I didn't like the flashbacky kind of way they told this story, interwoven with shots of Nathan explaining himself over the phone two days after the episode's events. It's not a style Heroes has ever used, and it wasn't strong enough to make this a cool "gimmick" episode. It just felt strange.
Agh! I recognize Luke! He looks a little older, but is still definitely playing a high schooler. Now, this next sentence is going to contain a horrible, embarrassing admission: I recognize the actor, Dan Byrd, from the movie A Cinderella Story, also starring Chad Michael Murray and Hilary Duff. I know, I know, please forgive me... It's not like I own it on DVD or anything!
Okay, that was a lie, I do own it on DVD. But I own a lot of movies on DVD. Can we move on?
I very much prefer this Sylar to the toothless version we saw in Volume Three. I'm just sorry we had to go though that little hiccup in his character to get to this.
I'm loving the idea of Peter only being able to hold on to one power at a time right now. Seems much more fair, and makes it much easier for the band of good guys to require a nice group effort, rather than the rest of them standing back and picking their noses while Peter kicks butt with every single one of their absorbed abilities. But... is this because he lost his original power and had to be injected to gain a new one (this one)? Or is this some kind of superhero impotence because he's doubting things these days?
I'm sick of HRG claiming his always-for-sale allegiance is just him "protecting this family". What family? We haven't seen Sandra or Lyle in months, and I'm betting neither have Claire and HRG. Besides, Claire is all set to head off to a fancy college--go home to your "normal" wife and son, dude! Spend some quality time!
Luke and his mother's storyline was awesome. Really the only redeeming part of the episode. I loved Dan, and the way Sylar attempted to show similarities between himself and the boy: "Father abandoned you and mother's a drone--I know that rage all too well, Luke. And I know you'd like nothing better than to see her blood all over the living room floor..." Hmm, projecting much, Mr. Mom-Killer? We all remember the maternal-blood finger-painting escapade... And the wicked little flash of a smirk Luke gave when he said, "you should see what happens around pace-makers," makes me think this storyline could be awesome. Luke's Pyro to Sylar's Magneto could be a cute thing to watch.
So... Daphne's dead? Her death was just thrown away. What happened to the baby-with-Matt future? Not that I'm complaining, she was getting annoying; so was Matt when he was around her. And we have a band of brothers (nice collection of cute guys you got around that picnic table), lead by Peter, ready to oppose and bring down an unfair government. At least Hiro, Ando, and Peter are all still in character from the first season. They've all had nice progressions. Mohinder is growing on me again, and Matt... Matt used to be one of my favorites, but I'm so bugged at his expando-power right now that... Matt, I think we need a break. I'm sorry.
Bits and Pieces:
* Lemme guess: the plane the heroes crashed in was one of the Oceanic fleet?
* Milo Ventimiglia is a pretty dorky runner. (Who are cool runners, you ask? Will Smith, Tom Cruise, and Daniel Craig.)
* Funny: Hiro's "Rednecks make better lovers" t-shirt. Glad he chose something else, though.

* How, exactly, does one run from Japan to Arkansas? Can she run over top of water?
* Funny Claire line: "...and everyone I know disappears. Except for Senator Skyboy here, because he's got everything under control..."
* Hee hee. HRG is so much taller than Nathan! And how is the Hunter even shorter?
* "You can trust me, Tracy"? Are you kidding me, Nathan? Who in the world believes you when you say things like that these days?
* Funny Sylar line: "And I let you live. Which is... kind of a big deal for me."
* Am I the only one who immediately just assumed "Rebel" was Peter? It didn't occur to me it could be anyone else until I read the rest of your comments...
GG