Redemption for Heroes?

After it's initial season, Heroes episodes have become increasingly painful to watch. Poor character development, silly plots, and even sillier plot contrivances (helloooo eclipse storyline) have tarnished this once glimmering jewel of a show. The second season was much maligned but was a masterpiece compared to the third.

The last few episodes appeared to be of better quality overall, but had to struggle from the corner the rest of the season has painted them into. But were they enough to salvage the show?

Maybe.

The final episode did have some great moments and the preview of the next season promises a return to the show's roots. But it did have have scenes that make me cringe in the possibility of more ridiculous plot contrivances on the way.

Take, for example, the prospect of Hiro's lack of powers come the next season. The reason given that his "body is rejecting these powers" is just lame. Just as the whole depowered hero concept is lame to begin with. While I am not against depowered heroes, this is just one of the way overused plots shown this season.

I can go on more about all the good and bad things I have seen this season but that would be way too long and is simply not worth the effort. What I can say is that the last few episodes make me hopeful for season 4. Nothing can fully erase the travesty of the last couple of years, but, if the writers stick to the creativity of season 1 rather than resort to more gimmicky plots, it can return to it's past glory.

And I, for one, really hope it does.

Penny Arcade and PvP D&D podcasts

I manged to find the D&D podcasts at the Wizards of the Coast site, and took an interest at the Penny Arcade and PvP ones where the artists of the respective sites take 4th edition for a ride.

It has been years since I last played a game of D&D (AD&D being the latest version at the time) and I have to say, I am regaining my interest in the game. While time is an issue and would keep my playtime limited, it is not the primary issue for starting up the game.

My impression of the game so far is from those podcasts and reading the books. Finding the right people to play with is a huge factor for having fun in D&D. Last time I played, it was with neighbors and high school chums and we had, despite some occassional arguments, a lot of fun. The Penny Arcade and PvP podcasts are hillarious because they all share something in common and the artists are long time friends.

That's not to say I will not be able to find a group that "clicks" with me, but I am not sure I want to start the process of finding one. I'm going to finish the series and see if it empowers the geek within. =)