What does season three hold for Heroes?

When Heroes returns in September, fans are hoping the series returns to the quality storytelling of season one and that the creators and writers learned from the missteps of season two. 

Actor Milo Ventimiglia, who plays Peter Petrelli said this week that the first episode of the new season will deliver a “shock” to fans and should lay to rest any criticisms left over from season two.

“I think a lot of people are going to be shocked,” Ventimiglia said. “Not only between the opening moments of the season, but every single scene of every single character that comes through. I think people are really going to be excited, surprised, fascinated. I mean, I flip through the scripts just as fast as I can, and I’m blown away by what I see, and I’m really excited to see, like, the ‘holy s–t!’ moments, you know?”

One thing that pleases Ventimiglia about the third season is getting to work with co-star Adrian Pasdar, who plays Peter’s brother Nathan. 

“Keeping the brothers Petrelli apart for very long is a detriment to something that is great between those two characters,” Ventimiglia said. “I’ve spent a lot of time with Adrian, … very happily.”

The first storyline of season three is called “Villains” and will explore the dark side of the having powers.

“As good-hearted and well-intentioned as Peter is, exploring that darker side is inevitable,” Ventimigilia said. “And, I think, you know, you’re going to see some people that have walked a very shadowed past, possibly walking on the good side.”

The new focus on the dark side and the bad guys with powers also offers a chance to showcase fan favorite villain, Sylar, played by Zachary Quinto.  Quinto said that the focus on the dark side of the good and bad guys may show that while evil, Sylar does have some redeeming qualities.

“It depends on what his motivation is, you know what I’m saying?” said Quinto. “He has a lot of different reasons to do things this year. They’re not all originating from himself, you know? Like, he’s being put in situations where he has to do stuff for other people.”

Quinto also said this season will be about “conflict” for Sylar.  And that we’ll see an expanded rogues gallery of evil-doers on the show.

“There’s going to be more than just me, like it’s not just about me,” Quinto said. “It’s exploring the idea of villainy in a lot of different ways, with different people. It’s going to be a very action-packed beginning of the year, for sure.”

What else? “I go someplace I’ve wanted to go for a long time,” Quinto said cryptically. “That’s true.”

Heroes returns to NBC on September 22nd with a one-hour catch-up episode followed by a two-hour season premiere.  NBC also confirmed this week at the TCAs that the third season of Heroes season order has been bumped up to 25 episodes.