By DeAnn Welker
Aldous Huxley is rolling over in his grave, given that his famed title is used to wrap up the worst season in the history of a not-very-good show. Also, do you remember that Chapter Five was called "Redemption"? What did any of this have to do with redemption? Anyway, all of the heroes make at least a brief appearance, although it would have been much better if some hadn't. Sylar and Peter quickly get the better of Replicator Eli (and save Parkman in the process), but then he tries to sabotage their plan to save the world. Yes, he really is that dumb. Finally, he lets them go, but sends Replicator Eli after them. Or something. It wasn't clear, but I'm hoping it becomes clearer on a rewatch. Unfortunately, no one seems to have killed Parkman.
Also not dead? Bennet. Although the show spends a long while building up to that, with Claire and HRG all tearful and saying goodbye. Then Tracy comes through the ground in water form and somehow creates a pool big enough to float them out of the trailer. It doesn't have to make sense anymore, I guess. She doesn't reappear in human form, and HRG knows he owes her one, but first he, Claire, and Lauren have a chopper to New York City to catch. Hiro and Ando spend most of the episode in the hospital, where Hiro gets reacquainted with an old Charlie, since Samuel sent her back to 1944. Hiro wants to go back and bring her back to her rightful time, but she's happy and has redheaded children and grandchildren. So, Hiro also heads to Central Park to help save the world.
At Central Park, Claire speechifies to the heroes as Emma plays and plays. Sylar shows up and saves her from Doyle's puppetry, then HRG, Edgar, and Replicator Eli (Edgar I can see, but Eli? Really?) all reveal the truth about Samuel to the carnies. They all turn on him and run, but can't get away before he starts his earth-shatteringness. Luckily, Peter gets there to steal his power and tries to press down the earth as he pulls it up. They talk about their brothers, and what a pain they were. Actually, Peter pretends his was awesome, but we all remember this show so we know that's revisionist bullshit. Hiro and Ando show up, and using Ando's power to supercharge Hiro's, all the heroes hold hands and teleport out of there. That depletes Samuel's power, so Lauren and HRG call the company in to take him away. At this point, we're in "Chapter Six: Brave New World," which consists of Claire deciding to jump off a ferris wheel for all of the journalists in New York City to see, as Hiro, Ando, Sylar, Peter, Lauren, and HRG look on. Claire stands up and looks at the news cameras. She says her name's Claire Bennet, and this was attempt number ... actually, she's lost count. To be continued... (though I wouldn't count on it).
Watch the full episode now and check back soon for the full recap.