Broken Frontier

Yes, as the title suggests, “1961” is yet another Heroes flashback episode. However, it’s an enjoyable one, managing to reform the series’ oft-clumsy continuity into a far more focused narrative. While it’s odd that Heroes writers would give us yet another dose of exposition just two episodes before the end of Volume 4, this installment is far more enlightening than it is burdening. Heroes fans should be in for a treat as “Fugitives” draws to a close.

When we last left the Petrellis—and Noah Bennet—they were digging up bodies at Coyote Sands, a former resettlement camp for people with super powers nestled in the Arizona desert. Because nothing brings a family together like unearthing corpses, much of “1961” that takes place in the present-day is all about the Petrellis (and Noah) forgiving one another for past transgressions and uniting under a common goal.

Speaking of past transgressions, we get to meet a young Angela Petrelli who, along with her weather-controlling sister Alice (think Storm from the X-Men), enters Coyote Sands presumably to be cured of her condition by Dr. Chandra Suresh (Mohinder’s dad). There, she meets up with Charles Deveaux, Bob Bishop and Daniel Linderman—founding members of the infamous Company. It’s great to see that the Company was founded with the noblest intention of keeping super powers a secret, which we now know got out of hand later on.

Through the episode’s black-and-white flashbacks, we get a great sense of the relationship between Angela and Alice and how it ties into the current storyline. We see that Angela is very protective of her little sister, always looking out for her best interests. We also see that Alice is fiercely loyal to Angela. When the budding Company decides to sneak out of the camp to find help, Angela tells her sister to stay put to keep her safe. However, she never returns. Nearly 50 years later, Alice hasn’t left Coyote Sands, and her tearful reunion with her big sister doesn’t necessarily go all that well, signaling that the unstable sibling may become a threat in the future.

At the end of the episode, all of the Petrelli characters (and Noah) are determined to right wrongs, particularly Nathan, who seeks redemption for his ill-conceived crusade against people with special abilities.  But remember how Sylar is a shape shifter now? It turns out he’s taken a liking to impersonating the elder Petrelli brother in press conferences. That can’t be good.

Some Heroes viewers may be frustrated that “1961” doesn’t move the “Fugitives” storyline forward all that much, but it’s incredibly satisfying for long-time fans of the series. Finally, we get to see where Chandra Suresh’s research went wrong, how the original Company was formed and, it seems, how a brand-new Company is coming together.