TV SHOW RECAPS: "Heroes" is Back and "Fringe" Continues On

Nine Months of waiting is finally over! The WGA Strike cut season two of "Heroes" to a measly 11 episodes and with a few web comics and three mini webisodes (found on Hulu.com) my fears that this might not be that great of a season.

"Heroes" has returned and did it ever. With a one hour recap party and a two hour episode, I have no doubt this year will be great. All of your favorite characters have returned (except Molly, Micha or Monica - who really are my favs) even Malcolm McDowell & George Takei both made a great returning from the grave cameos. The biggest question from season two is answered but more questions arise. Who shot JR, er, Nathan? The answer was not who I thought it was (which I admit is a great feeling). The cinematography and music was great; it's just the little things you never seem to notice but draws you in more and more.

And watching the episode on NBC.com gives you commentaries from Tim Kring and cast.

A few new characters have been introduced and some of the old character got adjusted. Daphne (Speedster) will be Hiro's nemesis, a man in Africa will take Matt on a walk-a-bout (another Lost reference) and the escape of some true villains. Sylar does what he does best, taking powers and Mohinder gains a major superiority complex. After everything, what did they do to Maya. Her english is 1000 times better and I guess the directors want to show off her body more. Chapter 104 of the web-comic is wrapping up most of the summer comics and give a fin to the agents killed by Sylar.

After all that, I'm glad this show is back and there is no fear this will be a great 20+ episode season.

Oh and that ending... is everyone related?

"Fringe" was also new this week. This is definitely FOX's decent replacement of the "X-Files" or "Millennium". This week in Boston (I am so glad I don't live in that city or Cabot Cove) the Pattern Investigation Gang search a bus full of people encased in "something". I love this little description from IMDB.com "Scott's mom appears to be giving Dunham the stink eye."

We do get a little character development with Peter, he has a past and it might start to catch up with him. Walter gets a piano and I didn't see the cow this week. I hope Walter never remembers Agent Farnsworth until she introduces herself then of course Walter will snap at her that he isn't dumb and knows exactly who she is. I'm wondering if there is going to be a week where someone hasn't continued Walter's work in some fashion. In the end, I liked the episode; it's highly unlikely that someone can have enough metal in their body to pick up cell phone calls but that is part of the pattern.

Let me know your thoughts on the "Heroes" premiere and this week's episode of "Fringe".

- Gene Levow