TV Week: Heroes, Pushing Dasies and Chuck

After a limp finale last year (which ended in a whimper, rather than a literal bang), Heroes returns for a second season; cut to half-size because of the US writers' strike. Unfortunately, the sense of momentum has vanished, too -- as we catch up with events four months later: indestructible cheerleader Claire and her family are living under false identities in California, mind-reader Matt has joined the NYPD and adopted Molly, monotonous Mohinder is being head-hunted by a creepy Company man with a Midas Touch, and cherubic time-traveller Hiro finds himself in Feudal Japan – where he meets his childhood samurai hero; a blonde, English conman?

There are also a few new characters: two Mexican siblings escaping a murder charge by fleeing to the US; one cursed with deadly poisonous tears, the other a walking antidote. But, having already seen the whole season, it's safe to say British fans will be just as disappointed as their American counterparts became.

Put simply: it lacks season 1's freshness and impetus, the old heroes swim in narrative circles, the new heroes are fairly dull, and many characters have last year's development rebooted to square one, before a weak "sins of the fathers" storyline arrives – bolted onto another disaster in New York City to prevent. Even Hiro Nakamura doesn't experience this much déjà vu!

PUSHING DAISIES (ITV1, SAT 9PM) Pie-maker Ned wouldn't look out of place on Heroes, as he can revive dead things by touching them -- but only for a minute, lest someone else die to take their place! Still, his talent's a godsend when it comes to helping his cynical detective friend solve murders. It also reacquaints him with childhood sweetheart Chuck -- whom he's resurrected from the dead, but is consequently unable to kiss or touch ever again...

The vibrant aesthetic, irksome narration and twee sensibility can irritate just as much as they enchant, but if you like the idea of a quirky, inventive, modern fairy tale, this sugary pie's worth a bite.

CHUCK (VIRGIN1, MON 10PM) Another Chuck is the hero of this US comedy, about a nerd who accidentally has the US government's top secrets downloaded into his brain. Now literally a mind of information, he's protected by rival undercover agents (Sarah Walker as his sexy "girlfriend" and John Casey as a grouchy co-worker), while accompanying them both on dangerous missions...

It's an amusing premise and the actors are great, but the plots struggle to sustain an hour, and there aren't many belly-laughs. It has potential, but the only thing keeping my interest is how events conspire for gorgeous Yvonne Strahovski to show some flesh...

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Dan Owen is a self confessed TV "obsessive" and passionate film buff. Check out his blog at danowen.blogspot.com