Episode Report Card DeAnn Welker: B- | 216 USERS: B- YOU GRADE IT Everybody Hurts
By DeAnn Welker | Season 4 | Episode 12 | Aired on 2009.11.30
Samuel calls Claire over to tell the children their last story before bed. She tries to resist, saying she doesn't know any stories, but Samuel says we all do. She gets up and he sort of pulls her toward him. It's pretty telling that she's pulled away from Gretchen, toward Samuel. And she winds up in the circle the kids are in, with Samuel standing between her and Gretchen, who's fading into the distance. Claire's story is about a frog who lived with mom, dad, brother and a tadpole named Mr. Muggles. Hmmm. I wonder if this is about anyone we know? Gretchen asks Samuel what they want from her, and says it's not fair to toy with Claire's emotions when she's vulnerable. Samuel says we live in troubling times. He says families come in all shapes and forms, and they don't offer much here, but they do offer love, in ample supply. Claire's frog is getting to a point in the story where everything changes.
Nathan's healing, sitting next to Peter. He tells him he's tired. Peter knows. But Nathan says, "No. I mean, I'm tired." He says he's been trying to fight his way out, and he doesn't think he can anymore. Peter says he can, and then looks at him and starts to cry. He asks him to go get some air; he knows just the place. Our lovely Heroes music plays as they get up and walk out.
Back at the carnival, Claire's wrapping up her story, in which they save the Earth from total destruction and the frog goes back to its family and lives happily ever after. Samuel sends the children to bed, and one little girl hugs Claire. Why does it all feel like a set-up? Samuel tells Claire they love her. The guy from the rigged game earlier comes back and asks for the man in charge. He says they stole his money, but Samuel says they don't do that. The guy says it was rigged and he'd like his money back, but Samuel says they're games of chance and maybe the guy didn't possess sufficient skill. The guy punches Samuel and Samuel doesn't fight back. Gretchen wonders why. Then Claire jumps in to defend Samuel, and the guy says he'll take her on, or any of the freaks. The guy breaks a bottle and swipes Claire's face with it, but it heals. She tells him he can't hurt them and smiles as Samuel steps into the frame behind her and looks down at her like he owns her. It's very creepy, and does not bode well.