In a bid to catch this feature up on a more traditional weekly schedule (Monday through Sunday), I’ve decided to toss the net wide to capture everything up through this Sunday. Of course, I don’t watch anything on the weekends anyway – so it’s not like I’ve suddenly developed super powers. Plus – there’s the added benefit to The Office repeat this past Thursday (Gay Witch Hunt) leaving me free to expound away.

I’ve decided to add something new to this feature. In addition to my commentary on the programs I’ve watched, I’ll lead each post with a rundown of noteworthy news briefs impacting upcoming programs.

Before we begin, I’ve got to air one gripe. I found a great site that gives me HD screen caps from every episode of Lost. They even give you a breakdown of the next week’s trailer. Unfortunately I have yet to find a similar outlet for The Office and Heroes - so for the time being, stock photos will have to do.

The Tele Mundo Minute
- Fox released a killer new trailer for the upcoming sixth season of 24. I thought last season was brilliant and from the looks of this trailer, the ante has been upped significantly. The show returns on Sunday January 14th and as it has done over the last couple seasons – it will launch with a two night, four hour block. This season it appears the terrorists will cease a devastating series of attacks on US cities if the US offs Jack Bauer. Damn’t!!!

- Regarding casting on 24, Powers Booth has just been cast as the new VP – to commander-in-chief Wayne Palmer. Without so much as seeing one second of his performance, I am going to climb out on a limb and call it now. The VP is evil!!!

- Pining for the glory days of Must See TV, NBC has announced it is moving 30 Rock and the returning Scrubs to Thursday nights, beginning November 30th. My Name is Earl leads at 8:00, followed by The Office at 8:30, Scrubs at 9:00 and 30 Rock at 9:30. I haven’t seen 30 Rock and Earl has been spotty of late – but this is a pretty solid block and as far from Veronica’s Closet as one could ever hope to be.

- The November 8th installment of Lost (the last to air this year) offer a bonus for Whedonverse fans. Nathan Fillion guest stars on the Kate-centric, ‘I Do.’ Word is Fillion has signed for a number of eps – so whether he appears in flashback or is a new character on the island, I have no idea.

Heroes – ‘Hiros’ – 1.5
After the dizzying highs of Collision, I thought Hiros dipped slightly. There were some highlights but also a little too much downtime. That kickass denouement to Collision – with Hiro and his ginormous Ginso stepping through time to warn Peter was just too hard to top.

The first big plus, Mohinder was mostly absent this week. He had one brief scene in the concluding segments of the ‘subway standstill’ and then he was gone. I wish Sylar would catch up to him and scoop that brain of his (with all those ten cent words floating within – that’s got to be a helluva meal).

I thought the opening sequence with Nathan displaying impressive flight dynamics was very well done. One thing that continues to impress me about this show is its effects work. A lot of this is movie caliber which either points to talented artists behind the scenes of Heroes, lower CGI costs or a combo platter.

While the mysterious symbol has cropped up in a variety of places (akin to Lost’s numbers) – the most interesting appearance (or disappearance) was Nikki’s tat. When her alter-ego jumped Nathan the week before, we caught the tat on her right shoulder-blade. When Nikki reverted back to her sweet, innocent self (as sweet and innocent as a Net vixen can be) the ink was MIA. Hopefully there’s something to that and not just a continuity issue on behalf of the makeup department.

My feeling on Matt’s collapse has less to do with the voices in his head and more to do with Horned Rim Guy’s creepy assistance. (Memo to the Web - HRG will never be as cool as CSM). When they hollowed Matt out, I think they may have left something within – perhaps a ‘killswitch’ that is activated when he begins to take control of his ability. Remember, he didn’t pass out in the bar due to the creepy dude nor to the voices in his head – HRG clearly stated that they put something in his drink.

Peter’s scenes with Isaac were strong and it was interesting to see Peter borrow Isaac’s “sight” to complete his painting. If they can get Peter and Claire together, you’ll have an invincible duo.

While I think the “Save the Cheerleader, Save the World” motto comes off a bit campy (we have NBC’s marketing department to blame for that) I think I see where this is going. Peter’s completed picture shows Claire’s brain removed. Since Claire cannot be killed, if Sylar noshes on her noggin, he’d be indestructible. My feeling is that if Claire is allowed to die, Sylar gains that power and ultimately destroys NYC – plunging the world into a great global apocalypse. I think future Hiro has returned from a timeline that stems from that tragic event – hence he needs Claire saved to erase all that comes afterward.

The only issue I have is with a couple inconsistencies – both involving this show’s R2-D2 and C3PO (c’mon you tell me Ando and Hiro wandering through that desert locale to the diner didn’t introduce thoughts of Mos Eisley). The first one involves Hiro’s miraculous command of the English language. I’m not talking about future Hiro – that was a cool twist. I’m talking about current Hiro – who is left stranded in the diner by Ando. It’s one thing for Hiro to know ‘waffles’. He could have picked up a few words here and there, just as I know the words “banzai” and “gojira”. But to sit there and suddenly know exactly what Nathan is referring to when he asks if he won the election – that’s a big stretch. It’s a small scene, it doesn’t impact the rest of the episode one iota – but when you build so much of the mystery around Hiro’s inability to deliver a message (as simple as “bomb in NYC”) and then have Hiro enter into a discourse on contemporary American politics – it’s a lot to swallow.

The other plot hole is Ando’s immediate location of Nikki’s home. What, is she giving her clients her home address? Yup, that’s smart. No sickos out there on the web. Anyway, maybe Ando is gifted as well. He can track a stripper anywhere on the globe.

The Office – ‘The Initiation’ - 3.5
I thought this episode was up there with the highs of ‘Gay Witch Hunt‘. ‘The Initiation’, penned by B.J. Ryan (Ryan) focused on Ryan’s first sales call with Dwight. Our lovable beet farmer takes it upon himself to haze the rookie at his family acreage before bringing him to the sales meeting. Nothing kills a sale quicker than the aroma of BS – which Ryan was coated in.

Over in Stamford, Jim continued his courtship of Karen by playing a little game of brinkmanship over a squeaky chair. I’ve had that chair and I hate it.

Sean covered some highlights, so I’ll add a few more.

- I’ve had Jim’s screechy rendition of The Cardigans lovefool (“love me, love me… say that you’ll love me”) stuck in my head for days. I feel for Andy (the guy in Jim’s office – not my wife).

Andy:  “I don’t care ’bout anything but YOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOU!”…….”I wonder what happened to those guys?”

- Doesn’t Michael know that jammin’ to Gary Glitter’s Rock and Roll Part 2 is sooooo inappropriate these days. Poor Kevin, I’m sure he had that tune stuck in his head for days too.

Dwight:   What is Michael Scott’s greatest fear?
Ryan:   Loneliness. Maybe women.
Dwight:  Wrong. Michael Scott fears nothing. (Pause) Snakes would also have been an acceptable answer.