Broken Frontier

Last week’s episode of Heroes, “Cold Snap,” is already being hailed by fans as the strongest installment since its first season. That’s great for the series—proving that it still has untapped potential despite frequent criticism that it’s running out of steam—but that success also placed an incredible burden on the latest episode, “In Asylum.” Fortunately, it doesn’t disappoint.

When we last saw Nathan Petrelli and Claire, the airborne senator was helping his biological daughter escape capture by Emile Danko (the Hunter). Now that Nathan’s been outed as having superpowers, Claire’s governmental free pass is up. The two head to Mexico to plan their next move, but unfortunately they’re low on cash. Claire sells her necklace at a local pawn shop, which helps them a little, but Nathan has a plan. He challenges a group of American frat guys to a drinking contest, going shot-for-shot for $100 each. Despite his bravado, Nathan ends up face down after 22 shots of tequila (yikes!). But Claire, with her indestructible liver, sweeps in to win the contest and a ton of money.

Still completely sober, Claire drags her drunk father back to the hotel room, where Nathan has quite a bit to get off his chest. Still guilt-ridden about leaving her as a child, Nathan reveals that he gave Claire a free pass from his crackdown on super-powered people to get closer to her, then vowing to right his wrongs and put an end to the government sweep. But by the next day, he admits that it was the liquor talking and that there is nothing he can really do. Claire bursts into tears. “You were supposed to be Superman,” she sobs, storming off on her own. This clearly has an effect on Nathan, as he invites her to head north with him.

It’s easy to feel sorry for Claire at this point. She may have two fathers, but neither has really been there for her these days despite both of their efforts to protect her. Finally, however, she’s found a connection with Nathan and may even come to trust him. That connection is most apparent when Nathan buys back Claire’s necklace—originally a gift from her adoptive father Noah—and places it around his daughter’s neck. This season’s gone to great lengths to transform Nathan into a selfish coward, but Claire may yet redeem him.

In other Petrelli family news, Peter takes his mother Angela to a church after rescuing her from government thugs. The two take refuge in the church, which just so happens to be where Angela married her late husband and where Peter made his first communion. These moments are less effective than those between Claire and Nathan, but it is important to see these two characters finally on the same page. We also get to see Peter have a quiet moment with The Man Upstairs.

“I’m tired of fighting,” he says. “And I’m angry. Angry at my father. Nathan. My mother. At you. We had a deal. I think it’s about time you lived up to your end.”

While government troops storm the church just a moment later, Noah is fortunately among them and allows Peter and Angela to escape. The Petrelli matriarch, now well-rested, has a precognitive vision: They must track down her sister. That should be interesting.

It would seem unlikely that Danko—who hates people with powers—would ever team with the villainous Sylar, but that’s just what happens in this episode. Sylar wants powers, and he’s going to help Danko hunt down each and every person with abilities until he’s the last one left. During their first mission together, hunting down a shape shifter, the two overcome their initial dislike toward each other and develop something resembling mutual respect.

The idea of such unchecked evil brings a new edge to the “Fugitives” storyline, particularly after this episode’s conclusion. Sylar’s a shape shifter now, making television’s best villain that much more dangerous.