When it comes to setting the stage with an original idea, “Heroes” truly made an impact right from its groundbreaking first season.
The show immediately raised the concept of “ordinary people with extraordinary abilities” to new heights, introducing global implications that expanded the scope of its universe.
One of the standout features that set “Heroes” apart was its tendency to thrust its characters into various potential “dark futures,” consistently defying expectations and adding intriguing twists to the storyline.
Origins of Heroes:
While comic book enthusiasts had encountered similar adventures long before “Heroes” creator Tim Kring brought them to television, the NBC series surprised mainstream audiences by incorporating time-travel elements almost every season.
These episodes played a crucial role in making “Heroes” memorable, contributing to its enduring appeal even years later.
Journey to Save the World:
The core plot of “Heroes” was centered on one crucial mission: saving the world. From the iconic phrase “save the cheerleader, save the world,” we were thrust into a journey of heroism alongside Peter Petrelli (Milo Ventimiglia) and his companions, as they battled to prevent New York City from succumbing to a nuclear catastrophe.
While the exact timing and method of this impending disaster were initially unclear, the heroes were driven by the certainty that they had to intervene.
After all, if they didn’t step up, who else would? The timely intervention of future Hiro Nakamura (Masi Oka) was pivotal in preventing a grim fate for the world of “Heroes.”
Exploring Dark Futures:
Yet, the entire first season went into the essence of the superhero origin story, infused with themes of hope, empathy, and valor. Even to this day, “Heroes” Season 1 remains a benchmark in superhero television.
Though not directly adapted from any single comic book, “Heroes” embodied the spirit of comic book storytelling. It fused the colorful optimism of classic comics with the looming specter of a nuclear holocaust, echoing the anxieties of a post-Cold War era.
The concept of dark futures is a recurring motif in comic books, birthing beloved characters like Marvel’s Cable and Old Man Logan, as well as DC’s Robin/Carrie Kelly and Batman/Terry McGinnis. Similarly, “Heroes” leveraged the notion of potential dystopian futures to introduce complexities that threatened to tear apart their world, whether through a deadly viral outbreak or the militarization of superpowers.
Heroes Across Timelines:
Characters like Peter, Hiro, Claire Bennet (Hayden Panettiere), Nathan Petrelli (Adrian Pasdar), Matt Parkman (Greg Grunberg), and Mohinder Suresh (Sendhil Ramamurthy) stood firm in their resolve to avert global catastrophe, at least until the next crisis emerged.
However, to effectively combat the looming doomsday, it’s essential to comprehend the consequences if that clock were to strike midnight. “Heroes” astutely provided looks into these dark futures throughout its run.
Sometimes dedicating entire episodes to their exploration, while other times offering mere hints of what could unfold, the show ensured audiences understood the stakes.
It was in these moments, when “Heroes” confronted these alternate timelines, that its creativity shone brightest.
By disrupting the characters’ established norms and thrusting them into unsettling scenarios, the show heightened tension and delivered riveting entertainment.
Moreover, these apocalyptic visions often proved to be attracting in their own right, sometimes eclipsing the present-day narrative in intrigue and allure.
“Five Years Gone”: The Impact of Alternate Timelines:
This trend kicked off officially with the Season 1 episode, “Five Years Gone.” When Hiro and Ando unexpectedly find themselves thrust into the future, they are confronted with a world transformed by the detonation of the explosion in New York City.
In this altered reality, characters like Peter and Matt, who were once pillars of virtue in Hiro and Ando’s time, have become self-serving and indifferent to anyone outside their inner circle.
Peter, bearing emotional scars from the past, is romantically involved with the formidable Nicki Sanders, a person he had yet to encounter in the present timeline, while Matt abuses his abilities for personal gain rather than heroic deeds.
Adding to the chaos, Nathan Petrelli assumes the role of the President, albeit as the deceptive Sylar in disguise.
Looking Forward: “Heroes: Eclipsed”:
Dubbed the “Explosion Future” or “Linderman’s Future” by some, this narrative departure thrust viewers into unfamiliar territory.
While certain characters like Noah Bennet maintain semblances of their former selves, others undergo dramatic transformations in appearance and demeanor.
Notably, future Hiro adopts a sleek, ninja-like appearance, exhibiting mastery over his abilities and a proficiency with the sword that eclipses his earlier self.
However, this newfound prowess comes at the expense of his once hopeful outlook, replaced by a grim resignation following Ando’s demise.
Fans’ Hopes and Expectations:
The contrast between past and future iterations of Hiro is stark and deliberate, serving to underscore the profound impact of their differing experiences.
“Five Years Gone” remains a standout episode cherished by fans for its compelling narrative, stellar performances, and innovative portrayal of beloved characters.
It ranks among the highest-rated installments of “Heroes” for good reason, setting a precedent for subsequent episodes to follow. In Season 2, Peter becomes ensnared in a future plagued by the Shanti Virus, depicted in the “Outbreak Future” storyline.
The episode “Out of Time” chronicles his desperate attempt to return to the present, leaving behind his girlfriend Caitlin in a future ultimately erased from memory.
Season 3 marks the culmination of the dark future concept, with the “Villains Future” unfolding notably in episodes like “The Second Coming” and “I Am Become Death.”
‘Heroes’ had a knack for toying with the personalities of its main characters, and it was a stroke of brilliance:
What made these stories resonate so deeply within the “Heroes” world was their ability to turn our beloved characters and their reality completely upside down.
Take Claire Bennet in the “Villains Future,” for instance. Once closely bonded with her uncle Peter, in this altered timeline, she harbors a desire to see him suffer for his attempts to thwart a catastrophe that ultimately worsened the world’s plight. “Heroes” showcased two starkly different iterations of future Claire.
In one, she strives for a semblance of normalcy with her fiancé, steering clear of anything related to superpowers (“Five Years Gone”), while in another, she assumes the role of a relentless government operative determined to eliminate her uncle at any cost (“I Am Become Death”). Despite their contrasting personas, both depictions felt eerily plausible in their respective contexts.
Revealing The Future Versions of Heroes:
The versions of Matt Parkman and Mohinder Suresh encountered in the alternate timeline of Season 1 deviate significantly from the heroic personas we once knew.
Matt exploits his abilities to hunt down individuals with powers, only to aid in their confinement, while Mohinder, once an advocate for harnessing these abilities for good, now advocates for their eradication.
Even Sylar undergoes a personality shift in the future depicted in “I Am Become Death,” where Peter encounters a serene, paternal version of Sylar devoid of his former murderous tendencies.
While Sylar’s evolution back to villainy ultimately seems inevitable, his temporary departure from his villainous nature offered a compelling departure from the norm.
Yet, even as Sylar regresses to his villainous ways, his motivations become somewhat more understandable after the tragic loss of his son.
Future Heroes: Steadfast Guardians:
Naturally, future iterations of Hiro Nakamura and Peter Petrelli remained the most consistent, always ready to confront impending threats to save the world.
Hiro, sans glasses, wields his iconic sword, while Peter sports a distinctive facial scar and a wild-eyed intensity setting him apart from his younger self.
As the linchpins of the show (alongside Claire), it’s fitting that future versions of Hiro and Peter make frequent appearances, each assigned distinct roles in the first and third seasons.
Admittedly, “Heroes” could have gone even deeper into exploring the dark or twisted fates of other characters if time had allowed. Oh, if only there had been more time…
‘Heroes Reborn’ missed a big opportunity:
Talking about missed chances, “Heroes Reborn” could have really leaned into the whole dark future thing. This spin-off came back a few years after the original show ended, as NBC tried to bring back the magic for a fresh audience.
While some bits of “Reborn” added cool stuff to the story (and some characters deserved a comeback), the show often felt like one of those grim futures we’d seen before, but without the hope of fixing things.
They left out characters like Peter and Sylar, and even killed off Claire off-screen. It was like watching a dark timeline play out with no chance of turning back.
We couldn’t save the cheerleader this time, and they only barely saved the world.
Maybe if “Heroes Reborn” had just admitted it was entering into alternate future territory, fans wouldn’t have been so puzzled by its odd choices.
Reflecting on “Heroes Reborn”:
The way they messed with Matt Parkman’s character, making him feel more like an alternate version of himself, or how they weakened Hiro’s powers, wouldn’t have bothered fans as much.
If “Reborn” had fully committed to being a new take on the dark future idea, with the chance of our heroes fixing things, it could have been a fresh and exciting spin on the original.
Plus, it would have tied back nicely to the first series. But since “Reborn” changed too much from what made “Heroes” great, there was more hope for one of those dark futures than for the revival.
Now, with news of a new series called “Heroes: Eclipsed” helmed by Tim Kring, set years after “Reborn,” there’s a chance to get it right. They just need to remember to reset the board when they’re done.
You can catch all the “Heroes” episodes on Prime Video.
