The "Super"strength of Heroes

One of the better television shows this year has been Heroes. But what makes this show so good? Most new shows tend to come into the business with the wrong ideas that get them axed before they have a chance to flourish. Let's look at a couple of things that Heroes has done very well thus far this season.

Casting - Many new shows use gimmick casts full of has-been movie stars that audiences will recognize. These big-name actors and actresses are often miscast and do not fit the show well. The best shows on television usually create their own stars by finding actors and actresses looking for a breakout role and giving it to them. Heroes is no exception. The most well-known star of the bunch is the young Hayden Panettiere, who is playing a drastically different role then she played as a child. The casting of Heroes, as a whole, is top-notch. Every character seems believable in their reactions to their superpowers or the current plot. One actor who stands out is Masi Oka. His sheer enthusiasm while playing the role of Hiro kept me watching Heroes from the beginning.

Surprises - If you watch shows on television today, many of their plots and surprises are often predictable or ill-contrived. Heroes falls into neither of these traps. Every twist and turn that is revealed takes me back more and more. One plot line for the last couple episodes has been "someone flies, someone dies." Of all the characters I guessed to die, the one I never thought of bought the bullet. If you can see where Heroes stories are going episode to episode, you probably should be writing, not watching, television.

Special Effects - NBC has no problem going all-out for their new star show. The special effects are often unbelievable for television and even better when watching in high-definition. Whether it be by showing gruesomely real injuries healing or by destroying a home through nuclear waves, Heroes always delivers visually when needed.

Superpowers - Superheroes are not a new concept. They have been in comics for almost a hundred years and every person, at some time, wishes they had some sort of superpower. But even with all the history behind them, Heroes still has delivered some very new and unusual powers. Sure there is the usual flying and psychic powers, but have you ever heard of someone who can paint the future when he is high off of heroin? Or a super-villain who literally sucks powers out of his victims? I have been impressed with the creativity shown by the writers in this department.

Realistic Reactions - As much as DC and Marvel try, their movies often do not depict what I would think the natural reactions to powers would be. In Heroes, you see characters excited to get their powers, afraid of having their powers and even ashamed of them. You see characters who want answers and those who don't even care. Without actually witnessing real people with real superpowers, I often think of Heroes as the most realistic superhero themed show with regards to character emotions.

If you haven't seen Heroes yet, you really are missing out. Anyone who likes a little drama and people with superpowers should tune in. With the show on a month and a half hiatus, this is a good time to catch up.