The essential episodes of Heroes

Watch these 15 in order and you've got Heroes — each pick states its reason.

1. 01

   S01E01 · Pilot · September 25, 2006 · 53m

   Genesis7.9

   As a total eclipse casts its shadow across the globe, a genetics professor in India is led by his father's disappearance to uncover a secret theory -- there are people with super powers living among us. A young dreamer tries to convince his politician brother that he can fly. A high school cheerleader learns that she is totally indestructible. A single mother struggles to make ends meet to support her young son, discovers that her mirror image has a secret. A gifted artist, whose drug addiction is destroying his life and relationship with his girlfriend, can paint the future. And in Japan, a young man develops a way to stop time through sheer will power. Yet, unbeknownst to them all, their ultimate destiny is nothing less than saving the world...

2. 02

   S01E05 · Top rated · October 23, 2006 · 1h

   Hiros8.6

   Confused after losing track of another block of time, Niki finds the police on her doorstep, searching for her fugitive husband D.L. Hawkins. Claire confesses to her father. Hiro and his friend get jumped by some Vegas high-rollers. Peter receives a life-changing message from an unlikely source. Meanwhile, Matt secretly uses his mind-reading ability to anticipate his wife's needs. Dismayed by recent events, Suresh makes plans to return to India to lay both his father's remains and his research to rest.

3. 03

   S01E14 · Top rated · February 5, 2007 · 1h

   Distractions8.4

   Hiro struggles to make his father, a corporate tycoon, and ambitious sister understand his new heroic path in life. Niki has a chance to be with D.L and Micah again, but will she really be with them? Claude attempts to teach Peter to harness his abilities, but the process could shatter Peter's faith in those closest to him. Determined to find her birth mother, Claire makes her way to a trailer park in Texas. Meanwhile, Sylar makes a shocking move against H.R.G. -- and his family.

4. 04

   S01E15 · Top rated · February 12, 2007 · 1h

   Run!8.4

   While the scandalous truth about Claire's real father is revealed, her adoptive mother faces a crisis. Matt takes a job as a bodyguard for a crooked attorney, which puts him in the crosshairs of Linderman's new assassin. Hiro and Ando return to Las Vegas to find the sword, but get sidetracked by a damsel in distress. Suresh finds someone on the list and unknowingly puts himself in grave danger. Meanwhile, Simone turns to some unlikely help in her and Nathan's struggle to find Peter.

5. 05

   S01E20 · Season 1 peak · April 30, 2007 · 1h

   Five Years Gone8.8

   Thrown five years in the future, Hiro and Ando discover that people with extraordinary abilities are not only widely known about -- after the destruction of New York City and the deaths of millions -- but are being registered, imprisoned, hunted and even killed as "terrorists." As the President takes his first step towards a "final solution," the pair get swept up in what could be the "Heroes" final battle and encounter a range of new and darkly familiar faces. If they survive the experience, can they still get back to the present and save the world?

6. 06

   S01E21 · Top rated · May 7, 2007 · 1h

   The Hard Part8.4

   Now knowing what's at stake if they fail in their mission, Hiro and Ando's determination to save the world is put to the test. Committed to the path, Nathan takes some surprising steps to guarantee his election. Jessica and D.L. begin to learn how their family fits into Linderman's plans. Thompson brings someone new into his company's fold. With more and more blood on his hands, Sylar visits his mom.

7. 07

   S02E02 · Season 2 peak · October 1, 2007 · 1h

   Lizards8.4

   With one person dead, Matt enlists some unlikely help as the attacks continue on people with abilities. Claire's efforts to hide her healing abilities at her new California high school are jeopardized by a fellow student with a secret of his own. As part of his new job, Dr. Suresh must track down The Haitian. While crossing into Mexico, Maya and Alejandro's abilities prove to be a threat to those around them. Meanwhile, disappointed by his hero Kensei, Hiro resolves to rectify any damage his presence in feudal Japan has done to history. And another lost Hero falls in with a gang of Irish gangsters with clues to his past.

8. 08

   S03E08 · Season 3 peak · November 10, 2008 · 1h

   Villains8.7

   To prepare for the confrontation ahead, Hiro follows respected businessman, husband and father Arthur Petrelli in the days before he "died" -- to discover what drove him to create rival company Pinehearst and strike at Angela. Later, a moment unfolds where Sylar, horrified and guilt-ridden, might have stopped his murderous pursuit of abilities -- that is, if H.R.G. and Elle had swayed from their monstrous assignment. Finally, under the wing of Company man Thompson, agent-in-training Meredith watches her new life go up in smoke, following the arrival of her hot-headed brother.

9. 09

   S03E10 · Top rated · November 24, 2008 · 1h

   The Eclipse, Part 18.4

   After reuniting Sylar and Elle, Arthur orders them to find Claire and bring her to him. Matt, Hiro and Ando team up together and follow Daphne to her hometown of Lawrence, Kansas to discover what she's been hiding. Meanwhile, Nathan and Peter Petrelli travel together to Haiti in search of the only man that can stop their father from destroying the world, the Haitian.

10. 10

    S03E11 · Top rated · December 1, 2008 · 1h

    The Eclipse, Part 28.4

    The eclipse continues to impact the Heroes' abilities as Elle and Sylar face off against a vengeful H.R.G. while Claire struggles to survive. In Haiti, Peter and Nathan join forces with the Haitian to battle the Haitian's brother, Baron Samedi, and Nathan comes to a shocking decision. In the meantime, Ando, Sam and Frack work hard to get Hiro's memory back with the help of the "9th Wonders" comic books at a local comic bookstore.

11. 11

    S03E13 · Top rated · December 15, 2008 · 1h

    Dual8.7

    In the aftermath of the showdown against Arthur Petrelli, the Petrelli brothers find themselves battling against one another and Nathan makes a move that will have global repercussions. Meanwhile, Sylar holds Claire, H.R.G., Meredith and Angela hostage at Primatech and a face-off ensues. Elsewhere, Ando, Matt and Daphne continue their attempts rescue Hiro -- and Dr. Suresh may be their only hope.

12. 12

    S03E14 · Top rated · February 2, 2009 · 1h

    A Clear and Present Danger8.5

    Months after explosions brought down Pinehurst and Primatech, our Heroes try to put the past behind them and begin new lives. Now powerless, Hiro tries to train a reluctant Ando to be a true superhero. Suresh returns to life as a taxi driver, Peter is back to saving lives, and Daphne and Matt try to live as a normal couple. Claire's attempt to live a regular life is cut short when she uncovers a deadly plot orchestrated by Nathan to track down and capture those with abilities. Meanwhile, Sylar begins the search for his real parents.

13. 13

    S03E15 · Top rated · February 9, 2009 · 1h

    Trust and Blood8.4

    Following a chain of unexpected events, our Heroes are on the run from their latest adversary and one of their own, Nathan Petrelli. After Matt paints a series of prophetic images, the tragic fate of someone close to him is revealed. Elsewhere, Sylar continues his search for his father and encounters a young outcast with information and an ability of his own.

14. 14

    S04E06 · Season 4 peak · October 19, 2009 · 1h

    Tabula Rasa7.7

    Under Samuel's guidance, Sylar starts on a path to rediscover his true identity. Hiro helps Emma accept and understand the great possibilities that go along with having an ability. Meanwhile, Peter enlists HRG to help him find a healer who can save Hiro's life.

15. 15

    S04E19 · Series finale · February 8, 2010 · 1h

    Brave New World6.7

    In the climactic season finale, everyone bands together in an effort to stop Samuel from taking the lives of thousands. Peter joins forces with his most unexpected ally to save Emma. Meanwhile, H.R.G.'s life hangs in the balance as he and Claire find themselves trapped underground with oxygen quickly running out. Elsewhere, Hiro starts to come to grips with the decisions he has made and is called into action to help stop a disaster.