Heroes 1x11: Fallout

[andraste]

Oh noes!



After Six Months Ago gave us a break from the main action, in Fallout the plot kicks into overdrive on multiple levels.

I was saying at roleplaying club last night that there were three man candidates for the title of Exploding Man. Obviously there's Ted Sprague, the man with the uncontrollable radiation powers. But there's also the two specials who copy other people's abilities - Gabriel 'Sylar' Gray and Peter Petrelli. In Fallout, it appears as though Peter is the unlucky guy. This make sense, since Ted was a pretty obvious red herring and I can't imagine Sylar being dumb enough to want uncontrollable radiation powers.

I say Peter 'appears' to be the guy, though, because his dream visions aren't like Isaac's paintings. They've proved broadly accurate, but they're usually impressionistic rather than realistic. We already know that his vision doesn't reflect the future Hiro saw exactly, because Isaac's head was still attached to his body in Peter's dream. All of which to say, I'm not going to take what Peter saw at face value, and I don't think he should either. (I do think he should avoid standing next to Ted Sprague, though, because it's hard to see another reason he'd explode. Unless there are a lot of radioactive specials around the place.)

Speaking of Peter's powers, this incident convinced me that the dreams are part of his inherent abilities rather than something he's copying from some guy in the apartment downstairs from his. He seems to need close geographical proximity to borrow powers, and he has even more prophetic visions in Odessa than he did in New York.

Peter's vision is the most shocking plot development, but it's only one of many. Niki's story gets interesting for the first time in ages as she finally makes a decision and turns herself into the police. Claire finds out the truth about her father when her friend and brother are brainwiped and the Haitian finally speaks. Eden McCain's story comes to a dramatic end when she splatters her brain across the wall rather than let Sylar have her powers. (Which I thought was an appropriate end for her - I'd been enjoying her character development since she revealed her true colours, but I loved the idea that she thought her abilities were too dangerous for him to have.)

Amid all the plot developments, character stuff isn't neglected. Peter gets some great moments with his brother, both real and imaginary. Audrey and Matt make an adorable and effective team. Mr. Bennett has some intriguing interaction with his captured serial killer. Hiro and Ando prove that they're still hilarious even after all that angst. ("Oh no, what if I step on a bug?" "Step on a bug? You're going to die!") I loved Hiro straightening his tie before meeting 'Mr. Isaac' and the bemused expressions they both wore as the artist explained that he had to be high to see the future. I guess drug-related English slang isn't their strong suit *g*.

Comments

[selenak.livejournal.com]

I was saying at roleplaying club last night that there were three man candidates for the title of Exploding Man

And thus it shall remain for a good long while. Those mean writers.

They've proved broadly accurate, but they're usually impressionistic rather than realistic. We already know that his vision doesn't reflect the future Hiro saw exactly, because Isaac's head was still attached to his body in Peter's dream.

Excellent observation, and yes, "impressionistic" is a good term.

Claire finds out the truth about her father when her friend and brother are brainwiped and the Haitian finally speaks.

That was such an emotional suckerpunch - Zach being mindwiped, I mean, which destroys his relationship with Claire. The Haitian speaking, otoh, was the good kind of shock.

Eden McCain's story comes to a dramatic end when she splatters her brain across the wall rather than let Sylar have her powers. (Which I thought was an appropriate end for her - I'd been enjoying her character development since she revealed her true colours, but I loved the idea that she thought her abilities were too dangerous for him to have.)

Same here. She went out a hero (and boy, would Sylar having Eden's powers ever have cut this season short by universal slaughter of the other regulars). Here's a great Eden character exploration:
http://mandysbitch.livejournal.com/308609.html

Peter gets some great moments with his brother, both real and imaginary.

I'll say. My favourite exchange when the real version shows up is Peter going on about Claire "she's like us!" (meaning she has superpowers) and Nathan crisply replying: "Dysfunctional?" Ah, Petrellis. (And he, writers. Mind you, Claire is gloriously functional.)

Now hasten to watch "Godsend" for then I can link you a Hiro story I wrote!

[eldrad-ulthuan.livejournal.com]

hehehe... "Like us"

[andraste]

Excellent observation, and yes, "impressionistic" is a good term.

I find it interesting that the New York of Peter's visions is usually empty, except for himself and certain significant people. It's as though he's blowing up a deserted city.

She went out a hero (and boy, would Sylar having Eden's powers ever have cut this season short by universal slaughter of the other regulars).

Yeah, that would have put him beyond Very Bad and into the realm of unbeatable. If he can just order everyone to stand still while he eats their brains, they have less than no chance.

Here's a great Eden character exploration:
http://mandysbitch.livejournal.com/308609.html

Thanks for the link!

I'll say. My favourite exchange when the real version shows up is Peter going on about Claire "she's like us!" (meaning she has superpowers) and Nathan crisply replying: "Dysfunctional?" Ah, Petrellis.

Yes, that cracked me up too *g*.

[selenak.livejournal.com]

I find it interesting that the New York of Peter's visions is usually empty, except for himself and certain significant people. It's as though he's blowing up a deserted city.

Also, note that they're all turning away from him, though Claire first runs towards him, then turns away, except for Nathan, who walks straight towards him. They're also partly symbolically attired, i.e. Matt is wearing his cop uniform, Claire her cheerleader's uniform (and it doesn't take a genius guessing she won't do that in any version of the actual event), Nathan is coming out of the campaign headquarters, etc.

[astrogirl2.livejournal.com]

"What if I step on a bug?" is perhaps the single greatest line of any show ever, and is a prime example of the reason why I love Hiro to itty, bitty, tiny little bits. :)

[honorh.livejournal.com]

You've got Peter's ability wrong--once he acquires a power, he keeps it. Now, how well he controls said powers is up for debate . . .