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Heroes Are Among Us by Mike-oh

One of them has the super power to stop television viewers from watching. But which one? What a mystery!!!

Heroes. One of them can make time go backwards and teleport himself into the ladies room. Another has visions of the future that he turns into paintings he can't remember creating. A third is indestructible with the power to heal herself. A fourth can fly. Another's reflection comes out of the mirror to defend her from violence. A cab driver's father seems somehow responsible. And a mysterious stranger who is obviously evil seems to be connected to it all.

The first episode of Heroes aired this evening (Spetember 25) on NBC. It is a carefully calculated attempt to connect with everyone's unspoken fantasy to wake up one day with super powers. And as carefully calculated attempts go, this one is a pretty good one.

Maybe it's not fair, but the entire time I'm watching it, I can't help but compare it to Lost. The direction and the cast don't measure up. And only time will tell if the story is as riveting and enthralling as the sufferings of our wayward friends on their mystery island. But as stories go, this one is off to a solid start.

An Indian scientist dies mysteriously, leaving behind a room full of notes and journals about his studies to unleash the human potential. He has been plotting something on a map of the world and it seems pretty obvious that those locations are the same places where our newly powered super-heroes are from.

Enter the evil bad guy who hasn't done anything yet but whose very presence reveals his dark, threatening nature.

Meanwhile, in Japan, some dorky Trekkie keeps telling his friend that he can stop time and teleport himself. And wouldn't you know it? He can.

Cut to an Internet stripper who is haunted by her alternate self living in her reflection. And then witness a high school cheerleader throw herself off of a bridge. You expect her to fly but instead she lands with a wicked thud. And then picks herself up and cracks all of her broken bones back into place. Later, when she's at home, Daddy comes in the door and he turns out to be the evil bad guy. Nice twist for the first episode. But the big twist is yet to come.

At the beginning of the episode, we are introduced to a kid who dreams that he could fly. He tells his brother, a political candidate, but big brother doesn't believe him. By the end of the episode, he has arranged to have his brother meet him on a street corner where high overhead on the building top above, the dreamer throws himself off the rooftop to show his brother he can really fly. I won''t tell you what happens next. If you gotta know, ask someone at work tomorrow who has seen it. Or send me a reply using the form below. And be sure to tune in next week. It's not as good as Lost but it's not bad either. Enjoy.

So, what do you think? Agree? Disagree? Give us your feedback.