'Lost' fans jump ship to less problematic 'Heroes'
By: Nadum Fernand
Issue date: 3/2/07 Section: Arts & Entertainment
Originally published: 3/2/07 at 11:47 AM EST
Last update: 3/2/07 at 11:47 AM EST
Originally published: 3/2/07 at 11:47 AM EST
Last update: 3/2/07 at 11:47 AM EST
While Lost was forced to jump into the unknown terrain of a serialized drama, Heroes has had time to sit back and observe what worked and what didn't for two years. The results have been nothing short of fantastic.
Heroes tells its story in much the same way as a novel. Using a formula mastered by David Simon in The Wire, each episode is not self-contained, and the show is as much a serialized supernatural thriller as Lost. Where they differ, however, is in their pacing.
It is a given that in each story, new characters must be introduced before a conclusion can be reached. The major difference is that Heroes establishes these characters before introducing them into the main story arc.
The greatest example of this contrast comes in the form of Ali Larter (in a brilliant performance) whose character(s) Nikki and Jessica spent fourteen episodes isolated from the rest of the cast (drawing the ire of fans along the way) before the connection to the other heroes was revealed.
Meanwhile, in the first season of Lost, Mr. X (for those who might be moved to catch up via DVDs) was revealed to be one of the "Others." While it was essential that the survivors learned they were not alone on the island, the audience knew nothing about Mr. X. Had Lost introduced the character prior to the revelation, the impact would have been far greater.
It is these small differences that give Heroes the upper hand. While Lost has been forced to open door after door, creating a muddled maze of convoluted storylines, Heroes has structured itself such in a way that with each new mystery comes a satisfying conclusion. And in the end, that's what makes Heroes a more rewarding television experience.
Heroes tells its story in much the same way as a novel. Using a formula mastered by David Simon in The Wire, each episode is not self-contained, and the show is as much a serialized supernatural thriller as Lost. Where they differ, however, is in their pacing.
It is a given that in each story, new characters must be introduced before a conclusion can be reached. The major difference is that Heroes establishes these characters before introducing them into the main story arc.
The greatest example of this contrast comes in the form of Ali Larter (in a brilliant performance) whose character(s) Nikki and Jessica spent fourteen episodes isolated from the rest of the cast (drawing the ire of fans along the way) before the connection to the other heroes was revealed.
Meanwhile, in the first season of Lost, Mr. X (for those who might be moved to catch up via DVDs) was revealed to be one of the "Others." While it was essential that the survivors learned they were not alone on the island, the audience knew nothing about Mr. X. Had Lost introduced the character prior to the revelation, the impact would have been far greater.
It is these small differences that give Heroes the upper hand. While Lost has been forced to open door after door, creating a muddled maze of convoluted storylines, Heroes has structured itself such in a way that with each new mystery comes a satisfying conclusion. And in the end, that's what makes Heroes a more rewarding television experience.
joey
posted 3/02/07 @ 12:46 PM EST
heroes is only in its first season, they will run out of ideas soon enough and you will be tired of it by the time it has been on as long as Lost. The problem with you people is you have no patience. (Continued…)