As much as I enjoy the ...
Question: As much as I enjoy the overall scope of
Heroes, it's the details that constantly pull me out of the fantasy and make me say "huh?" Things like Claire being told to turn on her Bunsen burner in class for no apparent reason other than for her to have an opportunity to burn her hand. Why would they need their Bunsen burners on to answer a question about Charles Darwin? It would have revealed more about her character if she'd lit it on her own and put her hand to the flame — just to do it. It would have showed her need to be herself. Instead, the writing on this show doesn't focus on character, like on
Lost, but instead it's all about plot. If
Tim Kring could get these details right, don't you think this could be a truly great show? And don't get me started about Hiro in 1671 Japan. I'm sure there wasn't a word for "fan" back then. Transport anyone today to 1671 England and our way of speaking would be lost on them. I'd like to hear your take.
Answer: If you're going to sweat the small stuff, good luck ever enjoying this show. Much better just to go along for the ride and let the improbabilities and inconsistencies slide. The ambitious scope of
Heroes is one of its primary selling points, but the execution is such that it does annoy me when it makes top-10 lists and gets a best-drama nomination over
Lost at the Emmys. As for Hiro in feudal Japan: his clothes alone make him look like an alien. This part of the show is pure (and welcome) comedy relief. It's like samurai Abbott & Costello — not to be taken seriously for an instant.
