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From J. Pernell Jones, Farmington, N.M.:

"Heroes" is one of only two or three prime-time shows that I watch, so I have a disproportionate amount of frustration about the program. Even so, I think I can limit my rant to three relatively concise points:

1. My 7-year-old son recently asked me what "Heroes" was about. I tried to formulate a reasonable response, but one was not forthcoming. So I took the easy way out. "It's about people with special abilities," I responded. Unsatisfied, my son persisted. "But what is their mission?" I fumbled even harder. "Well ... the good people who have special abilities are fighting against the evil people with special abilities." My response to my son reminded me of my eternal struggle with the program. The acts of true heroism (deeds with a pure external focus) are few and far between, and the show is fundamentally misnamed. It should be called "Survival of the Fittest" or "Freaks Like Us." The title "Heroes" is too noble a moniker for something that is steadily devolving from its inbreeding.

2. I love Season 1. As a fully contained arc, it's almost a masterpiece. The pinnacle of this masterpiece, for me, was, "Save the cheerleader, save the world," i.e., prevent Sylar from scalping Claire so that he cannot regenerate when he's stabbed by Hiro. They succeeded. Peter prevented Sylar from extracting Claire's ability & and Hiro (fatally?) stabbed Sylar at the end of Season 1. But at the start of Season 2 we learn that Sylar was not fatally stabbed. And at the start of Season 3 he lasers off the top of Claire's head and possesses the ability to regenerate. In the blink of two eyes, creator Kring and company rendered the primary thrust of Season 1, the show's only compelling arc, of little or no effect. So what's the point?

3. Unless there is a drastic turnaround, I'm only in for another couple of shows. It's pretty evident that there was no real concept for this show beyond Season 1.

From Mike Kuczynski:

"Heroes" has not lost its way in my opinion. And to address some of the issues that you brought up in the article:

1. The reason Peter doesn't automatically use his powers is because: A) he is afraid of them; and B) since he didn't grow up with them, it isn't his second nature to use them right off the bat.

2. The reason Hiro doesn't go back and fix his mistakes is because of his ethics (and the fact that the last time he tried to fix things he made them worse!).

3. The reason Mohinder injected himself with an untested serum is because in order for science to advance, someone has to take risks. He went to the dock to inject himself so that Maya wouldn't stop him.

4. Why didn't Future Peter just talk to Nathan? Probably because in the years between our present and his, his personality changed, and he realized that trying to talk someone out of doing something they think is right doesn't usually work.

5. The S symbol is actually a helix and (in my opinion) is meant to symbolize DNA. As for Parkman's dad, he should be coming back within the next few episodes.

Of course, this is only my opinion.

From Brian, Savannah, Ga.:

Ummm, it's only the third or fourth episode of the season. If I recall, Season 1 didn't turn into my favorite show until around Episode 8 or 9. I have a feeling you'll be feeling silly about writing this article once this season is over.

From Ryan McLelland:

I dropped the show during Season 2, and I've heard the show hasn't recovered since. Life is too short; I'd rather spend time watching "Lost" or "Battlestar Galactica" to get my geek inside going.

From Alice Park:

It's getting as complicated and boring as "Lost" was two seasons ago.

From Jon Wong:

I've been a huge fan of "Heroes" since the first season. That first season was terrific. The plots all flowed together and the number of character plots was just right.

Now Season 3 is just a complete mess. So many directions that none will hold your attention; worse is that none is exciting. They spend time in the future, present, this and that, and you wonder: Is there any excitement? How about just going back to the old premise of good vs. bad as in Season 1 and keeping it simple?

From Jane Amy:

"Heroes" hasn't lost its way. I have watched the show from Day 1, even taped it because one season it interfered with a different show. The show does not need to be fixed!!! All the holes in the plot and all the characters and story lines are what I like about the show. It keeps you hanging and wanting more week to week. Maybe all of that is just a little confusing for some people. I think it will all come together (past, present and future).

From Peter Meyer, M.D., Ph.D., Atlanta:

I completely agree with everything you say. I, too, love "Heroes" and thought it was the best new show on TV in a decade or so. Besides the points you raised, I would say that a problem with the show is that the plotlines and characters are kept too separate. That worked fine in the first season, before these guys knew each other, but now they have all met and interacted and some have become friends. It would make much more sense if they confided in each other, and worked together to solve the new problems.

One major disappointment has been the Level 5 villains. They were supposed to be the meanest and baddest, but were for the most part pretty wimpy, unless they are saving some good ones for future episodes. They have already had some pretty bad ones that died, or not, or disappeared from the show, like the shape shifter, the one who can change your reality, the one who can mentally force you to do her bidding, etcetera. It's very hard to top those. We have seen them grow individually, now it's time to see them work together as a team. Think X-Men. That would take the series to the next level. Otherwise, as you so succinctly stated, the series will come off as inane and illogical.

I hope the writers of "Heroes" listen to your suggestions.

From Ciny Hall:

Great article. I must say that I agree with everything that you have written, and then some. It seems to me that the writers have gotten together in little groups, with each group writing a scene and then tossing all of these scenes together for a 42-minute show. It makes no sense anymore. This is why I gave up on the show two weeks ago. I fell asleep halfway through and never went back.

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