What's going on with NBC's "Heroes" (season 2)?

Production shut down in December, and the cast, directors and creator have joined the writers on the picket lines to show their support. All episodes that were filmed have aired.

The original plan was for season 2 to be split into two volumes. Volume 2: Generations, was supposed to last for 11 episodes. Volume 3: Exodus, was to last for the remaining 12 episodes and conclude the virus storyline. In the fall they would start Volume 4: Villains.

There were several issues. One was that the fans hated Volume 2, and ratings dropped like a rock. They were still good (there's no danger of cancellation), but down 15% to 20% from Season 1. Tim Kring even apologized to the fans for messing things up. The strike was the second problem. Just before the strike was called, they reshot Episode 11 to act as a season finale, just in case the strike went on long enough that they wouldn't be able to make any further episodes. They made some changes to it at the last moment - they literally shot new scenes a few days before the strike was called. Originally, Adam was supposed to drop the vial with the virus. It was supposed to shatter, and Peter and Nathan were to be exposed. At the press conference, Nathan was supposed to collapse because of the virus, not due to being shot. Also, Elle was supposed to capture Sylar (Zachary Quinto was to be unavailable for most of Volume 3 since he's off shooting the new Star Trek movie, so Sylar would be a prisoner for most of the volume). They did film parts of the next two episodes, mostly with Quinto, but the episodes weren't completed. And since they changed several key storylines, the footage they have may not be usable. For example, anything with Sylar in captivity will have to be scrapped, as will scenes dealing with Nathan's illness. They have decided not to do Volume 3: Exodus, and to take parts of it and combine it with the planned Volume 4: Villains and make Volume 3 into Villains, due in part to the fact that Quinto is almost done filming Trek and won't have to miss any shooting. Plus, they need to get the show back on track and get rid of some of the problems caused by Volume 2.

We're at the point where even if the strike ends quickly, there won't be time for the writers to completely revamp Volume 3, write new scripts and get production up and running. The season is almost certainly done. The next season will be Volume 3: Villains (and maybe a new Volume 4), and will be 23 episodes. There's no way to tack the remaining 12 episodes form this season on and produce 35 episodes in one year, especially for a show that needs so much time for post production.

oh, i hope not! i miss it too. none of my friends watch it but i'm always syched to see it! i wish they weren't striking but i understand why.