S02E09: 'Cautionary Tales'

It's back! In an episode up there with the finest from the first season, Heroes returns to the present day with a newfound focus and energy.

Every now and then, a flash of creative inspiration crops up in Heroes. It's hardly been a regular occurrence in the dismal second season, but the use of Mr Muggles's doggy bath as a torture device on Elle was suitably brilliant. It made for real electric viewing as Elle was on the receiving end of her own powers.

A shock ending concludes an episode packed full of strong performances and a far more artistic direction than usual. The climactic hostage exchange, bathed in the fading dusk sunlight, is a grippingly tense affair with some startling imagery, particularly of poor Noah Bennet and the horror that lurks behind his bullet-strewn horn-rimmed specs.

Bob continues in his role as the new Mr Bennet, armed with a gifted blonde daughter, a strong degree of ambiguity and a fondness for kidnapping. Could he and Noah be long lost siblings? Although Bob's true motives are cloudy to say the least, the fact that Mohinder is clearly operating under an altruistic desire works well for dramatic complexity.

Elsewhere, the philosophical debate between Hiro and his father about playing God was suitably poignant without ever becoming overly sentimental. It must be said that the revelation that Adam Monroe was the killer hardly drew gasps of surprise, although it's easy to imagine Hiro being stunned at what he saw. Finally, Cristine Rose deserves plaudits for her portrayal of Angela Petrelli, whose stern exterior was finally broken down by Matt Parkman, allowing Rose to display the vulnerable core of the character.

Undoubtedly the episode benefits from last week's trip back to four months ago, which explained a great deal of essential backstory. It's come too late to salvage the season, but let's instead dwell on the present and hail an enthralling piece of television.

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