Robert N EmersonBabble On - Heroes
September 28th 2007 00:37
Yatta!*
I’ll admit that I was very sceptical about the show, and the unoriginality of the tagline ‘ordinary people discovering extraordinary abilities’ did little to allay my fears. I suspected the whole thing would simply mimic previous incarnations of the same premise, such as X-Men and Mutant X. I decided to tune in anyway, purely because of the huge amount of internet buzz surrounding the show.
Suffice to say, I was blown away. The first season offering of Heroes is simply incredible, and easily one of the best shows of its kind to appear in recent times. The programme acknowledges the origins of superhero characters, and emulates comic book styling through its online offering, and even in the show itself. The writing encompasses short story arcs that build upon the overall plot arc, while the stunning visuals are reminiscent of the stylistic illustration of American comics.
However, what really sets Heroes apart are the characters. Using the freedom that television offers, the writers have taken the characters beyond the two dimensions of the comic book page, and fleshed them out to be realistic, flawed and relatable people. The relationships between the characters are also wonderfully touching and complex, as existing bonds are tested and collisions ensure that new ones are formed. There is no inherent good and evil, and people choose their path through the circumstances in which they find themselves – heroes and villains seldom announce their arrival, and the line between the two is often unclear.
The show certainly isn’t perfect – the opening episodes of the first season are undoubtedly the weakest, as the series took time in building its momentum. As a result of its comic book influences, the dialogue can be a tad stilted at times, and overly clichéd. However, this is a small price to pay when compared to the brilliance of the show. The writing and continuity are top-notch, and the unfolding story arcs play out the journeys of the characters beautifully. The cast of the first season was also phenomenal, and hopefully the new second season additions will live up to the standard set.
Ultimately, the message of the show is that heroes become heroes by virtue of their actions. Life, fate and destiny throw obstacles and opportunities in the way, and the choices that someone makes will shape the person that they become. Do you take a step, or take a leap? Should you keep your feet on the ground, or soar high? Do you become a hero, or a villain?
After such a stellar first season, I’m hoping that the second season does not disappoint. The second season has just begun in the US, and thankfully the latest series has been fast tracked to Australia, albeit with a short lag time. The series will return Thursday 4th of October, at 9.30pm, on Channel Seven.
*Screencap courtesy of Wikipedia, and used under Fair Dealing for identification and critical commentary.
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