The finale of season 3 of Heroes was a real slap in the face for me and, yes, I know it was a while ago now but I have to get it off my chest. The show had kind of lost it’s way but slowly it had managed to gain some momentum as the season drew to an end. So, with baited breath I watched the finale and was deeply disappointed.
I’ll get this out the way. I like Sylar. Mostly for potentially how brilliant a character he could be. He had a few intriguing moments mid way through the third season when he acquired his shape shifting ability. Who was he? What had he become and why? Sadly these issues were never really delved into, but that is a discussion for another time. Sylar really comes across as a growling, arched eyebrowed, generic, snarly villain. He always hints at more depth but never really gets to the thick of it.
So here comes along the perfect opportunity to not just make Sylar the character he, and the audience, deserve but to breath new life into Heroes and turn the series on its head.
What happened:
In the finale, Nathan is killed by Sylar in an intense duel that no one sees. Peter, who steals Sylar‘s shape-shifting ability in the duel, uses it to disguise himself as the President and tranquilize Sylar. With Sylar‘s unconscious body and a dead Nathan, Matt is instructed to alter Sylar‘s mind to believe he is Nathan, with Sylar‘s acquired ability enabling him to fully embody Nathan‘s personality and gain his memories.
The net result of this season of heroes is unsubstantial to say the least.
What should have happened:
In the finale, Nathan is killed by Sylar in an intense duel that shows not just these character’s powers but also the mental stress, and physical ardor, that comes with.
Sylar makes it to the President and in turn accomplishes his plan. This is Sylar‘s second chance. The President’s car pulls away and the scene fades to black.
Cut to a year later. The Petrellis meet somewhere crowded, looking over their shoulders. They are preparing to go after Sylar (who, unknown to the viewer, has just won his second term as President). As they go their separate ways the camera pans upwards to a live Presidential announcement. The camera zooms through the screen into the room. Sylar is discussing how by embracing people with powers we can make the world a better place, it’s all very inspirational. As he ends, the press give him a standing ovation. He exits to the Oval Office, sits and spins his chair to the windows. As he transforms back into Sylar a wry smile appears on his face and the ticking, almost inaudible, starts.
And thus starts a new era in the world of Heroes. One where Sylar is the apparent good guy and Peter Petrelli is the leader of a perceived terrorist group and everything is to play for.
