AirLockAlpha.com

Why does Hiro have such a hard time with baby Matt Parkman? And why are "they" after the baby anyway? Who is Rebel? Will Peter ever forgive his mother? Will Matt and Daphne ever be reunited? Is Tracy Strauss capable of being a hero? These are all questions answered in this episode.

It always seems that the escapades of Hiro (Masi Oka) and Ando (James Kyson Lee) are the comic relief of Heroes, despite all the drama that fills Hiro's life. Now that they are baby-sitting baby Matt Parkman Quin & Reed Baron), Ando teases him about his unease around the baby. Hiro is "cold father" and Ando is "warm mother." But they still need to figure out why Rebel sent them there.

Then baby Matt Parkman turns on the TV ... when it's unplugged. He's a "Baby Touch and Go" says Hiro.

Back in Building 26, Noah Bennet (Jack Coleman) convinces Emile Danko (Zeljko Ivanek) to let Rebel free Tracy Strauss (Ali Larter) as a way to capture Rebel. He reluctantly agrees.

But Tracy isn't the only one he wants to free. He leads Tracy to where all the other people with powers are lying sedated, including Daphne who is dying from her wounds. Tracy is able to wake Parkman (Greg Grunberg) and Suresh (Sendhil Ramamurthy). Parkman won't leave without Daphne (Brea Grant) and insists on taking her to the hospital. Tracy strikes out on her own.

Bennet finds her and convinces her to lead him to Rebel. She agrees, because she has no choice. But has second thoughts when she discovers that Rebel is Micah (Noah Gray-Cabey). In the end, she summons her freezing powers to protect him, and in the process freezes herself.

Meanwhile, Angela Petrelli (Christine Rose) tries to avoid capture. She tries to get help from an old friend (played by Swoosie Kurtz), but in the end is rescued by her son, Peter (Milo Ventimiglia).

What Worked

The story of Matt and Daphne is bittersweet. Why does he love her so much? Daphne just doesn't understand. But he does amazing things for her; the most amazing is letting her die with a peaceful fantasy of flying in Paris.

Tracy, like so many real heroes, is flawed. She is, at heart, selfish and self-serving. But, when it really counted, she was able to do the right thing by helping Micah keep unknown to those who search for Rebel.

It was wonderful to see Hiro get his power back and satisfying that not all of his powers were back. Baby Matt Parkman touched him and got his time-stopping power to work. Good thing, too. The bad guys where just about to get the three of them. But, with his teleporting power still gone, he had to cart Ando away from harm in a wheelbarrow. Just classic!

I'm glad I finally know who Rebel is ... and Micah was a perfect choice! Who else could hack into all those systems so easily?

Peter will always support his family. And I'm glad he rescued his mother. I have a feeling she'll be an important part of unraveling this seasons challenges.

What Didn't Work

Danko seemed a bit off this episode. He too easily agreed to things he wouldn't have agreed to a few episodes ago. And, he seemed just a bit too calm when he found The Puppet Master all strung up in his living room.

Besides? Why didn't anyone ask how he got there?

And why was Suresh so trusting? O.K. O.K. He tends to be that way, but after all he's been put through this season, you'd think he'd be a bit more cautious.

Giving Credit Where Credit Is Due

"Cold Snap" was written by Bryan Fuller and directed by Greg Yaitanes. "Heroes" airs on NBC, Mondays at 9 p.m. ET.