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This episode can be summed up in a single word: phenomenal. However, to avoid writing the shortest review ever, perhaps I should elaborate.

16 Years Ago:
This is the first time that we’ve really seen Claire and Hiro together (the only other times being at the end of season one and in the previous episode) and I really liked how they played off each other. Hiro has some fantastic language barrier quotes including: “Where is the train station – I must use the toilet. More waffles please.” It’s nice to see Heroes taking itself lightly again and it’s good that they’ve used Hiro as the conduit (remember from last week his scenes in the comic book store). I also want to give a big thumbs up to to scene where both Claire and Hiro and drawing the same conclusion in different languages at the same time – very well acted indeed.

I’m not quite sure how Hiro’s mum knew she was likely to die that evening (especially when she looks so well – God knows what was wrong with her). If I could predict exactly when a patient was gonna cark it like that then I’d be a far better doctor than I am now…

Did anyone else notice the connection between Hiro’s Mum’s ability to heal with a kiss and the scene in ‘The Second Coming’ (scrub 6:12 in to find it) where Peter heals Nathan with a kiss in the hospital bed – seemingly without knowing what he did? Did Peter have this ability and not realise it? I wonder if he got it from Hiro’s Mum somehow. Not that it matters really since he’s now powerless and emo-tastic.

The scene between Hiro and his mother was, without doubt, the most moving scene in Heroes to date. I can’t fault the acting. What a wonderful idea – the ability to say one last goodbye to a parent, as an adult, who died when you were a child. Absolutely fantastic. You have to wonder why somebody like Linderman didn’t come to her rescue and heal her (as she’s obviously unable to heal herself – a bitter pill to swallow) since Kaito is part of the old Primatech school.

I’m not really sure what the catalyst is supposed to be. I don’t think it’s an ability although it’s something that old Darth Petrelli seems capable of just taking so perhaps it is?

Ah Darth Petrelli. I’ve enjoyed a lot of his scenes (mainly for his deadpan wit) but I really hate him stealing people’s powers. I HATE that Hiro is now powerless. I’m sure that both him and Peter will get them back but there’s just something unsettling about him completely ruining a Heroes life in an instance.

I know a lot of people dislike the time-travelling parts of Heroes and would like them to stop but I think they lend a lot to plot development and create some interesting twists. I certainly hope that the writers haven’t removed Hiro’s powers to capitulate to “popular demand” for such scenes to end.

Sylar – Comic Genius
I’ve got to say it. Sylar rules!

I’m so glad that we have our old anti-hero back again. I wish people would stop bitching about Sylar going from bad-to-good-to-bad. Get over it. It was interesting to see him as a goodie and it was nice that he had a little son in the future and a pretty house (with a picket fence no doubt) but let’s face it – Sylar is a lot more fun when he plays the killer. Nobody does facial expressions like Zachary Quinto and I love how his killing spree this week was packed with deadpan comedy.

The scene on the beach where Sylar is burning Elle’s body was very creepy. Some great cinematography with the flames reflected in Sylar’s eyes. There was a certain poetry about lighting Elle up with the power he took from her, don’t you think?

What was the deal with Elle’s mobile phone? I did think it a little convenient that she happened to have the bloody phone numbers of tons of people with abilities on her. I guess Sylar knew the name of the human lie-detector to look up because he’s probably able to read people’s memories when he takes a (literal) peek inside their brains but this part of the scene required a leap of faith but we should allow it, as it provided us with the funniest scene of the episode…

How great was the scene in Sue Lander’s office? Perfectly executed. Sylar was essentially a cat toying with a mouse. He no longer gives a damn about the repercussions of his actions (i.e. cutting her head open in broad daylight in her office with no effort to stop her screams). I guess he’s pretty unstoppable anyway. I loved his lie to her: “sssh, it’s not gonna hurt a bit. *shrugs* Got me. That’s a lie”. Just as it seemed that it couldn’t get any better, in walk her friends. Sylar’s covered in blood – looks a little sheepish and then just smiles and says: “cake” and slams the door shut. Awesome!

The elevator scene has got to be another Heroes classic. Enter blood-soaked Sylar next to a petrified office dude. Sylar asks: “Something wrong?” Office dude: “No”. Sylar: “Huh. It does kind of tingle”. This guy is just a legend. I’m pretty sure he’s beyond redemption however.

Muscling In On Pinehearst
We’re finally starting to see the potential villain in Nathan – it’s like his balls have finally dropped or something. He’s so going to be the big boss man in the next volume don’t you think? I couldn’t believe it when he just walked into Darth’s office and said “I’m taking over Pinehearst”. Why Darth took a man with a quiff seriously is beyond me. Nathan has definitely got a little ‘There’s Something About Mary’ going on there…

The trouble with Nathan is that he’s just so gullible. I can’t believe he thinks that making a squadron of ability-charged marines is a good idea. I also really hate how the Americans pronounce Iraq (it’s ir-rark NOT eye-rack!). As a Brit – I also found it hard to stomach the All-Americanism of this scene. Sorry.

Claire And Her Family
I never thought I’d say this (given the tripe I’ve had to endure for at least the last two volumes with Claire) but I actually enjoyed the scenes with Claire and her family. Sure, she’s not going to win an Emmy but Hayden’s acting was (for once) not too bad.

I’ve also got to tip my hat to the makeup crew that worked on Sandra – they did a fabulous job. There must have been an army of them.

HRG sees right through “Bonnie” but I don’t think he has any suspicion that he’s talking to the future-version of the baby in front of him. I had to chuckle when Sandra introduces HRG as Mr. Bennet (do you think she’s calls him that in bed?). I did like how HRG didn’t answer the phone on Claire’s recommendation but it did seem VERY out of character.

The Three Stooges (Matt, Daphne & Ando)
Yet another weak storyline for these three. I was a little bit disappointed with the ease that they were able to track down the 9th Wonder issue. Do you think that was the first delivery centre in New York they visited? Ando had a great line though: “I like teleporting better. Less windy”. He’s always good for a giggle.

Matt’s “sorry to do this to you buddy” line was funny. I’m sure the delivery geezer just thought he was eyeing him up or something!

Daphne starts to go emo again but reliable fat Matt (she is never going to shag you my friend) reassures her again that’s she’s not a bad person. Some things never change eh? I did like how she stopped the geezer on his bike though – Brea Grant does have a killer smile.

Even though Ando is nice he is a little simple. Does he really think he’ll just be able to walk into Pinehearst and they’ll give him a power? Maybe they do. Perhaps that’s how he gets his red lightning power (although I doubt that’ll happen anymore as the future as Hiro saw it has probably been altered by all this volume’s goings on).

The Haitian
My second favourite character (after Sylar) was, yet again, on top form. We see him perform another brain-enema on some inept security guard and we learn something new about him. It would seem that blocking powers requires a fair bit of effort from him or at least blocking Darth Petrelli’s did. It’s interesting that he didn’t block Sylar’s powers. Perhaps he didn’t want to? Maybe he was too tired from freezing Daddy Petrelli’s, I’m not sure. I think it’s a good thing that there are some limitations to his ability. I’m not sure it was wise to chase after Sylar in his tired state though – Sylar seems to be on a role and I’m sure he’d love to grab The Haitian’s power…

The Showdown
Awesome scene.

I enjoyed the moment when Darth realised his powers weren’t working – a brown trousers moment no doubt. You’ve gotta respect him and his “I don’t think you have the nerve to kill me Peter” line. Tough words for a powerless old man staring down the end of a gun barrel.

I’m glad Peter pulled the trigger (it looks like both brother’s balls dropped this episode) but I’m even more glad that Sylar stopped the bullet and, ultimately, finished the job. There was something noble about Sylars: “You’re not a killer Peter – I am” line.

We now know that Darth wasn’t Sylar’s Dad after all (kind of an anti-Star Wars twist) BUT the scene didn’t rule out Angela as being Sylar’s Mother (I wonder what the milk man looks like…).

All-American Hero?
Did anyone feel just slightly sorry for this marine? Pretty funny stuff sending in bug-boy to give the jab. When the marine asks “what happened to you?” he simply says “a mistake – hopefully this formula will fix that”. Hmm, not exactly informed consent now is it?

I’m not quite sure why the marine threw the chair through the glass. The look in the marine’s eyes is very reminiscent of that scene in The Incredible Hulk where that SAS dude gets turned into the Abomination. Somehow I don’t think this guy’s gonna be using his powers to build schools for orphans in Africa…

Wow. That was long review. As always, I make no apologies for how biased it is. Please sound off in the comments if you have anything to add.