Heroes recap of episode 208: Four Months Ago
by Racialicious guest contributor David Zhou
What is his name?!?
There is too much to be said about how a black character from Haiti, referred to as The Haitian and used as a weapon by dominating, white forces, still has yet to earn a name. Is his name too ethnic for us to pronounce? His history too dark for us to fathom? But most of all, how do you address someone who has no name?!? I’ve wondered how the screenwriters have avoided until now the instances where some higher agent has to say, “Haitian, go do this-and-that.” (Maybe they just use “you” the way Elle does when pursuing Peter and Adam.) Watching this episode, these exchanges between other characters and the one played by the talented Jimmy Jean-Louis become increasingly ridiculous. He rarely even speaks! Something really is wrong with this.
And remember the part where Elle refers to The Company’s power-negating medications as “Haitian pills,” a reference to one of his powers? Yeah, that was messed up.
To boot, does he have alliances or a personal agenda at all? In this last episode, temporally set between the first and second seasons, he works for the Company that he had been working to bring down in both seasons. This character just always seems to come in handy only when key characters require a partner who can suppress superpowers and erase memories. If I am just missing the logic behind this, someone inform me; all I see in this character is a lackey for the more crucial (ahem, white) people, and his story should be so much more than that.
Another item of note was a comment by Elle, the other cute (but crazy and dangerous) blonde girl to come by on this show. (Thanks to Elton for the tip.) She makes a speech worthy of a great, collective “aww”. She says, “I’m twenty-four years old and I’ve never gone on a date. Never been on a rollercoaster. Never been swimming. And now you know everything there is to know about me.” I feel so sorry for her, but question: what ideals must you impose upon yourself to feel bad about these things? If you said “Western” you may have been right, because as Elton pointed out, there are cultures where dating and amusement parks are just not on the adolescent agenda. Which is to say, the first-world innovation of amusement parks and the social construction of dates are not necessarily universal. Just pointing that out. (I still felt pretty bad for Elle, though.)
And also… so much for my crying out about how very Catholic Maya and Alejandro are. They are apparently really Catholic. So Catholic that Maya does a stint as a nun! (Well, she is also seeking redemption for killing about fifty people; maybe it’s justified.
But lastly, I must say that there were some nice things in this episode. The wedding was sweet – until the soapy, intruded-upon sex scene. And once again, I can’t help but say that Nikki and D.L. are really cute together, and if people see the problems in their marriage as a function of their racial difference, then… I just have no words.
To read past Heroes recaps, click here.
Carmen Van Kerckhove is co-founder and president of 
Daomadan wrote:
I’ve already commented/ranted on how the Haitian is portrayed in the show. It’s the classical “Magical Negro” character in a different form. Perhaps he is the one who shoots Bennet in the eye. That would be interesting. *shoots Bennet* “Stop calling me ‘The Haitian.’ My name is Maurice and I’m done working for you.”
As for Elle: Perhaps this has been brought up before, but I would mention in your recap that once again we have a female hero (even if she is blonde) that has an interesting power and she is mentally unstable. Why is it that women with great power can never be stable and in control? It’s like Nikki but in a different way.
Why did D.L. have to go? *pout*
Posted 14 Nov 2007 at 11:07 am ¶
jd wrote:
OK, lots to say (always have lots to say about Heroes)
1. Seriously, why does he not have a name? It was one thing when people who didn’t know him described him as “the Hatian,” but for people in the Company to do it?! Seriously, someone should have casually referred to him as George or whatever AGES ago.
2. yes, Elle’s examples are clearly from a western perspective, but that’s where she’s growing up, that’s what she’s missed. I didn’t take it as “anyone who hasn’t had these things is deprived” so much as “I’m a lab rat/slave and I live in a cage.” (and a big second to the question of why the women with active powers have to be blonde and crazy)
3. Seriously, why is DL dead? He can phase-out bullets! He’s done so before on really short notice! It didn’t look like he was between Nikki and the gun, which was why he let Linderman shoot him.
Posted 14 Nov 2007 at 11:38 am ¶
mona wrote:
Where are the Prison Break recaps?
Posted 14 Nov 2007 at 12:46 pm ¶
Kai wrote:
“Haitian pills” was beyond winceworthy. Man, the writing this season is just tanking. Even if you were to ignore all the racism and sexism, story structure seems incoherent and character development has gone completely stale.
And I can’t tell you how sick I am of the Maya-freak-out scenes. Okay okay we get it, she freaks out, her eyes go demonic, black ink flows from her tear ducts, everybody within range dies, Alejandro has the power to absorb the toxicity, they shiver and cry in horror in each other’s arms, yeah yeah yeah we’ve seen it a half-dozen times, it’s not like it’s dramatic anymore. Now how the hell do these people fit into the story?!
If nothing changes in the next 2 episodes, I think I’m gonna have to step off this bus and reclaim that time block for other more useful purposes.
Posted 14 Nov 2007 at 2:47 pm ¶
Katie wrote:
There’s a conversation going on at The Angry Black Woman about The Haitian right this very minute.
http://theangryblackwoman.wordpress.com/2007/11/10/inconceivable/
Posted 14 Nov 2007 at 3:31 pm ¶
Jen* wrote:
Kai, I second that thought about Maya and her bro - it’s got to be the lamest power on the show [IMO]. And I’m definitely not getting how it fits in with everything else.
And jd - I asked the same question about DL. He didn’t seem to have to think about it when that guy threw a punch at his head - why would he have to think about going permeable for the bullet? He needs to be on the show.
On Adam - it seems that he’s actually lived the 400 or so years since the ‘Kensei’ stuff - so this means that Claire can’t/won’t [better not] start aging either.
And now, for “the Haitian”: when Mohinder was sent to cure him, he was given a file - did it have his name on it? Did they refer to him by name [before we knew Suresh was going to see ‘the Haitian’]? I can’t remember. Also, does this mean that Peter now has the capability to suppress others’ powers and take away their memories?
Yeah - this episode answered some questions, but I still have more.
Posted 14 Nov 2007 at 3:51 pm ¶
Feminist Review wrote:
I really wish that the writer would go into detail about why the things he’s focusing on are problematic instead of assuming that the reader is on the same page.
Posted 14 Nov 2007 at 4:35 pm ¶
ebog wrote:
I’m with Kai. I TIVO’d Heroes entire second season and “borrowed” the first off the internet tubes largely on the basis of recommendations on this blog, and I really want each an every Heroes fan reading this to band together to get me my 16 or so hours back. Bigging up this stereotypical, mediocre, and ultimately boring show just because it features some “cute” interracial / multiracial / multicultural *actors* (their characters are too underwritten to rate mention) is rote boosterism where the distinction between fanboy and critic are being deliberately blurred. The show is demonstrably crap, but media-addled bloggers of color who should know better keeping giving GE/NBC a big wet kiss over it in exchange for the crumb of seeing someone who looks (kinda) like them on their flat screens.
This isn’t the Cosby Show - which is to say a trend-setting, multiyear rating behemoth that has had a demonstrable impact on the television biz. (It’s not even the Brady Bunch normalizing so-called blended families.) It’s a 2 year old, overhyped”hit” that has already fallen out of the overall Nielsen top 20, and that partook of an already existing sci-fi/fantasy media trend. And yet we’re supposed to get excited over every new episode because maybe this week will focus on the painfully cute biracial boy, the doomed interracial couple, the plague carrying illegal aliens, the sassy black chick, or the Asian man who doesn’t get the girl? Heroes, indeed.
I worry about our priorities when folks get all bent out of shape over the Haitian’s missing name or Elle’s “western” values, but the fact that DL is, you know, *murdered* in some quasi-ghetto bullshit involving his runaway white wife doesn’t rate a mention in the recap. Like good citizens of the chattering classes we’re highly attuned to the most discursive of injuries, but the narrative violence of accessorizing Nikki’s blondes and blues with an African American man’s splattered blood is apparently just the price of the ticket for all that “really cute together.”
Sorry if that sounds a bit overharsh, but I have found this show insufferable from jump.
Posted 14 Nov 2007 at 4:40 pm ¶
more cowbell wrote:
I’d had a similar conversation with a blogbuddy over the whole DL thing earlier in the season — I couldn’t believe they killed DL off. He was just gone, and now this episode comes along, and I’m more disgusted. I would’ve rather not even known how he was killed. Also, hello, what happened to his p0wer at the moment of the murder? Amen to ebog’s comment regarding the murder scene, in relation to Nikki.
Also, the kid gets stereotypically shipped off to be raised by extended family — the benevolent, wise and long suffering Black grandmother — because dad’s out of the picture a la shootout, and mom has to get her life together. Nice.
Your thoughts on “The Haitian” are spot on - especially that bit about the “Haitian pills”. Magical Negro indeed.
I was annoyed by Elle’s character from jump street. Another blonde, shoulder-length straight-haired chick with mental issues. Why don’t we just number them 1, 2, and 3.
Another thing that bothered me was Hiro being flung out of the present to be the power behind the man to “Kensei”/Adam. They’re in Japan, Hiro’s culture, but this white man is brought in to be the real hero in Japanese legend, while Hiro does all the grunt work, strokes the white man’s ego and saves his ass, plays his own powers down, and gives up the girl to Adam. WTF?
Posted 14 Nov 2007 at 5:24 pm ¶
Theo wrote:
Another thing that really bothered me about “The Haitian” was how Claire and her father use the wind chimes to summon him. I mean, it’s not like his power is super-hearing. So does he hang out by their house all day just waiting to hear some tinkling noise? Does he have nothing better to do than to wait around until they need his help?
Posted 14 Nov 2007 at 6:07 pm ¶
al wrote:
i find elle extremely annoying, but some of that is just the actress, who was fine on her other show, but just isn’t the right type here.
about hiro going back in time: do you think that all along, he was the one behind kensei? or did he really fuck up the past and have to fix it? i’m not sure that matters to the point of his doing all the grunt work, but it’s something that was never totally clear to me. but also, so far as the legend goes, the assumption was always that kensei was japanese, which he kind of was since he was hiro. so while adam got the glory in some sense, it wasn’t as if the lasting impression was that white folks are heros. well, not in the story. in real life is a different story.
and maya and alejandro’s story is sooo annoying. i like that they’re catholic and i like that they’re twins and that their powers work together. but it is taking far too long for them to get anywhere in the grand scheme of things and their story arc is basically the same every episode. not to mention the freak out scenes which were repetitive the second time.
i miss dl. he was level headed, he was loving. his death better serve some greater purpose than propelling nikki into multiple personality rehab.
and everyone is right on about the hatian. it just gets more and more annoying. and he’s so cool. he must have so much going on.
sigh. did they get all new writers this season or what?
Posted 14 Nov 2007 at 6:34 pm ¶
Eccentric1 wrote:
One of the most frustrating things about the Haitian is that his purpose or personal motivations are completely blank. In a very real way he is just an accessory to other characters on the show. What does he want? Why? Who does he love or hate? Why does he get up in the morning? The other frustrating thing is the one most mentioned here. He doesn’t even have a name. The writers probably think this shrouds him with a sense of mystery and intrigue. Place a wind chime in your window and The Haitian will pay you a visit. Take these Haitian pills and you’ll forget everything. These things combine to be nothing less than racist and demeaning. Will the show’s writers have future characters named The German, or The Italian? Never to be named, never to have their loves, hates, or motivations revealed. Place a glass trinket in your window. They’ll just show up and help people when their in a jam. Yeah right.
I’m furious about how they killed off D.L. He phases a bullet through his head from a high powered rifle fired by Jessica at about 100 yards away. Its night time and Jessica is up in dang tree! But, D.L gets shot down by a club hopping dandelion that walks up to him and pushes a gun into his mid section. What’s up with that??? Could the writers have put less creative and logically consistent thought into finding a way to write a black man out of the story? The name of the show is Heros. If you’re a P.O.C. on this show, you can easily fall under the title of Footnote.
Posted 14 Nov 2007 at 9:01 pm ¶
La - msviswan wrote:
I’ve watched the first season and that was it for me, and just for two main reasons.
One: The “Haitian” thing baffled me too. I wondered how they could be so daring and insensitive. Did they consider and go over this decision in the board room? Did they not consider it would be blatantly offensive and had possible repercussions? What baffled me more, people (society/fans) didn’t really seem to go ape shit about it either. What if it was “the Cuban”, “the Vietnamese/Chinese” or “the Mexican”??? I mean seriously. I found this daunting from day one.
Also… number two. Without seeing the follow up seasons, I still found the first season somewhat anti black female.
Yes I said it, here you have the black male and the white female pairing, very typical. These two have some major issues between them apart from race, yet the black male is shown willing to move mountains, valleys and bullets just to work it out with the white female he’s so in love with. Did I mention his black mother was portrayed somewhat vindictive and overbearing? Now, they even took the time to choose this couple’s kid to look overtly “bi-racial”, which even proves they are in fact deliberate in their color consciousness. In which I am not saying is a bad thing, I just wanted to point it out.
Also, there was the white male (painter and other guy) and a somewhat ambiguous looking “bi-racial” black female pairing. However, just like I mentioned the choices of their color scheme beforehand, she was shown having a very dark-skin black father. This would naturally conclude her mother to be very very very light in complexion (colorism again) or just non-black, possibly white (another hint of the preferred black male /non-black female union).
Of course, a black female such as myself is not suppose to notice these “little” visual insinuations, right… (and no, I do not have issues, nor am I a bitter).
Now that I am aware there might be another black female character in the follow up season, I might just watch it again with my fine lens just for the heck of it. SMH
Posted 14 Nov 2007 at 10:33 pm ¶
Nina wrote:
Damn, it’s getting really critical in here.
I know the show is going really slow but hey, what were you expecting? Season 1 is where you jump in and start developing your likes and dislikes about characters. The following seasons are where you discover why you like or hate them so much. The tough thing about having a show with so many characters is the fact that you have to develop them all. I was very happy to see a diverse cast on TV regardless of what stereotypes and other flaws most people may see.
I know everything seems stereotypical and what not, but let’s not complain about it now when DC comics names characters Black Lightning just because he’s Black and has lightning powers or The Samurai who just happens to be Asian and a samurai. Anyone ever read X-Men and question why Jubilee, a Chinese American character, had the power to create fireworks?! I know! What are the odds? Speedy Gonzales is a sombrero wearing Mexican mouse that is great at running away and he came out back in the 50s. This has been going on for a while and what do you expect from teams being lead by predominately white men. What perspective do you expect them to have and how worldly can you expect it all to be?
I know it’s hard to call some things progress but I say that this is a small step forward.
I personally like the mystery behind “The Haitian.” His power allows him to manipulate memory. Perhaps he has no identity because his power has something to do with it which is why he is simply “The Haitian.”
Maya is gaining a little more control over her powers each episode and Alejandro might be out of the picture soon. We’ll just call them the Yin Yang Twins for now. Maya has the potential of being one of the most powerful people in the show. We don’t know how far her powers reach, she can kill people in an instant, and the only one who can reverse it is Alejandro. Her freakout scenes can be annoying but I’ll be damned if no one addresses how they got from the Dominican Republic to Central America!
That was really lame how DL died though. He got shot, he got better, he got shot, he died. He let a pissed off coke head get him and Nikki didn’t even flip! But then again Jessica didn’t really care about DL so why would she show up. But man they were cute together.
We’ll see where it goes. Let’s let it develop.
I’d love to see what happens with Monica and Micah. So far, DL’s family is in the lead with power manifestations.
What’s up with Charles Deveaux being able to talk to Peter?
Two more notes though, George Takei was awesome as Kaito and Nichelle Nichols is the business.
Posted 14 Nov 2007 at 10:47 pm ¶
al wrote:
i just wanted to add that i don’t know if i think elle is mentally unstable. she’s a sadist, but i’m not sure if that makes you crazy the way that nikki is.
Posted 14 Nov 2007 at 11:42 pm ¶
Adrianna wrote:
Heroes don’t always give out name. they did the same for Claire ’s dad. I guess they will do the same with the Haitian. Everything else has been said and it’s spot on
Posted 15 Nov 2007 at 1:35 am ¶
Adrianna wrote:
Battlestar Gallactica is better at showing character of color that are real. There is not a lot of them , but it’s good.
Posted 15 Nov 2007 at 1:37 am ¶
Michelle wrote:
Tim Kring, the creator and head writer, was featured in an article in Entertainment Weekly, where he basically admits that he messed up this season. He called the season a ‘wash’ and said that he seriously miscalculated a bunch of things. Which was refreshing.
It has become so commonplace/acceptable/fun to see a Black man get killed a cold, senseless, violent death that even on Heroes, that’s how DL goes out…seriously? I would rather have seen him get hit by a car…and hold up, if Nikki loved him so much, why didn’t she snap and go ballistic on the man who shot her husband. She picks that moment to be completely sane? Serioulsy?
Posts 8 and 9…I think your words were so well chosen…I agree agree agree. For real!
Posted 15 Nov 2007 at 2:26 am ¶
Barbara wrote:
On DL: When the season began I was upset that not only DL had died, which split up his family, but that Nathan split with his family and Parkman split with his wife. There seems to be in Hollywood a preference for single people or troubled couples. I’m in a good, strong relationship, and I always love seeing that on my media. Inter-racial or not, just let me have examples of good relationships.
But on to the show: I was under the impression that DL’s power wasn’t all up to speed after his recovery from getting shot by Linderman (and Jessica/Niki did manage to tag him with at least one bullet). There was that scene of him phasing out of the burning house and looking kind of drained. It might be that his injuries have weakened him (making him human, nice touch) and he couldn’t manage to save himself (and Niki, and for heaven’s sake, ANOTHER personality? MPD-on-TV is soooooo 80s. I think Niki’s power is bad soap opera life and it’s her personalities that have the powers). Truth be told, he was a MUCH more interesting character than Niki, and she’s only sticking around because Ali Larter is someone-sorta-kinda.
The Haitian: I don’t get the sense of the whole “Magic Black Man” here, especially since there are lots of characters here with “magic” powers who are generally happy about interfering with people’s lives. I’m going to give them the benefit of the doubt, as they’ve pleasantly surprised me so far with the Kensei story by not going all Last Samurai on us, and even with Maya’s overt Catholicism being grounded in a nun-sensical story. There’s more to the Haitian than we know, and I got the impression that the Company doesn’t know anything about him because HE doesn’t want them to know. For someone who takes away other people’s identities, he’s very aware of the need to protect his own. So I’m looking forward to seeing him develop (and I hope he does).
And maybe the writer’s strike will do this show some good. They can reboot the season.
Posted 15 Nov 2007 at 10:10 am ¶
Kara wrote:
@Adrianna -Claire’s dad’s name is Noah Bennet.
yeah “The Haitian” thing is really crazy. Doesn’t he have his own life? How come all we know about him is that the Company found him in a village in Haiti? They treat him like a tool or an accessory without his own will or desires.
Posted 15 Nov 2007 at 10:21 am ¶
Kai wrote:
Here’s the article on writer/producer Tim Kring’s apology to Heroes fans.
And can I just say, ebog’s comment hit me like cold water in the face, just what I needed to wake up from my Heroes hangover — especially on the bullshit club shooting and the splattering of DL’s blood on Nikki’s blondes and blues. Thanks dude.
Posted 15 Nov 2007 at 4:56 pm ¶
Adrianna wrote:
During the beginning he was referred to as HGR but his name which as you say Kara is Noah was revealed in the last episode of the season. That why I’m suggesting they might to the same to the Haitian at the end of this season. Let’s hope. He is one of the most powerful characters.
Posted 16 Nov 2007 at 12:29 am ¶
Sam wrote:
I hate to see overt sexism and racism in a show about the construction of difference. I think this last episode had interesting references to the treatment of “other” people in the medical system, the legal system, and in society in general, but they fail to translate that commentary onto their real-life societal “others” on their show. Their hypocrisy is depressing.
Also, comments made about DL’s death, The Haitians lack of a name, Hiro’s work for Kensei, and the sexist tone around the female characters have been spot on.
With all of the medical stuff this season, I was hoping for commentary referencing the Tuskegee experiment, eugenics, and other forms of horrendous systematic racism, but Heroes isn’t taking that path. Why folks think that is?
I guess I’ll just have to go reread Kyle Baker’s “Red, White, and Black” agian.
Posted 16 Nov 2007 at 4:52 am ¶
jd wrote:
Adrianna -
We found out his FIRST name (Noah) in the final episode, but we’ve known A name (Mr. Bennet) for a while. Sure people he kidnapped didn’t know his name, but you wouldn’t expect him to. People who could be expected to actually know him referred to him in a way that made sense. His kids called him “Dad,” his wife called him “Dear” or something similar, and his co-workers called him “Bennet.” It’s not like Claude (whose name we know) or Eric Roberts called him “Glasses Man.”
That said, if it turns out that no one uses the Hatian’s name because HE’s hiding it from them, that would be the best possible solution at this point, but wouldn’t they still come up with a better handle for him than “the Hatian”? How ’bout Mr. Amnesia? Or Hottie McDoesn’tTalkMuch?
Posted 16 Nov 2007 at 12:07 pm ¶
Jack D. wrote:
It took them forever to reveal white guy HRG’s name, and he even had a supporting cast family. Sylar was known only by his alias for the entire season as well. … As far as I’m concerned, it makes sense for “the Haitian” to protect his own ID even more carefully from all the evil people (like Bob) who would use it against him. I never even considered it a racial issue.
In DL’s death, it looked as though he was acting tired and dismissive of the threat that the other guy posed. The gunshot happened quickly, up close. His power doesn’t click on automatically like Spider-Man bouncing out of harm’s way with his “spidey sense” — he has to concentrate to phase — so I’m willing to give that scene the benefit of the doubt.
As to the racial component in his elimination, again I don’t see it. Instead, it struck me as just another way to screw up a happy couple — as they’ve done with all the other white or non-white characters so far. On top of that, DL had been established as a true hero, both in the burning house scene and his overall protection of his son and wife. How could that be a negative racial stereotype?
Posted 16 Nov 2007 at 5:50 pm ¶
Jack D. wrote:
By the way, regarding “Claude”: We don’t know that’s his real name. It’s an alias he chose to be known as — ala “You can call me Claude Raines,” a reference to the original invisible man movie.
A name can be many things. ESPECIALLY on a sci-fi show focusing on secrets and backstabbing.
Posted 16 Nov 2007 at 5:55 pm ¶
Adrianna wrote:
I like the Hottie McDoesn’tTalkMuch Jd !! From Now on that’s should be his name. Like Jack D said they might be waiting for the right moment to reveal the Haitian ’s history. Look I have to admit I ‘m biased as a fellow Haitian. It kind makes me proud to hear them called the Haitian on TV every night. I know It’s a problem, but there is barely any representation of Haitian people on TV. Thank goodness is not playing the Haitian refugee or the voodoo man , or whatever other skewered view some people in America have of Haitian people.
Posted 16 Nov 2007 at 10:42 pm ¶
al wrote:
you know, i don’t think the hatian’s loyalties are unknown. he’s done nothing but help peter’s mom. clearly they have some history and it does seem that aside from doing ‘the right thing’ at pretty much every opportunity, he is on her side.
that said, she should know his name, right?
Posted 16 Nov 2007 at 10:53 pm ¶
jd wrote:
Jack D -
With the other characters, the mystery around their names played out in a natural way, is what I’m saying. Sure, Mrs. Bennet could have called her husband Noah on-screen, but her not doing it never felt weird to me - I know plenty of couples who go for days only calling each other endearments. With the Hatian, or HMcDTM if you will, the mystery around his name feels very forced. You’re right that he could have wiped his name out of everyone’s memory, but I don’t buy it for two reasons.
1. The Company seems to notice Hatian memory-manipulation pretty quickly (that’s what Bennet was worried about in Kiev). They’d notice that they couldn’t remember the guy’s name and that would tip them off that he had his own agenda. I’ve seen no evidence yet that they don’t trust him.
2. Like I said before, the Hatian is an akward way to address somebody. Not from people outside the Company who know nothing about him (and I agree with Adrianna that it’s cool that he’s repeatedly identified as Hatian without sticking pins in little dolls or any such shit), but the people who work with him ought to have a better nickname for him by now.
Al - right on. all secrets are stored in mamma petrelli’s brain. which means we’re never finding out.
Posted 17 Nov 2007 at 12:10 pm ¶
Jack D. wrote:
I wasn’t implying that the Haitian mind-wiped his name from the rest of the cast — he’s just smart enough to not reveal it to begin with.
Posted 17 Nov 2007 at 9:44 pm ¶
Lynn wrote:
Sigh… Adrianna, I hate to break it to you, but the Haitian is very much portrayed as a voodoo man, in the online graphic novels.
I really enjoy this show, though the only portrayals I ever took issue with were Hiro and Ando. They appear really cartoonish. I don’t disagree with a lot of the criticisms here at Racialicious, though. I believe a lot of the weaknesses in character development stem from the sheer volume of characters involved.
Posted 18 Nov 2007 at 2:11 pm ¶
jd wrote:
One thing I didn’t notice till it got mentioned in another recap - Maya and Alejandro are from the D.R.; that’s where the wedding was. So why the hell are they sneaking into the U.S. through at least two other Latin American countries? (Mexico and wherever they were before where their friend got them over the border into Mexico) Especially since they want to get to New York, which is not exactly on the Mexican border?
Posted 18 Nov 2007 at 8:11 pm ¶
rtaycher1987 wrote:
Adrianna, I’m sorry to disapoint you but if you look into what they have revealed about the Haitian’s background in the online comics his father was a Voodoo priest. If his back story ever gets told (I hope it will be for his sake and that he gets a name, unfortunately because everyone is so used to him being referred as the Haitian a name and backstory might lead to him dying shortly before/after), the Voodoo will probably play a large part.
Posted 19 Nov 2007 at 3:57 am ¶
Roxie wrote:
1. The Company seems to notice Hatian memory-manipulation pretty quickly (that’s what Bennet was worried about in Kiev). They’d notice that they couldn’t remember the guy’s name and that would tip them off that he had his own agenda. I’ve seen no evidence yet that they don’t trust him.
***** I disagree. I think no one knows The Haitian’s name, b/c he doesn’t want them to know. He can implant and take out any memories he’d like. He can also erase anyone’s powers within his limits. Outside of Peter, (or maybe inside) he is the most powerful one of them all.
Hell, he could make you even forget you HAD powers a la Peter.
He’s tied into Petrelli’s mom for sure. He does work for the company, but only really when he wants. It’s obvious the company doesn’t know crap about him. He’s got them under some kind of control
Posted 20 Nov 2007 at 5:05 am ¶
HW wrote:
Magic Negro doesn’t refer to his power, it refers to the repeated example in Hollywood of the writers using a black character with little or no background, but extraordinary power or wisdom, to help the white characters grow or solve a personal obstacle. This is exactly what “the Haitian” is. I doubt you will see a great master plan of his unfold because he has only been following orders from Noah, or Peter’s mom. Writers probably thought he would just be a cool character to add, which is usually what a black actor becomes, a cool addition. But the DL character upsets me the most. He starts out a convict on the run. Gets shot by his wife, whom he stays with. Then BEGS his wife to escape jail because he can’t “make it” out in the real world. Then ends up getting shot again saving his white wife. And then he gets shot AGAIN. Such a weak, stereotypical portrayal of a young black man. And him becoming a fireman would have been redeeming… if he weren’t killed. You were on point ebog – ghetto way to go out. The writers missed an opportunity. DL could have been the hero that breaks out into the public light with the whole “saving kid from fire” thing. It’s sad because I thought the chemistry worked between DL and Jessica also. But black characters seldom become pivotal players, just support cast. Exception, scifi’s Eureka. Henry started as the all-knowing maintenance man (m.negro) but evolved into a multi-leveled, troubled and morally grey man. Also irritating about heroes, Isaac Mendez-drug user, Simone-tramp… both P.O.C. and both also dead. Points on the way women are portrayed in the show. Goes back to Jean Gray/Dark Phoenix not handling powers. I don’t see any of the guys having trouble, except Peter with the radioactivity. Hmmm, now he seems ok though, interesting.
Posted 22 Nov 2007 at 1:43 am ¶
It's Amazing wrote:
Jack D. wrote in Post 25:
“Sylar was known only by his alias for the entire season as well”
Untrue. Sylar’s real name (Gabriel Gray) was revealed as early as “Six Months Ago”, which was the 10th episode of the series and about the fourth in which we saw Zach Quinto’s face. We had a name for the character, relative to actor face-time, more quickly than we had one for “Jessica”.
Posted 04 Dec 2007 at 1:37 pm ¶
F. Jordan wrote:
Is it me or are more and more black men being written off popular shows? D.L. character along with the nameless Haitian are the only black men on the show and they encompass nearly every negative stereotype imaginable. D.L. is incapable of providing for his family, he is constantly getting his tail-bone rearranged by his ‘wife’, has a power that only exemplifies that he is a cuckold. The Haitian on the other hand has the power to neuter the most powerful beings on the show but is reduced to a modern day ‘Friday’ to his ‘master’ Bennet.
Is this the best that can be done in 2008? We’re poised in this nation to make history in a couple of months in respects to the choices we have as potential leaders, and Lost seems as though it was written by D.W. Griffith and T.F. Dixon Jr. I wouldn’t be surprised if the next black man to grace the stage has the power to grow watermelons and tap-dance while retaining a bright minstrell grin. So with that being said I have to place Heroes on the same list that I placed LOST some months ago. No black male actors-no black male viewer.
Posted 17 Mar 2008 at 9:46 am ¶