Commentary for “History of a Secret”

♪♫ I can take a hint, gotta face the facts. You’re my only friend Abu! ♪♫

Not sure how I feel about a new character at this point, I suppose it’ll wind down to how they write him in. Volume Two’s Maya and Alejandro side story was very annoying and long drawn (as was Hiro’s side story, but I like Hiro so I’ll let that slide). What was really great about the first volume was how different characters would bump into each other in every episode in different ways. They don’t have to join forces or anything, but can simply interact a bit before going their own separate ways. It’s the plot devices that brings them together that makes it interesting and a pleasure to watch.

An interesting premise for the GN, however. I’m sure a lot of us, especially those in the nerdier spectrum, have wondered about the pyramids (if you have time, take a look at what a man named Wally Wallington has done in recreating Stonehenge and the Pyramids). The last few panels of the second page is kind of silly, in the “Inconceivable!” manner. We don’t quite escape this silliness in the third page either.

Note the contrast between Abu’s vision of everyone cheering the strong man on page two and the stony reality that Sanjog shows him on page four. I wonder if people usually read the summary on the title page before reading the GN. I’d imagine it would be a bit confusing if you didn’t know it was Sanjog talking to Abu, or if you’d forgotten who he was. An alternative look at the box text is that it is Abu remembering what his grandfather told him when he told him to come back. Or, Abu could be relating what his grandfather told him to Sanjog and asking him for advice. To me, it sounds like Sanjog isn’t telling him what he wants to hear, he’s essentially saying “Chillax and play some football with me.” Not the greatest spirit guide in my book, but at least Abu looks like he knows what he wants to do next. Do you think he woke up with that statue suddenly appearing in his hand, similar to how Mohinder woke up suddenly knowing where to look for his father’s files? Or maybe it just fell off his dresser while he was tossing and turning.

The introduction of a new character is inevitable, it is simply how the show work and, I mean, we have that create a hero thing going on as well. Abu’s arrival comes quite timely after Hana and Drucker’s supposed death, I wonder if he might take over the ARG? Sure, he’s no wireless, but everyone has access to the internet these days. Also note that he already has levitation and super strength. His lineage has had abilities for a long time and his own powers are getting stronger. I wonder if it is possible to personally evolve several abilities on your own? It would make sense in terms of evolution, all humans should have the potential to acquire any of the abilities in Suresh’s textbook.