Heroes – “Orientation”

Original Air Date: September 21, 2009

Directed by: Ed Bianchi

Cat Out of the Bag Alert! This review contains spoilers for this episode!

Synopsis: Claire (Hayden Panettiere) deals with the unexpected death of a student during orientation while in Japan Hiro (Masi Oka) and Ando (James Kyson) try to work out how to best help people using their special powers.

Cat Burglar (Scene Stealer): After starting their Dial-a-Hero business, Hiro is a bit surprised to find out that their first client is a little girl (Marine Fujisawa) who points out that her tabby cat, Muffin Man, is stuck on a high platform above a street.

Heroes - Orientation - Hiro Masi Oka, Ando James Kyson and little girl Marine Fujisawa looking up at brown tabby cat Muffin Man on platform
Heroes - Orientation - brown tabby cat Muffin Man on platform

Hiro notes that their powers will be of little use in this situation and promises the girl that Ando is going to climb up and save the kitty.

Heroes - Orientation - brown tabby cat Muffin Man on platform

Ando manages to make the risky climb up to the cat.

Heroes - Orientation - brown tabby cat Muffin Man on platform

He gets hold of the cat only to have the little girl call up and warn him that Muffin Man doesn’t like strangers.

Heroes - Orientation - Ando James Kyson holding brown tabby cat Muffin Man

The cat takes a swipe at him (actually the cat’s paw is manipulated by the actor) and both fall from the high building!

Heroes - Orientation - Ando James Kyson holding brown tabby cat Muffin Man on tall building
Heroes - Orientation - Ando James Kyson stunt man and fake brown tabby cat Muffin Man falling from building

Hiro uses his ability to stop time, resulting in Ando suspended above the ground clutching the cat (which is clearly fake through both the fall and freeze).

Heroes - Orientation - Hiro Masi Oka and little girl Marine Fujisawa looking at Ando James Kyson holding fake brown tabby cat Muffin Man suspended above ground
Heroes - Orientation - Ando James Kyson holding fake brown tabby cat Muffin Man while suspended
Heroes - Orientation - Ando James Kyson stunt man and fake brown tabby cat Muffin Man falling from building with little girl Marine Fujisawa and Hiro Masi Oka freezing time animated gif

After uprighting Ando and the cat, Hiro starts time again but freezes himself. Ando and the girl don’t notice this as Ando returns Muffin Man to her.

Heroes - Orientation - Ando James Kyson holding brown tabby cat Muffin Man
Heroes - Orientation - little girl Marine Fujisawa holding brown tabby cat Muffin Man with Hiro Masi Oka frozen in background

When the girl notices Hiro not moving, Ando explains he is joking. The girl is not amused and walks away with the cat. Ando calls after her to remind her to tell her friends about their service.

Heroes - Orientation - Ando James Kyson and little girl Marine Fujisawa holding brown tabby cat Muffin Man
Heroes - Orientation - little girl Marine Fujisawa holding brown tabby cat Muffin Man

Final Mewsings: Cats appreciate heroes but their pride won’t let them show it.

Many thanks to Nick Wale for letting us know about the cat in this episode.

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