ABOUT THIS EPISODE
Spoiler warning: This episode contains spoilers for Heroes Season 1, Episodes 19 (“.07%”) and 20 (“Five Years Gone”).
Steven and Régine return to Heroes as the first season approaches its finale. Linderman’s plan to sacrifice New York becomes clearer, Peter survives Sylar’s attack, and the show takes a major swing by jumping five years into a future shaped by the explosion.
Régine calls Linderman “Thanos Jr.” as the hosts discuss the logic behind his plan and the unsettling contradiction of someone with the power to heal choosing to sacrifice lives for his vision of a better world.
The conversation then turns to “Five Years Gone,” where the characters have been transformed by the future they inhabit. Peter carries the weight of the disaster, Hiro has become more hardened, Noah is helping people with abilities evade capture, and Matt has chosen to work within the system. The reveal that President Nathan is actually Sylar adds another layer to the threat.
Steven and Régine consider whether the time jump is an effective creative risk, how it raises questions about destiny and the consequences of individual choices, and whether the New York explosion is truly going to happen. Régine also shares her predictions about Sylar and the characters whose futures remain unclear.
They finish by discussing how Heroes connects its storylines and answers questions, as well as dialogue and portrayals that feel dated from a current perspective.
Remote ratings
“.07%” — 3 remotes
“Five Years Gone” — 4 remotes
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