NBC's Heroes is the Best Show on Television

Heroes is easily the best show on television right now.

We have finally seen Mr. Linderman; a man with money and men at his disposal was first shown cooking in his own casino. We know why Hiro told Peter he looked different without his scar when they first met on the subway in the beginning of the season. And we have plenty of answers to make us want to keep guessing and watching.

I think the writers of Lost need to sit down and watch Heroes and take notes. Heroes is doing what Lost is attempting. Heroes is able to introduce new mysterious elements without overwhelming the audience. Not only does Heroes introduce the new elements, it answers the questions that arise in a timely fashion. What is better, the show answers questions you didn't even know you were wondering before you could ask. The only answers Lost is giving right now is akin to where someone got a tshirt or what they prefer for breakfast.

Another strength of Heroes is the art of a cliffhanger. The writing is phenomenal in building up the tension and your emotions as a scene is building until you're ready to see what is going to happen. At that instant the "To be continued...." message appears. Since we know the show will promptly get to it with the next episode, this approach isn't too frustrating. It is when these answers have to wait for weeks on end that viewers lose interest. Heroes has mastered the art of pulling you in and making you want to tune in the next week.

And while the storyline isn't original, I think that we can easily compare it with beloved stories from our childhoods is part of Heroes' charm. Creating similarities to comic books and superhero tales of the past, the writers are giving the audience an easy way to talk about the show. And afterall, it is the audience's desire to talk it up that keeps the show on the air. Conspiracy theories abound, Heroes blogs populate the internet, and it gives you something to occupy your time until the next episode airs.