Heroes goes back to its roots

But then, would we really watch if it wasn't? No, we wouldn't. We watch, because this is the show that makes comic-book heroes seem believable and cool, and because watching good and evil having a scrap is never less than fun.

Series four of the blockbusting global phenomenon has taken Heroes (BBC Two, 10pm) back to its roots and viewers who abandoned it during the scenery chewing and overly-complicated second series are switching back on in droves.

And they're finding that, just like before, it's very much the Sylar show.

Sylar (Zachary Quinto) has to be one of the coolest villains on TV. When the show first began, he was a cold and mysterious serial killer with a penchant for skull and brain dissection.

We quickly discovered the method of his gory murders allowed him to absorb the varied powers of his victims, making him the most powerful of all the genetic mutants.

However, little by little we've learnt about Sylar's past and motivations, and his dark, sarcastic humour has come to the fore, turning him into an antihero adored by viewers -
a supernatural Hannibal Lecter, if you will.

At the opening of season four, Sylar's body and brain had been duped into impersonating politician Nathan Petrelli (Adrian Pasdar), while his razor-sharp personality was trapped inside poor old Matt Parkman's (Greg Grunberg) subconscious - making life even more difficult than usual for the well-meaning cop who was attempting to go cold turkey on his mind control powers.

He may look like himself again, but what is Sylar without his powers? Well, Carnie leader Samuel (Robert Knepper) has big plans for his new friend, leading to a terrifying and gruesome walk down memory lane for our favourite preternatural miscreant.

Elsewhere, Peter tries to locate someone capable of saving Hiro - with a little help from Noah, who manages to track down a boy with healing powers but finds him reluctant to help.

Now, that does all sound a bit complicated if you're a Heroes novice, but somehow, it all makes sense when you watch.

For the truly uninitiated, Heroes is an action-packed drama following the lives of ordinary people who discover they have extraordinary abilities. Some can fly. Others can bend time, turn themselves invisible, walk through walls or read people's minds. Some have got really weird powers. And while some use their talents for good, others are out to be as bad as inhumanly possible.