US TV
'Heroes' S03E05: 'Angels and Monsters'
Published Wednesday, Oct 22 2008, 22:46 BST | By Ben Rawson-Jones | 2 comments
It's to the show's huge credit that the engrossing, adrenalin-fuelled nature of the narrative is still maintained despite a lack of action compared to previous weeks. The ongoing powerplay between Sylar and Noah Bennet is electric and fascinating to watch unfold, especially seeing Claire's shocked reaction to the unlikely pairing.
The cheerleader's own subplot with Stephen Canfield adopted a slower pace, yet quickly generated an emotional authenticity that made us feel for the plight of the vortex-generating man. Having lost his family, the persecuted Canfield refused to lose his morals and sacrificed himself rather than slay Sylar under Noah's duress.
Various recently established story threads receive a tantalising jolt in this episode, as Maury Parkman is revealed to be behind the Linderman appearances, Papa Petrelli shows up and Jeff Goldblum impersonator Mohinder puts Maya into bondage (can you blame him?). Nathan Petrelli's recent spiritual rebirth is also challenged by his mother's admission that he was given his powers by science rather than God. He's gonna be on the phone to Richard Dawkins before long.
Best of all though, is the development of the fractured Hiro-Ando relations. The time-stopper's sudden slaying of his companion still shocks even though there's surely a convenient get-out clause around the corner. More importantly though, their adventures have allowed Sark from Alias to return to the fold in the guise of the deliciously devious Adam Monroe.
A change in style, but not a change in quality. Plot twists take over from nifty visuals this week - demonstrating the versatility of Heroes. When the action does crop up though, such as in Peter's cell or Canfield's living room, it serves to add another dimension to the ongoing brilliance of the show during its resurgent third season.
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I wholeheartedly agree with this review. I'm reading the crap coming out of some of the critics in the U.S., and I feel like I'm taking crazy pills. Each episode is better than the last, and it's sad to see it taking a hammering elsewhere. Oh well. I still love you, Heroes!
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Admittedly season 2 of Heroes was slower, but we can excuse that as the producers clearly had a much grander plan that was scuppered by the writers' strike. Season 3 puts the series back on top form, with twists and turns in every jaw-dropping episode - and this had more then the previous episodes so far. From Hiro slaying Ando without an apparent second thought, to Canfield sacrificing himself rather than obey Noah's demands, to Mohinder cocooning Maya in Isaac Mendez's studio (all those who hated Maya in season 2 must have cheered!), to Angela's conniving deviance and admission that she allowed her own children to be experimented on, to her husband's sudden reappearance as the Company's new nemesis, this series continues to show why it stands head and shoulders above most of the rest of the drivel on British television these days. Surprisingly, some of my mates at work haven't started watching season 3 as they haven't got round to watching the last few episodes of season 2. The urge NOT to tell them what is happening currently in the show is overwhelming - but I can understand that some people might miss an episode or two and then find themselves lost, not knowing what's going on, who is who and - perhaps more importantly - who is on which side. But the fact that things are changing so rapidly in this season are what is making it even more enjoyable. So keep watching to keep up with the unfolding action!