Julian Sark and Veronica Mars Versus Heroes

Well, sort of. For those who haven’t seen episodes of Heroes season two, some major spoilers ahead.

Whoa, now we’re going somewhere. While season one took its time introducing a bajillion new characters, that’s now out of the way, and season two seems to be a time for unhampered progression, at least for most of them. Some minor players have been disposed of, and there were a few that debuted, like Kensei and Elle (David Anders! Kristen Bell!). But we’ve yet to see how importantly they figure into it, really, and how long they’ll be around.

It pains me a little to see Bell--fresh off Veronica Mars--smooching with Milo Ventimiglia and playing a remorseless uberbitch. Noooo! But, she’s a damn good actress, and while electric Elle requires some getting used to, I’m hopeful that she can remarkably take on whatever’s in store for her. Also, I hate to admit it, but she and Ventimiglia have some, ahem, zapping chemistry.

I’m glad that she’s in a high-profile show, though. Same with Anders, he used to be the utterly cool and kickass evil agent in Alias, so it’s good that he landed the part of the fabled English samurai-turned-immortal demigod. It pains me to see him too, sometimes, but for other reasons. That poorly edited swordfight scene was terrible, among other things. Anyway, I hope he kicks ass as Adam (those who liked him in Alias might remember that he had practically the same accent, demeanor and getup), so don’t disappoint us, Tim Kring!

If the characters fought Buffy’s season 6 gang (pictured above), who’d win? Hmm… if the Heroes organized, and honed their skills together, I’d say they’d win easily. But the Slayer’s team is tight and they’ve worked together as a unit for years. Still, it’s going to be a flashy, fun fight: Buffy versus Nikki! And Peter versus Willow (they’re both multipowered powerhouses, so that’d be interesting), Giles versus Noah, Hiro versus Spike (they’re both new at being champions), Dawn versus Claire (teen catfight!), Ando versus Xander (well, Xander will win this quick because he’s got military combat skills), and so on. Just a thought.

While Heroes is derivative and quite predictable, it’s still entertaining. It’s no Buffy, and it’s not meant to be, but it’s the fantasy show of the moment, an attractive otherdimensional world where freaks and misfits also save the day.