-Killing off Niki/Jessica and keeping Ali Larter as a different character is dumb. At least we might find out what the hell their story is from Dr. Zimmerman. Also, Niki seemed remarkably unharmed for having died in a huge explosion. That must have been one nasty scratch on her forehead. I also think it's crap how the writers just completely dropped Monica and now, apparently, Micah, too. So much for the Sanders family.
-Could Sylar be redeemed? That's not the path I had expected the writers to take him on. It could be interesting. The Angela Petrelli-is-Sylar's-mother storyline is a bit random, but at least they're breathing some new life in Sylar's character. He was getting tedious. And it's good to see them giving Mama Petrelli something to do this season instead of just wandering around being a bitch and saying ominous things. She's still doing that, of course, but at least she seems to have a purpose when she does it now.
-I'm already very tired of the Future Peter/Present Peter storyline. They need to drop it. One Peter is whiny enough. And when did Milo Ventimiglia's mouth stop working? He can't seem to open both sides at the same time.
-We need more Elle. Period.
-It was nice to see the Haitian again...even though it makes no sense to not send him along with Noah to wrangle up the Villains. How is someone who can completely disable another person's super-human abilities not the absolute perfect companion to bring along while trying to capture very bad people with very bad super-human abilities? And, oh yeah...can't he also erase their minds? Doesn't that then make him the perfect weapon against Sylar since he can disable his abilities and then erase all of his knowledge of how to use them?
-That being said, I really enjoy the dynamic between Sylar and Noah. Them being partners should be fun. Their scenes were the best part of tonight's episode, which, overall, I thought was pretty good. It wasn't as good as last week's premier, but it kept me entertained.
Resident Heroes nerd here to answer a few things!
1.) Monica, rather the actress who played her, left the show. The writers didn't cut her but she left on her own accord. I can't find any articles detailing why she left (check out the 10th Wonders Podcast for some info on her leaving) but my understanding is they are leaving her character open to return later in the future. BUT for now, Dana Davis is no longer with the show.
As for Niki looking too nice for a funeral...Since it's a large image and kind of disgusting, see the link here:
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hM91Q1377...WkJDAPHws/s1600-h/ali+larter+w:o+sunblock.JPG
Either that's a deleted scene that didn't get used, or is upcoming. As a fan of 'Six Feet Under', it's not that hard a jump to suggest that Niki underwent massive reconstructive preparation to ensure the family could have an open casket at her funeral.
2.) I agree with you on Sylar's turn to the seeming good side and Mama Petrelli having more to do. Angela's always been an interesting character, even if she is complex and sometimes hard to understand intention wise; but she's just one of those characters you can't help but like.
3.) We don't need two Peters; but I think judging by next week's preview...That's a problem that is likely going to be fixed.
4.) Kristen Bell isn't a regular yet; and I understand that she's busy with movie scheduling...So, I wouldn't hold your breath over having too much Elle in this season. If she returns at all...Since she lived, it's obvious the show would like to have her back...But that will all come down to issues of schedules.
5.) Time frame CLEARS up why Angela didn't send the Haitian with Noah as opposed to Sylar. While Noah and Sylar were heading to the bank, the Haitian was in GERMANY. Unless the Haitian learned to teleport, there's no way he can move that quickly across large parts of the world.
And given that Company policy still seems to be 'One of us, one of them'; The Haitian wouldn't have had a fellow Company agent with him for fast travelling in the form of a teleporter. So, quite simply, the Haitian couldn't be involved because he was off the continent at the time.
As for being the perfect weapon against Sylar, that's yet to be seen. Sylar's power, as far as we can tell, revolves around him modifying his brain to function the way the other person's does. So, even if the Haitian makes him forget...Eventually, he'll manifest his powers again by accident.
Also, judging by how Sylar was able to 'resist' Eden's power in Season One...That leads me to believe that his power is much stronger than anyone realizes. That once he knows how something works, not only can he use it and remember it; he can prevent it from effecting him.
He knew Eden could manipulate him by speaking, after she knocked him out outside Odessa. Hence, when she came to him again, he knew what she was doing and was able to resist it. Much the same when Mohinder injected him with that IV in 'Parasite' that was meant to block his ability. Once Mohinder explained how it worked, Sylar seemed to be able to overcome it's effects.
So, since everyone (especially Noah) makes a point of acknowledging that powers won't work around the Haitian; if this theory holds water, the Haitian is now useless against Sylar.
6.) And yes, Noah and Sylar's interactions in this episode made it one of the best episodes so far. Got to love the entire, 'You do drink decaf, don't you Noah?' line...It's funny, yet threatening and tense at the same time.
