Lower Decks

The following review contains spoilers for Heroes through the current episode, “Dual” originally broadcast December 15th, 2008.

To say that “Dual,” the final installment in Volume Three: Villains was disappointing would be an understatement. To call it frustrating would be putting it nicely. But to suggest that, like the third volume as a whole, “Dual” bungled what could have been a return to greatness for Heroes would be apt and just. I truly don’t want to write this review. I would much rather begin the lengthy process of attempting to forget it so that by the time Volume Four: Fugitives begins in February 2009 I’ll be more willing to give it a chance.

But where to begin analyzing this mess of an episode? With the death of Meredith? The (obviously eventually-to-be-undone) death of Sylar? The strange and sudden way with which the Petrelli brothers actively began physically assaulting one another? Matt knowing everything there is to know about relativity? Sylar’s little game with Claire, Noah, Meredith and Angela? Ando’s ability (the one that doesn’t reflect the future Hiro saw)? Mohinder’s sudden cure? Flint and Knox teaming up with Peter to destroy the formula? Claire’s until now unknown prowess with a shotgun? Scott the Marine’s pointless death? Tracy picking up Mohinder on the side of the road?

Or what about the fact that it took Meredith and Noah so long to try melting through the fireproof glass? Peter sticking himself with the formula so he could save his brother when Nathan has his own ability — flight — that he could easily use to save himself? Noah releasing the Puppet Master and others from Level 5 in the hopes that they, you know, wouldn’t immediately kill him and instead listen as he explained that Sylar was in the building? Peter, unlike everyone else who has used the formula, showing no sudden side effects to its use? Ando and Daphne being able to learn to control Ando’s new ability so quickly and, more importantly, being able to go back in time to the exact moment necessary to save Hiro’s life and then return without a hitch?

You know what? I’m not going to bother analyzing “Dual.” There’s really no point. It’s over, Volume Three is over and in two months Volume Four will start and there will be plenty to analyze then.  Still, there was one thing about “Dual” that I liked: Michael Dorn as the President. Michael Dorn was the episode’s saving grace.