I am – Hercules!!


With Jeph Loeb off the “Heroes” writing staff and the possibility that Bryan Fuller might be returning, I’m back to watching. My DVR has caught me up. It turns out that Hiro is willing to travel back in time again, as long as doing so accomplishes as little as possible.

It bears noting that “Heroes” only gets Fuller, the best writer of the series’ first, best season, if ABC fails to order episode 2.14 of Fuller’s own show, “Pushing Daisies.” And Fuller remains hopeful ABC will continue the adventures of Ned, Chuck, Emerson, Olive, et al.

“Daisies” ratings have rebounded a bit of late. And so many shows are floundering over at ABC the network may be contemplating leaving “Daisies” on Wednesdays as a lead-in to “Lost” when the latter returns in January. Fuller tells AICN:

“I love Heroes. I had a wonderful time there during the first season. I love the writers. I love the cast. I love the crew. But I want Daisies to stay on the air. There are so many great stories in the back 9 that deepen the world and enrichen the characters. Is enrichen a word?”

Whether Fuller hops back aboard “Heroes” or not, one remains hopeful that one of Tim Kring’s many assistants are even now on the phone to the WGAw checking into which agents represent Warren Ellis, Mark Millar and Grant Morrison for TV work. Because those are the three guys not named Alan Moore who have been writing the best new superhero stories of the last decade. And another comic-book guy without a lot of prior TV experience, Brian K. Vaughn, helped bring “Lost” back from the brink.

Tonight:
“Villains.”
To prepare for the confrontation ahead, Hiro follows respected businessman, husband and father Arthur Petrelli (guest star Robert Forster) in the days before he "died" -- to discover what drove him to create rival company Pinehearst and strike at Angela. Later, a moment unfolds where Sylar, horrified and guilt-ridden, might have stopped his murderous pursuit of abilities -- that is, if H.R.G. and Elle (guest star Kristen Bell) had swayed from their monstrous assignment. Finally, under the wing of Company man Thompson (guest star Eric Roberts), agent-in-training Meredith (guest star Jessalyn Gelsig) watches her new life go up in smoke, following the arrival of her hot-headed brother. Greg Grunberg, James Kyson Lee, Ali Larter, Hayden Panettiere, Adrian Pasdar, Sendhil Ramamurthy, Dania Ramirez and Milo Ventimiglia also star. Jimmy Jean-Louis, Malcolm McDowell, Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine, Ron Perkins, Blake Shields, and Jeff Staron guest star.

Next Week:
“It’s Coming.”
After a preemptive strike against Hiro and Ando in Africa, Arthur Petrelli (guest star Robert Forster) orders Knox (guest star Jamie Hector) and Flint to hunt down his son Peter and granddaughter Claire. Nathan is stunned to learn his father is alive -- and leading a villainous charge to worldwide destruction. Meanwhile, back at Pinehearst, Sylar has a charged confrontation with Elle (guest star Kristen Bell). Suresh begins testing his new, combined superpower formula. Later, with the others dead, injured or on the run, Matt attempts to wake Angela. Jack Coleman and Ali Larter star. Robert Forster, Brea Grant and Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine also guest star.

Nov. 24
“Eclipse Part 1.”
After reuniting Sylar and Elle, Arthur orders them to find Claire and bring her to him. Matt, Hiro and Ando team up together and follow Daphne to her hometown of Athens, Georgia to discover what she's been hiding. Meanwhile, Nathan and Peter Petrelli travel together to Haiti in search of the the only man that can stop their father from destroying the world, the Haitian. Jack Coleman and Ali Larter also star. Robert Forster also guest stars.

Dec. 1
“Eclipse Part 2.”
The eclipse continues to impact the Heroes' abilities as Elle and Sylar face off against a vengeful H.R.G. while Claire struggles to survive. In Haiti, Peter and Nathan join forces with the Haitian to battle the Haitian's brother, Baron Samedi (guest star Demetrius Grosse), and Nathan comes to a shocking decision. In the meantime, Ando, Sam (guest star Seth Green) and Frack (guest star Breckin Meyer) work hard to get Hiro's memory back with the help of the "9th Wonders" comic books at a local comic bookstore. Greg Grunberg, Sendhil Ramamurthy, Ali Larter and Cristine Rose also star. Brea Grant and Robert Forster also guest star.

9 p.m. Monday. NBC.