More plot twists arrive as new episodes begin airing again Monday on NBC. This week's episode features Ojai actor Malcolm McDowell, whose creepy character, Linderman, may be the ultimate embodiment of "the ends justify the means." Viewers will find out Monday what that means.

It's a chilling episode in ways that won't be spoiled here and, as usual, this week's "Heroes" will leave fans wanting to see the next episode immediately.

At the same time, the series slows down a little to allow the characters to react to sudden new events. The big question remains whether they can prevent New York City from being blown up.

Monday's episode picks up the story with the not-so-nice guy with the horn-rimmed glasses (Jack Coleman) and Matt Parkman (Greg Grunberg), who can read minds, being held prisoner by Thompson (Eric Roberts). There are other plot threads involving the self-healing cheerleader Claire (Hayden Panettiere), the flying politician Nathan (Adrian Pasdar) and the most heroic geek of our times, Hiro (Masi Oka), who can transport himself through time and space.

And the powerful villain Skylar (Zachary Quinto) is still causing trouble.

As usual, "Heroes" sets events into a dramatic spin, and it remains this season's best TV show for its originality, cleverness and surprises. The only flaws in Monday's episode are two solutions that come too easily for the heroes' problems. Further details can't be shared here because those complications still provide good surprises for the plot.

As always, "Heroes" remains a journey with destinations you can't predict.