Now, I’ll forgive the writers for not giving me any Peter this episode (a Petrelli-less episode? Say whaaa?) because Bennett got some good stuff. But note, that should either one of them ever go, I go too. Just sayin’. That said, this week on Heroes: Sylar plays dirty with Matt—and Matt’s wifey, Claire wants to kiss and…talk about it, Bennett makes a promise he can’t keep, and Samuel makes Tracy an offer she might not be able to refuse. Just another day in the life for the not-so-boring(?) heroes.

“Forbidden fruit. My favorite kind.”
Apparently, Sylar has moved up from just thinking about doing naughty things to Mrs. Parkman. And apparently, the baddie without a body is much more impressive in bed than his host. In an effort to prevent the evil entity in his head from ever taking advantage of his wife again, Matt attempts to literally drink his demons away. Sure, the liquor will kill your brain cells and, thus, anything inhabiting your brain cells, but at the same time, it leaves you impaired and vulnerable. Vulnerable indeed was Matt, as he allowed Sylar to awake first from their drunken slumber and acquire full control over the police officer’s body. I love the irony in that Matt was pretending to be an alcoholic to explain his Sylar-induced outbursts and schizophrenic tendencies on the job, and now in his attempt to be rid of the malicious voice in his head, he’s actually sunken to the depths of alcoholism.

“Someone’s gotta win and someone’s gotta lose.”
So, Claire and Gretchen want to talk about their forced publicity stunt kiss and the nature of their equally-forced relationship, only, their mid-night chat is rudely interrupted by a pack of ninjas! And you thought this show was dull! Talk about pushing Claire in the direction of the psycho hero carnival! Samuel’s minion, invisible sorority girl Rebecca, puts Claire and Gretchen through hell prior to the sorority’s “Hell Week”. Great idea, kill off everyone keeping Claire on her straight and narrow path back to a “normal life”. That way if when she finds out it was you, she’ll be sure to follow you back to the place you call home, where a whole brethren of just as demented superhumans awaits. Maybe it’s about time Claire head for the high hills and face the fact that with her hidden talent, she’s never going to lead a normal life as long as people like her know she exists.

“I just wanted to save him.”
Yeah. Maybe you should stick to bagging and tagging, Noah. So far the survival rate is surprisingly higher in your last occupation. When Mr. Bennett finds the not-so-forgiving townsfolk of Cainan don’t take even unsubstantiated patricide cases too lightly, he calls in some back up. Specifically, Tracy because she’s always down with playing along. And she’s his only go-to person. And she can empathize with the kid whose power is driven by his emotions. Still, she can only do so much with empathy. If you ask me, Peter had a much better chance at coming up with a plan to get the emotionally tormented kid out of that place in one piece…but who needs an empath at a time like that?

“How’s a girl like you end up in a place like this.”
By now I think we can be fairly certain that Samuel has only evil intentions in every move he makes, every hero he recruits. Such is evidenced in the abilities attributed to the heroes he’s after—particularly his special interest in the restoration of Sylar—the means he employs to secure them into his “family”, and the tantrums he throws when he can’t secure them (Really? Crushing the police department because they cost you your killer-healer? Really?). Despite his odd nature, Tracy, the ringleader’s newest target, can’t help but be enticed and almost comforted by his offers. It certainly sounds better than the life she’s living—or not living. Still, I can’t help but think Samuel and his “family” are the key to this season. As suggested by his interactions with Lydia and Samuel’s use of her power, it seems that each hero he seeks serves a purpose in an ultimately malicious scheme that seems to be slowly culminating behind the backs of a few somebodies. As of now it’s been established that Mr. Bennett (aka HRG) is his lone sworn enemy. I’m anxious to see where the writers are headed with this.

A Glimpse Into the Future
For as much of (the not-so-loved-by-me) Hiro as it appears we are to receive next week, there better be an equal amount of the recently absent (much-loved-by-me/show’s only remaining redeeming quality) Peter—or you’re going to drive me mad, Heroes “creative” team! Mad, I say! I am looking forward to getting some juicy insight into Noah’s relationship with his former Primatech partner, though. Give that man a lovah already!

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