HEROES Season 3 PREP

FRANK gave a Heroes recap to our discussion group of the past couple seasons so we know where we're starting from:

Season 3 of NBC’s superhero drama Heroes starts up tonight in a special two-hour extravaganza that will introduce a season called "Villains." If you’re at a loss to recall exactly what transpired among the heaps of characters in this intricate, cliffhangery series, you’re not alone. So here’s a little five-point redux to get you back up to speed. (Spoilers from the last three seasons ahead.)

(1) Nathan Petrelli: Seemingly Dead. Then Alive. Now Seemingly Dead Again.
At the end of season one, the burgeoning politico saved the world by using his powers of flight to zoom his his radioactive little brother, Peter, into the air — so he detonate in space. Nathan was severely burned . . . until a self-healer/immortal named Adam Monroe befriended Peter and convinced the sibling to let him heal Nathan. The latter made a full recovery. However, at the end of season 2, the older Petrelli faced mortality once again when a mysterious person in a black coat shot him just as he was about to out himself while giving a public speech about superhumans. See video for even more on this plot below.

(2) The Company and Safe Virus
Formed in 1997, the Company set out to monitor, and sometimes perform tests on, mutant superpowered individuals throughout the world. After discovering the fatal Shanti virus—which shuts down the enhanced abilities of evolved humans—the Company developed a safe strain of said virus that would inhibit powers without inadvertently whacking the superhuman. This strain was used to control the erratic, schizo She-Hulk, Nikki/Jessica Sanders, and stifle the abilities of the power-sucking villain/psycopath Sylar. Sanders willfully subjected herself to this research; Sylar, however, has been on a warpath to obtain an antidote so he go get back to his badass self. The only cure comes from mixing the blood of self-healing cheerleader Claire Bennet and geneticist Mohinder Suresh. At the end of the season, Sylar obtains the serum from Mohinder through felonious means, then appears to “heal” himself. Muhahahaha.

(3) The Company and the Fatal Virus
As mentioned in No. 1, Peter Petrelli exploded in the sky and was presumed dead. So why is he alive (and frequently shirtless)? He actually healed himself after the fireworks, then had a run-in with the Company; they ran tests on him and Adam Monroe, the guy in the next cell over. After the duo made a break, Adam duped Peter into chasing after a vial of the original Shanti virus stored in a vault. You see, Adam is an immortal dude who was kicked out of the Company back in the day for his dubious morality, and in season two his mission was twofold: to (a) kill off his old Company compadres, among them Hiro’s dad; and (b) use powerful Peter to obtain the Shanti virus (under the guise of disposing of it) to obliterate humanity. After Peter realized what’s what, a scuffle ensued with himself, Adam, and Hiro Nakamura—the time-traveller who knew Adam's past as baddie from the feudal era. Peter grabbed the vial and destroyed it, while Hiro teleported Adam into a grave where he’s buried alive. Meanwhile, both Peter and Hiro have traveled into an alternate future where the virus has ravaged the planet.

(4) Nikki/Jessica: Possibly a Goner
The newly widowed, schizo-unstable mom moved her technopathic son Micah to New Orleans, where he could live with relatives while she went to the Company for help in stripping her of her out-of-control alternate personality Jessica (who has super-strength). Meanwhile, Micah discovered new powers — in his cousin Monica Dawson, who can imitate anything she sees on TV, including ninja skills, though that proved moot when she was kidnapped by thugs. The newly powerless Nikki—conveniently back in town—came in for the save and freed Monica from the burning building where she was held captive. Mama, however, did not emerge from the embers.

(5) The Horn-Rimmed-Glasses Man: Still a Tried and True Company Man Claire’s adoptive father, once a stoic, fearsome agent, quit the Company after they attempted to capture Claire. Last season, he teamed with Mohinder to take down the organization, with the latter as an inside man. But the scientist switched sides, and helped the Company nab Claire because he wanted to use her blood’s regenerative abilities to save other people. In retaliation, Bennet kidnapped the feisty, lightning-hurling Elle (daughter of another Company operative), bullying the Company into swapping the two abductees. Once free, Elle shot Bennet, who was taken to a Company hospital where they used Claire’s blood to heal him. To protect his family, Bennet agreed to work with the Company.

Rachel Getting Married: Welcome to the Family

I saw Rachel Getting Married this weekend at Talk Cinema, written by Jenny Lumet, granddaughter of Lena Horne, and directed by Jonathan Demme and starring most notably Anne Hathaway, though her sister in the movie, Rosemarie DeWitt as Rachel, was excellent (here's a good interview with her about it) as was Bill Irwin, who played the goofy, nurturing father in the movie. Sidney, Rachel's fiance, is sweet caring and supportive of Rachel and Tunde Adebimpe plays him marvelously. I cried unabashedly when he sang her some Bob Dylan during the wedding vows. Sidney's best man, Kieran is great, as played by Mather Zickel . Debra Winger makes a great supporting actress. I loved this movie. It has stayed with me, which for me is a good sign for a movie.

The homevideo quality of the filming really brings you into the family's lives and you get in the beginning that there is a tragedy, which is uncovered as you go. I read a review on IMDB that talked about how they ended up clapping during the Wedding Rehearsal dinner scene, and I confess that I did the same thing. It felt like I was there, like the minute that Kym is released from rehab, throughout the myriad of people that surround the house, and to the end, that we are witnessing it first hand. That home video quality was mirrored by a cousin home from Iraq who carries the video camera around as a shield. They tell him to put his down, but somehow you still are carrying your camera with you as you peek into this family's world well after he puts his down.

Because it has that quality of letting you into their lives, you alternately love and despise the characters as they love and despise themselves. The beautiful tug and pull of being with family meaning you are the most happy and most vulnerable and sad when you are with them (what is it? you take it out on those you love most?) really struck a chord with me. I happen to be one of those people who is at their best and worst in front of their family and I happen to be fortunate enough to be in a family that loves me in spite of myself.

As an ending comment, just as you might find in visiting a real family, this story left a lot of unravelled stories left to be uncovered. And, even though you're curious, you understand that you aren't going to know. Really intense, but really really good. The only thing I sort of questioned was the diversity of a small Connecticut town, because I got the feeling that all the people from the wedding (which was a diverse crowd) hung around the house a lot. IMDB says that Demme tends to use non-actor friends or musicians he likes, as long as they are "interesting". Well, using everyone from Fab Five Freddy playing himself to Brazilian dancers might be interesting, but that is really the only place the movie lost me. They seemed out of place there without further explanation.

Don't see it if you don't like Indies but I can't recommend it enough.

Hey Chicago Whaddaya Say? 2 is the Magic Number

Go Cubs Go! Go Cubs Go... I saw Marquis lose Wednesday night's game (and I didn't even get my Zambrano bobblehead!) But, the Cubbies are 2 games away from clinching the Division with today's win. I'll be at the game Sunday, I REALLY hope that we'll have already clinched or will have a Sunday clinch. It would be especially sweet against the Cards.

NOTE TO SELF: there will be White Shoes all over the neighborhood! (My friend Matt points to the St. Louis fans trips to the big city in Chicago wearing their brand spanking new sneakers and says you can always spot the Cards fans because they all have "white shoes". That and the Foakleys are a big tip-off too, Matt.)

(Sept 14- 20) TV Shows

True Blood- the second episode was okay. Finally, Bill the Vamp gets more vampy, having to control himself from biting Sookie and he kills some people in her honor to boot. Also, his family history and ties to the town are explained a little better--a nice touch. What I want to know is whether the Vamps camping out at his house and their posturing were really bad or were they giving a little nod to the Kristy Swanson version of Buffy the Vampire Slayer movie? The poses seemed EXACTLY like what Joss Whedon had his vamps doing when they showed up to the prom and asked Buffy to come out from the school gym.

Entourage- Okay, it is nice to see Vince has his cajones back and is trying to be a celeb again. Carla Gugino is really cool, so I'm glad to see her character is back, and I hope Eric makes a shitload of money with her. Let's see some more Debi Mazar now that Vince is back in action!

The Closer- My GD Tivo cut off before the show was over. My friend Karyn says that she went online to make sure we didn't miss anything, but I'm still retaping and extending it by 5 minutes to make sure there wasn't anything else since it happened to her too. Turns out the expansion of the Deputy Chief Brenda Lee Johnson's squad was a good thing. I really don't like giving things away but they find a bomb plot and the smarts win over the terrorists except for when Sanchez might be dying in the helicopter. I liked the one female cop in the squad-Detective Daniels (outside of Kyra Sedgewick's character) being out in front shooting at some guy on a roof who has the higher ground over her. As always, Provenza has the best lines on the show (even when he's pretending to sleep and just opening an eye to check things out...that beats out some of the other character's lines.)


Terminator, The Sarah Connors Chronicles: Good show. I like to see when John is a real boy. We have the crazy corporate raider terminator sighting and best of all there is a crazy message written in blood in the basement. What the hell? It will keep me engaged for a while anyway!

Fringe- Really really like this show. What the hell is up with the end-of-scene moving bright light on the PATTERNed apple slice/leaf with triangle/6-fingered handprint- btw/ one should always remember the brilliant Cubs sports announcer question of all time- asking Alfonseca if he was born that way [with six fingers]? (Is that a peep hole that keeps moving around? Is that Alfonseca's handprint?) The crazy dad is right up there with some of my favorite crazies like Murdock on the A-Team and Andy Kaufmann on Taxi. Also, what the hell is up with the numbers? This IS JJ Abrams... the numbers always mean something, don't they?

PR Season 5- Down to the last 5 when poor Joe went home, but that suit just wasn't good. I'm sticking with my Korto, Jerell and Leanne top three. BTW... what is up with J LO bailing on the finals judging. That is SOOOOO lame of her. Don't agree to do something and then bail. It just isn't cool. Victoria Beckham made it last year, was a trooper, and you are no better than her Jenny.

AMNTM-Cycle 11- Not enough drama this season, really. I think Elina, Lauren (woo hoo! Charlottesville!), and goofy Marjorie are the top three this year.

90210 Last and least, is 90210. The only thing that came out of this episode is the revelation that Kelly's baby's father is Dylan. YAWN!!! Gran is still the best part of a show that is supposed to be full of fresh, young, cool faces and stories. Maybe she SHOULD direct the show, guys? I don't know how much longer I can keep this in DVR rotation.

The Women: Where is The Woman Power?

I saw The Women on Saturday. Eh, it was okay. Meg Ryan as Mary Haines get's shafted when the spritzer girl at Saks (played by Eva Mendes) steals her husband and her best girlfriends- stereotypical career woman, Sylvia Fowler (played by Annette Benning); stereotypical mom, Edie Cohen (played by Debra Messing) and stereotypical author/lesbian, Alex Fisher (played by Jada Pinkett Smith) act has her conernerstones as Mary's life is crumbling and then very quickly gets rebuilt. Mary's mom is Candace Bergen and housekeeper is Chloris Leachman. Debi Mazar, Carrie Fisher and Bette Midler also make good smaller appearances and I always like to see Joanna Gleason in anything. She cracks me up. Problem is that despite all this talent the movie fell flat. The chutzpah factor was almost as non-existent as the expressions on Meg Ryan's face from all that Botox. My friend Cyndi (who has curly hair) is also disappointed that they got her to be more chic by getting rid of Meg's curls. Cyndi has a point.

It is cute enough, just wait to see it on DVD and expect to be a little disappointed. I'm all for woman power, so I want to know where it went here? I am woman, hear me curl up on the couch and sleep?

(Sept. 7-13) TV Shows: Good Season Ahead!

The Closer: I always miss this show when it goes off the air. The show is typically clever and to boot, Kyra Sedgewick does a great job as LA's Deputy Police Chief Brenda Lee Johnson. This week, the show ends with Brenda and her fiance, FBI Agent Fritz Howard leaving a church that is dubbed "pretty"--leaving me to believe that they will be doing an extra teaser episode before the season starts next year, complete with a wedding in said church... or at least that we'll have one with the first episode of next seasons start. Oh, and it isn't all Kyra Sedgewick, the cast is excellent.

True Blood: The American Vampire League has unveiled that vampires exist but because of a synthetic blood called Tru Blood, they aren't really a danger. Meanwhile, Anna Paquin (who I've liked since her roles in Fly Away Home and Almost Famous) is Sookie Stackhouse, a mind-reading waitress in a dive in Louisiana. Her best friend has anger management issues and her boss is madly in love with her--silently of course (and he may shape shift into a dog? Twillight anyone?). Because she can hear people's thoughts, she discovers that the white trash Rattrays intend to harm a visiting vampire in town ("Bill"), and she saves him-- thus, beginning their relationship. Meanwhile she lives with her Gran and her brother, Jason (local hound dog) has just killed local girl, Marjorie Pickens and is arrested for it. The end of the show sees Sookie getting the crap kicked out of her when the Rattrays come back seeking revenge from when Sookie saves Bill. If done right, the show could be good. I liked the first episode, but I'm still reserving judgment until I see a few of them.

Project Runway: The Astrological Sign challenge was a doozy. Though I think it was only a matter of time before Blaine was gone. My picks for top three this year are: Korto, Leanne and Jerrell with Suede or Joe making up the 4th position at the Runway (so as not to let on who the final three actually are... they usually have a 4th person show-think Austin Scarlett or Chris from last year). I would also include Kenley in my prediction because I like her stuff but I think after she's done all the challenges so far, she is much more of a one-trick pony. She likes her look and sticks with that but I don't think that will win her any spots considering who she is up against. My big thing with PR since they've made the deal to go to the Lifetime Channel, is that it has been WAY too easy to predict who will be off the show after the first 20 minutes. One of the things I liked before was that it wasn't always clear who would win. Now, I think the slant is too much. When Stella started talking last week about how she was feeling confident, the show was all but over for me. Please go back to the old format! We can tell whose clothes suck, you don't have to go and make it so obvious at the beginning of each episode.

Terminator, The Sarah Connor Chronicles: This show is managing to halfway decent, even though we all know the ending pretty much. John Connor is growing up and his mom is protecting him and teaching him to fight against the robots of the world that turn into Terminators. Right now, we just have the one Terminator looking to kill John Connor and Summer Glau (of Firefly/Serenity awesomeness) is acting as the protector Terminator who malfunctions at the beginning of the episode as she starts to "wake up" to a more human consciousness-talking about love and faith. My problem is with the character of Catherine Weaver. She's a Terminator running a major corporation seeking to build the robots that Sarah and John are trying to dismantle. She's played by Scottish actress/singer Shirley Manson, who is awesome (notwithstanding that Garbage kicks arse!) But I am leery of the storyline. Lame/evil conglomerate run by a robot while Summer Glau's character Cameron, gets a consience a la Robin Williams' Bicentennial Man or Haley Joel Osment in AI? Might be too much unless done flawlessly. We shall see. I am reserving judgment on this season.

90210: Same cheesiness. Though the show didn't change too much. More of the same? I was hoping they'd mix it up a little and at least give us a little more to go with. Silver's mom is drinking again and is violent and Kelly is going to have to go and tell her off to protect her little sister. Only other thing interesting is that I hear that Shannen Doherty isn't sticking around much longer. She's done her shout-out to her fans and could be done for a while. I'll bet she shows up later. The money should be good. We'll wait to see if we see David Silver (he's busy on Sarah Connor Chronicles for now anyway.) The bowling episode made me yawn. We'll see if it is any good for a couple more episodes before I delete it from my Tivo line-up.

Update: EW did an article What Would Make You Keep Watching? Pretty much what I'm saying. Boring. I think they should have made the bad girls bad for MUCH longer, Naomi's bad could have been so good had they stretched it out. Instead she went from bad to good girl in a blink. How do they fix it now? I have no idea if it can even be done.

Fringe: Okay, so my Tivo bailed on recording Fringe the first time around so I got to see the special reduced commercial episode on Sunday night. I liked it. I like JJ Abrams (as evidenced by the LOST obsession) but I think that it will be a good vehicle to change things up every week and explore different topics instead of getting stuck in a rut like sometimes LOST gets stuck in. I mean, an ode to a child's first technological mystery (the tin can with a string in the middle as a "phone") means to me that Abrams intends to embrace his inner "boys with toys" mentality. I like the actress playing the lead and who wouldn't like Joshua Jackson. The only place I see the show getting stuck is this big bad pattern business. Hopefully they have learned their lesson with LOST as to how these shows get stuck in not revealing the big questions. Good stuff!

Entourage: Bratty Vincent Chase comes back to LA from living the paradise life down in Mexico. My favorite part of the show right now is how Eric is fighting to make it into his own.

Pittsburgh: Moby is A Prick?

I watched this documentary called Pittsburgh, about Jeff Goldblum going with his girlfriend back to his hometown of Pittsburgh to do The Music Man. His good friends Illeana Douglas and Ed Begley Jr. went with him too.

So, I really do like Jeff Goldblum and like him even more now that I've seen this documentary. He seems like a real decent guy. He shunned the big Michael Bey role to stick to a promise he made to do the musical in PA. I also really always have liked Illeana Douglas' work as well since I saw Grace of My Heart back in the 90's, and the excellent and cancelled-too-soon tv show, Action after that. And later, she was a pal to Lisa Loeb on the #1 Single show.

Come to think of it, maybe Illeana met Moby through Lisa Loeb? This guy is known for being a vegan and warning young stars about their drug-riddled habits. But after three weeks he decides that he needs more space and that he can't continue their budding relationship while on the road. I think that is fine, and if it isn't working out, it isn't working out. However, what I did see that made me cringe is ...well, let me ask you this? How much of a jerk do you have to be to break up with someone while walking around surrounded by people and as King of the Coney Island Mermaid Parade ? Ugh. I'd like to warn MOBY to chill with all the porn he seems to like watching so much and to worry about his own status as a good person rather than Amy Winehouse. Whatever. I've never even heard of anyone being broken up with that badly before. It really left a sour thought in my head for this guy. I liked his music before. So sad that he's really like that.

Anyway, Pittsburgh is a good documentary and quirky Jeff Goldblum is what you get. If you like him, you'll like it. Thumbs up.