The Kid Is Alright: The Racialicious Review for Heroes 4.7
by Special Correspondent Arturo R. García, also Posted At The Instant Callback
My, my, Micah, how you’ve grown.
Even if it was the worst-kept secret on the show, the youngest Sanders’ return to the fold was one of several nice touches this week, making “Cold Snap” a welcome turn for the better from the past couple of episodes.
Name-checking Che and eluding Angry Valjean and the Armies of Excess Security, Micah came out of hiding to help his not-mommy Tracy escape SEXY TORTURE, only for her to first lure him into a trap, then help him get out of it with an all-out display of her freezing powers. It’s hard to figure a kid who’s hip to Che “leading a revolution” would be so surprised Tracy is “a politician” (not technically, but you know). Still, it was good to see somebody on the show who didn’t mix good intentions with angst – in other words, not Claire.
Speaking of angst, Mrs. Petrelli was going through some of her own – though for good reason. Without Nathan’s protection, she’s now just another target in the Metahuman Roundup, and Cristine Rose did a good job of conveying Angela’s increasing desperation, not just in her restaurant conversation with an old friend, but in her quiet sadness and resignation about her capture. When Peter flies in for the save, her relief is palpable. And it should be noted that as more of the core characters goes on the lam, there’s less people around in a position to take down Big Bad Danko. That’ll bear watching as Volume 4 progresses.
But writer Bryan Fuller’s best feat this week might have been to bring not just closure, but credibility to the not-romance between Big Matt and Daphne. Despite theirs being the least believable of the series’ on-screen romances so far, Fuller’s script not only let both characters address the flimsiness of their connection (”I took a Spirit … Walk,” Matt says, almost embarrassed) but gives them a graceful exit, as Matt mentally projects himself and the dying Daph into a romantic night in Paris.
Sentimentality aside, though, the series seems to be biding its’ time before (hopefully) serving up a game-changing episode. That’s par for the course, of course, but watching the show nowadays feels like just that: biding our time. And with the Rebel mystery solved and the Sylar/Samson duel a disappointment, there don’t look to be many engaging storylines left to engage the viewer before whatever big resolution the writers say they have planned. Much like Tracy after her run-in with the feds, the show is treading water, but on thin ice.
The Racialicious Scorecard:
Hiro & Ando: Literally miles away from the action, Team Yamagato sets out to protect little ElianMatt Jr., who, it turns out has already begun manifesting his ability. “Toddler Touch-And-Go” subsequently triggers a re-awakening of Hiro’s time-stopping power. Along the way, though, we’re subjected to yet another One To Grow On moment with Hiro, as he comes to terms with his mother’s passing. For what they’re going through, I can only hope for some sort of payoff for the boys. But I’m not very optimistic anymore. By the way, how many sick days do you think they have left at work?
Mohinder: I’m of two minds about Suresh’s involvement this week: while the shot of him silently consoling Matt as Daphne lay dying made me hope for the best from their friendship, on another level, Mo was there to enhance other people’s storylines: he bore witness to yet another reminder of Danko’s EEEEEVIL fiscal responsibility; and didn’t figure much into the Parkman/Daphne struggle other than tell the viewers she was dying. It was tough for me to reconcile this discrepancy.
Micah: Now that he’s officially Rebel, Micah’s character is entering his own tough spot. On the one hand, he’s savvy enough to hack government servers and get people together across state lines. On the other, he was still naïve enough to believe Tracy really did care about public service. And I can’t help but be disappointed not to see any involvement from Nana Dawson. But, if Micah continues to be featured, in both of his identities, he might give the show a sorely-needed person to rally around.
Next Week: Claire & Nathan on spring break – it’s Benetrelli Beach Blanket Bingo!
Previously: Racialicious Heroes Archive
Suresh image courtesy of Comic Book Resources
Micah image courtesy of StarPulse
All other images courtesy of HeroesWiki
Carmen Van Kerckhove is co-founder and president of
ChocolateOrchid wrote:
I am a Heroes fan and I must say that the descrepancies in the story line are bugging me. Please correct me if I’m wrong but did the snippets of the future not show Matt having an older daughter. Not a son, but a daughter with a living Daphne. I’m also a bit pissy about nothing going down w/Silar and Samson. What was up with that? However, I was impressed that they threw Micah knowing who Che was into the script.
Just my 2 cents.
Peace
Posted 25 Mar 2009 at 8:58 am ¶
Myles wrote:
I almost cried when I saw Micah. And I am so happy that his powers have grown. I also think that while he was naive to believe Tracy, it can also be seen as idealistic and having good intentions.
Or as another example of the gullible multiracial person >.<
Posted 25 Mar 2009 at 9:08 am ¶
Renee wrote:
I was so happy to see Micah this week. I think the fact that she looks exactly like his mother played a huge role in his willingness to help her. I loved the Parkman and Daphne scene in Paris..while their connection on the show has been tenuous the sucker for romance that I am totally bought that. I also think you were a little to hard on Hero and his discussion of the death of his mother. I really thought that this was good character development. Hero has been forced to play the eternal little boy on the show even though we know that a bad ass future Hero exists. The pain that he displayed brought forth some of his future maturity.
Posted 25 Mar 2009 at 10:22 am ¶
Madame Zenobia wrote:
I squealed when Micah came onto the screen; and again, with he and Tracy, that chemistry between the actor and Larter was there and I was reminded of Season 1. Love this kid!
Excellent review. I’m in agreement on all points. What I don’t look forward to is Claire…and Nathan. I mean, I love Nathan, but the faux father-daughter relationship that develops then falls apart and develops again, etc. is just…I wish Claire would go away. I like the comparison you posit with Micah vs. Claire…she’s angsty with seeming good intentions, though overall I think she’s just a selfish teen, wanting to be involved for the sake of “me, me, me”. *eye roll* Hate this character.
Christine Rose….oh my, my, my. Loved that sequence. Love her. And Peter…I love him better when he’s not speaking. LOL. Or when he’s mean/hard/not-whiny. So hopefully we’ll get more of that. Really, NOT looking forward to Claire…I don’t think I can emphasize that enough. And Sylar, that story just fell…flat
I mean…damn…just sucky.
Love your comments on Mohinder. I was happy to see him, but hesitant to really enjoy his presence/re-emergence on the scene… *sigh* Anyhoo, great review.
Posted 25 Mar 2009 at 10:48 am ¶
Lisa J wrote:
Tip of the hat to all who predicted Rebel was Micah! I let out a little cheer when he came on the screen. I think the fact that Micah knew about Che and really believed in Tracey’s public spirit is valid for someone of his age. He is still at that stage of sorting out black and white and starting to really understand moral ambiguity, that takes some time and this was his first lesson. I recall it taking awhile for myself at that age.
@ Renee co-sign on Hiro, it did make him seem a little more grown up to talk about his Mom’s death and to show him bonding with the baby.
I said it last time and I’ll say it again, I don’t get how that baby can be Matt’s. The ex-wife was first tri-mester when we saw her back in season one and I’ll grant they might not be doing real time on how much time has past, but shouldn’t that kid be at least around 2 or 3 and a toddler not still a baby? I’m no expert but he looks a little young. I also thought the baby was Matt’s ex-friends baby and that was why they split. So she didn’t tell him but named the baby after him? Also, how is it that she went from having a much smaller house when married to Matt but now, she is presumably single (since the baby has Matt’s last name), but has a bigger house and money to afford a baby-sitting service.
Ok, back to race, it was nice to at least see some folks of color again this week and though Mohinder didn’t get much to do (and looked very silly in his encounter with that meanie Danko) it was so good just to see him and Micah that I’ll let that slide.
Not a bad episode at all.
Posted 25 Mar 2009 at 10:50 am ¶
Lola wrote:
Mrs. Petrelli is by far my favorite of the Bennets/Petrelli’s. I’ve given up on Mohinder being anymore than a hunky plot device. Micah, I was so happy to see him again, that they finally brought back a character of color. I wonder if Daphne and Tracy will stay dead. Or will Tracy come back as a quadruplet?
Posted 25 Mar 2009 at 10:58 am ¶
PPR_Scribe wrote:
Joining in on the Micah love!!! My faith has been (temporarily) restored in “Heroes.”
Posted 25 Mar 2009 at 11:22 am ¶
Ike wrote:
Am I the only who suspected from the very beginning that Micah was “Rebel”? (Yes… I’m that good, lol). My suspicions were confirmed when he was able to communicate with Parkman and Nathan on the computer in the previous episode. But regardless, I like how this episode played out.
** Also, is Tracy really dead? The frozen bitch blinked in the end… who knows, maybe she’ll melt back into her original form and take refuge in some nearby ice-maker, lol.
Posted 25 Mar 2009 at 11:59 am ¶
StayingStrong wrote:
I loved this episode — one of the best this season. I’m actually glad they didn’t try to cram stories about all the heroes into this episode.
Although we didn’t see Sylar it was certainly suggested that he’s the one who left Doyle has a gift to Danko. I’m sure he’ll return next week.
Many things we’ve seen in the “future” will not take place if “current” events change. Daphne’s dead now so clearly the future Matt saw isn’t going to happen because.. things changed.
Micah is awesome — I wonder if he’s acting alone or working with an ally. (Molly would have the power to know who is where.) It would be great to see both Molly and Monica again.
I’m just realizing that all 4 young ones have names starting with “M.” Coincidence?)
I love me some Angela Petrelli — cool as a cucumber no matter the circumstance.
Now that Brian Fuller is back writing and shaping the show I look forward to more Season One-like episodes.
Yatta!
Posted 25 Mar 2009 at 12:00 pm ¶
Arturo wrote:
Ike: Just read this morning that Tracy will indeed be back next season.
Posted 25 Mar 2009 at 12:18 pm ¶
Kendra wrote:
Yeah, I figured Tracy wouldn’t be dead. She winked!
Either Tracy comes back or the third triplet makes a sudden appearance.
Hmm, I wondered if the black girl in the imprisonment room was Monica. I saw two black people lying down and several others who no one thought to save in their escape. I was surprised that Tracy even thought about Mohinder b/c had that been Peter he would have left him behind.
I was so happy to see Micah. Having not seen any of Season One I don’t know how his voice or body has changed. I’m assuming he’s gotten older and that he sounds less childlike. But he gets brownie points for the Che mention.
Posted 25 Mar 2009 at 12:44 pm ¶
wildwhuck wrote:
did anyone else wonder how it was that peter flew his mom out when he supposedly can’t hold on to powers? so according to heroes; when peter touched angela he should have taken on his power.
Posted 25 Mar 2009 at 1:40 pm ¶
wildwhuck wrote:
* taken on her power, and lost nathan’s
Posted 25 Mar 2009 at 1:40 pm ¶
Tracey wrote:
@Ike:Noooooooo. Though my suspicions were really more along the lines of hope against hope. I am so glad he’s back, and all grown up while still retaining all that Micah charm to boot.
@Kendra “Hmm, I wondered if the black girl in the imprisonment room was Monica. I saw two black people lying down and several others who no one thought to save in their escape. ” Wow. I sincerely hope it was Monica and her character makes a big return. I really liked her character and think this season could really use a mimic. At least they weren’t dead/killed for the benefit of one of the Bennets.
Posted 25 Mar 2009 at 2:00 pm ¶
StayingStrong wrote:
@wildwhuck — I noted that Peter was wearing gloves during the rescue. He’s finally using his brain!
Posted 25 Mar 2009 at 2:17 pm ¶
Renee wrote:
Okay I am officially not happy to know that Tracey is back for another season. Except for the first season she has been absolutely irrelevant and functions more like eye candy than anything else. My bet is that we will go with the last twisted twin version and continue to write ridiculous things for her to do. Between her and Claire the women on this show can be downright irritating.
Posted 25 Mar 2009 at 2:54 pm ¶
Embarcadero13 wrote:
Thank goodness for Angela Petrelli. She’s the only one in that family with a backbone.
And as much as I would love to see more Micah, Heroes loves to keep its people of color on the sidelines, so I suppose he will be acting solely from a computer (i.e., off screen).
And if Mohinder doesn’t get more screen time… I swear…. He is, by far, the show’s best asset. Pun intended.
Posted 25 Mar 2009 at 5:02 pm ¶
Jhenne JT wrote:
Same as everyone, I want to add a little Micah love <3
And I agree about the Paris scene; it was adorable. The only thing I disliked about the flying scene is the fact that Heroes did romantic couple flight already. Claire and West anyone?
Posted 25 Mar 2009 at 6:18 pm ¶
Katie wrote:
I miss West. Or Zach, Claire’s friend from back when “save the cheerleader” was exciting.
I’m also excited to see Micah back. Not only because he is a POC who actually has a chance at a good story line, but because it would be fabulous if the heroes could rally around a young person who isn’t Claire Bear. Micah has always had the strength to make things happen, while Claire has the ability to make anything emo. I know this show isn’t aimed at teens, but I’d love to see them shown as strong leaders – or at least in a capacity beyond “OMG, I feel different and whiny”. Monica could do that, too (although I think she was young 20’s?), but my hopes on her coming back are low to avoid disappointment.
But she still had the best power.
Posted 25 Mar 2009 at 10:23 pm ¶
al oof wrote:
i was so glad to see micah back. i’m glad this season has been moving away from the benetts/petrellis. i hope micah becomes a real leader. he obviously has the most useful power at this point.
and i’m utterly terrified at a studio system that thinks it needs this one blond lady to keep playing different characters on the same show. why can’t they keep these people dead? even that stupid marionette guy keeps getting more play when we expect him to be gone. but god forbid dl should come back or maya.
Posted 26 Mar 2009 at 12:34 am ¶
Erica wrote:
I was surprised to find myself ENJOYING this week’s episode. Angela’s flight was interesting and empowering (the woman has got brains, and a calm, calculating personality to go with them), Micah is just awesome, Annoying Tracy Strauss died so there’s only Barbara left, and Matt/Daphne’s storyline ended on an tragic note — amazing depth considering the shallow tripe that we’ve been served in previous weeks. And I didn’t see it coming that Hiro would regain his powers, meaning I’m finally being pleasantly surprised by Heroes again. I could get used to this.
@ChocolateOrchid — The older daughter in the those possible-future scenes was Molly, adopted by Matt and Mohinder after Sylar killed her parents back in Season 1, and I guess then adopted by Daphne as well after they were married. (Future-Matt and Future-Daphne also had a baby daughter, presumably biological but much younger.)
@Ike — OOOOOOOH. I like that theory. I will never look at my refrigerator’s ice maker the same way again!
Posted 26 Mar 2009 at 1:06 pm ¶
hexy wrote:
I loved this ep! Oh, Heroes, it’s been so long!
Posted 27 Mar 2009 at 3:37 am ¶
Jeremy Pierce wrote:
I’m catching up on what I missed during heavy grading season. I know this is an old post that hardly anyone might see again, but this comments section had a disturbingly-high number of questions that have easy answers if you pay enough attention or don’t insist on inferring the most uncharitable interpretations.
Matt Parkman always had a son with his wife. That was revealed in the episode when Hiro goes into the future in the first season, and we discover that Noah is protecting Matt’s son. In a different alternate future when he marries Daphne, they have a daughter together, but why should we assume his daughter with Daphne is instead of Matt, Jr., who presumably would have been with his mom?
I’m not sure why there’s a need (for #1) to mention that Daphne is living in that particular alternate future that was averted. It was averted. So what if she dies in the actual timeline (not that we knew it yet when this episode aired; all we knew in this episode is that she was shot, not that it would eventually kill her many episodes later).
#3: The cool future Hiro of the alternate future we saw in season 1 was also averted. So we have no idea if there is a future Hiro of that sort. What made him into that Hiro won’t happen, and we don’t know if similar events will occur.
#5: No, the baby is Matt’s. That was clear in season 1. In the alternate future Hiro visits, the baby has powers, so we should assume it inherited that. Even though that future is averted, the kid already existed in utero, so it’s the same kid. Matt does say it’s the other guy’s kid in season 2, but why should we assume Matt’s telling the truth when we already know otherwise? He was either misinformed by her to speed along the divorce, they were protecting the baby’s parentage to avoid trouble, or he was engaging in self-deception to justify his abandonment of his child.
#9: Molly is in India being raised by Mohinder’s mom. Maybe she has technology to communicate with Micah, though.
#12: What makes you think Peter can’t hold on to power? He’s been limited to only one, and he has to touch someone to do the absorption. That doesn’t mean he can’t keep it indefinitely. In fact, we knew he kept flying from Nathan for the entire hiatus between volumes 3 and 4. As for taking his mom’s power, why would he have chosen to do that? Flying is much more convenient for getting her out of the elevator, so why would he decide to take her power upon touching her? It’s not as if it’s involuntary.
#17: Micah had another acting engagement. I’m not sure how that’s supposed to be the fault of racism on the part of the producers of this show.
Posted 23 May 2009 at 10:11 pm ¶