The TV Zone

I’ve seen April 23’s return episode of NBC’s “Heroes,” and I just can’t keep it to myself.

Yes, a hero does die. Really. Truly. (Apparently.)

Rather, I should say, at least one hero dies. Because some other life-expiring takes place, too.

Don’t you hate me for being so cryptic?

You shouldn’t. This new episode, after six agonizing weeks without one, is well worth the wait, moving at light speed to fire up thrilling new adventures for nearly all the characters.

Some of the “heroes” who’ve never met each other finally do (probably not the ones you think). Family members are reunited while others get separated (not the ones you think). Adversaries join forces (not the ones you expect). There’s some super-major turn-your-face-away torture/gore (not the victim you’d predict).

We even learn that an ostensible baddie actually wants to be a good guy, with a weird plan for “healing” that should resonate double in this particular part of the country.

And just when you think they’ve forgotten our fave hero Hiro entirely, he gets the top shocker of the entire episode!

Less than two weeks away, people. You can make it.

Especially with these refreshers:
• NBC airs the previous three episodes in a Saturday night marathon April 21 (“Unexpected,” “Company Man,” “Parasite”). Great way to catch up in HD.
• Sci Fi repeats “Heroes” episodes Fridays at 6 p.m. (“Unexpected” this Friday, “Company Man” April 20).
• NBC.com offers all 18 of this season’s episodes on-demand online. The most recent six can be viewed with optional video cast/crew commentary on the proceedings.

In the meantime, this tantalizing photo hint:

[Malcolm McDowell as Linderman, Ali Larter as Nikki Sanders -- NBC photo by Paul Drinkwater]