***This section is purposely spoiler-free. For all the details on the premiere episode, click on the Recap tab. But be warned, it's full of spoilers!***
Of all the breakout hits of the last several years, none climbed as high as NBC's Heroes, a drama about "ordinary people with extraordinary abilities." The show has made household names out of Hayden Panettiere, Milo Ventimiglia, Masi Oka, and several others, and has carved out its place as one of the top--if not the top--science-fiction programs on television today.
At this year's Comic-Con, the Heroes panel included a special surprise. Taking the stage with a briefcase chained to his wrist, series creator Tim Kring teased the audience with a present. Kring opened the briefcase and held aloft a DVD fresh off the burner with handwriting on it indicating it was the season three premiere of the show, which isn't due to air until September.
Kring asked the audience not to say a word about the premiere to anyone else...unless they liked it. In that case, he wanted everyone to talk about the premiere and let the world know that Heroes is back "in a big way."
So, Mr. Kring, you will get your wish. On the following page (click the Recap tab above) there is a play-by-play recount of the entire first episode, with major spoilers (read at your own risk!). For those who don't want to hear every little detail that happened, some nonspoiler bullet points are below.
--The opening scene begins with Peter encountering a fellow Hero who pulls a gun on him--and it isn't who you would think it is.
--The mystery gunman who shot Nathan is revealed--and it isn't who you would think it is.
--There is a healthy dose of humor in this episode, and some the best effects ever in the series...lots of 'em. The premiere was shown in HD, and it pops off the screen. Productionwise, the premiere is just about as impressive as anything seen on television in recent memory.
--We're only introduced to one new Hero in the premiere, and he/she was previously announced.
--The show features a lot of Heroes coming together and drifting apart, and not only geographically.
--Sylar (of course) delivers the best line of the show--actually, of the series.
--A familiar face returns--and it isn't who you think it is.
--There's a big game-changer revealed in the premiere, and it should alter the series like nothing before. Comic-book purists will probably scoff, but fans of the show will enjoy it.
That's all that will be revealed in the nonspoiler section. For the details, click on the Recap tab.
All in all, the premiere was...amazing. Heroes fans will be elated, and those who jumped ship after the second season may find themselves scrambling back on board. Many Kudos to Kring and company for a healthy return...the question is: Can they keep it up?
For more on the Heroes panel and Comic-Con, check out TV.com's coverage of the event.
Comments (43)
hype is building, hope it is worth it.
All that needed to be said was "It's not what you think it is."I can't wait!
I can't wait til September 22 for this! :)
I'm excited but do they have to go to the future again?
I love time travelling bits! I also like a confusing show - if Heroes can pull it off remains to be seen. Recap sounds like crap on paper. But I'll always watch Heroes to the bitter end. Major minus points for ripping off The 4400. Even so, I liked that concept and hope they won't run it to the ground. Gold star for the clue to this ep in online comic #98 for those of us who (at least barely) read Japanese!
Wow!
I am so looking foward to seeing this episode and it look like soon we are going to have non-stop action
woah!
I don't get it... wasn't Nikki in a fire?? I know she survived but "Tracy"????
Wow sounds awesome can't wait. Thank god it is being fast tracked here in Australia otherwise we would have to wait until February to see new episodes.
... This is going to be an amazing season I think... I cant wait. Sept. cant get here fast enough.
This is gonna be absolutely amazing!!!!!
I can't wait for the season to start. I agree I was a little disappointed with season 2 but I'm hooked. Let the games begin.
Utter rubbish, now that the originality has gone it will go downhill fast. I mean mohinder finding out how they get their powers and putting it in a syringe for anyone to use is straight from the 4400. Daylight storyline robbery there. I'll give it a watch but have a bad feeling about seaason 3.
who do people hate heroes s2... i mean i thought it was pretty much as good as the first, minus claires boyfriend lol
Watched all of Season 1, LOVED IT, Watched all of Season 2, ot so good, don't think I'll watch season 3.
2nd season was so bad...i don't think i'll season 3!
Come on!Pease i've read the recap of the first ep and it's simply silly! Goodbay Heroes it was a good first season....
cant wait for season 3!!!!
This season is going to be so awesome! Has the episode been put up anywhere on the internet? I really want to watch it.
Can't wait for Season 3 .. hope it's not a disappointment as Season 2 was ...
Dude I'm totally in. I'm all in. I can't wait now :D I'm too excited, it's going to be an off the chain season premiere, I'm so glad I'm here to witness it.
seems too good to be true
OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMMFGDG!!!!!!! I can't wait now!!! I just had to open the damn safe, huh?
i cannot wait! ah!
OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG!!!! I COULD GO ON FOREVER! OMG! They're really giving all they've got, maybe to make up for the lack of Heroes for such a long time?? :P
This recap is just like the safe mentioned above, we shouldnt have opened it but we did any way Thx TV.com
I can't wait to see what is going to happen! :D
can someone email me the link where i can watch it?
I kinda jumped ship.....heres hoping they can pull me back. Sounds good though.
wow. It`s turning into the 4400!! OMG!!!
I bet the shooter was the kid from the 4400... lol
OMG! I can't wait for it! I don't want to read spoilers but the nonspoilers sound amazing!!!
Some of that sounds interesting...other parts reflect the standard "just go with what the show is doing" Heroes motif. Why does Sylar need Claire's power so bad...last time I checked he is pretty much invincible regardless. "She stabs him in the chest"...that's like the 3rd time now and he seems fine with it. Does he not possess normal human organs??
wow! i swear i wanna migrate to the US just to see this episode as it airs on september... impossible though. waaahhh... any american wanna marry me so i'll have a green card? hehehehe... peace!
patience is a virtue, i gez i just have to wait. hehehehe...
Considering Heroes is definitely getting to be a show where intros are better handled than crescendos, it sounds like a kick-ass full-throttle season beginning. Must watch.
Yay! Syler will rock! Speedster sounds interesting! I wonder if Echo(from the webisodes)will be on the show.
Jeez!! This makes me very excited and I can't wait for the premiere. :]]
I cant wait for the premire.
This is easily better material than anything previously on Heroes, so this is great news for the fans. I can't wait to see it.
omg this is wikid i canttttttttt waittttttttttttttttttt
I CANT WAIT!! =)
Oh... looks like I made a mistake. Oops!
Okay, this is nothing but mean teaser. I was expecting some REAL spoilers, not a press release.
Very interesting thanks for the coverage.FYI, it's Tim Kring not Tom Kring *cough* *wink* *nudge*
I'm excited now! :) It's going to be a great season. I love villains!