It’s not been an easy second season for NBC’s “Heroes.”
After getting some of its best numbers for the season premiere, the ratings for the show have slowly tapered off, falling week after week. (This trend is not limited only to “Heroes” as overall TV ratings are down). Then, the proposed spin-off series was put on the back-burner and potentially cancelled due to the current writers’ strike and last week we reported that the show may have an abbreviated second season due to the writers strike.
And then you have the critics and fans who have been using such labels as “sophomore slump” and “disappointment” to talk about the second-year series.
According to TV Guide’s Michael Ausiello, the producers have heard these cries and should a second-half of the season happen, they will make some tweaks to the “formula” of the show.
Last week, executive producer Tim Kring offered a blog interview to TV Guide On-Line in which he responded to some of the fan’s burning questions about “Heroes.”
One question was whether or not fans can expect to see Claude, played by Christopher Eccleston, any time soon.
“We wanted Christopher back this season because he’s so integrated into the mythology of our show, not only because he was Peter’s mentor but also because of his connection to HRG,” says Kring. “But it probably won’t work because of his schedule — he’s too in demand.” Cracks Loeb, “Hopefully we can get him back by Season 7!”
Kring also offered some clarity on the nature of Niki/Jessica’s power, saying, “Niki’s power is the same as her alternate personality Jessica’s: unbelievable strength. They’re the same person. Niki discovered her special ability through her split personality, but it was always her ability”
He also stated that Mohinder will not be developing any kind of special abilities. “He’s Mr. Science and was conceived to be the one guy in this vortex who does not have special abilities,” said Kring.
Finally, Kring addressed one of the bigger criticisms of the second-season–the growing size of the cast.
“Heroes is like a shark — it’s got to keep moving,” Kring insists. “If this world becomes too insular — if it’s only about the characters we’ve gotten used to — then we lose the sense of wonderment that this phenomenon is happening in many places.” Loeb reminds us that several of the old favorites — Peter, Claire, Niki, Micah, Matt, Sylar — in essence started over this season “and that required new locales and new characters for them to interact with. And the new powers are fun for the audience to watch.” Those who are crabbing about too many newbies “should be patient,” Loeb says. “They haven’t gotten to the Dec. 3 episode, when we do our big house-cleaning!”
“Heroes” continues its second season Mondays at 9 p.m EST on NBC.
