Heroes: Our Father (Episode 312)

Blast in the PastSalutations, my little waffles.  Well, here have the penultimate episode of the "Villains" story arc, and unless they really get their act together, the volume title will have been a bit misleading.  I'd say there's only be a couple of cut-and-try, tried-and-true "villains", with too many heroes lingering in the grey in between.  "Villains" was to be their first true epic saga, and it's on the verge of fizzling out.  However, there's still next week to prove me wrong.  Let's begin. 

Parental Guidance Suggested:  Hiro and Claire appear 16 years in the past on the infamous NYC rooftop.  The scene starts off like last week's ending where baby Claire is given to HRG by Kaito Nakamura.  Claire only knows who Hiro is because Peter had told her about him.  However, since Hiro is in his 10-year-old form, he's only had one semester of English, and only knows how to ask where the train station and the bathroom are.  Oh, and "More waffles please!"  They spot little boy Hiro engrossed in his Gameboy as the exchange goes on.  Kaito tells his son to go see his mother (she is dead in the true present).  Anxious to see his mommy, Hiro secretly follows his past self, and Claire tags along.  

Little Hiro hugs his mom and Kaito warns him to be careful - mama's sick.  The parents speak to each other in English so that little Hiro cannot understand them.  It turns out she's dying, and most likely will not make it through the night.  She wants to know if arrangements have been made for the catalyst.  Kaito says that they are going to keep the catalyst in baby Claire, but Mama Nakamura wants to keep it in the family.  She thinks Hiro should be the carrier.  Absolutely not, says Kaito.  Little Hiro sees that their pet dove is very sick, so Mama gives the bird a little kiss, and suddenly it is the picture of health.  Great, another healer.  Seeing this, the time traveling pair knows why they came back.  Claire needs to protect her past self so that she will not become the catalyst, while Hiro needs to get his mother to use her healing power to repair his memory.  They split up when Hiro is approached by his father!  Kaito believes him to be their new chef, and orders him to the kitchen.  Hiro plays along.  

Claire travels to the Bennet's apartment, where new adoptive mother Sandra is having trouble opening the door and carrying baby Claire.  Our Claire assumes the alias of "Bonnie", niece to their neighbors, the Monicos.  She helps Sandra, who is feeling very overwhelmed, and "Bonnie" offers to help show the new mommy a few tricks.  Yes, Claire changes her own diaper.  Claire asks about her husband, and Sandra's afraid that her husband isn't any good with kids.  He's very work oriented and has just been promoted.  Claire assures her that she'll be a good mother and Sandra says she fell in love with baby Claire right away.  Claire tells her to never let her out of her sight - a statement that sort of scares, but Claire just means that kids can be a handful.  

Hiro is making a mess in the kitchen, trying to prepare a proper meal for his mother.  From the other room, he overhears his parents talking (in Japanese this time) that the baby Claire will be brought to them soon.  Mama still insists that she thinks Hiro should be the catalyst, but Kaito will have none of it.  Hiro is too irresponsible, always reading comics and burying his face in his video games.  He's too much of a child, but his mother says to just give him a chance.  Just then, little Hiro sees big Hiro eavesdropping.  Little Hiro says that his father is right, and there is a shared moment of low self-esteem.  

Meanwhile, Claire is giving advice to her past self, warning her of the evils of sharing your juice boxes with 5th grade boys, when HRG (minus the glasses) comes in.  He's angry that some strange girl is watching the baby.  Sandra tells her that she's just a neighbor offering to help, but HRG can see that Claire is lying.  The Monicos don't have a niece.  Uh oh.  Claire admits she's just there to protect the baby.  Sandra doesn't follow, but HRG reminds her that she cannot ask questions about the baby.  Sandra leaves and Claire tells HRG that she knows he's a Company man, and that he doesn't want a baby.  HRG asks if she's "one of them" and a mind reader.  Good guess, but not quite.  Claire continues, saying that he believes the Company could come at any moment to take the baby away, and to not love her, but she's going to be with them for at least 16 years, and he will come to love her as his daughter.  The phone rings and she tells him that it is the Company, calling to ask him to bring them the baby.  They want her just for a minute, but she's fine just the way she is.  She says think about his little "Claire Bear".  HRG smiles - he likes that nickname.  He picks up the phone and immediately hangs it up.  

A very nice (and emotional) scene.Hiro has prepared a plate of waffles for his mother - it's the only thing he knows how to cook.  She says that is her son's favorite food, but she's not hungry at the moment.  After taking a good look at her new cook, she says that he looks familiar.  A mother can always tell - he admits that she is his mother.  Hiro admits that he's a master of time and space, and has come back in time.  He also tells her he loves her very much.  She knows that she is dying, and it is a gift to be able to see her son all grown up.  She wants to know all about his life, but Hiro can't say - he needs her to heal his mind because his memories were stolen by a bad man.  She kisses him on the forehead and Hiro is back to his old self.  He remembers everything, including how much he misses her.  He tells her that he's saved the world twice, and needs to do so again.  Also, he has finally gained his father's respect and is a true hero.  She can see this to be true - she always wanted to give him the catalyst, and Hiro says that if he is given "the light", he will defend it.  She agrees.  It turns out that up until now, she's been the human host for the catalyst and she begins to glow.  She passes the "glow" to Hiro, but in doing so, she has given up her own life.  Hiro has to watch his mother die.  More on Hiro and Claire to come.  

See You In the Funny Pages:  Matt, Daphne, and Ando arrive in New York City (via Daphne's super speed).  Ando much prefers teleportation to running - it's less windy.  The trio is at a bike messenger depot, looking for a package left by the late Isaac Mendez.  The package has been there for a year, and the dispatcher says there's no way to know where it could be.  Matt presses him, saying there must be records or something.  The guy lies, saying that NY state regulations forbid him from sharing that information.  Matt knows this isn't true because he's a cop.  He's going to have to poke around in the guy's head.  Yup, he knows about Isaac's sketches, and it turns out this guy's dirty - he's skimming off the top.  The guy cracks and says that the sketches are in the back.  Ando asks why Daphne, the so-called "nemesis" has been so helpful for Hiro.  Matt interjects with his usual "she's a good person" routine.  Just then, the dispatcher bolts out the door on a bike (he even put on his helmet!) and tries to get away.  Daphne makes quick work of him by appearing in front of him.  The man goes flying and agrees to help out.  

The dispatcher found the pictures in the locker of a former employee.  It seems that every fanboy in the world has tried to get these from him, so they must be worth a fortune.  He gives them the book and the trio immediately doesn't like what they see.  The cover of the unpublished 9th Wonder has Hiro on the cover, with the headline "Hiro - Trapped in Time."  They read on.  They see Claire standing on the rooftop and we dissolve to 16 years ago.  Hiro finds Claire and (in English) tell her that he got his memories back.  They can go home now because he's got the catalyst.  Suddenly, Mr. Petrelli appears!  He telekinetically slams Claire against the wall, and pulls Hiro toward him.  He's planning to take both the catalyst and Hiro's powers!  Hiro is sucked dry and thrown over the edge of the building!  Arthur tells Claire to deliver a message to Angela - he wins.  He places his hand on Claire and send her back to the future.  He disappears, and we see that Hiro has not fallen to his death.  At the last moment, he grabbed onto an empty flag pole and is hanging on for dear life.  Back to the trio reading the comic, they see just how Hiro is trapped in time.  There seems to be only one way to save Hiro - if Arthur Petrelli can truly make a formula to give people powers, they need to create a new time traveler to go back and save Hiro, and the new traveler should be Ando!

Band of Brothers:  Day has come, and Sylar is still at the Costa Verde beach.  He is covered in Elle's blood when his cell rings - it's Arthur.  Arthur wants to know where Claire is, but Sylar doesn't know.  Sylar outright defies Arthur and tells him that he knows he is not his father, but thanks to Elle's address book, he's found himself a veritable buffet of powers to grab.  First on the list is Sue Landers.  Arthur tells him to come back, and Sylar says he will, but when he's ready.  He hangs up and pours lighter fluid over Elle's body.  He stands and, fittingly, uses an electrical spark to set the body on fire.  He gives Elle a proper goodbye.  

Who needs powers?At Primatech, Angela gives Peter a gun and sends him and the Haitian to Pinehearst.  She wants a bullet in the back of Arthur's head - thanks to the Haitian's powers, he'll finally be vulnerable.  Arthur is too powerful and he must be killed.  He's a monster who has tried to kill his own sons.  Peter hesitates, but ultimately does take the gun.  

Nathan arrives at Pinehearst and is greeted by Arthur and Tracy.  It appears that the Department of Defense is on board for their little project.  Arthur tells Nathan that there are many opportunities for him here, and he agrees - they need a leader with vision, and that someone isn't Arthur, it's Nathan himself.  Nathan is taking over, and Arthur isn't happy about this - after all, he gave Nathan his powers.  Tracy says Nathan is right, that having a senator as the legitimate face of the company is exactly what they need.  Arthur doesn't like it, but agrees to go ahead with it.  

Tracy walks Nathan through the halls of Pinehearst, and he's none too pleased that she has been working behind his back.  She insists that she did it for him - if they are to make the world a better place, he must become the President, and she needs to be at his side.  He asks where she is taking him, and she tells him they're working on a project they lovingly refer to as "Intelligent Design" - they get to choose who gets what powers, and the first batch to join the superpowered ranks is a platoon of Marines.  

Sue Landers is walking through her office, and everyone wishes her a happy birthday.  In her office is a delivery man who has a package to deliver.  Her mind goes a little wonky and she knows that this man is lying.  Yup, it's Sylar.  He uses his power to close the door behind her.  It seems that she's a human lie detector.  He "covets" her ability and torments her about her gift, asking if it "tingles" when she senses a lie, and that if she can truly trust anybody.  She knows something bad is coming.  He tells her this won't hurt - oops, he lied.  He gives her the old slam-and-slice.  After a moment, three of her co-workers burst in with birthday goodies.  They see Sue dead on the floor and Sylar covered in her blood.  Sylar sees their horrified faces and merely says "Cake?" with a glimmer of hope.  The door slams behind them.  Ha!

Nathan sits down with one of the Marines.  He asks if the soldier knows why he's there.  He says he was told this is a program to make them better Marines, and that there's some sort of drug involved.  Nathan tells him that this will change his life, to which the Marine is glad.  He says that he has done two tours in Iraq, and during his last one, his squad was ambushed.  Out of the 12 troopers, only he and 1 other survived the attack.  He thinks that if he had been better, he could have done more and saved more lives.  Nathan thinks he's being too hard on himself, but what can he do - after all, he's only human.  

Peter and the Haitian are driving to Pinehearst, but are stuck in traffic (there's also a broken Earth painting on a building in front of them).  Peter truly believes that the world will be a much safer place if nobody has powers.  The Haitian disagrees, and merely says that the world is not safe with Arthur in it.  Peter always has the desire to save the world, and it is that same desire that might cause him to want to save his father.  The Haitian offers to be the one to kill Arthur, but Peter won't let him.  Much like how the Haitian had to confront his brother, this is something that Peter must do himself.  It is his responsibility.  Elsewhere, Sylar enters an elevator, covered in Sue's blood.  The other man in the elevator is freaked out.  Sylar asks if he's ok and the man lies.  Turns out the ability does tickle a little. 

Mohinder, Arthur, Nathan, and Tracy are in the lab.  Arthur transfers the power of the catalyst into a large vat of power formula.  "Ready to change the world?"  Downstairs, Peter and the Haitian take out the guards.  They're ready for action.  Back in the lab, Tracy wants to prepare 50 doses of the formula, but Nathan says to only begin with one at first.  Arthur senses something and says he needs to take care of an inconvenience.  In the next room, he greets Peter.  Peter pulls the gun on dear old dad and Arthur waves his hand, attempting to disarm him.  Unfortunately, his powers aren't working.  Enter the Haitian.  Peter says his father is going to destroy the world if he gives everyone powers.  Arthur doesn't believe Peter has it in him to kill him.  

Back in the lab,  Nathan's hand-picked Marine is strapped to a chair in an isolated chamber.  Tracy likes Nathan's pick - his All-American look will be good PR.  They wonder if they should wait until Arthur comes back, but he's not in charge, Nathan is.  Mohinder goes to inject the Marine, who is a bit freaked out by Mo's scales.  He says that he was merely the product of a failed test.  He injects the Marine, and he begins to twitch violently.  

Showdown!The Haitian is struggling to hold back all of Arthur's power - Peter must act quickly.  Arthur dangles the golden carrot in front of Peter - let him go and he can give him back his powers with the formula.  That's it.  The Haitian collapses, Peter fires, Arthur swats his hand, and the bullet stops inches from Arthur's forehead.  Peter's cheek is cut, and Arthur is disappointed - how could Peter be his son?  Well, as it turns out, it wasn't Arthur who stopped the bullet or swatted at Peter - it was Sylar!  He demands to know if Arthur really is his father.  Arthur says yes, and Sylar's lie detector goes off.  He's caught in the lie.  Sylar tells Peter that he's no killer...but he is!  Sylar releases the bullet - Arthur is dead!  Sylar doesn't need to kill Peter because he's worthless to him.  He leaves, and Peter has the Haitian follow him.  Arthur's body glows and it appears the catalyst might be gone.  At least he had already supercharged that previous batch.  In the lab, the soldier finally stops twitching and breaks out of his straps.  He feels great.  He grabs the chair (which is bolted through the floor), throws it through the glass divider and the chair is now imbedded in the concrete wall.  "I feel good."  TO BE CONTINUED!

Is this the last we'll see of Arthur Petrelli?Some parting thoughts.  First off, we know that Hiro is going to be rescued one way or another, but I'm hoping that he isn't.  I would love to see Hiro have to live out those 16 years to catch up with the present.  Perhaps that's how we can finally, FINALLY get our badass Future Hiro from season 1.  Secondly, how was the Haitian able to keep Arthur's powers supressed even after he passed out?  And more importantly, why weren't Sylar's powers gone too?  Third, and most importantly, is Arthur going to stay dead?  No one EVER stays dead on this show, especially those with healing powers!  Last week Claire AND Sylar died, but when their powers returned, they came back to life.  A pesky bullet in the brain will only keep Arthur down until his healing ability (taken from Adam Monroe) kicks in.  Are they going to do what finally needs to be done to keep someone dead and decapitate the body?  I'm just saying, don't count him out. 

That's all for this time.  Next week - the final episode of 2008!  The last episode of Villains!  Lots of fast cuts!  And the brothers Petrelli go face to face - it is time (again) to pick a side!  Also, next week I will be including a "Holiday Reading List" - a list of comics/graphic novels to help enlighten you during the hiatus.   Until next time!