I understand your detachment from this series, but some people have gotten more "involved" further along. It takes a very long time to like the characters (other than Hiro), but the mystery of what happens does hook you... to a point.

- Mohinder -
The problem I find with the character is that the Western educated stereotype it simply portrays without a proper language background. The character sprouts "East vs West" type jargon without proper context.

For a Western educated individual, his logic/reasoning and problem solving skills are below the norm stereotype. Especially in view of the fact that he's suppose to be a "teaching professor".

I think basicly his too 2-dimensional and does not wise-up enough throughout the first 17 eps.

- Inter-racial couples -
On this issue, I think the fact that there is no commentary is not necessarily positive. Visual evidence of these relationships are more compelling. For example, Nikki+D.L. = bad relationship / stereotype criminals; Isaac+Simone = he's a racial minority (Jewish?) but is an artist, therefore does drugs. Relationship doesn't work out, she bails on him, he shoots her (accidentally); Peter+Simone = American values, she sleeps with him, get dead; Eden+Mohinder (doesn't really count) but she dies, just as her emotional attachment forms for a non-caucasian individual; Hiro+Charlie - she dies... see prev;

But this could be reading far too much into gender relations.

- Role Model Women -
I agree with naanima that there really isn't a real role model here. Classic/cheesey/co(s)mic one-liners, scenes and dialogue, yes. Real role model, no. The females are highly sexualized in this series.

Claire's lack of solid grounding makes her a more "real" character than others, but she is not exactly who we want today's teens to grow into. Cheerleader - hello?

Nikki's bi-polar MPD psycho, so not her. Kinky bitch Jessica-persona + innocent I can't do anything-Nikki are both visually presented as sex symbols.

Simone's lack of open-mindedness/participation and lack of screen time leaves her out of the running.

Janice Parkman - Matt's wife, adulteress. Hmm, not a contender.

Heidi Petrelli - not enough of her to show if she merits role model-ship.

Audrey Hasson - too close minded, dispassionate, no reasoning capabilities and huge trust issues.