Heroes was one of those shows that I never got into, not ‘cause I hate its face or anything, but ‘cause so much happened in seasons past and who knows how long it would take to catch up? What if everyone is all laughy-laughy with some insider’s joke, and I’m still all like “Save the cheerleader, save the world”? I just wouldn’t get the punchlines. That would be terrible!

Despite my fears, I added Heroes to my watch list, and guess what guys? Four seasons in notwithstanding, TV is totally not that hard to understand. The two-hour long first episode is quite informative, albeit boring, and add to that past marketing, facebook status updates, and other bits of pop buzz (save the cheerleader!)—I am watching Heroes like a professional. Thoughts so far after the jump.

As mentioned, Chapter 1 with its flashbacks and recapping voiceovers and thematic music was not exactly titillating. Thankfully, it was a two-parter with much more pertinent plot points. The vaguely sinister carnies are on the move, a guy* that I think looks like Gregory House (them white folks can look awful a lot alike) knife fights, and oh! Matt Parkman (fat cop, reads minds) is waging a mental war against Syler’s ghost. And Slyer’s ghost? Totally winning. Did I mention I think Slyer is hot? It’s the eyebrows. I love supervillian eyebrows.

Chapter 2 had a lot of Peter in it. He has a really skinny head. Doesn’t he? He does.

After the latest chapter, I am jumping on the Hiro wagon. I worry about the time-traveling Asian boy, and really, any time-traveling boy in general. There seems to be overdone trope of neurotic male characters that second guess themselves and the space-time continuum. Throw in Hiro’s sudden zeal for remedying his past mistakes. Much potential for annoyingness. Conveniently, Chapter 3 was all about learning from history and moving forward, and Hiro too must accept the limitations of his powers against Time—and all because of a suicidal butt photocopier? Sounds silly, but it managed to be comical, sad, and adorable all at once. Like a sad-face puppy clown. But better, cause it’s a Japanese sad-face puppy clown. Saikou!

So now I’m three chapters in and enjoying the series in its current incarnation. The characters are already well-developed and consistent, the various plot points adhere to a canon and can reference past events, and apparently I opportunely skipped out on the ill-conceived dystopian future arc. Could I be what will be known as the hey-days? Hope so! Bring it!

*Apparently, the actor’s Ray Park. Played Toad in X-men.