… kind of. There was a lot of pressure put on “Cold Snap” long before it ever aired. The show’s struggles with the ratings have been well documented. And this episode was the first written by Bryan Fuller since his return. Fans, and I’m sure more than a few network executives, have been holding out hope that this is what would turn the tide for the show, both creatively, and where those ratings are concerned. We’ll learn about the ratings soon enough. The creative question is a harder target to hit, as we’re all going to have wildly differing ideas on that.
Update: Ratings are in, and at series low levels. 6.48 million viewers, 3.0 demo
For me, it was ultimately successful. It certainly didn’t live up to all of the hype, but then, what could? With people pimping it as “Best. Episode. Ever.” the bar was set pretty high. I disagree with that assessment, but there was enough good to the episode to look at it as a positive. First, the culling of the herd. I’m sure there are those fans that are disappointed to see Daphne go, and less sure that there are fans disappointed to see Tracy go, but it was overdue. The cast has just become too big. Shrinking it down a bit, and I’m ok with a bit more, is a good thing. But, maybe kill a guy next? Suresh would be fine by me.
Daphne’s death also brought an end to the cumbersome Matt loves Daphne storyline. That one always waffled between creepy and ridiculous for me, so I’m glad to be done with it. It went out with much of the same weirdness that it came in with. Daphne’s figurative kick to the crotch before heading off to Paris just seemed odd. I’m assuming that she was in control of her part of that fantasy, because if Matt forged that reaction, it’s just weirder. For her part, Tracy led us to the underwhelming reveal of Micah as Rebel. I think she was the only person, fictional or real, that was actually surprised by that revelation.
Even better than all that, I’m taking Hiro’s inability to teleport as a sign that someone finally decided that time travel is, as Steve Jobs would put it, “a bag of hurt.” I was actually hoping for Hiro’s powers never to return for just that reason, but if they are to return in this limited fashion, I’m good with it. Next, let’s let the guy grow up finally. The appearance of future Hiro is still one of the great moments from the series, and we’ve yet to see anything that points to present Hiro ever becoming that guy.
That doesn’t make for the be all, end all, episode, but it does set the series on the right path. Now we can get to just what Noah is up to, and figure out why Sylar is sending giftwrapped puppermaster’s to his BFF Danko. It’s not “Save the cheerleader,” but… baby steps. With five more episodes left in the season, there is still time for the show to head into season four at full steam. Creatively, if not in the ratings.
Clacked by Brett Love 
on Mar 24, 2009 @ 09:00 EST5EDT
Wait, Tracy had fans? I mean, I like Ali Larter as much as the next guy, but I didn’t think Tracy had fans.
I’m one of those people who liked the Daphne/Matt storyline, and hate to see Brea Grant go. She has a new fan in me though, and I’ll watch anything she’s in.
This was definitely a rebound episode, but I still wonder if there’s any way at all they can regain the spark that they once had.
*POST AUTHOR*
I like Brea Grant too, and am looking forward to seeing her in Rob Zombie’s next movie, H2. But then, I’m sold on Rob Zombie, so I’ll watch any movie he makes. Did you see The Devil’s Rejects?
Yeah, not so much a horror guy, so I didn’t see it.
I’d class myself as a Tracy fan. But what makes you think Tracy’s dead, given she winked at the end? And if they were purging characters, why get rid of Tracy only to re-introduce Micah, who only exists really as an adjunct to Niki/Jessica/Tracy?
*POST AUTHOR*
I think Tracy is dead, despite the reintroduction of Micah, because Barbara is still out there. Also, I think the writers/producers have had enough of the complaints about people getting killed, but not really, that character deaths are actually going to start to stick.
The producers have already said that AL’s going to be in every episode this season, that she’s going to be in season four, that Barbara definitely won’t be showing up in the immediate future and they still don’t know how they would introduce her. Plus we’re supposed to have one real death and two fake-out deaths by season end so you do the math.
*POST AUTHOR*
I generally avoid any Heroes spoilers, so I hadn’t seen that, MediumRob, and I have to say I think it’s a mistake. They have really gone to the fake death well so many times that it’s now annoying, more than anything. There’s a reason that more than half of the audience is now gone, continuing down that same path isn’t going to change things. It will be interesting to see if grinding out the season with a string of series lows changes any of those plans.
Darn, so not only do we lose Daphne too soon, but long played-out characters like Nathan, Mohinder and Claire won’t be dying this year? It’s not fair.
If you really want to know what’s happened to Tracy, all you have to do is listen to the commentary track on the NBC Heroes web site for the episode (or read the crux of it here). As suspected, the whole point of the tear/wink was so that everyone would (theoretically) realise that Tracy wasn’t dead because they’re well aware that death on Heroes has been diminished, so they didn’t want anyone to think she was dead and then get hacked off when she came back again. Guess that didn’t pan out too well, huh?
The ET reference was great, but there was also a nod to Superman, when Daphne stepped up onto Matt’s feet.
The gift wrapped puppet-guy was a great scene — it felt slightly sinister. Reintroducing Micah is a great move, I didn’t like that they just seemed to ignore his character for so long.
Baby Parkman’s power is dumb though. Controlling electrical appliances is what Micah already does, and I don’t see the correlation between that and giving Hiro his powers back. Doesn’t that seem like one of the bigger inconsistencies in Heroes?
Micah’s spot in the credit was listed as ‘Special Guest Star,’ so I honestly don’t expect him to stick around too very long.
Well, it seems like shows such as these usually give a “Special Guest Star” credit to big names, or people who were previously main characters. Micah will probably be around for a few more episodes, or maybe to the end of the season.
I’m not sure why exactly, but this episode really worked for me. Hiro and Ando were finally interesting again.. the scenes with the baby and then the wheelbarrow were great. AL dying again was great, which means only one more persona to die until she’s gone for good.
I am wary of the return of Micah, but hopefully the fact that he has aged will improve his character as well. Now all they have to do is get rid of Mohinder and Nathan, and I will be happy as a clam.
For me, in addition to all incarnations of AL being gone, they really need to figure out how to kill of Claire, since any scene she is in makes me want to pull my (or her) hair out. At least they passed the phase where they dressed her in low cut tank tops and heels all the time.
Won’t we see Larter back in the form of sister #3?
I found Mrs. Petrelli interesting to watch. Much better episode.
At least Daphne got to die with better looking hair.
Did I miss the significance of Swoozie Kurtz’s character, other than someone who was friends with Angela?
So Tracy isn’t dead, huh.
And Daphne really is, huh?
Well.
I know, life and Heroes – not fair.
Yeah. Keep killing the characters I like, Heroes. See how much longer I stick around.