'Heroes' Spoiler: Nathan Petrelli Will "Die" -- What Does This Mean for the Show?

E! Online and other sources are reporting that Adrian Pasdar, who plays Nathan Petrelli, the lawyer-turned-senator who can leap tall buildings in a single bound on 'Heroes,' is being kicked off the show.

Of course, this is rather strange news, as it isn't the character of Nathan Petrelli that's being killed off -- Nathan is already dead, murdered by Sylar in season 3. But Adrian Pasdar must've had one sweet contract, as he's since been playing Sylar disguised as Nathan, and now is more or less back to playing Nathan himself -- except that it's Sylar with Nathan's appearance and memories, with Sylar himself not having any memory of who he actually is. (Got that?)E! Online and other sources are reporting that Adrian Pasdar, who plays Nathan Petrelli, the lawyer-turned-senator who can leap tall buildings in a single bound on 'Heroes,' is being kicked off the show.

Of course, this is rather strange news, as it isn't the character of Nathan Petrelli that's being killed off -- Nathan is already dead, murdered by Sylar in season 3. But Adrian Pasdar must've had one sweet contract, as he's since been playing Sylar disguised as Nathan, and now is more or less back to playing Nathan himself -- except that it's Sylar with Nathan's appearance and memories, with Sylar himself not having any memory of who he actually is. (Got that?)

Now, that rather convoluted plot element will come to a close. It's long been suspected that we'd be saying goodbye to some of the major characters on 'Heroes' sooner rather than later. The question is, why Nathan ... or why Sylar who thinks he is Nathan?

The answer is probably that Nathan's -- or rather, Pasdar's -- name was simply pulled out of a hat. 'Heroes' has been spinning its wheels for a long time now (has anything actually happened on that show since, oh, 2007?) and producers are looking for any hook to get the love back.

The move can be seen as an act of desperation on NBC's part -- which, of course, has everyone wondering if this is indeed the beginning of the end. Sure, 'Heroes' has killed off characters before, but Nathan's been with us from the start, in some form or another. Even in supposed death, he still has one of the most complex story arcs on the show. No more Nathan? What does this mean? Will 'Heroes' be canceled? Has the show painted itself into such a narrative corner that the only way out is to start killing off all the main characters (or their doppelgangers, or whatever you want to call it)? Maybe ... but that doesn't mean the show is preparing itself for the darkness.

Watch more full episodes of 'Heroes' on SlashControl

Here's the thing: 'Heroes' probably isn't going to be canceled. Everyone seems to think the show has "horrible ratings" now. It doesn't, really. The numbers may not be as high as they were during the first two seasons, but 'Heroes' is actually doing OK. And it's going to continue to do OK throughout the fourth season, and will probably be back for a fifth.

Why? Because it's 'Heroes.' And everyone loves 'Heroes,' at least a teeny tiny bit, whether they want to admit to it or not. Remember, everyone turned against 'Lost' for a while, too, and it got the love back (at least a little). The tide will turn for 'Heroes' as well. Wait and see.

Which brings us back to the (second) death of "Nathan Petrelli." What gruesome end do the writers have in store for him? How should he "die?" Hopefully it's going to be something spectacular and not something lame like Sylar suddenly getting his own memories back and just shape-shifting back to his true self.

What do you think? How will "Nathan" meet his doom ... again? And what does his (second) "death" mean for the show?

• Tags:
adrian pasdar, AdrianPasdar, heroes, nathan petrelli, NathanPetrelli