‘Heroes’: Redemption in so many ways, and Spock vs. Sylar
This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.
We haven’t heard much from ‘Heroes’ in a while, and when this panel was announced, we didn’t think we’d get much more. In terms of the story, a new carnival motif with new characters lead by earthmover Samuel (Robert Knepper) will take some getting used to, but it seems to have focus. In terms of the representation, though it was announced last week, it is always impressive to see so many of the major cast members make it out for the panel.
Introductions and screams go hand in hand at Comic-Con. Tim Kring (scream). Jack Coleman. (screams). Masi Oka (huge screams). Hayden Panettiere. Adrian Pasdar. Zach Quinto (mega SCREAMS). Milo Ventimiglia. Robert Knepper. Dawn Olivieri. Ray Park. Madeline Zima.
Kring gave his usual thanks to the crowd, acknowledging that it was Comic-Con International that launched the show. Despite a huge ratings drop, the fandom is still strong -- even before the panel, a crowd of people snapped away at the name placards on the table.
Volume 5: Redemption will launch on September 21, according to Kring. G4’s Blair Butler moderated, and started off with a question about where everyone’s character would be at. Each answered, but let’s paraphrase -- it was a big panel.
Noah/HRG is trying to start a new Company. Hiro is dealing with a possibly terminal illness and haywire powers. Clare is in college, trying normalcy, and exploring relationships. Nathan and Sylar are still joined, with Sylar also being inside of Nathan’s mind as well. Their journey will be explained by midseason. Peter is back to being a paramedic, but as Milo says, ‘if someone comes at him swinging, he’ll hit back harder.’ Knepper’s Samuel is the ‘reluctant ringleader’ who will try to recruit the heroes to join the carnival. Olivieri is Lydia, an empath, and she’s naked a lot. The super speedy Park ‘likes to play with knives.’ Zima is Gretchen, a college mate of Clare’s just trying to be her friend (‘with privileges,’ says Panettiere).
Whew...
Again, lots of characters, and that doesn’t include updates on Traci and Matt and Mohinder. To that end, Kring also said that in the show’s storytelling, they will ‘strip away some of the story elements’ to make it more accessible and also limit the stories in each episode.
Best thing about this season or the best thing you’ve shot so far?
Jack Coleman: Involves a car and water (see below).
Masi Oka: Working with Robert Knepper at the carnival.
Hayden Panettiere: Getting into relationship stuff. ‘I also get to throw myself out of a window!’
Adrian Pasdar: Working with Swoosie Kurtz
Zach Quinto: Working with Greg Grunberg a lot. ‘I also got to work with a baby. The baby was reallly good at crying. I also got to climb out of a grave.’
Milo Ventimiglia: Working with Jack Coleman more. Geeked out ‘dancing’ with Ray Park.
Robert Knepper: ‘I get to work with all of the heroes.’
Dawn Olivieri: The potential to stir up trouble.
Ray Park: I am always learning, and ‘I’m pinching myself. I’m a fanboy.’
Madeline Zima: ‘Every scene we’ve shot is the best!’
Among the questions asked from the audience came a crowd pleaser for Zach Quinto. Sylar versus Spock. -- who’d win? Diplomatically, Quinto answered that Spock should eventually win out because he always likes think that good will win out over evil. Won’t touch that one, but I don’t know how effective the Vulcan death grip is against telekinesis. An addendum -- Leonard Nimoy vs. Zach Quinto? ‘Leonard in one round,’ says the respectful Quinto.
In the clip shown, the carnival, usually a freaky place after dark anyway, is a foreboding backdrop -- especially for people with powers to stay hidden. The recruitment of Hiro, HRG locked in a car taking on water, the moving tattoos on Lydia, the shooting and burying of Nathan, Sylar holding Lil Matt Parkman as big Matt looks on and more. The crowd loved it, and was given a treat at the end of the panel. A fight scene between Darth Maul/Snake Eyes himself, Ray Park, and Milo Ventimiglia/Peter. It takes place in super speed, baffling the onlooking Jack Coleman/HRG. Peter/Milo, gets the best of him, but the action-infused scene did its job and the crowd cheered loudly.
And, as Kring says, that’s just footage from the first three and a half episodes.
-- Jevon Phillips
Comic-Con: Roland Emmerich’s ‘2012’ is ‘the mother of all disaster films’
Comic-Con: ‘Lost’ producers vow ‘everything that matters will be answered’
Comic-Con: ‘Glee’ producers spill secrets of Episode 2
