WITH GREAT POWER COMES GREAT RESPONSIBILITY Masi Oka’s Hiro Nakamura let us down in season two.

NBC took a big risk two years ago: Would America tune in to a comic book–tinged drama about normal people with superpowers? Yes and yes—season one of Heroes enjoyed killer Monday-night ratings and endless watercooler banter. But sadly, the first-season finale was a dud, mostly because the hugely anticipated duel between Peter Petrelli and villainous Sylar (two characters with every conceivable superpower) went down schoolyard-style as a lame fistfight.

Even more disappointingly, it set the tone for season two, which hits the DVD shelves Tuesday 26. (The third season starts September 22.) Yes, the sophomore outing was strike-shortened to 11 episodes, but its problems ran much deeper than WGA logistics. Things got so bad that creator Tim Kring phoned Entertainment Weekly midseason to apologize to fans—the mag published the conversation on its blog on November 7, 2007. His observations, higlighted below, were dead on, but some of his efforts for redemption in the season’s second half proved…less than heroic.

Things happened too slowly
Why we agree Part of the joy of a new show is discovering its world all at once—particularly when there are superpowers, terrifying crazies and ominous music. But after season one’s 23 episodes, we needed more than the same: Mind-reader cop Matt Parkman putzed around; fly-guy Nathan Petrelli wasted screen time drinking; and Niki/Jessica, the show’s dead-weight split personality, dominated episodes. Oh yeah, and one of the new people was from New Orleans, so cue montages of heavy winds blowing and earnest-to-God lines like, “Look around: This town could use a little amazing.”
Did he fix it? The end of the season was certainly brisk, but Heroes got stuck playing catch-up, cramming all sorts of plot points into the final episodes.
What still needs saving? There’s a fine line between giving too much away and moving the plot forward for the sake of a rich, multidimensional story. Given all the twists and turns, there’s little concern the former will pose a problem. Be brave, Heroes.

The big picture wasn’t clear
Why we agree Dr. Suresh mentions early on that a new virus threatens the heroes’ powers. Then a woman is introduced who has the ability to instantly kill people and make their eyeballs bleed. Which is it, Heroes? Which poses the bigger threat? But wait: Come episode seven, Peter Petrelli travels to the future and discovers that a different plague has wiped out 93 percent of the world’s population. Oh…so much for that other stuff.
Did he fix it? Not surprisingly, once we understood which specific evil threatened us, the show felt driven.
What still needs saving? A nuclear explosion threatened to wipe out New York in season one, but then the crisis was suddenly averted. Now a disease jeopardizes everyone’s life. How can Heroes top itself? Just tell us sooner rather than later.

So many new characters, so little caring
Why we agree We’d much rather learn how Nathan Petrelli—a familiar guy—survived the nuke than meet new-girl Monica’s boring brother. And speaking of: Monica’s ability is essentially that of a TiVo; powers you can acquire at Best Buy don’t exactly make us salivate.
Did he fix it? A handful of newbies were introduced organically as part of existing story lines; those lucky few, like new Company head Bob Bishop (“My voice is my passport” guy from Sneakers), survived the long haul. The rest vanished.
What still needs saving? Out-of-left-field characters aren’t off-limits, but we’re implementing a two-episode rule: Newbies have that much time to make a semblance of sense, or they’re as good as dead to us.

Hiro lived in the past
Why we agree Hiro Nakamura was by far the season-one favorite: a quirky, tender twentysomething who could both teleport and time travel. But the promising finale cliffhanger, where he found himself stranded in feudal Japan, ended with him stuck in the past for way too long. His only interaction with the future came in the form of notes sent inside the hilt of a sword—a storytelling device so incompetent and contradictory, it’s not worth explaining.
Did he fix it? Hiro eventually returned, along with his refreshing don’t-take-yourself-too-seriously mind-set. But now he’s on the outskirts of the action.
What still needs saving? Hiro weaves moments with other heroes into comic gold. (“Flying man!”) Make up for his detour by throwing him into the fold.

Teen drama tested, failed
Why we agree Upon enrolling at a new high school, indestructible Claire Bennet fell in with West, a swoopy-banged boy with the power to fly and deliver one-liners that had us wondering if the show’s writers were ever teenagers themselves. And if they were, God help them.
Did he fix it? The Claire-Westship dragged—kicking and screaming—into the season finale.
What still needs saving? Keep the Claire drama with her father (scene-stealer Jack Coleman), and don’t crib Gossip Girl’s bag.

Heroes: Season Two DVD flies into stores Tuesday 26 ($39.98).