The show continues to rock. More at eleven.

Oh yes. I'm pleasantly surprised that it it went so gruesome so fast. The potential was there in Niki's story, but that seemed to be the anomaly, but Claire's story turning so dark so fast was a shock.

I'm not sure what's up with Sylar. I think the idea that he's stealing other people's powers might have some merit, although I also wonder if he's resistant to some powers, too. After all -- assuming that was Sylar in the bar -- it seemed Matt couldn't read his mind.

The next episode is called "Come Together," so I imagine -- pure speculation here -- that we finally begin seeing the Heroes find each other. (Starting with Niki and Hiro, it seems. Which should be interesting, as their stories are the most opposite of each other's.)

I think that's a good thing. I'm glad they've taken the time to show people dealing with their powers and the mystery threats on their own for a while, but the pace will probably escalate when we're not split between six or so different plotlines.

Speaking of Heroes: wasn't the end icky?

Uh-huh, but also, FUHN-KNEE!

The next episode is called "Come Together," so I imagine -- pure speculation here -- that we finally begin seeing the Heroes find each other. (Starting with Niki and Hiro, it seems. Which should be interesting, as their stories are the most opposite of each other's.)

From the previews, it looked like Nikki somehow..ahem..hooks up with Adrian Pasdar's character in a hotel. Maybe he goes to Vegas on campaign business/celebration?

I couldn't quite swallow that the Clea Duvall character would so readily bring GG along with her (damn, what is the deal with not being able to remember half the character's names!). I was also thinking Nikki's trunk is going to be DNA-fest for any police she comes in contact with, but that particular angle played out differently than I thought it would.

etaaq: Nikki is the Ali Larter character, right?

Niki is indeed the stripper/single mom.

After all -- assuming that was Sylar in the bar -- it seemed Matt couldn't read his mind.

I don't think that was Sylar. I mean, we didn't get a good look at Sylar in the shadows, but...I don't think they would have done that and then shown him in good light so quickly. Of course, I didn't expect to see Sylar at ALL this quickly! Per the promos, Mysterious Black Dude seems to be working with Evil Dad.

SA, nice post! Didn't think of the Powers connection.

After all -- assuming that was Sylar in the bar -- it seemed Matt couldn't read his mind.

I was thinking that the guy could be Niki's husband.

I was thinking that the guy could be Niki's husband.

D.L.? Possibly. We've not seen him yet, and there's a lot of questions surrounding him, so odds are he'll turn up eventually. One question being, did he really kill those guys in the desert, or did Niki's alter ego do it? And is their kid just regular-old super smart, or is he super-powered like his mom?

I'm not sure the guy in the bar was the same guy we saw trying to kidnap (or whatever) the kid that Matt and Not!Marcie stopped.

• head thonk* MARCIE. I've been trying to place her all day. Of course.

And I think Mysterious Black Guy is played by the guy who played Forest in season 4.(The actor gets around. In Smallville he played one of the nasty Kryptonians in the Phantom Zone, who was sent there after landing in the ship a year ago.)

n Smallville he played one of the nasty Kryptonians in the Phantom Zone, who was sent there after landing in the ship a year ago.)

Dude! That was HIM? And this is HIM? Are you sure? I thought I would recognize him!

Leonard Roberts, what do you know. And FUCK. Don't go to IMDb, because it TELLS YOU WHO HE IS. So I hope we fucking find out next week.