Blu-rays of the Day: Heroes – Seasons 1 & 2

Cast: Jack Coleman, Hayden Panettiere, Milo Ventimiglia, Masi Oka, Adrian Pasdar, Zachary Quinto, Greg Grunberg, Ali Larter.
Creator: Tim Kring.
Score: Lisa Coleman, Wendy Melvoin.
Cinematography: Nathaniel Goodman, Charles Lieberman, John B Aronson.

Season three of the sci-fi phenomenon about freaks across America who just might be able to save the world at last is out on Blu-ray. It can be bought separately or as part of a box set with seasons one and two. In its bravura first season, Heroes’ serialised mix of breathtaking special effects, conspiratorial riddles and sensational twists made for what creator Tim Kring aptly dubs “a freight train of storytelling”. The Blu-ray compilation includes a pilot 20 minutes longer than the TV broadcast. It comes with a detailed commentary by Kring, who was driven to create an ensemble drama about the “bigger issues” facing the world and thought only the might of fledgling superheroes could tackle them. But he also acknowledges Heroes exploits the “wish fulfilment that most people have, this sense that you were meant for something greater.” Ironically, that’s also the biggest frustration of the series: subsequent seasons haven’t come close to matching the prowess of the first. Because of the Hollywood writers’ strike, only 11 episodes were produced for season two, compromising the epic storytelling that distinguished the first season. Indeed, many of the extras detail what might have been had the season not been truncated, including a provocative alternative finale.

Season 1: 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀
Season 2: 😀 😀 😐
Image: 😀 😀 😀 😀
Extras: 😀 😀 😀 😀

James Kyson-Lee (Ando Masahashi) and Masi Oka (Hero)