Heroes Fanatic

Heroes Caption Contest XLVIII

matt@iscribelimited.com (A. Hiro) — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 16:19:41 EST

Thanks to everyone that sent in an entry for last week's Heroes Caption Contest. The feature is becoming more and more popular every week.

Who won? Check it out now.

Ready to top last week's number of responses, readers? Then take a look at the photo below. It's a scene from "It's Coming," featuring Ando in quasi 10-year old Hiro. What is each saying/thinking in this scene?

To submit a caption, click on the headline above (Heroes Caption Contest XLVIII), scroll down and have fun. You may enter as many times as you'd like and your responses will go live instantly.

We'll announce the winner next week. Good luck!

Daphne and Parkman: On a Mission

matt@iscribelimited.com (A. Hiro) — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 08:09:43 EST

In this clip from Monday's episode of Heroes, Daphne and Parkman are given a mission.

Sounds like Angela has tasked this pair with tracking down a certain time-traveler. Yes, Daphne is about to cross paths with Hiro again...

Following Orders

A Quintet of Clips from The Eclipse, Part 1

matt@iscribelimited.com (A. Hiro) — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 14:08:23 EST

This Monday on Heroes, an eclipse is coming. Did you hear?

Get an early look at the episode with the following few clips. In them...

Arthur sends Sylar to track down Claire;
Angela shares the plan with Claire;
Peter and Nathan team up with The Haitian;
Hiro and Ando are still in the comic shop.

Clips from The Eclipse

Tim Kring Comes Clean

matt@iscribelimited.com (A. Hiro) — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 09:09:47 EST

This is discouraging.

Tim Kring sat down for a panel discussion at this week's Creative Screenwriting's 2008 Screenwriting Expo. We're thankful that the Heroes creator answered every question from fans in an honest manner, but we're disappointed by the admission that the show has pretty much gotten away from Kring.

For example, comparing the series to Lost, Kring said "we didn't have an island to get off of," as he admitted there's no planned-out conclusion to the series. No wonder the episodes often seem to be pieced together at the last second, with no consistent flow to them.

What will happen to Parkman, Claire and Peter? Tim Kring doesn't know.

Here are other excerpts from Kring, none of which, sadly, gives us hope that he knows there Heroes is going:

On his original intention: "My original idea was more of an anthological vibe to it, where you regenerate the characters... I was primarily fascinated by the origin story. Once the original story is over, and the character has no more questions about what's happening or existential drama, then the questions become just about plot, and then it becomes harder for me personally to connect to.

"The problem is you run into a whole series of issues, where show and business run into each other. The network falls in love with characters, the audience falls in love with characters, the press falls in love with characters... You find yourself writing for characters you thought would be gone."

On viewer reaction influencing storylines: "[Because the episodes are filmed long before they air] any feedback by the audience is irrelevant in terms of that. But bigger trends you want to follow."

On the serialized nature of the show: "It's a very flawed way of telling stories on network television right now, because of the advent of the DVR and online streaming."

On focusing more on individual characters/stories: "[I'm] very interested in a more standalone version of Heroes. I think the show needs to move towards that in order to survive."

On changing an angle, such as the use of Claire's regenerating blood: "What often happens on a show like this is you often get boxed in – you set a fuse of something that's just too easy to use. A weapon that's just too sharp. Then you have to blunt it again."

On time travel: "It's a minefield that will make your mind explode. It will just drive you crazy... That device has been one of those that's just been so complicated for us."

On the next volume, Fugitives: "[It's a chance] for us to wipe the table [clean]. What happens when our people have to go underground and go back to being normal after two and a half years of being superheroes?"

What do you think of Kring's answers? Are you as discouraged by his seeming lack of direction as we are?

Important Heroes Questions, Answers

matt@iscribelimited.com (A. Hiro) — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 12:22:35 EST

Heroes producers Joe Pokaski and Aron Coleite recently sat down for a series of questions.

Here's what was on the minds of a few fans, along with the producers' response to their inquiries...

Is Sylar’s power the only one to come with side effects like the Hunger?
Most all of these powers have side effects, although the hunger may be the most overt. Peter almost overloaded when he tried to get a grip on his powers while training with Claude. Jessica emerged as a side-effect of Niki’s super-strength and emotional weakness. Isaac believed he needed Heroin to see the future.

Will we ever find out if Adam has any descendents out there?
Yes. But not this season.

Why is Arthur so scared of anyone that can dream about him or see into the future? Is this the key to stopping him?
Exactly. It’s the only real wild card. The bet laid plans of mice an men, no matter how well conceived, are vulnerable to the dreams and visions of any mouse or man who can see the future.

Sounds like there may be a way to stop Arthur after all.

A New Style of Heroes Storytelling

matt@iscribelimited.com (A. Hiro) — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 10:12:22 EST

Michael Ausiello has fantastic news for those that wish to see Heroes trim down its confusing storylines.

The Entertainment Weekly scribe says that's exactly what's in store for the next volume of the show, which is titled "Fugitives."

They're changing the style of storytelling," an NBC insider told the writer. "Instead of five or six stories to follow, there's more like three or four. It's like the first season in many respects."

That's entertaining music to our ears!

Claire and company will reportedly be involved in tighter storytelling next year.

Heroes Round Table: It's Coming

matt@iscribelimited.com (A. Hiro) — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 16:50:15 EST

Welcome to our 19th Heroes Round Table.

While fans of the show gather in the forums to discuss every character and story line, our staff comes together every week to analyze the latest developments from the latest episode.

Topics in this edition include: New couples; Arthur's plan; and Hiro's future. Let's get to the Q&A...

Choose your favorite new couple: Parkman/Daphne or Sylar/Elle?
A. Hiro: Didn't you hear what Daphne said to Parkman? How can I not side with true love?

Milover: Sylar and Elle felt way too forced for me to take them seriously. Why was she chained up in the first place? And why would Arthur want Sylar to become an empathetic figure, as opposed to a mindless killing machine? Sorry to say it, but I don't buy the basis for this relationship.

Timex: Definitely Sylar and Elle. Did you see Sylar with his shirt off? Have you seen Elle in a bikini in Forgetting Sarah Marshall? All I can say is: HOT. Or I could have been cheesy and said "electrifying." Nah, let's go with hot.

Is Claire really the catalyst?
Timex: Sure, why not? Every other season revolves around her for no apparent reason.

A. Hiro: I'm gonna take a wild guess and say it's actually Ando. Remember how he kills Hiro in an alternate future? There's more than meets the eye to this sidekick.

Milover: A little. But at least he can hang out with Isaac in future-telling-painter's heaven.

What, exactly, is Arthur's grand plan for the world?
Milover: I... actually don't know. Does anyone? Has Team Pinehearst ever detailed its goals this season?

Timex: I think I'm just about as stumped as the writers on this one. I guess he wants to give everyone superpowers so he can steal even more cool abilities.

A. Hiro: He's yet to say. That's the genius of it! (I actually just realized that I have no idea... have the bad guys really made it this unclear what they're actually planning? Why are viewers supposed to be afraid of them again?)

Will Hiro join Team Primatech or Team Pineheart?
A. Hiro: I'm just hoping he joins Team Interesting again soon. I'm staring to forget the days when Hiro was a useful character on the show.

Milover: Team Pineheart. He's the one who let the formula loose in the first place, remember?

Timex: Oh, Hiro, as long as you get out of the bowling alleys and back onto the battlefield I really don't care which team you join. Okay, I lied. Please join Primatech.

Heroes Spoilers: Team Primatech vs. Team Pinehearst!

matt@iscribelimited.com (A. Hiro) — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 10:10:16 EST

An eclipse isn't the only thing coming to Heroes.

As Kristin details in her latest review at E! Online, a showdown is brewing between good and evil. Here's a look ahead at the next couple of episodes, which will bring Volume Three to a (hopefully satisfying) conclusion...

Team Primatech vs. Team Pinehearst: Can Arthur be stopped before he destroys the world? We'll find out in the upcoming trio of episodes, as Mr. Petrelli's reign of terror finally comes under attack, leading to a spectacular showdown between the Heroes and the Villains in the last episode of this volume.

Power Outage: Nathan loses his ability. But it happens for a much more mechanical, tangible reason than when Arthur swiped Peter's powers from him. That was so mean!

Field Trip: Peter and Nathan soon go on a mission to meet the Haitian in his homeland. Next week, we also answer a vital question about the Haitian: Can he restore memories in addition to wiping them out?

Flint and Knox and Claire... oh my!

Heroes Episode Guide, Photos, Quotes & More from "It's Coming"

matt@iscribelimited.com (A. Hiro) — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 22:23:14 EST

We always knew Hayden Panettiere was special. Now we know why.

Claire's unique ability was revealed at the end of "It's Coming," while sides were clearly drawn by the conclusion of the episode. Will Angela's army take down Arthur's court? Read our complete Heroes episode guide now to see how we got here.

Everything in Volume Three has been leading to another eclipse, which appears to be imminent. What do you think will go down? Chime in now in our Heroes forum!

Discuss "It's Coming" in Our Heroes Forum!

matt@iscribelimited.com (A. Hiro) — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 09:31:19 EST

The eclipse is coming. Again.

What effect will it have on our Heroes this time? The next few episodes, beginning with "It's Coming" tonight, will tell.

As always, we'll publish a detailed episode guide soon after the latest hour airs. In the meantime, talk about it in our forum...