Watch Heroes TV Show Online

Small screen superheroes have almost solely been a recipe for rather campy disaster. It’s true, I might still get a wistful kick when watching old re-runs of badly made and super predictable shows such as ‘Wonder Woman’ and the 60’s adaptation of ‘Batman’, but those shows were, and still are, pretty freakin’ cheesy. With the exception of the (arguably) competent, if really strongly tween-oriented, ‘Smallville,’ there just really hasn’t been a very kick-ass comic book series on T.V.

Say ‘hi’ to ‘Heroes’, folks! Ten commonplace people who are on the verge of discovering that they have spanking new, astonishing powers. We have Matt Parkman, (played by Greg Grunberg), an L.A. cop with the power to hear others’ thoughts. Isaac Mendez, (played by Santiago Cabrera), is an N.Y. artist with the ability to paint the future while experiencing precognitive trances. Claire Bennet, (played by Hayden Panettiere), is a townhome HS cheerleader who has an impulsive restoring ability: e.g., “Save the Cheerleader. Save the World!” Lastly we have the utterly optimistic Hiro Nakamura, (played by Masi Oka), who is a Japanese programmer with the amazing ability to maneuver the space-time continuum. He is also convinced that, along with other ‘special people’, he can become a true hero, and change the future in a positive way.

Naturally, some of our new heroes will have a difficult time accepting their potential gifts. We have D.L. Hawkins, a husband/father who can change his physical makeup to phase through unyielding objects. His alienated wife, Niki (played by Ali Larter), is an ex-stripper, who must take safe haven from her superhuman strength by hiding away in an alternate personality. Micah, their son, begins to demonstrate the abilities of a “technopath”, meaning that he can direct electronic devices as well as machines. This could have some potentially lethal penalties. In the meantime, Nathan Petrelli, (played by Adrian Pasdar), is an NY Congressional contender who worries that his ability to achieve self-sustaining flight will obliterate his career.  At the same time, his brother, Peter Petrelli (played by Milo Ventimiglia), who is a former nurse, has a difficult time swallowing his empathic ability to soak up and evoke those who are near to him.

Season one of ‘Heroes’ is an origin-based story. Because of this, there is a ton of explaining to get through. This is made even truer by the Blu-ray disk, which contains an extended take of the pilot, and, if you’re a really big fan, over fifty deleted scenes. Even if you only watch the first few original episodes, there is just almost too much explaining to take in, causing ‘Heroes’ to seem a bit talky upfront. Even so, it’s quickly captivating. I was instantly caught up in the story, the mysteries surrounding the characters’ abilities, and the rather elaborate plotting that makes up the groundwork for enthralling intrigue to come. ‘Heroes’ may seem rambling and loose to begin with, but it is constricted in its producing that I was so often left  dazed and amazed when it came to the narrative.

The fact that ‘Heroes’ is a serial show rather than a big screen movie means that we get to explore the complexities of all characters, rather than just one or two. The advantage is that it’s nearly impossible to not grow to be emotionally bonded to their unearthly quandary, even more so not to hope for their survivals. From the first understanding of their superpowers in the show, through the material trials that side-splitting and disturbing in successive episodes, ‘Heroes’ debatably digs much deeper into the personal lives of its lead characters than most other serials on T.V. today.’ Heroes’ is very well plotted, and can match most other shows in its genre without too much melodrama (which one can often see in ‘Smallville’).  Because the show doesn’t just focus on one superhero, there is a much more expansive array of characters to touch upon, and it really just never fails to achieve surprise.

If I did have any qualms with the series, it’d be that it doesn’t have flashy, comic book supervillains, nor does it have all that much action. Not that I want some spandex-bound wrestler, or a weekly big-bad-n-ugly, but there are some times when the show becomes too absorbed in the trials and tribulations of its characters that it fails to have fun, and often teeters on the edge of being depressing. Though ‘Heroes’ won’t be, (or at least shouldn’t ever be), campy, it really could do with a few more humorous situations. We’re talking about superheroes, not corporate lawyers.

In any case, ‘Heroes’ is definitely one of the most electrifying new series to come to television in a great few years. And considering that it’s only after the first season, it’s extraordinary how swiftly it has begun its journey into the mainstream. There are plenty of water-cooler moments meaning that it is definitely the kind of show that compels you to watch it, even if it’s only to not feel left out. The Blu-ray set is the perfect introduction into the world of ‘Heroes’. It’ll catch you up with what all of the buzz is about, as well as acquaint and reacquaint you with the characters. Season one really hit the mark.

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