[/caption]The first six episodes of the series featured characters and situations that felt pointless in the grand scheme of the show. The stakes were non-existent because the audience knew the characters would disappear and the case would be forgotten. It appears that the show has begun introducing characters and arcs that mean something i.e. recurring characters and recurring arcs. The show has continuity after all.
The series took a break from the superhero antics of Jim and, instead, focused on his friend George. George has mostly been a cheerleader as Jim stops various criminals from committing crimes. This week was George's turn to stop a bad guy. "No Ordinary Mobster" is titled for the villain-of-the-week--a man named Luca. George wanted to get Luca behind bars for as long as he can remember but Luca always eluded punishment in courts. Frustrated by not guilty verdict, George tells Luca that he'll get his boss and then him. Later, Luca shoots George's new girlfriend Amanda. With the help of Jim, Luca gets arrested quickly; however, Luca saw what Jim could do. Luca threatens to go public unless the charges are dropped. George eventually realizes that the majority of Americans will consider Luca insane. Luca realizes this, too, and can do nothing but return to his cell. The spotlight on George worked. We learned that he made an error when he first prosecuted Luca and the error continues to motivate him. George doesn't want to mess up again, which explains why he pushes Jim to fight crime. Unfortunately, Sylar II kills Luca with his Sylar-like ability.
Speaking of Sylar II, he has his own agenda. The man isn't simply the muscle for Dr. King. Upon seeing a photo of the Powells (and, specifically, Jim), Sylar II does not tell Dr. King what he knows about Jim. By episode's end, he assumes the identity Will Jerome (that J.J. created in a pure Simpsons rip-off subplot). Intriguing.
The series re-visited Steph's major arc: how did she and her family get these abilities, why and what does it mean? Steph, unfortunately, received a fabricated story from the widow of Volson. Mrs. Volson explains that her husband, after extensive research in fringe science, came home with a concoction that gave both abilities. Once the abilities left, Volson killed himself; however, the widow lied to Steph because of a deal she made with Dr. King. The truth continues to elude the viewers. I'm certainly interested in the show's exploration of temporary abilities. It seems like the show will explore that area as soon as next week. Steph comes no closer to solving the mystery. At least the show returned to the mystery.
Meanwhile, Daphne and J.J. have love on their minds. Daphne shares a kiss with a boy after she impresses him at a Modernist Art exhibit with the help of her brother. Of course, the boy dates an unlikable girl but Daphne learns, through the power of mind reading, that the boy prefers her over his current girlfriend. J.J. has a crush on Katie and creates his own Woodrow. I don't have much to add.
"No Ordinary Mobster" laid a solid foundation for the rest of the season. As long as the show never brings Steph's parents back and continues to produce entertaining episodes like this, I'll be a content guy.
Other thoughts:
-Amy Acker didn't get much to do tonight, which is a shame. She is a wonderful actress. Winifred Burkle is one of the great characters of all-time. It seems that her character will return for additional episodes though. It'd be a waste to hire Amy Acker and give her four scenes.
-Autumn Reeser is a delight. It's difficult to buy that Katie would have trouble meeting a guy and would need to resort to the internet to do so.
-Marc Guggenheim wrote the episode. John Polson directed it.
THE YOUTUBE CLIP OF THE WEEK
Perhaps there is hope for No Ordinary Family. After the worst episode of the young first season, the show delivered its best episode by far. "No Ordinary Mobster" was engaging, fun and energetic. The Powells were likable. Steph discovered more information about Volson, unaware that she fell into a trap set by Dr. King. Sylar II knows what Jim can do and what he looks like. Katie and George were given personal lives (no longer are they characters who live vicariously through their friend/mentor). The case-of-the-week with the Albanian mobster/drug kingpin wasn't particularly engaging but, at least, the story gave George an emotional arc and a rare victory without Jim. Also, the lovely Amy Acker might just be a recurring character. One can only hope.
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