Heroes: Out of Time

When we last left our heroes, Sylar and the Wonder Twins have made their way to American at last; Hiro’s betrayal of Kensei was returned in kind; HRG and Mohinder continues to go in different directions when it comes to The Company, even as Mohinder gets a new partner in the newly minted Niki. Meanwhile, Matt and Nathan have discovered why Molly calls Maury, aka Parkman Sr., “The Nightmare Man”. And finally, after leaving Ireland for Canada, Peter and Caitlin have found themselves somewhere unexpected — one year in the future, where a vision of doom awaits them.
In Feudal Japan, things are heating up. After delivering that love-tap to the back of Hiro’s head in the previous episode, Kensei reveals his evil master plan: help White Beard take over Japan! Muahahahahaha! Et cetera, et cetera. Fortunately it’s hard to imprison someone who can freeze time. Will Hiro step up to the plate and do what needs to be done? Will he finally fulfill his destiny as a hero? Can he muster up the courage to stop his childhood hero? Is Japanese sake delicious? How many questions can I ask in a row? One word: KA-BOOM!
Back in the present, the heroes are converging: Matt and Nathan arrives at The Company to “protect” Bob from Maury. Unfortunately for Bob, Matt is, well, he’s Matt.
Meanwhile, the creepy West has become even creepier by inviting himself to breakfast at the Bennet household. (When I do it, they call it stalking; when West does it, it’s cute. Go figure.) And what’s a dose of inane plotting if it doesn’t involve scenes of Claire and West making out on the couch while listening to sweet tunes? Oh by the way, West, have you met Claire’s dad? He has the oddest glasses, not to mention a digital camera that looks just line mine. Coincidence? I think not!
Trapped one year in the future, Peter and Caitlin are rescued by men in hazmat suits. Explanations abound: The “Shanti Virus” has run amok in the future, killing 93% of the population, and forcing the rest to live in quarantine. Yes, you heard it right. The Shanti Virus.
As in Mohinder’s little sister Shanti Suresh, who died of the virus years ago, and who Mohinder could have cured with his own blood, as he did young Molly Walker. The virus, incidentally, can also strip heroes of their powers, though it tends to have some nasty side effects — like, you know, death. Mama Petrelli, who is proving very resourceful if not unkillable, shows up on year from now to lend a hand, as well as reveal important information about Nathan’s fate to Peter.

MIA for this episode: Sylar and the Wonder Twins, and Monica and the New Orleans brood.