Episode Report Card Erin: B | 14 USERS: C+ YOU GRADE IT A Virus Without A Cure -- Kind Of Like Britney Spears
By Erin | Season 2 | Episode 6 | Aired on 2007.10.29
Meanwhile, Monica's hanging out with Mohinder at a gymnasium somewhere in New York. She's duplicating a balance beam routine that's playing on a TV in the background, and it's clear that she's getting better at managing her powers. Monica asks whether Mohinder is ever going to explain to her what the hell is going on, and he just tells her she's in New York at a privately funded facility whose sole purpose is to help her and others like her. He informs her that her "gift" is something called "adopted muscle memory," and she's pleased to know it has an official name. She asks why this is happening to her, and he says they're not sure, but that there might be some genetic markers; it might be an inherited power. "You have been given an EXTRAORDINARY gift," Mohinder concludes. Man. That's three times in two minutes. Do you think that's important?
Tobby enters then, and introduces himself as someone named "Bob," but he'll always be "Tobby" to me. The look on Monica's face is like, "Who in the HELL is this guy?" Tobby calls Mo out of the room for a little one-on-one consult. Mohinder confirms that he's established a baseline for Monica's abilities, which is when Tobby pulls a vial out of a cabinet and says, "Good. Now we can determine if this stops all of that." After sneaking a peek at a folder on the counter with the name "ADAM MONROE" on it, Mohinder looks at Tobby in surprise: "What is that?" "A variation on the Shanti virus," says Tobby calmly. Mohinder's flabbergasted: "You're experimenting with the virus?" Tobby insists that manipulating a live virus is essential for creating a valid vaccine. He's hoping that the "vaccine" within the vial will "cure" Monica of her ability without hurting her. But, of course, he's not SURE it won't hurt her, nor is he sure it will put an end to her powers. But he still wants Mohinder to stick Monica in the arm with it. Tobby's an asshole. "You could create an incurable strain that could cross over to the general population!" says Mohinder. Pay attention here -- this will be important later, I think. I totally didn't note the significance of this virus talk until I saw the end of the episode, dudes. Tobby asks Mohinder to remember how many people Sylar killed: "There are some abilities in this world that must be stopped at any cost." Mohinder thinks Monica's a good kid who loves her power, but Tobby doesn't give a damn: "It's for the greater good." "So she's a lab rat," Mohinder surmises. "Ggreaaaat. Also? You're a dick. Also also? I'm not sticking anyone with a needle just because some guy with a penis-shaped head tells me to. Bugger off." Well, not really. I wish Mohinder had that kind of backbone. He doesn't. Instead...