Bryan Fuller, the creator of Pushing Daisies and writer of the acclaimed Heroes episode “Company Man,” sounded off to Entertainment Weekly yesterday on why he thought Heroes had experienced its ratings slump:
It became too dense and fell into certain sci-fi trappings. For instance, in the “Villains” arc, when you talk about formulas and catalysts, it takes the face off the drama. And I think the goal for everybody is to put a face back on the drama. You have to save something with a face; otherwise you don’t understand what you’re caring about.
In the rest of the interview, which you can read here, Fuller discusses his contributions to the new story arc “Fugitives,” as well as his relationship with the rest of the crew.
In other Heroes news, EW also has announced that John Glover, well-known in superhero circles as Lionel Luthor from Smallville, will play Sylar’s father. While not much has been released on Glover’s character, what we do know is that father and son are dangerously similar types…
[Via Entertainment Weekly.]
December 11th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
I keep saying the problem is the duplication of powers and the lack of freshness and and originality in the show. We all tuned into the show to see a comic book on screen, the use of powers, etc, and now the show has Petrelli Sr, Silar, Peter who all have the same powers. Matt and his father had the same powers. We had Issac, who could see the future and paint it, then the African, now Petrelli can do it too. It’s the equivalent of have two Rogue’s on an X-team, fighting against another Rogue. Teenage dramas with pretty people are all the rage so drop Heroes, open up a Legion of Superheroes comic and turn that into good televsion.
December 11th, 2008 at 4:28 pm
I agree with Justin, the powers get very distracting. Instead of caring about the characters and their stories, I find myself being ripped from the story and remembering other (better) comic book stories. “Oh, I get it Daphne versus Hiro is like Zoom versus Flash” and “cool, that dude has the Canary yell!”
Also, it’s easy to relate to powers that explain themselves: mind reading, flying, healing, invisibility. But when you have to have your character explain that “I get stronger when you’re afraid” and “I create vortexes to somewhere” the eyes start rolling.
Also, everyone can tell the future. Future paintings in season 1 was a really cool way to hook a viewer to watch the next episode, but when your characters are standing around a comic book shop to find out what the F to do next, it’s transparent and weak deus ex machina. After three seasons, good heroes aren’t told what to do by magic comic books, they know what to do and get the job done!
December 11th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
Did we really need to know who Sylar’s father is?
and if yes, did he had to have powers???? and the same power sylar has????
Why can’t Sylar be a Villian because he is a villian, and not because his father had the same power and probably was a villian.
It is incredible how they keep finding ways to ruin a great villian.
December 11th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
Sylar’s whiplash personality changes are most annoying. Plot and character need to be balanced, and this show’s is WAY off balance.
December 11th, 2008 at 8:59 pm
Yo. Justin’s Legion idea is money. I hope someone was listening.
December 12th, 2008 at 9:00 am
I agree with Justin. And do think more character development is needed.
Whatever. They won’t listen.
December 12th, 2008 at 9:42 am
Wow… Let’s cast Glover as the father of a villain! How original! I wonder why no one thought of that before?
Oh, wait.
Anyhow, it’s only six weeks until Lost returns. Thank goodness.
December 12th, 2008 at 11:59 am
I also agree that a Legion of Superheroes show is ripe for the making. With three of the most recognized characters from that title making appearances in Smallville’s Jan. 16 return, it’s the PERFECT launch point for that series. My only advice would be to avoid falling into the same trappings that Birds of Prey did and keep the story in-continuity (at least in respect to Smallville continuity).
December 13th, 2008 at 7:22 am
first of all, Hiro didnt know what to do next cause he had the mind of a ten year old. seems pretty reasonable that a “magic comic” that tells the future would be a ten year olds greatest asset given whats going on around him. Grown up Hiro would have figured it all out on his own I’m sure, but ten year old Hiro did the only thing he knew was a sure bet to help him out.
the similar powers issue is a bit annoying at times, but I think they are just trying to establish that most “special” people that pro-create end up passing on their exact power or a basic derivative. its lame, I know, but its a nice cop out for the writers. it has been known to happen to an x-men character now and then (the only one I can think of right now being the blue skin of Mystique and Nightcrawler, but its 8:45 am, sue me)
that being said, I am pissed that everyone and their dog can tell the future. its getting annoying that everyone knows whats going to happen, and they all have their own ways to stop/ensure it. it makes for repetitive story telling.
as for casting Glover as Sylers father; this is just another nod to yet another genre show. the same way they cast George Takei as Hiro’s father, Nichelle Nichols as Micah’s grandmother or whatever, and Seth Green and Breckin Meyer as comic book store owners. these nods always put a smile on my face. sure they’re cheap pops and a visual form of name dropping, like “look we have Sulu in our show, we must be good”, but what the @#$% ever! get over it! Glover is a decent actor and fits the bill of Sylers old man pretty well, I mean given what Syler is like and his overall looks and crap. I look forward to his appearance.
December 14th, 2008 at 3:47 am
>>>It is incredible how they keep finding ways to ruin a great villian.
Yeah. He had neraly more personality changes in a few episodes than Magneto (who’s quite obviously the model for this) had in 15 years and became nearly unbelievable as a character like Magneto did.