5 New Characters We'd Like To See When Heroes Returns

1. A Religious Zealot Whom Convinces People He Is God (Ability: Persuasion)

In Season One, Heroes had a character with the ability of Persuasion called Eden, played by the divine Nora Zehetner. She was one of the most liked and appreciate characters in that initial, very successful run. Why, then, she was abruptly killed off before the mid-season point is a mystery I've yet to discover the answer to. Was it contractual disputes? Actor availability? Or just a very poor decision by the writing team? Feel free to comment below if you know the answer, it's bugged me for a while that one. Here's why: the character, often presented as shy and submissive possessed one of the most dangerous abilities around: she could persuade others to do as she pleased. Yet, she despised it, choosing not to at all times, if she could help it. Strong-armed into doing the bidding of "morally grey" Noah Bennet, her origin story told of a lonely, sociopathic young woman, so immediately dependent on her power, she found it impossible to maintain any real relationships. After all, there is no value in someone else making a choice you like when you're the one who has made them do it. Eden was a tremendous character, beautifully poised on the precipice of inner and external conflict. She was killed WAY before her time. What would you do with the power to persuade anyone to do anything? Become like Eden, lonely and depressed? Would you make yourself a millionaire or influence government policy? Would you do nothing, preferring to maintain the value of free-will? What about becoming God? What about a legitimate God Complex? The presence of religion and its influence into United States society and even executive policy making is a hotly debated topic, world-wide. It's one of those most capable of dividing people, the true image of anti-theism and yet, coming from an atheist Englishman, I'll be the first to admit it would be nice to be devoutly religious- to live a life where simple actions such as prayer carry so much positive spiritual meaning. The portrayal of religion in scripted media seems to become more and more cynical and negative every day. Here's how you counter that, with a heel, the most selfish of selfish characters, unfortunately with the power to make choices for masses of people that they themselves wouldn't do. It's important this character come to portray every negative stereotype linked with religion, that's quite the point; it will need to be that way when he is defeated, humbled, humiliated and, most importantly, shown up as a falsified conception of what it means to be religious. Imagine, for example, the Cancer-stricken girl in the previous point being forced, against her will, to believe something she does not, her wonderful ability abused as an example of a gift this zealot had bestowed upon her- her precious time ever running out. Imagine the moment when every single person held under his sway is allowed to finally see clearly once again and chooses not to take revenge but to allow the zealot to face his fate upon judgement. Imagine the debate it would create. As for the character, he must stand as the ultimate heel; incapable of the audience's empathy. He must enact the truest role of an antagonist: to eventually be defeated in order for one of the protagonists to achieve closure and if, along the way, you just happen to create a world-wide discussion which frequently includes a character from your show, well, so be it! With that said, I'll summarise with this: Heroes has been given a second chance, a chance to wipe the slate clean and start over. I would only hope that they take heed of the success of the shows on cable: shows like Breaking Bad, Mad Men, The Walking Dead and, most recently, the excellent True Detective. Whatever the genre, whatever the medium, the success or lack thereof it of any show comes from the characters. Don't think of a person to attach to a power, think of a power to attach to a person.