Heroes Series Premiere Shows Promise for the Next Chapter in the Saga

Heroes is back by popular demand. Last season left off with the defeat and annihilation of Sylar, the arch-villain, whose body miraculously disappeared down the nearest manhole. A definite tease for audiences to let us know we haven't quite seen the last of the meglo-maniacal serial killer. Peter Petrelli bucked the plan of the mysterious organization that seemingly ran all of our Heroes fates and helped his brother Nathan from destroying New York when he went into an uncontrollable Nuclear meltdown. Claire and her family were forced underground, and Matt Parkman took up the responsibility of caring for Molly. In addition we finally got a clear picture of Nikki/Jessica's super-power when in an indisputable display she uprooted a parking meter and gave Sylar the business end of it. And finally we left Hiro in feudal Japan face to face with his lifetime Hero, Takeso Kensei.

The premiere showed us tonight we are in for a wild ride this season, as it seems both Petrelli brothers survived the Nuclear meltdown, though Nathan is supposed dead by his family and he seems to be stranded overseas, and suffering from amnesia. New characters Maya and Alejandro were introduced as they struggle to make their way to the U.S. in order to seek Dr. Suresh's help. It seems Maya has a lethal power that she has trouble controlling, and is desperate to reach Dr. Suresh. Dr. Suresh meanwhile is infiltrating our diabolical secret organization under the promise of unlimited research funds on the genetic aberrations resulting in the various powers showing up in the human race. He feigned uncertainty in accepting the proposal, but informed "Mr. Bennett" on the phone that he was in.

Meanwhile Mr. Bennett is having trouble adapting, it seems to the average minimum wage retail job, not finding it nearly as challenging as his former covert operations for the mysterious organization. Claire is having trouble of her own as she mourns the apparent loss of Nathan and is unable to do the things she did in her former life, and is not able to contact her biological father. However there's a boy at school that seems to have taken a shine to her.

Hiro finds himself close to having his heroic ideals smashed as his hero does not seem all that heroic in reality. But Hiro ever the optimist is determined to set about making things right. Meanwhile his father waits for his return patiently in present day New York, accompanied by Hiro's trusty friend Ando. Mr. Nakamura receives a death threat, which later allows a new arch-villain to enter the scene, though in mimicry of last season, the identity of this new villain remains a mystery to the Heroes and viewers alike.

Hints at the upcoming episodes seem promising that Sylar is soon to make a reappearance and give our Heroes more of his antics to contend with. Molly seems attuned to his whereabouts and acts out via drawings and nightmares which causes great concern for our Police friend Matt Parkman. Hints at new Heroes have been alluded to, for which viewers are eagerly awaiting.

The only disappointment I found in tonight's premiere, is that I wished to see more of what's happened with D.L., Nikki, and Micah. Since in last season it seemed that Nikki's need for her doppleganger, Jessica, was no more once she realized her biggest strength was in her love for her son, and Micah shows such promise as a potential Hero.

So like all other fans... I eagerly await next Monday night to take a little side trip from reality and see how our Heroes evolve and what challenges they will face. One thing that I've found in this series, is that where each of these characters has some really cool super power, the thing that distinguishes them from their nemeses are the decisions they make and the actions they take. Those things are what really make them superheroes.