Monday evening, NBC aired two of the first season finales for two struggling, genre series. One is a critical favorite with a devoted loyal fanbase that was given a full-season order before the series returned this year based on the strength of its first four episodes. The other started out with over the moon ratings, a strong buzz only to fall quickly on hard times, leading NBC to implement a critical behind-the-scenes creative shake-up during the series mid-season break. Both show are now delivering about the same sized audience–and while the first isn’t a hit, it at least doesn’t appear to be losing viewers at the alarming rate of the second.
If you didn’t know which show was which, it’d be an easy assumption that the first show had a solid chance for renewal while the second was headed the way of the dodo.
Unfortunately for fans of the genre, the exact opposite is the case. It’s the second series, “Heroes” that already has a verbal renewal for a fourth season. This despite the fact that the audience continues to shrink and the fans and critics continue to point out the glaring disparities of quality within the show. Meanwhile, there’s “Chuck” that has grown from a fun series into something more during its second season, becoming one of the most fun and enjoyable shows on television today outside of CBS’s comedy hit, “The Big Bang Theory.”
Both shows aired season finales Monday night. And in just two hours, it was apparent why one show deserves a new season and why another, quite frankly, is coasting on fumes.
For weeks, both series had teased their season finale, promising some big revelations and some solid payoffs to season-long story arcs. On that count, “Chuck” delivered with a game changing finale that never lost site of what it is that makes this show work so well–the characters. Yes, the “Chuck” finale did have some major plot holes you could drive a truck through. But when you’re actually delivering some payoff to the long term story arc (loose as it may be for “Chuck”) and having the events unfold because of our love for and knowledge of the characters, these lapses are a lot easier to forgive. I defy you to find a more solid, entertaining segment of any TV show this year that compares to the act in this week’s “Chuck” at his sister’s wedding. In just under ten minutes, we get a glimpse of everything that makes “Chuck” work from the humor that comes from the characters to an action sequence that completely captures the central dilemma of the show–how does Chuck have a life as a spy without letting his family in on the secret and endangering them?
And if that’s all “Chuck” had done, it might have been enough. But not satisfied there, the series actually made some bold steps. It allowed the Chuck and Sarah dynamic to change just enough to keep audiences interested. It killed off a recurring character in a way that worked within the story and it appears from all indications that the character in question, Bryce Larkin, will remain dead. (This may be more due to the actor availability, but it still works). And the last few minutes created a sense of anticipation for the third season that, quite frankly, has me ready for season three to start next Monday.
And then, there’s “Heroes.”
The more I watch and evaluate “Heroes” the more I’m reminded of the old story of the Emperor’s New Clothes. The producers and creators want us all to believe the show is going to get better, that it’s going to get back to the glory days of season one, that it’s going to finally deliver a season finale worthy of the weeks leading up to it. And when Bryan Fuller returned to the writing staff full time, there was hope–especially a few weeks ago with “Cold Snap” that at least got back to what made the first season work for so many of us. Back then, it was about ordinary people contended with the fact that they had extraordinary powers. Now it seems more like an exercise in coming up with cool new powers than it is about the characters. We see people introduced simply to see them defined by what they can or can’t do.
The biggest problem with “Heroes” is that it’s great at the set-up, not so good at the conclusion. Each volume has started with an intriguing idea and for the first few episodes, it does fairly well with keeping our interest. But then, somewhere along the way, it loses focus and you get the idea they’re just treading water until the inevitable and always the same season finale. We’re now three for three on season ending episodes that somehow involve everyone having to band together to stop Sylar. And we’re three for three on them being universally disappointing.
Season one ended with a thud with a build-up to a two-minute battle. But that was poetry compared to what we got here as Nathan and Peter battle Sylar behind a closed door. A huge fight and all we see is lights flashing under a door and hear the battle taking place off screen. This isn’t the golden age of radio, folks. Surely a little bit of cash could have been spared for the finale effects budget so the fans would get to see the battle we’ve so long yearned for. This battle could have been for “Heroes” what the battle at the wedding was for “Chuck.” Instead, it was just another disappointment from this show.
Of course, it might be more forgivable if the characters didn’t just morph to fit whatever plot twist we needed this week or even this segment. I’ve long since lost track of what power Peter has, though it seems to change based on what the script needs. And does he now have all of Sylar’s power or just the ability to morph? There’s also the fact that things are forgotten for the sake of plot convience. This time out it was the fact that everyone forgets that Clair’s blood can be given to Nathan to give him the healing factor. Instead, the series is so desperate to keep Sylar around (a character who has long since outlived his interest and usefulness), that we come up with a way to have Parkman put both Sylar and Nathan in the same body. I suppose I should be satisfied that it paid off the whole glimpse into the future where we see Nathan as president morph into Sylar. But given how many different futures we’ve seen, I no longer feel like that scene applies to the current timeline or storyline.
I think the big issue is letting Tim Kring write finales. He’s written the final installments for all four volumes so far and they’re all huge let downs. This one wasn’t as bad as season one, but it may be that I had less time invested into the story. It was only 11 episodes instead of 21. Or could it be that I’m just too jaded now and just don’t care anymore?
And perhaps the most telling of all–“Heroes” gave us a preview of what’s to come. And I can’t muster much, if any enthusiasm. I may tune in for the first episode or two, but nothing in the extended preview for volume 5 left me eagerly anticipating the next installment.
And yet, “Heroes” will get a new season while “Chuck” may not. I don’t understand this at all and I may be even more depressed when we get the NBC renewal news next week.
Certainly “Chuck” has done everything it can to earn a third season. “Heroes” has done everything it can to earn a pink slip.
What will the future hold? We’ll have to wait and see.
Gazerbeam says
Sadly, the difference here may solely be the fact that Heroes is produced by NBC/Universal, while Chuck is not. Nothing to do with quality, or comparable timeslot competition. NBC is produced in-house, so it’s cheaper to air, so it can weather low ratings better than Chuck can. It’s a sucky system, but it’s the way it is…
VyseN1 says
NBC also seems to be hoping that somehow Heroes will somehow gain all the shows previous viewers back. I’m sorry, but we keep on hearing with every new volume to please give the show another chance, it’s changed. Sorry NBC, not ready to give yet another chance to Heroes, the show has become a chore to watch.
Chuck has become quite an amazing show, I just pray NBC has the knowledge to renew it.
Scott says
For NBC quality means nothing. Heroes will get renewed for syndication bucks. Chuck doesn’t mean as much money, but long term means more viewers. Jay Leno moving to 10pm tells you the network is out of shows that they can count on for rates. I.E. Southland, and Parks and Rec. they claim as hits even though they are terrible because if atleast 2 people watch it for them it is a hit if it is new.
Kurt in St. George says
I didn’t give up on Heroes until the final episode. I liked the episode “I am Sylar.” However, this season-end episode sucked the last bit of life out of the show. The article was right, the season-ender of Chuck rocked. What a great way to end the season and unfortunately, probably the series.
However, I think Gazerbeam and Scott nailed it. Heroes is in-house and cheaper, and NBC/Universal gets any syndication $ from it.
Its all about the Benjamen’s. Sadly for sponsors of Heroes, I and many others won’t be watching any longer.
fred says
TV networks are trying so dang hard to turn me into a movie only guy. Which will only save me money because I’ll dump my cable then.
ejdalise says
Just watched the last two weeks of Chuck (I was out very busy and then out of town for a while).
I concur with your opinion of the show and reaffirm earlier comments. It was good; I did guess the ending; I’m still annoyed Chuck and Sarah are still somewhat guarded with each other, especially after the bedroom scene. I was a little pissed they initially made Casey to be the bad guy, but also guessed he would come around.
All that said, it’s one of the few shows I look forward to watching. I also liked the fact they somewhat tied it off if it does not get renewed. In that regards I think I have little confidence in the networks, and even less confidence in the general public to recognize a good show. As for Heroes . . . I don’t watch it so it’s of no consequence to me whichever way that goes.
Finally . . . Morgan is leaving?!?!
Andrew Johnson says
Well, you know, I guess it doesn’t matter now does it. Since BOTH shows sucked ASS in the END. They both got 5 seasons and I GENUINELY don’t know which show had a WORSE series finale. Oh well, at-least NBC isn’t total garage. They gave us The West Wing, the recently-concluded “Hannibal” and are still airing the unbelievably amazing “The Blacklist”.