Hiros

Pseudo-philosophy, religious bunkum and throwaway fortune cookie wisdom--oh, and fucking your BRAIN with CG super powers-- yes, it can only mean one thing: Heroes is back! Let's be honest from the get-go here: after its predominantly mediocre second season, the show has long since lost its allure. Hiro pansy footing around in Feudal Japan? Worst. Decision. Ever. The character works because the actor playing him is a hugely affable screen presence. We like him because he's clearly having fun, his boyish enthusiasm is infectious. Take him out of his element, however--and ask him to act--and the results are predictably uninvolving. Don't make the same mistake again, Kreig... or Krige... err (look, I forget how it's spelt, alwite'?--I only know it's one weird-ass surname).

Beyond all expectations, the two hour season opener was both engrossing and entertaining. Oh sure, it was no season one, but the impression persists that this season will be the Last Crusade to season one's Raiders of the Lost Ark (season two being, eek, Temple of Doom). The Rule Of Three (it's non-specific?)--my rule fashioned exclusively for this Blog entry--remains intact: Bwahahah.

Elsewhere, things aren't quite as promising: Lex Luther--he of alcoholic beverage shenanigans, sly emoting and sitting by fireplaces in the dark--has left Smallville. He will be sorely missed. The show, restructured as it is, is gradually beginning to resemble Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, only without that sonfoffabitch Dean Cain on-board (an eternal blessing), and with (slightly, mind) less camp. I hope there's a guest appearance by Clark's barn later in the season; it deserves... that much. *Sniff*