'Heroes' is the new 'O.C.'

I had many emotions Monday night watching the "fall finale" of Heroes -- boredom, anger, um, bordeom -- but after it was all over I was struck by one thought. Heroes is the new O.C..

All TV junkies know that The O.C. was pretty much perfect when it started out, but fell apart as the seasons dragged along. It was like a soap opera on speed - everything great that could happen to the characters seemed to work itself out in the first season. It's probably the closest we've come to a telenovella on American TV. Sure The O.C. had its fans all the way through to the season's end, but it never reached the popularity or pure fun that first season had.

How does that relate to Heroes? Really, is there anyone who has cared what happened after they saved the cheerleader? The idea that this group of super mutants will have to constantly save Earth from doom is a little exhausting. The cast keeps getting larger and duller - Maya (or Mayja as her thankfully deceased brother would call her) and West, really? - and all we got from Monday's episode is that if you are remotely interesting as a character you're doomed (nooooo Nathan!). Now Tim Kring has admitted that this half of the season didn't really work and volume 3 (villians) will be better. So, here's hoping I'm totally wrong about the show. I'm fairly certain that Tim Kring has a better idea of what's going on than I do , and I've definitely held out on shows much longer than they deserved only to be rewarded (I'm looking at you Lost!).

Fall finales

Fox spent last week eagerly hyping its "fall finale" of Prison Break. As the writer's strike continues to cause ripples throughout the world of scripted television, this could look like a blessing. Fans of the show will have a conclusion that will tide them over until new episodes can be produced, unlike other shows which will just abruptly cease airing new episodes.

However, this fall finales trend has been going on for some years now and I'd like start a discussion as to whether these are actually helpful to viewers. Last fall I was absolutely engrossed in Heroes as were many Americans. I was desperate to know whether or not Peter and the gang would "Save the Cheerleader. Save the World." When the event finally occurred I felt a rush of satisfaction, but also a lot of disappointment. It was no surprise when the Season 1 finale rolled around that I felt it was all very anti-climatic. There was so much hype and promise and delivery from the "fall finale" that I didn't need anymore resolution.

I hope networks start treating their viewers with more respect. We're media savvy - we understand sweeps ratings, product placement, hell we can even get our favorite programs from places other than TV now. By trying to stick to a outdated profit model, networks are losing site on what will really keep us coming back - quality shows that run uninterrupted so that we can tune in and enjoy. They don't always have to be amazing (even the best shows go through rough patches) but they do have to be consistent.