Heroes: Season 2, Episode 2 Review: Lizards

Lizards
Original Airdate: October 1, 2007
Writer: Michael Green
Director: Allan Arkush

While the premiere may have tried too hard to cram as much as possible into the episode, there was a “wait and see” feel to it. With serialized shows, it’s often best to hold out harsh judgments until things have played out, unless a storyline is poorly executed. About a half dozen storylines were introduced in the premiere involving over a dozen different characters, so they can catch a break. This episode capitalizes on some of the threads introduced in the previous episode, developing the stories further and offering more intrigue.

Before his death, Isaac managed to paint eight pieces presumably depicting the deaths of the remaining founding members. With this, it could be easy to have him be as posthumously prolific as Tupac, bringing up artwork here and there through the history of the show (even if they have Peter or Sylar, who absorbed that power) to create suspense, so hopefully they make good on their promise that these are the only paintings not yet fulfilled. The painting plot device was effective in the first season, so it makes sense to bring it back for this one. Collecting clues from the missing paintings, along with the return of The Haitian, gives Bennet more story possibilities since he is sitting on the sidelines with Mohinder’s infiltration.

As double agent, Mohinder catches a break with The Haitian, whose abilities give him a perfect alibi to allow escape (Mohinder’s new and The Haitian can control and remove memories). Mohinder’s ability to protect those with abilities will likely get harder as the season progresses until he’s exposed or his phase in the plan is complete. Regardless, it sets up a lot of potential for his story.

There is some hint of Mrs. Petrelli’s power as Matt tries to read her mind. Unlike other people, she is aware that he is trying to get answers from telepathy. She could be this supposed male figure taunting Molly, considering the being is aware of Molly trying to track it. She may have used her own powers, none of which have been defined, to attack herself and therefore remove suspicion from herself. However, what would her motivation be to remove the other founding members? The likely answer is power, but does that entail her wanting to do something?

Niki’s brief intervention in Peter & Sylar’s showdown gave Peter super human strength. It can be safely assumed that Peter was close enough to DL to absorb his phasing power as well. By proxy, he must’ve also gotten Micah and Molly’s abilities as well. While Micah’s may serve more as a plot device whenever Peter may need to use a defective electronic device, the ability to locate anyone will be helpful when the time comes for him to join the fight in the unknown man who has been taunting Molly.

Assuming the premiere episode theory is correct, whoever placed Peter in the canister wanted to use his abilities for this heist. That would imply that there is something besides money to steal. Perhaps they are Isaac’s remaining paintings and whoever’s orchestrating this is one of the founders trying to save his or her life. Does it involve the mysterious Irish mob boss McSorely? One thing worth considering is that the necklace could be the Haitian’s, as he isn’t seen wearing it in the episode. Is he involved?

Apparently there is something to Mohinder’s threat of a virus as it nearly killed the Haitian. Among the other battles occurring at the end of the season, Molly’s sickness didn’t resonate as well. Perhaps this plot serves to confirm it is a real problem and may be faced later in the season or beyond that.

It’s confirmed that Maya has some deadly power that manifests itself when separated from her brother Alejandro, and that he can not only control it, but reverse it before it’s reached an unknown point. This power combo is a little bizarre, as it doesn’t offer much practically. However, reading through the tie-in graphic novels it appears that it would make sense that evolution would produce harmful powers as well as good, but giving the impression that such “bad” powers could eventually be harnessed for good. It’s not clear whether her powers are related to the virus, but it is a distinct possibility. Their meeting with Mohinder should be interesting.

As seen in the last episode, Hiro motivating Kensei to perform what would become his legendary acts of heroism wouldn’t be easy. To correct his presumed error, he performs one of the deeds Kensei would be credited for: disarming a group of bandits in one of the more amusing scenes (“Why does he keep saying his name?”). Kensei’s love for the rewards of heroism, regardless of how much he orchestrated the act, will likely prove to be one of the things that’ll make him a real hero. Eventually the desire for reward will subside for the satisfaction of heroism, if common storytelling will prevail.

Hiro’s adventures in Japan prove to illuminate more on the history of the stage in evolution that gave superpowers to many of the characters. Evolution is gradual, so it makes sense that there would be instances of heroes going centuries before the present day action. Kensei shares Claire’s ability to regenerate, which is a relief since killing off David Anders that quickly would’ve been disappointing. It’s also a great attribute to have for a warrior.

This episode answers a major question to Claire’s power: her ability to regrow a severed body part. The extent of her power is one of major speculation. Could she cut herself in half and duplicate herself, or throw herself in a blender and make an army? She starts small with the pinky toe, which her science class taught her isn’t a necessary part of the body and it turns out to work. With that information, she could try larger parts, even vital organs for those in need. While Bennet wants her to keep a low profile, it’s unlikely she’ll want to stay quiet if she can help others.

It isn’t easier with West following her around. Now that he has confirmed that she has powers as well, it would be fitting for him to tell her she isn’t alone. He wants to share it, as he now has someone like him. However, this goes against Bennet’s wishes that Claire go unnoticed in school. Obviously, for a girl to be as pretty as Claire and to have a guy continually prodding her, this should be near impossible. In school, like prison, the ones who don’t want to make waves end up being the center of attention.

Overall this episode is another good step in the season: the reveals add on to the set up from the season premiere. While it may be all over the place, it’s still intriguing. While I’m a little impatient to see Hiro back in the present or more hero interactions, it’s still a good episode.

Overall Score: 8/10