how to stop an exploding man

-crossing the threshold; step 3-

   The hero must cross the threshold between the world that is familiar and that which is not.  This often involves a threshold guardian that works to keep all with in the protective confines of the world, but must be encountered to continue on the journey and enter the new zone of experience.  Sometimes, the hero crosses over in a way dubbed "belly of the whale."  When this happens, the hero, instead of crossing a threshold, will pass into the new zone via rebirth.  The hero, appearing to have died by being swallowed (hence, belly of the whale) or by having his flesh scattered, is transformed and becomes ready for the adventure and trials that he now faces.

Peter's crossing:  

   Peter crosses the threshold when he explodes over Kirby Plaza.  His crossing is, in a way, a combination of encountering a threshold guardian and rebirth.  Nathan has fought against the idea that the world is in danger from a supernatural force up until now.  But he assists Peter to cross by taking him up into the sky, saving the world.  Yet Peter still dies by explosion, his flesh scattered.  He has crossed his threshold and will now face his trials.

Hiro's crossing:

   After Hiro learns how to do what he must do in order to save the world, he arrives in Kirby Plaza.  This time he is able to kill Sylar, but Sylar remains alive long enough to send Hiro shooting through the air.  Quickly, to save his life, Hiro teleports.  But he teleports to 1671 Kyoto.  He has crossed the threshold from the familiar to the unknown.  

Peter and Hiro both cross the threshold, but they do it in very different ways.  Peter crosses via rebirth, Hiro crosses into the past.  Both of them will face their trials, both of them in unfamiliar territory.  Their real adventures begin now.

fatherly advice

-supernatural aid; Hiro's next step-

   Just as Peter needed the invisible man to aid him in his journey, Hiro needs his protective figure to assist him on his journey.  His father will give him the advice and sword training he needs to continue his mission.

  After receiving his call, Hiro has continued to attempt to save the world.  He has stumbled several times, visited the future, and even had Sylar under his blade. But to no avail.  His father, however, has been watching him.  He takes Hiro and teaches him how to kill, so that when the times comes to save the world, Hiro will be able to. During his father's training, Hiro recalls his favorite Takeo Kensei story from childhood and realization breaks.  "I understand, Father.  In order to save what is most important, I must be strong enough to cut out my heart."

  Once again, Hiro's journey is incredibly traditional. The father-like figure the aids him on his journey is incredibly invested in his well-being.  His is, in fact, his father.  He does receive a special weapon, the Kensei sword.  This varies greatly from Peter's aid, the invisible man.  The invisible man was not directly concerned with Peter's well being, he did not seek out Peter to assist him.  It was only after Peter approached him that he taught him what he needed. Once again, Hiro's journey seems to be right out of a story while Peter's journey seems to be truly unique, but still following the cycle.  

the invisible man

-supernatural aid: the next step-

   After the hero accepts the call, he will encounter a protective figure, often elderly, who will give them special tools and advice for the road ahead of them.  Often, the hero is bestowed a weapon or an amulet.

  Peter's protective figure isn't your typical protective figure. Deeply tied to his life of invisibility and secrecy, Claude Rains, "the invisible man," does not take an immediate affinity to Peter. Only after several attempts to walk away from Peter does he agree to help him.  The invisible man trains Peter to rid himself of the ties that are holding him back from using his powers when he is alone. He does not hold Peter's hand while doing this, but forces him to leap outside of himself, shedding what is holding him back.  It is when H.R.G. and the Haitian are threatening on the roof of the Deveaux building that Peter finally breaks through and willfully uses his abilities.  The next step will be for Peter to cross the threshold between what is familiar and what is alien.  

"save the cheerleader, save the world"

-the call to adventure: step 1-

   In Joseph Campbell's Hero's Cycle, the first step is a call to action.  This call is usually from another character who acts as a "herald."  And sometimes, as is the case with Peter and Hiro, the call to adventure is stumbled upon.  The hero can either accept the call, or refuse it.  In this case, both calls are accepted, but this is where the similarities seem to cease...

Peter's call:

   Peter's call does not happen until episode 5 of season 1.  Up until this point, Peter has been chased by a feeling that he is meant for something more.  The feeling is brought on by dreams of flying, and seeing a painting of him in Issac Mendez's loft, in which Peter is flying.   Later, in a scenario that he sketched from his bed, he learns that he can in fact fly.  But it is not until he is on the subway with Mohinder Suresh that he receives his call. Hiro Nakamura from the future visits Peter, giving him the directive, "save the cheerleader, save the world."  Peter accepts this call, and begins his hero journey.

Hiro's call:

   Hiro receives his call via comic book.  A comic book written and illustrated by Issac Mendez.  This comic also happens to be 5 weeks in the future, a future that Hiro has inadvertently teleported himself to.  As he's watching a nuclear explosion devastate NYC, he teleports back to the present day, with the mission of stopping the bomb.  Comic book in hand he embarks on his journey, and with a call to Peter Petrelli he becomes a part of the mission to save the cheerleader.

   While Peter is aware of what is happening, he isn't aware of the why.  But what he does know is that he is meant for something more, he is meant to save the world.  On the flip side, Hiro has grown up studying heroes and their mythologies.  He almost seems to be narrating his journey from a Campbellian perspective.  As soon as episode 1, he talks about the call and the trials that every hero must face.  During his journey, he is constantly focused on what he should do to be a hero, and on how he should act, according to the steps he knows are the journey of a true hero.  It seems that while Hiro is directing himself along the traditional path, Peter is truly experiencing his journey to becoming a hero.

Just a brief introduction before I start the festivities.  From here on out, we're going to look at the journeys of Peter and Hiro; how they contrast with each other and how they follow the ideas of Joseph Campbell.  Of course we'll be starting with season one and working our way to the current state of things.  Feel free to agree/disagree with what is posted, discussion is definitely encouraged.  Hopefully we can get some really cool thought processes going...