My thoughts before reading the thread:
I think I expect too much from show's finales. And with such a high bar to reach, it's inevitable that there is a slight sense of disappointment. But I've always been one who enjoys the buildup and the anticipation. So, in one sense, I have to say I was a little disappointed in the Heroes finale. I expected, I don't know - an apocalyptic battle and dead heroes everywhere. Maybe that's why we didn't see it. The producers like surprising the audience. Granted Nathan's sacrifice was heartwarming and well done and I'm a bad viewer who needs to be whapped for wanting more I guess.
Things I like:
They named Mr. Bennett Noah? Okay, processing, processing. He doesn't remind me of a Noah but okay (what's up with all the biblical names anyway. Micah, Noah, Peter, Matthew - isn't Sylar's real name Gabriel?, Isaac. Lots of Biblical names). So is there any significance to it?
Claire jumping out the window and then nonchalantly regenerating was cool.
Jessica whapping Sylar over the head with a parking meter was cool.
Nathan choosing good over evil and flying in was cool.
Sylar nonchalantly stopping the bullets and sending them back at Matt.
The mention of the Bogeyman. That scene was scary.
Hiro and Ando. Awwww. They are just too cute together. Loved their scene.
All of Isaac's paintings came true. Lovely bit of continuty tie up. Lovely.
Things I didn't like as much:
Why didn't Candace morph into a Jabba the Hutt girl (which they implied) when she was unconscious?The lack of a big battle with bodies flying and Peter and Sylar throwing their powers at each other, and Peter using the invisibility talent.
Things I don't know the answer to and am confused about:
Is Sylar still alive? That blood trail into the sewer seemed to imply that.
Is Peter alive? Well, first exploding but did he regenerate? Or is he gone for good? (Go ahead and tell me this one if you know because I don't mind knowing characters for next season. But nothing else.)
Why did Sylar let Hiro just stab him like that? I guess he was just overconfident and didn't take Hiro seriously.
Love is the key? Oh please. Can we just stop with the sappy? I mean I'm all for love but Peter is the key because he can love? ARGH! I am confused about that scene - though points for cool - with dead man walking on the rooftop. And I could have done without seeing Simone again.
And Niki is back? No, dear God no. Keep badass Jessica. I hate whiney, emo Niki.
I feel like they felt the need to TIE UP EVERY STORY and it just didn't work. There was too much cutting back and forth and the pacing felt a little off and I just wanted to focus on the battle.
And I think I would never have revealed the face of Linderman as he was a better Big Bad when we didn't know who he was. Now Mama Petrelli - she rocks as a baddie. I like her in that role.
As far as the ending - well I still adore Hiro and I thought that was interesting. Not wild or shocking or overwhelmingly intriguing but interesting. I'll certainly be back and it's a good direction to go in.
In the end though, as much as I nitpick, I get that each of these Heroes had to go on a journey. Each hero had a destiny. And, if I was one of those analytical types, I imagine you can go back through the season and see each Heroes step along the way into their destiny. Hiro, Nathan, Peter, Claire, Niki, Isaac, Matt, Sylar - well-defined destiny's and the dreams pointing the way.
But this season had two standout shows: Company Man and Five Years Gone that were pretty much up there with the best television ever. The finale didn't quite get there but it was still good. Kudos Heroes on a great freshman season.