Heroes 3.06 The Dying of the Light

[selenak]

Cold makes for insomnia, which means more reviews. Over in the Heroesverse, we've moved on from Yeats to Dylan Thomas.



The irony of this particular poem, created as it was with Thomas telling his dying father to fight, to hold on to life, is obvious. Arthur Petrelli most certainly did not go gently into that good night, and raged indeed. We still don't know what exactly happened that landed him into the life support state - i.e. suicide attempt or murder attempt - but it's clear now where exactly Maury's fear and deference (note that he calls him "Mr. Petrelli", not "Arthur", when all the other Elders we've seen are on a first name basis with each other) comes from. As methods of establishing someone's fearsome someness go, that sequence with Adam was fantastic. I can't say I'm sorry, either. I mean, I found the character entertaining as Takezo Kensei and suitably villainous as Adam Monroe, but he served his purpose (would that the creators would have been that clear-sighted with, oh, SYLAR), and the only thing I truly regret is that we never saw him interact with the Elders in the present, most notably Angela or Bob. But there was no way Adam would have had the same psychological impact on any of the characters save Hiro Arthur will have on the other Petrellis.

Sidenote: I take it there was some confusion why Adam died and Peter did not? I'm confused people are confused. Adam is four centuries old. Take away his constant self-healing ability, and we get the superfast aging and crumbling into dust. If Arthur had done this to Claire, by contrast, she wouldn't have died, either.

Speaking of Peter, seems we get the depowering earlier than the season finale I expected. Which is going to make the writers' lives so much easier - no more "but Peter can do X and Y, so why doesn't he?" - but even that benefit aside, I loved that final scene for the sheer Petrelliness. Because naturally, Arthur goes for the manipulative embrace in order to drain his son of powers. Now bring on the Arthur-Nathan reunion, stat, because that's the one I most want to see, even more than Arthur and Angela.

When I saw last week that Nathan and Tracy were bound to wander into my least favourite plot thread, aka Flyhinder, I groaned inwardly, but you know, their stint the bad horror movie remake was worth it for two reasons: a) continuity - given that Nathan knows a scientist who is familiar with all the background and is researching on it and is in town, it would have been stupid, based on what he knows, NOT to consult Mohinder. (He's not a precog. Or aware Mohinder changed characterisation in favour of the Fly remake.) Also, Mohinder greeting Tracy as Niki and saying he was glad to see she was alright was a blessed continuity moment as well, because the last thing Mohinder knew of Niki was that she urgently waited for his serum in New Orleans, with a virus inside of her. b) more importantly: good character moments for two of our new characters. To wit, Tracy and Daphne. Daphne is disgusted by Flyhinder's doings (and before that troubled by what she believes about Hiro and Ando, and her contribution to it), but she's not ready to help Nathan and Tracy, either; which makes her ambiguous rather than an innocent dupe caught up by Maury and Petrelli Senior. Though Matt is probably right and they have some kind of hold over her. More about Daphne and Matt in a moment, because I need to cheer for Tracy. Tracy not panicking but saving herself and Nathan (for now), by using her wits and powers both. Loved it. This being said? Hopefully the cliffhanger will be solved in two seconds flat or a minute at most and she and Nathan can get out of the bad Cronenberg remake and back to the good plot threads. Daphne thoughtfully left a calling card with the Pinehurst address, after all.

But the most cheering of all, naturally, goes to the Claire-Sandra-Meredith plot. (And not just because I can continue to feel smug; I did say to wee_warrior last week this was a set-up for Claire and Sandra to come to the rescue.) Eric Doyle was ubercreepy, but this episode really does all its gender stuff right: no more Daddy to the rescue. Instead, Sandra shows once more how badly Noah underestimated her for their entire marriage. (Claire did, too, but Claire has the excuse of being 16, now 17, and having a bad role model when it comes to Sandra underestimation whose lead she followed.) Not that his treatment of her wouldn't have been horrible even if Sandra had indeed been the fragile woman in need of protection from unpleasant truths he took her for - this is still no excuse for mindwipe - but the more we see of her strength and grace under pressure, the worse he looks. From pointing out they need a plan to the improvisation of the Lyle excuse to going through with shooting Claire - and having to fire the gun repeatedly, Sandra shone. So did Claire, reassuring her mother without giving their only advantage away - and in the end still not talking to Noah. This is really my refrain of the season: I love Claire's volume 3 storyline. The West fiasco is forgiven, writers.

Daphne and Matt were charming together, though I must state one complaint: unless Matt caught the news on his flight back and the news included a report of Nathan surviving and becoming junior senator of New York, there is no excuse for him lingering on the airport without trying to contact Nathan or the authorities in Odessa, because before he got transported to Africa, he had just caught future!Peter in the act. There is also no excuse for not trying to call Molly and Mohinder, either, you know, the people with whom he lives, to tell them he's fine, given that he really has no way of knowing Molly is elsewhere and Mohinder is in a Cronenberg remake. So I'm going to pretend he tried both while waiting for Daphne. Though we might at least get some compensation for the later if Matt now heads home, i.e. to Mohinder's apartment, which as opposed to the lab presumably is cocoon-free, and finds out stuff that enables him to end the Flyhinder episode for good. But back to his Daphne encounter - I was really pleasantly surprised, because I have a bad memory of the last time the writers put Matt in a semi-romantic situation, i.e. when he pulled out all the stops to impress his estranged wife by reading her mind without telling her. Which came across as creepy but looked as if was meant to come across as sweet and romantic on the part of the show. Here, though, he doesn't try to read Daphne's thoughts without permission, and tells her the truth about why he knows her at once. And letting Daphne respond as much to her bad conscience about Ando and Hiro, and to her wish not to see someone else become a pawn, balanced her lack of helpfulness towards Tracy and Nathan; shades of grey, as I said, and I appreciate it.

Hiro and Ando: if you really thought Hiro killed Ando, I have no sympathy for your week of indignation, because that - Hiro faking the killing by using his abilities - was more than obvious. I'm pleased he told Ando in advance.The "they all look the same to me" - "that's racist!" was a sly commentary on the part of the writers on how Asian characters are often perceived by the white audience, and it's good to know that the "African Isaac"'s role didn't end with sending Matt on his way.

Oh yes, and then there was... Gabriel, I suppose. Sigh. Same commentary as last week: we're stuck with the Sylar redemption, and no, I still don't like it. Ah well.

Comments

[thepandorarose.livejournal.com]

Great comments. You always have an smart incite into he show, I often agree with you. I love Adam, but that scene was fantastic, it established Arthur is such a strong way, it showed so much.

And yes, I am sadden for no Rose/Ander's action. She and David has such great chemistry at the UK con.

As for Sylar I don't see his redemption lasting long. I liked Daphne's little "I work for someone who likes you just the way you are" I think Arthur's gonna seduce Sylar away from Angela's grip - he has more to offer him . :)

The "they all look alike" joke was wonderful.

And I was so impressed by Coma Angela. Even Sendhil said it on the commentary, how she is able to convey so much with out a sound or movement is amazing.

And I was so in love with the title even before I saw it. It fit so well and had several people raging against the dying of light, some failing and the fact that we will always struggle to live, to hang on.

[selenak.livejournal.com]

Coma Angela: yes, Christine is awesome. And let's hope you're right re: Sylar. I wonder, though, with both Sylar and Angela in a coma, who is going to wake them up? My money is on Matt (he has practice, with Molly last season), though just for Angela, not for Sylar (Matt would see Sylar in a coma as the best idea ever).

[thepandorarose.livejournal.com]

Yeah, my money is on Matt and in turn Angela would then wake up Sylar. Something from the trailer has me suspect something else I don't know if I believe, but its fishy to me. I don't know if you watch trailers, so I won't say unless you want. And if you don't want it on you're LJ, I can PM.

And speaking of Molly, I think Angela is in a very simlar state to Molly, only she's able to see and know her surroundings - making it real torture.

I was sure it was all Maury, but Arthur read Adam's mind before he killed him, so he has Maury's power. I wonder if he can sap off someone for a little bit and get some of their power, or he had a different host a long time ago? Is he able to only use on host at once, or will we have a scene were Angela lists what he can do - what they are up against. Which is pretty scary how powerful he is, even with out all of Peter's powers.

I also wonder if he knows how to expel powers, like the hunger? He is advanced and it would give hope to Peter in the future if he gets another bad power. But to Arthur the hunger may be nothin'. :)

Anyway...

It looks like Arthur did it and I think it's revenge as much as practical ("my boss can't have a pre-cog around" Daphne). I was never in the camp Angela "killed" Arthur, because it seemed so clique. But it would seem she has a good reason now. If she (and I suspect Linderman) put him in that bed, pretty much Arthur just did to her... well, the same thing. Just desert.

Just some thoughts on yours.

[kernezelda]

Hey, you forgot the most important new character, Turtle! *sobs on behalf of Matt's slighted spirit guide*

[selenak.livejournal.com]

*is stricken* You're right! How could I! *uses icon featuring Turtle's cousin in other universe who, however, never got high fived*

[kernezelda]

An afterthought - if Nathan is the Petrelli's first child, born ungifted, then is Sylar the middle child or is he Peter's twin? I'm bad with ages, and can't tell if they're meant to be the same age or not. If he's the second attempt, and flawed because he takes power lethally, then Peter might be the final success: someone who absorbs others' power non-lethally.

It seems like Arthur Petrelli's ability is also this power absorption, so if Sylar is a naturally-born, unaltered Petrelli and Peter is, too, then abilities might also be passed down genetically, as well as the random ones we've seen.

[selenak.livejournal.com]

Peter and Sylar as twins is the easiest explanation, given that otherwise Nathan missed his mother having a pregnancy. They both could be the attempt to find a better form of Arthur's ability; the crucial difference to both Sylar and Peter is that when Arthur takes an ability, it seems to be removed from the original bearer. (The reason Sylar's victims don't survive is because unless they're Claire, they can't heal after he looks into their skulls, but as we see from Claire, him taking the ability per se isn't what kills them. Peter absorving abilities has no impact on the people he absorbs them from whatsoever, of course.)

[kernezelda]

Oh, you're right, I'd seen him kill Adam, but hadn't related that difference in method to Peter's or Sylar's. Sylar...I can't get used to calling him Gabriel.

Will Peter be de-powered forever? I wonder how that will play out in the ever-shifting future.

[12-12-12.livejournal.com]

I wonder if Arthur also has the ability to give powers *back* to people. I'm hoping not, since I'm kind of in love with the idea and the irony of a depowered Peter right now, but it could happen.

[selenak.livejournal.com]

I want Peter to remain de-powered, too, but you know, if Arthur could do that, it would have given him an immense hold over the rest of the Elders and would additionally explain why he and Angela were that high in the hierarchy. It also would help him with controlling the new kids - he can't just offer the stick (the depowering), but also the carrot. If your new minions are proven killers, this could come in handy.

[12-12-12.livejournal.com]

I imagine quite a few of the writers are enjoying depowered Peter, too, and the resulting decrease in headaches. xD I just don't know if they're brave enough to stick with it for longer than this volume.

That scene with Adam was just chilling in all the best ways, and really emphasized the pecking order within the Elders. I love it.

[cadesama.livejournal.com]

Now bring on the Arthur-Nathan reunion, stat, because that's the one I most want to see, even more than Arthur and Angela.

That should prove interesting, since they are clearly setting up the boys to take sides. Nathan doesn't trust Angela because she experimented on him, and no way in hell is Peter going to trust Arthur now. There will probably be some wires crossed for a while before Peter and Nathan can explain their grudges to each other.

but this episode really does all its gender stuff right: no more Daddy to the rescue

Seriously. The episode may as well have been entitled "Sandra Bennet Fights the Patriarchy and Wins."

unless Matt caught the news on his flight back and the news included a report of Nathan surviving and becoming junior senator of New York, there is no excuse for him lingering on the airport without trying to contact Nathan or the authorities in Odessa

Admittedly, it's not that hard to catch a news report in an airport. I think we just have to assume that most of the characters are caught up on that front, because otherwise there's no real excuse for Peter-as-Jesse even leaving a phone message for Nathan.

[selenak.livejournal.com]

That should prove interesting, since they are clearly setting up the boys to take sides. Nathan doesn't trust Angela because she experimented on him, and no way in hell is Peter going to trust Arthur now. There will probably be some wires crossed for a while before Peter and Nathan can explain their grudges to each other.

There is also the entire past relationship to account for, especially and including Nathan feeling guilty for going after Arthur and Linderman, leading to...whatever happened to Arthur. And Arthur can sell depowering Peter as a benevolent action (after all, Angela's solution was putting him into a coma). On the other hand, if Nathan finds out Arthur had him mind-messed with by Maury, all bets are off. I can't imagine him taking kindly to that, past closeness or not, and Nathan did already suspect there might be a telepath at work when arguing with Head!Linderman. If he spots Maury, he'll figure it out.

I like your Sandra Bennet... subtitle!

I think I will have to write a mising scene ficlet for Matt again. Though I also want to write an Arthur pov on the goings on in Six Months Ago, as soon as we know what the hell really happened to him.

[cadesama.livejournal.com]

And Arthur can sell depowering Peter as a benevolent action (after all, Angela's solution was putting him into a coma).

True, although I'm not entirely sure Nathan believes that Peter was genuinely that dangerous. And while Peter will say he was, I doubt he would see this as the solution. He said, when he was Jesse, that he didn't like feeling powerless, so even if Peter is okay with losing the HUNGER. I doubt he'll be on board with the whole power theft thing.

On the other hand, if Nathan finds out Arthur had him mind-messed with by Maury, all bets are off. I can't imagine him taking kindly to that, past closeness or not, and Nathan did already suspect there might be a telepath

That's the ting. I think we may have an episode or two of Peter and Nathan being aligned against each other, with their chosen parent, before they discover exactly what has been done to them both and they give up and decide they'd rather stick together and fight mom and dad.

I think I will have to write a mising scene ficlet for Matt again

\o/

And, meanwhile, I'm writing a "how in the world could Nathan not notice a pregnancy" fic.

Though I also want to write an Arthur pov on the goings on in Six Months Ago, as soon as we know what the hell really happened to him.

I suspect we may actually get canon there. It's too good not to fill in, and we haven't had an official flashback episode yet.

[selenak.livejournal.com]

He said, when he was Jesse, that he didn't like feeling powerless, so even if Peter is okay with losing the HUNGER. I doubt he'll be on board with the whole power theft thing.

Well, no. Especially given the circumstances. But the Petrellis have a "I'm doing this for your own good" tradition, so unless he finds out about the rest before he finds out about the depowering, Nathan could at least be torn. Though if I were Arthur, I would in addition to selling this as being to Peter's benefit as the result of my year or so in a coma state due to "my sons stabbing me in the back", going for the the full "et tu, Nathan?" to guilt trip Nathan.

Speaking of alliances, though: any ideas how Nathan will take the "one more sibling" news? Because while he actually never met Sylar as opposed to Peter, and thus knows him only by reputation, I can't imagine him being all embracing about it. Especially if he has the impression Sylar and Peter are bonding in some way.

Canon on Arthur in 6MA: that would be fabulous, and I would so love a flashback episode!

[cadesama.livejournal.com]

[Error: Irreparable invalid markup ('<i.though>') in entry. Owner must fix manually. Raw contents below.]

<i.Though if I were Arthur, I would in addition to selling this as being to Peter's benefit as the result of my year or so in a coma state due to "my sons stabbing me in the back", going for the the full "et tu, Nathan?" to guilt trip Nathan.</i>

That would be pretty effective, particularly if tied with some kind of wrong Angela has personally perpetrated against Arthur. If she's not responsible for his near death, then I think it'll be pretty hard to convince Nathan that paralyzing her (no matter how temporarily) was an okay thing to do.

<I>Speaking of alliances, though: any ideas how Nathan will take the "one more sibling" news? Because while he actually never met Sylar as opposed to Peter, and thus knows him only by reputation, I can't imagine him being all embracing about it. Especially if he has the impression Sylar and Peter are bonding in some way.</I>

I think he'll be against it, if he meets anything less than a fully reformed Sylar (which is what's most probable). I'm guessing it'll be a sort of "huh" reaction from Nathan, followed by deliberate exclusion, especially if Peter <i>isn't</i> urging Nathan to include Sylar because he really has changed. Reputation precedes him, and Nathan doesn't exactly like sharing at the best of times. But if they really need Sylar's help for something, I think it could go either way. Nathan would probably b e pragmatic enough to use Sylar's abilities, especially if the other option is risking Peter somehow.

[selenak.livejournal.com]

Speaking of paralyzing Angela: so is this something Maury did - same way Matt did it to him, and he to Molly - or something Arthur himself did, using another power, what do you think? Also, at this point Angela is bound to have to do something with his not-death, because otherwise it would make no sense to go against her instead of with her.

[cadesama.livejournal.com]

I was figuring it was one of Arthur's own powers, because he talks directly to her and we have no idea what stable of powers he had pre-Peter, but they could easily go the other way. And that may be easier to shoot -- because then you can have scene where Arthur directs Maury to release her (since I really doubt anyone can undo it without Arthur's permission).

Also, at this point Angela is bound to have to do something with his not-death, because otherwise it would make no sense to go against her instead of with her.

Well, they could potentially just make him eviler and his goals different. But that makes no narrative sense. More dramatic punch if she was responsible for his near death. Now, the better question is did she try to kill him because he wanted to back out of Plan Blow Up NYC, or because HE wanted to personally rule the world?

[selenak.livejournal.com]

And that may be easier to shoot -- because then you can have scene where Arthur directs Maury to release her (since I really doubt anyone can undo it without Arthur's permission).

If it was Maury, not Arthur, Matt could - he managed it with Molly - but if it was Maury backed up by Arthur or Arthur himself, different thing. Incidentally, they could use this as an intro for a flashback episode - someone going in Angela's head.

Now, the better question is did she try to kill him because he wanted to back out of Plan Blow Up NYC, or because HE wanted to personally rule the world?

Or for another reason altogether? She sees so many versions of the future, after all.

[cadesama.livejournal.com]

If it was Maury, not Arthur, Matt could - he managed it with Molly - but if it was Maury backed up by Arthur or Arthur himself, different thing. Incidentally, they could use this as an intro for a flashback episode - someone going in Angela's head.

Mmm, possible, although my problem there is that I think that would take multiple episodes to accomplish, since there's no reason for anyone to get into contact with Matt and get him to the Company at the moment. I honestly doubt Angela will still be paralyzed at the end of the next episode. The primary reason for doing that was to motivate Peter to go confront Arthur. Her power, however, will probably remain disabled, so the only way of knowing the future would be the paintings.

I think that would be a pretty good intro to a flashback, and it'll be interesting to see how it plays out. May just be Arthur catching Villainous Monologue Disease.

Or for another reason altogether? She sees so many versions of the future, after all.

Entirely possible, although I admit that I'll be annoyed if it's not in some way about the explosion, because the time line fits there and that seems like one of their grandest plans.

[47-trek-47.livejournal.com]

And, meanwhile, I'm writing a "how in the world could Nathan not notice a pregnancy" fic.

I really do think they're (Peter and Sylar, that is) twins.

[cadesama.livejournal.com]

I think they probably are, but upon talking to a friend, I think there's also a surprising amount of wiggle room if they feel like using it.

[12-12-12.livejournal.com]

My jaw literally dropped in the final few minutes when Arthur asked Peter for a hug and I realized what they were going to do. OMG-he-used-the-PatentedPetrelliHug-as-a-weapon-eee!!! Ahem. He's certainly a manipulator in the finest Petrelli tradition, and he knows his son. A single appeal to his affections, and that's it. Oh my. I'm looking forward to seeing a depowered Peter (though I don't know if the writers will make this situation permanent), plus more interactions with Arthur. It's interesting that he basically has a more violent version of Peter's power.

Dislike the Sylar retcon a LOT, but I have to admit that the Peter-Sylar interaction got to me a little. Especially, "Stop calling her that! You are not my family!" followed immediately by *flying*. xD

Loved Sandra in this episode. She was amazing. And I love it that the show keeps emphasizing that what the characters say =/= what the show is saying. Noah Bennet is often very, very wrong. Especially about his family.

Also loved that Claire is leaning more and more towards Petrelli-style impulsiveness than Bennet-style careful planning. :-)

I'm very glad that Hiro told Ando what he was going to do. "I'm going to fake stab you!" "Huh?" So awesome.

[selenak.livejournal.com]

when Arthur asked Peter for a hug and I realized what they were going to do.

This is where it so pays off to be a fan of the family. You recognise where this is going instantly.*veg* Clearly, Angela wasn't the only role model for Peter and Nathan in this regard! (Also, note the implication that Arthur didn't overlook his younger son in the sense of not bothering to know him. He apparantly knows him well enough for that kind of manvoeuvre; but he prioritized. Though I'm not sure what it says that if you're Dad's favourite, you get mindmessed with, and if you're the not-favourite, you get manipulated the old fashioned style...)

And I love it that the show keeps emphasizing that what the characters say =/= what the show is saying.

Yes, exactly. Though I'm not sure how many watchers get that, given the reaction to Noah vis a vis Mohinder and Claire last season. (I have stayed far away from TWPP this season, so I don't know for sure.)

[12-12-12.livejournal.com]

Really, the painting should have tipped us off. A hug significant enough to be future-painted? It had to be the Petrellis. :D An aside--another reason to love that scene is that, with any luck, Peter is now free of the stupid, stupid Hunger, too.

I wonder if they're going to delve deeper into just why Nathan is Arthur's favorite, given that he didn't have the genetic code and it looks like Peter does. I know cadesama was speculating that he may have been angry at what he saw as a waste of potential, which certainly makes sense.

I've stayed away from TWoP for the most part this season, too. It just sucks the joy out of everything. Especially since Erin's no longer doing the recaps.

[selenak.livejournal.com]

I wonder if they're going to delve deeper into just why Nathan is Arthur's favorite, given that he didn't have the genetic code and it looks like Peter does.

Current guess: for a variety of reasons. For starters, there is the age factor - Nathan was the first born, and the only child for ten or eleven years (I really wish they'd give us a definite age for Nathan already). By the time Peter came long, it might simply have been too late for Arthur to switch. Moreover, Nathan is an overachiever. While he had to be experimented on to get abilities, he did the best in class, etc. thing, was brilliant at it, following his father's footsteps into the military and into law (until he picked working for the D.A. rather than becoming a part of the firm, of course), while Peter simply didn't do that. And lastly, I'm still very fond of my fanon that the Petrellis were so screwed up that while Angela and Nathan competed about Peter at some level, Arthur and Peter competed about Nathan. I.e. Nathan plainly resented that against all the odds, teenage Nathan developed this intense bond with toddler Peter and that this carried on into adulthood. Arthur seems to be the type who wants to come first.

[12-12-12.livejournal.com]

Ooh, I like your ideas. And speaking of Petrellis competing with each other, combined with you and cadesama's comments about Nathan's reactions to Sylar, makes me wonder if we'll see Peter refer to Sylar as his brother sometime this season (he's hostile now, but come on, it's Peter), and how Nathan and possibly Claire would react to that. :-)

[selenak.livejournal.com]

Claire: *betrayed look, turning into angry look*

Nathan: *glowers, walks towards Peter and makes possessive gesture comparable to the one in Simone's presence at the hospital*

Sylar: *is amused*

[12-12-12.livejournal.com]

Hee hee hee. One possible redeeming feature of Sylar getting involved with the Petrellis this way is that he's got just the right kind of manipulative style to take advantage of this situation.

[selenak.livejournal.com]

Point. But if he gets the Petrelli body language treatment from any of them, I shall still be creeped out. Wait, he already got from Angela, and I was creeped out, though admittedly in an "Angela, you are awesomely twisted" way.

Mind you: I'm still waiting for Sylar to show his resentment about not growing up as a Petrelli. (And for us to be given an explanation about that, of course, plus a twist to this whole you're my son thing.) Given how he went on about Chandra seeing him as his real son, more than Mohinder, it would be truly weird if he didn't try to replace Peter or Nathan. (Wait, he already did that with Nathan in 5YG, but for other reasons.)

Also? They're really not good with sharing, none of them, including Peter. Peter had to play second fiddle to Nathan as far as Arthur and the general public was concerned, true, but not with Angela, and more importantly not with Nathan himself; he has to be aware on some level that he outranks Heidi and the kids if it comes to that. He's first with Claire, too. Given the way he flips out about Sylar calling Angela "Mom", I'd say we have a case of him not taking this whole sharing thing well. And Nathan between his cool behaviour towards Simone and the infamous photo tearing contest between him and Angela really isn't great with sharing, either. Half of the reason why he guilt-tripped so much about prosecuting Arthur and then Arthur dying was the awareness that he was Arthur's favourite son, but that's always been taken for granted; I think if Arthur were to promote Sylar to that position, then Nathan, between all the "you're alive!" and "wait, did you mind mess with me?" would jealous as hell.

[12-12-12.livejournal.com]

I'm definitely expecting some resentment and jealousy, too--especially since it must seem to Sylar that Peter takes so much of what he has, which is what Sylar wants, for granted (even throwing some of it away.)

I'd be very surprised if we don't see Sylar trying to best Peter and Nathan in their parents' eyes: trying to show them that he's the better son, the son they always wanted, the one they should have kept. Whereas once Peter and Nathan get over their misunderstandings, they might actually reject their parents, forming an alliance between themselves (because they come first with each other) and possibly even Claire.

[cadesama.livejournal.com]

You recognise where this is going instantly.*veg* Clearly, Angela wasn't the only role model for Peter and Nathan in this regard!*

You know... I always suspected that Nathan's shoulder grab maneuver was inherited from Arthur, and that he might play the physicality as much more aggressive than the other family members. It's yet to be seen on the last count, but I think his power lends itself to that kind of acting.

[selenak.livejournal.com]

You could definitely see it as a dominating move connected with the subtextual threat of draining people if they don't do what he wants. So yes, I could see Nathan adapting it from Arthur. Though the hands locked behind the neck thing is definitely an Angela move, and both her sons practice it.

[12-12-12.livejournal.com]

The hands locked behind the neck is definitely an Angela thing, as is the touching of forehead to forehead (though Nathan tends not to use that as much as Peter.) The shoulder *grip*, however? Looks like that's from Arthur. Though whether Peter will let Arthur touch him again remains to be seen...

We just need to get all of them in a room together, like, now. :D

[selenak.livejournal.com]

We do. Incidentally, do you think either Peter or Nathan are conscious of sharing the body language with their parents, or is it all subconscious?

[12-12-12.livejournal.com]

Hmm. I think with Peter it's more subconscious--I don't think he's all that introspective, and IMO he thinks this is just how families are. I suspect Nathan was freaked out by it once or twice when he caught himself mirroring his father's movements and realized what he was doing. :-)

But...

[12-12-12.livejournal.com]

I just realized: the very deliberate shoulder grab and squeeze from Peter at the Family Brunch ("I can fly, Nathan. And so can *you*."), which is quite different from his usual style, may have been more conscious imitation...

Re: But...

[selenak.livejournal.com]

Which would fit with the idea that Peter, in addition to being still angry about the recent "my brother tried to comitt suicide" stunt, also has the ongoing issue about Nathan's withdrawal from him after Arthur's "death" - and that his statement towards Mohinder, "we're all cheap imitations of our fathers", might have been about Nathan rather than about himself, i.e. Nathan acting all Arthur-like in the wake of Arthur's death. And that's why he uses that gesture deliberately.

[cadesama.livejournal.com]

I'm a little surprised we'd didn't get any forehead to forehead action with Peter and comatose!Angela. If he'd actually read her mind properly, I think we would have.

[greenpear.livejournal.com]

Even though I'm not as enthused about season 3 as I was with season 1 I'm still on-board.

One of my problems is the virtual avalanche of new characters. Too many characters will dilute the time to really develop the ones that are there already. There's already a lot less Noah that before and the rest of the original cast seem to be bit players at times.

I'm hoping they can keep all the various timelines they've created straight. Time will tell whether they'll be able to pull it off without tying themselves in knots.

[joonscribble.livejournal.com]

I actually didn't figure out how Adam was killed by Arthur UNTIL Arthur took Peter's powers. I'd originally thought Arthur's powers involved just sucking out people's lifeforce or something like that.

Poor Adam. His days were done though and he did get a really memorable exit.

we're stuck with the Sylar redemption, and no, I still don't like it. Ah well.

I might warm up to this storyline if I didn't feel like all actors involved are completely failing at selling it to me. Sylar's days were done at the end of season 1, but Heroes seems to fear not having a cast of at least 15 people at a time.

[londonkds.livejournal.com]

This is now the most recent episode I've seen. Before I've seen any more, and I don't know if this has already confirmed and denied, I suggest that Daphne is an artificial super and Arthur et al's hold over her is through threatening to take it away.

[selenak.livejournal.com]

Then you're only one episode behind the broadcast ones in the US, since last week they interrupted for baseball or election reasons (I forgot which). And Arthur's hold over Daphne being the threat to take her power away has become my favourite theory since another commentator to this entry suggested it. (There hasn't been something to refute it so far.)

[londonkds.livejournal.com]

I don't think it's just taking Daphne's power away in Arthur's normal way, I think they gave her her power artificially. There's Maury-as-Linderman talking about stopping doing things for her in a threatening way, and then Arthur threatening to put her back where he found her.