 by Lyle Masaki |
Bryan Fuller woos former "Heroes" viewers back by sharing their pain
After Pushing Daisies was canceled, fans of out writer Bryan Fuller quickly found consolation in the news that NBC's troubled sci-fi drama Heroes had lured Fuller back to their writers' room. During Heroes' disappointing second season, fans of the series started to wonder how much credit Fuller deserved for the best parts of Heroes first season and, thus, his return had fans hoping this could bring the show back to its glory. With his first episode airing this week, Fuller talked with Sci-Fi Wire about Heroes' challenges. Here's some good news, he hated "Villains" as much as most Heroes viewers: After I finished watching (the last few "Villains" episodes), I wasn't sure I could do this. I didn't recognize the show anymore. It had become something else entirely. My favorite characters had become my least favorite, and there was a second I thought I had to get out of this.
One of Heroes' many missteps, giving Clarie a dye job and a gun You know how Heroes fans complained about the series losing its way, forgetting about its initial focus on ordinary people finding themselves suddenly dealing with super powers? Fuller echoes those complaints but manages to say it better: When they started talking about how we were injected with our powers and it became sci-fi ghetto storytelling, I became disconnected. Mohinder went from a noble scientist to being a mad scientist with Jeff Goldblum hair and wardrobe. Claire became so strident and unlikable because she was just whining, bitching and holding a gun. I was just concerned the wheel had been jerked so sharply in the wrong direction with what had worked about the first season, which was ordinary people with extraordinary powers. Everything ordinary about their lives went out the window, and everything was extraordinary.
A moment from Fuller's "Company Man" Fuller goes on to mention what's coming up on the series, including the promise of an episode that will be a "Company Man" (the first season episode Fuller wrote, which revealed Noah Fuller's history) for Angela Petrelli. Considering how her "Sylar! I! Am! Your! Mother!" revelation turned her into a generic evil matriarch, Fuller's taking on quite a challenge, but if anyone can handle it he can. Who caught this week's Heroes? Did Fuller manage to capture the series' old glory? Are there other problems with Heroes that Fuller needs to address? Submitted by on Wed, 2009-04-01 11:53. |
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Week behind?
Episode 20 was actually written by Fuller and directed by Greg Yaitanes. This week (episode 21 aired March 30) was written by Joe Pokaski and directed by Jim Chory.
Not really sure what episode to comment...Episode 20 with Fuller being back was far better than the rest of the season. But I really enjoyed Monday's episode as well. Just happy that Mr. Fuller is back and we can start to love the show again :)
Heroes
I watched it and was pleasantly surprised by the scenes of Clair and Nathan. I'm not sure about the Sylar turn of events though - that was about as surprising as the sun coming up. Saw that one coming a mile away. I want surprises not third grade plotting.
I think it might be a case
I think it might be a case of too little, too late for this show.
I stopped watching after 2 episodes of this season. I *HATED* last season, but had heard that they made some behind the scenes changes, so I thought this season might be better. It was just as bad, if not worse.
My problem has less to do with the things Fuller points out and more to do with just bad scripting. You'd literally have scenes of Claire RIPPING into Noah about what he was doing to her friends, cut to commercial, and return to have Noah say "Clairebear..." and she'd hug him and forgive him. Huh what????
Then there was Nathan... he went from guilt-ridden rogue to cartoon villain in 2.5 seconds flat... I honestly thought he'd been taken over by some mind-control villain. He tries to KILL Peter in one episode and then protects him in the next.
It was just bad, inconsistent writing that made for painful television.
I'm glad that Fuller might be the shot in the arm for the 12 remaining viewers, maybe it will go out on a high note, but I think this show's days are numbered.
WTF, biatches?
As one of the people who *loved* villains and thought of it as a natural progression, I get kind of pissed (<-- I'm english) everytime somebody rags on the show.
But containing my rage, for now (be warned kyle, this means you! :P), I can only see bryan fuller as a way to get more of these "single focus" episodes, which although I can see them being over used and ruining the complexity and strong spilt narratives that make me enjoy the show, I do love bryan fullers style. (and pushing daisies :'( but thats a whole other pie)
So yay bryan fuller, boo bad mouthing villains (especially bad peter, who was a hottie).
Blah
Amazing job
The return of Bryan Fuller for EP 20 (I haven't watched EP 21) totally turned the entire series round back into the realm of awesome. People with powers used their powers. Who'd have thunk! Tracy unleashing her Cold Snap is one of the best scenes of the series and as far as I can recall from the entire series it's my favourite scene.
The story probably has nearly returned to its roots, and I'm glad for it. I love the series, and I really don't want to see it end so soon. Especially when it's turned so awesome now (Minus whiny Claire; I think she's beyond redemption).
F*^&ing Syler!