Entertainment Weekly "Heroes" Covers

NBC's hit drama "Heroes" is the focus of a special collector's issue of "Entertainment Weekly" out May 11 with as many as 5 different covers. The magazine reveals what's in store for our beloved characters come fall.

The accompanying article spoils an upcoming episode revealing a confession of the serial killer Sylar to his own mother who, disappointed, tries to kill her own son. But not before time freezes and Hiro enters the scene.

The magazine goes on to reveal that the concluding act of the season finale is as spectacular as a blockbuster theatrical.

Next season, instead of one epic story stretched across an entire year, there are likely to be two tighter sagas, or "volumes," as well as more episodes that focus on a single character — outings like a recent "Company Man."


NBC President Kevin Reilly says the network will try to improve the air pattern: "Fans who like serialized shows like this don't like it to go off for big chunks of time. We have a big idea for next season, but by the third season we'll move to a 24 model, where we're on continuously."

The May 21 season finale will set up two big ideas for the second volume of Heroes, to be titled "Generations."

The new saga will focus on putting the Heroes mythology in a grand historical context of superpowered family dynasties.

"I know exactly where season 2 starts," says Oka. "It focuses on heritage, the family line, and the source of the powers."


That means the "older" generation of heroes — including George Takei's Papa Nakamura and especially Cristine Rose's Mama Petrelli — should expect more screen time.

Finally, instead of just a cheerleader or a city, "Volume 2: Generations" will concern a plot to save the entire planet.


"All I know is that I'm going to be all over the world next year," says Sendhil Ramamurthy, whose scientist Suresh will learn crucial info about his Indian past and his dead sister in the finale that helps set up next season.

The drama creator Tim Kring says the onscreen global expansion of Heroes is being undertaken in part to coincide with the show's aggressive rollout into foreign TV markets.

This is TELEVISIONISTA