cake.

There is No Need To Cry, Child
Maya is at a church in Venezuela praying for forgiveness.  She is comforted by a nun.

I'm Not O.K.  Do I Look O.K.?
Nathan is in the hospital (still scarred from his burns) trying to walk.  His wife and boys come in.  Nathan falls and yells at them.  As they begin to leave, one of his sons comes back, hugs him and tells him he loves him.

Other features:
 Genetics of a Scene.  Behind the scenes featurettes.  "Maya and Alejandro Run From the Police," "The Anatomy of the Cherry Blossom/Swordfight Scenes," Exploding Man" (shows how the scene was filmed using harnesses and a green screen), "The Loft" (a look at Isaac's loft and Suresh's lab).

 The Drucker Files.  News-type features on the life of Richard Drucker, the "godfather of the internet."  His character played a role in the online comics.

Disc 3:
 Episodes 9 & 10
Deleted Scenes:
 
"Cautionary Tales"  I Will Bring Him To Justice
Hiro tells Ando that he knows who killed his father.

I Laughed So Hard Chocolate Milk Came Out of My Nose
Matt and Molly discuss her day at school.

Other features: 

 Tim Sale Gallery of Screen Art












Disc 4:
Episode 11

Other Features:
 "Powerless" Alternate Ending

When Peter opens the vault with Adam (Kensei) to get the vial with the Shanit virus, Hiro arrives just as before.  Matt arrives trying to force Peter to go after Adam.  Then Nathan comes.  Hiro goes after Adam.  Hiro confronts Adam, who has the vial behind his back.  Hiro teleports them out of there as Adam drops the vial. 

Instead of Peter rushing in to stop the vial from hitting the ground, it crashes, releasing the virus.  It goes up through the duct to the workers in the paper factory upstairs.  It begins to spread through contact and breathing.  It is released into the air outside the factory.  When Nathan, Peter and Matt get to the top, they find the workers feverish on the verge of dying.  They decided they have to quarantine the entire town. 

At the police station, no one will really listen to what they have to say.  Nathan sends Peter off to block off the town.  Matt commands everyone to listen and do what Nathan says.  Peter causes a landslide to block the only bridge leading in and out of town (this scene was only in storyboard form).

A reporter arrives at the station and asks Nathan for an update.  Nathan tells him to ask someone in charge but the reporter points out that he is the one in charge.  Nathan decides to hold a press conference stating that Odessa, Texas is under quarantine.  He begins sweating during his speech and soon collapses.

It ends the same way with Sylar injecting himself with the vial he took from Suresh's lab and getting his powers back.

Inside the Alternate Ending of "Generations"
It is mentioned that the vial breaking was going to affect the next eight episodes or so.  As the writers' strike was approaching, episodes 11, 12 and 13 were written and being filmed.  The outbreak of the virus was going to be a situation that would go on for several episodes.   Nathan, Peter and Matt were stuck in Odessa and they were trying to figure out how to bring the other characters to them.  Suresh would be going as an expert on the virus and Claire would end up there since here father was infected. 

 People have wondered what was the point of Maya and Alejandro's character in the season.  Maya was supposed to be the hero of the season.  She would be the one that would clear away the virus by taking it all into herself.  From there she would either die or be in a relationship with Suresh.

It was pointed out that in episode 7 when Peter talks to a CDC guy, there was going to be a twist.  The guy was secretly working for the Company.  They wanted the town to die in order to protect their secret.

The other endings, including Niki getting trapped in the warehouse as it exploded, happened as they were meant to.  Rather than leave the season ending on the verge of the outbreak, the plot was re-written.

Untold Stories
Elle Bishop is trying to get Sylar as he kills others including a man who was indestructible (his brain was removed through his mouth) and a chameleon girl.
Elle visits HRG who tells her she's being used as bait for Sylar.  Company protocal is agents always have a partner.  Her's must be hiding waiting for Sylar to try to get her powers.
Ando tries getting Hiro to use his powers.  Hiro insists that everything is his fault and refuses to use them.  Ando stands in traffic thinking Hiro will stop time to save him.  He pushes him out of the way instead.
In another scene, there is blood and destruction all around.  Hiro has Adam's sword sticking out of his chest, Micah and Monica lie dead on the floor, Matt and HRG also appear to be dead.  Peter is on the verge of dying.  Claire is being choked.  She gets slammed down and her head is chopped off.  Angela Petrelli sees this and finds herself blocked off by the man that killed Claire, Adam, Niki and Matt's dad.  Sylar comes and grabs her from behind.  She wakes up startled in the back of her car.

NBC Featurettes
Hotel Corintian Explosion
Maya & Alejandro Viral Video
Nathan & Peter Brookly Cam

My thoughts...

All in all, it's a nice package.  I did like the packaging for the deluxe Season 1 set I got last year.  The high definition viewing, to me is a must.  The deleted scenes this time around weren't too spectacular.  It's pretty apparent why they ended up getting deleted.  The extra footage was pretty cool to see.  As Tim Kring pointed out, this is the only place you'll see the extra footage.  It blows me away how different the season would've been.  As I mentioned, I'm happier with the way the season did end.  After already seeing the first episode for Season 3, I think it's better this way. 

Season 2 was intended to be more ambitious.  They mentioned going all out and having tanks and helicopters during the quarantine.  That all just seems too much for the world of Heroes.  I'm also not sure what was to come of Angela's vision.  Jeph Loeb pointed out that a lot of people were going to die in later episodes.

Should you buy this set?  It depends.  I own the first season and feel obligated to own the second.  For me, this will be a series that I will go back and watch, especially during the summer months when there isn't new programming on.  I did like the season even though it got short changed.  If you're the type of person that buys dvd box sets, I say get it. 

Should you buy this on Blu-ray?  Again, that depends.  I can't go to a movie if the theatre doesn't have a digital projector. I wouldn't want to have a standard version of this knowing the Blu-ray was available (I own Season 1 on dvd since it only came out on the defunct HD-DVD and I don't know if I'll go and re-purchase it on Blu-ray).  If you have a HD tv, it makes sense.  A show like this, with special effects and all really should be seen in HD.  If you were thinking of buying something like The Office, I don't think there'd be a huge need for HD. 

I give this a solid 4 stars out of 5.

The preview for the new season is up.  I was surprised by how much was shown.  Maybe it's just because I've seen the entire first episode so the little clips all make sense.  I know some people like the spoilers.  So if you do, remember I gave a full description of that first episode here.




Official descriptions:

EPISODE 301

“THE SECOND COMING” – Sept. 22

“VOLUME 3: VILLAINS” MAKES A TWO-HOUR SPECIAL DEBUT WITH REVELATIONS THAT WILL REDEFINE FAMILIAR CHARACTERS AND SHAKE THE SERIES TO ITS CORE -- The first chapter of “Volume 3: Villains” kicks off moments after shots rang out, as the shocking identity of Nathan’s (Adrian Pasdar) assassin and the reasons why the Texas press conference had to be cut short are revealed -- immediately throwing Peter (Milo Ventimiglia) and Matt (Greg Grunberg) into unexpected, uncharted territory. With his powers partially restored, Sylar (Zachary Quinto) decides a visit to Claire (Hayden Panettiere) could give him a boost. Meanwhile, in Tokyo, Hiro (Masi Oka) and Ando (James Kyson Lee) are charged with safeguarding a family secret that could split the planet apart, and discover that the path to a grim future starts with shady speedster, Daphne (guest star Brea Grant). In New York City, thanks to Maya (Dania Ramirez), Suresh (Sendhil Ramamurthy) makes a startling breakthrough that could change the world -- or just destroy his. And who is Tracy Strauss? Ali Larter, Cristine Rose and Jack Coleman star. Noah Gray-Cabey, Ashley Crow, Randall Bentley, Jimmy Jean-Louis, George Takei, Malcolm McDowell, Carlon Jeffery, Jamie Hector, Bruce Boxleitner, Francis Capra and Blake Shields guest star.

EPISODE 302

 “THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT” – Sept. 22

A DOZEN VILLAINS WITH UNIMAGINABLE POWER ARE UNLEASHED AFTER THE COMPANY IS ATTACKED -- SYLAR VS. ELLE (KRISTEN BELL) -- ANGELA PETRELLI (CRISTINE ROSE) TAKES CONTROL AND REVEALS A JAW-DROPPING SECRET -- WRITTEN BY CREATOR TIM KRING AND DIRECTED BY EXECUTIVE PRODUCER GREG BEEMAN -- In the shocking second chapter of “Volume 3: Villains,” Angela (Cristine Rose) clashes with her much-changed son, Peter (Milo Ventimiglia), over how best to avert a seemingly inevitable worldwide catastrophe. First, Sylar (Zachary Quinto) declares war on the Company by attacking their main facility, and finds even more than he bargained for on Level 5. During a devastating battle with Elle (guest star Kristen Bell), a dozen savage criminals -- all with terrible abilities -- escape. Meanwhile, Claire (Hayden Panettiere) discovers something new and unexpected about her abilities. Determined to reclaim his family’s terrible secret, Hiro (Masi Oka) and Ando (James Kyson Lee) track Daphne (guest star Brea Grant) to Paris. After a fateful night, Suresh (Sendhil Ramamurthy) is thrilled to find his research, his life and his relationship with Maya (Dania Ramirez) evolving in leaps and bounds. Stuck in unfamiliar territory, Matt (Greg Grunberg) finds a guide (guest star Ntare Mwine) to help him. Ali Larter, Adrian Pasdar and Jack Coleman star. Ashley Crow, Jessalyn Gilsig, Malcolm McDowell, Stephen Tobolowsky, Bruce Boxleitner, Francis Capra, Blake Shields, William Katt, Ken Lally, David H. Lawrence XVII, Andre Royo and Kiko Ellsworth guest star.

Well... technically I'm in Heroes. The Heroes producers do this thing called the Heroes 360 Experience which is linked to the TV show and the graphic novels. The Heroes 360 Experience let's you hack into The Company's files known as Assignment Trackers. The Assignment Trackers have uploaded a map of the world with evolved human sightings on them, check it out here: http://www.primatechpaper.com/AT_2.0/at_map_file.php 

I reported a sighting of myself and is now on the map so I'm sort of in Heroes but not the way you think I would be in Heroes...lol

Heroes is back better than ever

The Heroes panel was the first one in the big hall at Comic-Con today.  I knew I had to get there early.  Especially since LOST and Terminator Salvation would be in the hall right afterwards (the hall is not cleared out in between panels.  I got to Comic-Con about 45 minutes before it started and a huge line was already there.  It actually took be close to ten minutes just to walk all the way around the convention center to reach the end of the line.  I had no idea if I'd make it in but I was going to give it a shot. 

I did make it in.  With about 3 minutes to spare.  The amount of people waiting (some people actually slept out all night for a spot in line) made me think that Heroes might need its own convention. 

It started with a 'commercial' for the Create Your Own Hero online.  Basically you vote between two heroes to decide which gets their own online comic.  Okay.  Then we got to see Webisode 3 of "Going Postal."  It picks up right where episode 2 ends.  Should be online Monday.  There's a surprise appearance by (SPOILER) Angela Petrelli. 

Finally Jeph Loeb comes out.  Gets the crowd chanting for Heroes.  Tells us this season will be "completely off the hook."  Next come the entire cast (I'll just name character names for sake of time): Matt Parkman, Niki, Sylar, Angela, Peter, Maya, Claire, HRG, Nathan, Mohinder, Hiro and Ando.  Tim Kring comes out later with a briefcase literally handcuffed to his wrist.  Inside?  A dvd copy of Heroes Volume III: Villains, Chapter 1: The Second Coming.

I hate giving away spoilers but let's face it, if I don't, most likely someone else will somewhere online.  I'll save you from having to search it out.  It was an incredible episode.  Blows away the entire last season.  I would rather you wait to see it when it returns on September 22 but if you can't wait, continue reading.

Absolute and complete SPOILERS below

You've been warned...

Peter is running in the streets of Manhattan.  It turns out it's four years in the future.  Ducking inside a building, it turns out he's being chased by a future, dark-haired, gun-totting Claire.  SHe tells him, "It ends here" and holds the gun to Peter.  Peter tells her he can go back to the day "they" all found out and fix things.  The angry Claire simply shoots at Peter.  He stops time, takes her gun and teleports out of there.

Future Peter arrives in the present.  He grabs a trenchcoate and ball cap.  Nathan is about to make his announcement about his powers at the press conference.  Future Peter shoots him twice.  Present day Peter just sees the shooter duck back and takes off after him.  Future Peter hides the gun, ducks in a bathroom and disappears moments before Present day Peter, Matt and some officers arrive. 

Nathan is taken to the hospital.  It doesn't look good.  Claire calls Peter in the ambulance wanting to go out there to give Nathan her blood.  Peter tells her she's too far away and to stay there.  In the hospital, Peter is forced to wait outside.  Finally a doctor comes out.  Nathan is dead.  Peter slowly goes into the room to see Nathan lying there, already pale from death.  Suddenly...he sits up and gasps.

In Japan, Hiro is sitting in his new office as head of his father's company.  Ando walks in and Hiro tells him he's not happy.  He doesn't care about the money.  He wants a destiny to fulfill.  He doesn't want to sit around and wait for opportunity to knock on the door.  At that moment, there is a knock on the door.  Hiro's father's lawyer comes in with an envelope.  A dvd message from his father.

Claire, watching the news, decides she can't wait around.  She starts packing and heads for her bedroom door.  Opening it, she discovers Sylar standing out there.  She bashes him in the head with a cheerleading trophy and runs out of the room.  Downstairs, all the windows and doors slam shut.  She's locked inside.  She grabs a knife then decides to hide in a closet.

Mohinder arrives in his apartment where Maya almost clobbers him thinking Sylar has returned.  Mohinder is gathering his papers and says he's returning to India.  He's failed to complete his father's work.  Maya gets upset that he's just giving up and isn't going to try to cure her.  Her powers start to kick in but she calms herself.  Mohinder asks her what she just did.  He figures her powers (and the others) must be triggered by the adrenal glands.

The dvd tells Hiro of a sacred duty he must continue.  In his personal safe there is a dangerous secret that could destroy the world.  He tells Hiro no matter what, he should never open the safe.  End of video.  Hiro won't just sit back and do nothing.  He figures out how to open the safe.  Inside is an envelope that says "Press Play."  It's his father again saying, "I told you not to open the safe!"  He then tells him there is a formula that must be protected.  It needs the 'light' to protect it from the darkness.  It's only for the pure blooded.  Out of nowhere the formula disappears in a gust of wind.  A speedster has just swiped it.  Hiro stops time and follows the speed trails left by the thief.  He finds a female at the end of the streak.  Looking at her, her eyes suddenly move.  She asks him if he's a speedster too and Hiro tells her no, that he stops time.  She tells him that he doesn't stop it completely.  Then she punches him and leaves, with the formula. 

Back where Nathan was shot, Peter goes into the storeroom where Future Peter stashed the gun.  It's not there.  Matt walks in with it.  He wants to know how he knew the gun would be there or even that the shooter stashed the gun. Peter's appearance changes into the scarred Future Peter.  He tells Matt he's from the future.  Now that Matt knows, he can't be there.  He gives him a little shove and Matt is gone.

Future Peter (looking like Present day Peter again) goes to the hospital and finds Nathan's bed empty.  Nathan walks into the hospital chapel.  He tells a praying woman, "I saw God today."  God gave him a second chance.  He's there to do great things.  He's there to do His bidding.  Future Peter walks in and listens while hiding.  Nathan says "We're all connected.  Our hopes and dreams..."  Only together can they do great things.  He collapses in Future Peter's arms.

Mohinder gets a sample from Maya.  He manages to isolate the source of her powers.  Overjoyed he tells her that the syringe can give powers to anyone.  He has to go to his lab to do more work.

Sylar taunts Claire while she's locked in the closet.  While talking, he finds a folder filled with files from her dad of other people with powers (like a menu).  He wants to start with the best, Claire.  Turning back towards the closet, Claire is there and stabs Sylar in the chest.  Sylar is still able to slam and pin Claire against the wall.  He starts his cutting at her head.  Claire is then laid on a table as Sylar is poking around her brain.  She is still conscious but can't move or feel anything.  Sylar finds what he's looking for.  Claire asks him, "Are you gonna eat it?"  Sylar responds, "Eat your brain?  Claire, that's disgusting."  He pulls out the knife from his chest.  The wound heals.  He takes HRG's files and starts to leave.  He then picks up the top of Claire's head and places it on her.  Claire is now able to heel, herself.  Sylar leaves but Claire yells out "Wait!"  She wants to know why he's not going to kill her.  Sylar tells her there's so much about herself she doesn't know.  She's not like the others.  She's special.  He says he couldn't kill her even if he wanted.  "You can never die.  And now...neither can I."

At Mohinder's lab, Maya asks if the syringe can cure her.  Mohinder says nothing, knowing that it can't.  She tells him he needs to destroy it.  It's a curse.  It's evil.

Nathan is back in his hospital bed.  He tells (Future) Peter  that they can be angels.  They are all there to do God's bidding.  (Future) Peter asks him about his announcement.  Nathan says they can't be angels if everyone knows about them.  Peter walks out.  Mr. Linderman comes in, back from the dead, himself.  Nathan now knows that he healed him.

The governer is watching the news.  He sees the story of Nathan "miraculous" recovery.  He tells a woman getting dressed in the bedroom, "We found our guy."  Out walks Niki.

Matt wakes up.  He's in the middle of the desert.

Ando is arguing with Hiro.  He tells him he should go into the past to talk to his dad.  Hiro says he's done going into the past.  He's never going back because he messed things up too badly.  He decides to go to the futrue to see what will happen.  Tokyo is in a state of panic.  Sirens are blaring.   Hiro sees Future Hiro and Ando arguing.  They're actually arguing over the formula. Futrue Hiro pulls out his sword.  Ando gets in a stance and blasts Hiro with a bolt of red energy.  Future Hiro doesn't get up.  Tokyo starts getting destroyed.  Hiro teleports back to the present just in time.  He tells Ando, "We have to find that formula."

Mohinder is at the docks.  He's going to toss the syringe into the water.  He then decides to inject himself.   He starts convulsing and passes out.

At the hospital, Angela Petrelli corners (Future) Peter and asks him what he's done with her son.  She says she had a dream that he was coming.  Future Peter says he's somewhere safe and that he's fixed things.  Angela tells him by shooting Nathan he's screwed up everything.   Now something else is going to happen. 

In Level 5, a man is banging on the window.  He yells, "I'm not who you think I am!  I'm Peter Petrelli!" Over and over.  Other people with powers are locked up.  HRG is seen in a cell himself.

Matt walks through the desert.  He passes by a rock with a certain symbol in it.

Sylar is on the hunt for more powers.

Mohinder is found by two guys that start to take his money. One pulls a gun to "finish him."   Mohinder grabs the gun, bending it at the same time.  He punches the guy.  He's super agile and strong now.  On the building behind him, a certain symbol can be seen again.

End of SPOILERS...

The Question and Answer portion wasn't too thrilling.  Jeph did announce that the dvd for Season 2 (out on August 26) will contain the unknown lost episodes that were not aired.

To end with, here's a clip from NBC.com of Matt giving some tips about Comic-Con.