Official Episode Descriptions for 3.01 and 3.02

NBC has released the official descriptions for the first two episodes of Season 3. The two episodes will make up the two-hour season premiere.

EPISODE 3.01 (first hour of the two-hour premiere)

`THE SECOND COMING` “ Sept. 22

`VOLUME 3: VILLAINS` MAKES A TWO-HOUR SPECIAL DEBUT WITH REVELATIONS THAT WILL REDEFINE FAMILIAR CHARACTERS AND SHAKE THE SERIES TO ITS CORE — The first chapter of `Volume 3: Villains` kicks off moments after shots rang out, as the shocking identity of Nathan`s (Adrian Pasdar) assassin and the reasons why the Texas press conference had to be cut short are revealed — immediately throwing Peter (Milo Ventimiglia) and Matt (Greg Grunberg) into unexpected, uncharted territory. With his powers partially restored, Sylar (Zachary Quinto) decides a visit to Claire (Hayden Panettiere) could give him a boost. Meanwhile, in Tokyo, Hiro (Masi Oka) and Ando (James Kyson Lee) are charged with safeguarding a family secret that could split the planet apart, and discover that the path to a grim future starts with shady speedster, Daphne (guest star Brea Grant). In New York City, thanks to Maya (Dania Ramirez), Suresh (Sendhil Ramamurthy) makes a startling breakthrough that could change the world — or just destroy his. And who is Tracy Strauss? Ali Larter, Cristine Rose and Jack Coleman star. Noah Gray-Cabey, Ashley Crow, Randall Bentley, Jimmy Jean-Louis, George Takei, Malcolm McDowell, Carlon Jeffery, Jamie Hector, Bruce Boxleitner, Francis Capra and Blake Shields guest star.

EPISODE 3.02 (second hour of the two-hour premiere)

`THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT` “ Sept. 22

A DOZEN VILLAINS WITH UNIMAGINABLE POWER ARE UNLEASHED AFTER THE COMPANY IS ATTACKED — SYLAR VS. ELLE (KRISTEN BELL) — ANGELA PETRELLI (CRISTINE ROSE) TAKES CONTROL AND REVEALS A JAW-DROPPING SECRET — WRITTEN BY CREATOR TIM KRING AND DIRECTED BY EXECUTIVE PRODUCER GREG BEEMAN — In the shocking second chapter of `Volume 3: Villains,` Angela (Cristine Rose) clashes with her much-changed son, Peter (Milo Ventimiglia), over how best to avert a seemingly inevitable worldwide catastrophe. First, Sylar (Zachary Quinto) declares war on the Company by attacking their main facility, and finds even more than he bargained for on Level 5. During a devastating battle with Elle (guest star Kristen Bell), a dozen savage criminals — all with terrible abilities — escape. Meanwhile, Claire (Hayden Panettiere) discovers something new and unexpected about her abilities. Determined to reclaim his family`s terrible secret, Hiro (Masi Oka) and Ando (James Kyson Lee) track Daphne (guest star Brea Grant) to Paris. After a fateful night, Suresh (Sendhil Ramamurthy) is thrilled to find his research, his life and his relationship with Maya (Dania Ramirez) evolving in leaps and bounds. Stuck in unfamiliar territory, Matt (Greg Grunberg) finds a guide (guest star Ntare Mwine) to help him. Ali Larter, Adrian Pasdar and Jack Coleman star. Ashley Crow, Jessalyn Gilsig, Malcolm McDowell, Stephen Tobolowsky, Bruce Boxleitner, Francis Capra, Blake Shields, William Katt, Ken Lally, David H. Lawrence XVII, Andre Royo and Kiko Ellsworth guest star.

Recurring characters Ashley Crow (Claire`s mom Sandra) and Randall Bentley (Claire`s brother Lyle) return as do Jimmy Jean-Louis (The Haitian), Kristen Bell (Elle) and Stephen Tobolowsky (Bob) but notice the other guest stars in these lists - George Takei (Kaito Nakamura) in the first hour, Malcolm McDowell (Linderman) in both hours, and Kiko Ellsworth (Echo from the webisodes) in the second hour. Plus I see the names of all the guest stars and recurring characters that that we have heard about: Bruce Boxleitner, William Katt, Jamie Hector, Francis Capra, Brea Grant, Ntare Mwine and others. Also notice that Noah Gray-Cabey is listed as a guest star in episode 1, but not in 2. I understand Micah will be taking a much smaller role this season.

We also see that title of episode 2 is `The Butterfly Effect.` This was originally thought to be the title of episode 1 and could mean that the other episode titles all move one episode forward in the lineup.