Heroes Episode Review: Season 2 Episode 1 (2.01) Four Months Later

Tonight’s episode takes place “Four Months Later” after the end of Season 1, and it feels twice as long since the Brothers Petrellis came together and flew into the sky, taking with them New York’s doom and saving the city in the process. Meanwhile, the fates of D.L. Hawkins and Matt Parkman, both suffering from gunshot wounds at the end of “How to Stop an Exploding Man”, hang in the balance.
So who lives, and who dies?
Four months later, the answers are revealed. Well, most of them, anyway.
We first catch up with Mohinder, who is doing what he does best — lecturing on the coming of the Heroes. Of course, no one believes him. Would you? No one, that is, except for a balding old fella with glasses representing The Company. Is this the mysterious Bob that we’ve heard so much about? Whoever he is, he delivers a convincing recruitment speech — and, of course, a threat or two. What’s a job offer without a threat and promises of answers? And oh yeah, a golden spoon? This guy scares me. But then again, middle-aged guys with glasses and job offers always scares me.
Our first look at Season 2’s latest Heroes, Maya and Alejandro Herrera, find them fleeing border patrol agents in Honduras. The two are battling their way through South America on their way to America, where they hope to find salvation for their problem. Apparently that problem involves a murder — for which Maya and Alejandro are wanted for. Or, more specifically, Maya is wanted for. How dangerous is Maya? Let’s just say you don’t want to make her sit in the front seat with you. Stupid human smugglers and their lecherous ways.
First day at a new school in California brings reminders of the past for Claire (those cheerleader outfits sure look spiffy) and something new (young West sure looks dreamy; I’m sure all the girls will be swooning). The family (under the guise of the Butlers, no less) have relocated, but fears of the past remains. HRG, in particular, is on the lookout for members of The Company, even as he continues his, ahem, paper profession.
P.S. Have I mentioned that high school angst is so CW? Please, Tim Kring, spare us the bitchy cheerleader storylines. It’s, like, soooo last season.
Our re-introduction to Matt Parkman finds him embracing the NYPD Blue, having left his LAPD career and ex-wife behind. (Wait, wasn’t she pregnant when he bailed?) He is still in New York, caring for young Mollie, whose dreams of “the bogeyman” continues to haunt her. Who is this mysterious villain, and since when did Mollie become such a moral authority? The girl sure has grown up since we last saw her, hiding under various furniture.
Back at Kirby Plaza, Ando (sporting impressive hair, I might add) has remained behind in America with Hiro’s father, Kaito. Hiro’s story, meanwhile, continues in Feudal Japan, where he promptly saves the life of his hero, Takezo Kensei. Feudal Japan is a dangerous place, apparently, filled with bandits, guys in masks, and oh yeah, childhood heroes who turn out to be very, very disappointing in flesh and blood. Speaking of which, David Anders’ Japanese ain’t half bad, although I do wish he’d stop peeing in the forest. But that’s the English for ya. (Just kidding, guys, don’t write letters.)
But what of the Brothers Petrelli? Nathan is very much alive — and bearded. And no, those bottles aren’t just for show. Mama Petrelli is distressed by her son’s current state (he is still holding out hope that Peter, who has gone missing, will return), but when she finds a picture of herself with a bloody red mark across it, she realizes there are bigger fishes to fry. And hey, didn’t Kaito just find a similar picture of himself sporting the same red markings? Methinks something bad is about to happen to the remainders of the old guard, which used to count Papa Petrelli and Linderman among their members, and we know what happened to them. Happy endings are so hard to come by nowadays…
There are a couple of missing faces in tonight’s premiere: D.L. Hawkins is nowhere to be found (dead, we presume, considering Leonard Roberts’ lack of presence in all the recent rounds of promos on and off the air), and Niki and son are also MIA.
And as for Peter? Oh, don’t worry, kids, Milo isn’t going anywhere if those cuffs are any indication…
An all-around outstanding episode for a show that hit it big like gangbusters last year when no one expected it to, but now comes into its sophomore year with high expectations. The introductions of Maya and Alejandro are well done, while catching up with the old cast was a pleasure. The only bump in the road is the Claire storyline, which will appeal to the tweens in the audience, but will bore everyone else over the age of 13. But hey, if we must endure generic teen angst, at least there’s a great payoff with HRG and a certain obnoxious manager in the lunch room. Ouch, that must hurt.
And as for Hiro, still trapped in Feudal Japan…
And this guy. Watch out for this guy. He looks way too normal to not be dangerous…