Heroes Chapter Eight Villains Episode Review

The eighth episode of the third season of Heroes aired on November 10, 2008. The episode is titled Villains. Villains is a flashback episode which shows the past history of Arthur Petrelli. Warning: my episode review contains plot spoilers.

Villains is a pretty good episode. It is more of a flashback episode showing how Arthur Petrelli "died", how Meredith and Flint got involved with The Company, and how Gabriel became Sylar.

The Gabriel/Sylar storyline was the most fascinating. Turns out The Company had Elle purposely turn Gabriel into Sylar just so they could see how he transfers powers from one person to himself. Elle isn't the total baddie past episodes have made her appear. Elle feels guilty for her part in turning Gabriel into Sylar. Of course the writer's are just making more inconsistencies by creating this storyline. I am pretty sure when Elle and Sylar have met in past episodes they displayed no recognition of past history together but now we are suppose to believe they almost had a romance. Hmmm, interesting idea but not very believable in my opinion.

I was interested in learning more about Meredith Gordon and how she lost her daughter but again the story just created more inconsistencies. Meredith said her daughter was killed by the company fifteen years ago, which with this being a flashback a year ago does make Claire's age currently 17, which it is. The problem is in a past episode Noah was given Claire as she was just a little baby, more like an infant but Meredith's story is now saying Claire was taken from her when Claire was one. There is a slight inconsistency of age there. Does it matter? Not really but it can be fun picking out inconsistencies since Heroes is bordering on boring, boring, boring. At least something keeps me interested.

The episode does bring out more questions to be answered in future episodes. We learn that Arthur's power is manipulating thoughts and controlling people with implanted thoughts. So how did he get the ability to steal powers? And if he knows his plot is going to destroy the world, why is he still going forward with it? What is the point of being the most powerful man on a world that is about to be vaporized? And when do I stop caring? I can answer the last question...pretty darn soon.

Villains is a pretty good episode that is doing a good job of moving the plot along. If only the plot was a little more interesting. I give the episode 3 out of 5 stars.