When Heroes first burst onto our TV screens about this time four years ago it was a massive hit from the outset, although probably less so here the UK as it was hidden away on the SciFi Channel. It was getting rave reviews from the critics and its legion of growing fans, and justifiably so. It was brilliantly written, with engaging characters and fantastic, cliffhanger episode endings. The writing and production was so good that much of it could only be appreciated on a second viewing once the season had completely played out. Then came season two. Like the difficult second album that most musicians have to face, the show was a victim of its own success. The story arcs were slow to unfold compared to the adrenaline rush of the first season, and audiences started to fall away. There was even talk of it being axed or budgets being reduced. It survived and went on to a third season that was more story and action driven but it didn't recover the figures of its debut.

I stuck with the show because, despite some niggling faults, it was still one of the best genre shows on television with interesting characters and great production values, and it still managed to surprise and shock. Admittedly it wasn't in the same league as Battlestar Galactica, but there isn't much in any genre that is. With the fourth, and final, season the show seemed to get some of its mojo back as the main Heroes try to adjust to a "normal" life, while the arrival of a mysterious carnival, led by the enigmatic Samuel Sullivan tries to lure the people with abilities to join his community. Except his motives aren't completely altruistic.

Amongst the action there is plenty of twists and turns, shifting alliances and human drama as relationships develop and fall apart. While it never matches the class or fervour of the original season it is still compelling viewing. The finale may not have been a proper resolution, but given the circumstances it is satisfactory – and it is never easy to finish a long-running show. Even the endings of Buffy and the mighty Battlestar Galactica were a bit contrived compared with what had gone before, and the less said about Lost the better (or so I've been told). The Season 4 box set also has a decent collection special features that look behind the mythology, along with episode commentaries and extended scenes.

If you were one of the people that lost interest in the show during Season 2, there is a complete series boxset and it really is worth investing in because, viewed as a single work, the strength of the storyteller's vision is clear to see.

Heroes Season 4 and Complete Series are released on DVD and Blu-ray on October 4 by Universal PlayBack and are available from Play and all good retailers.

To celebrate this release we have an amazing give away, courtesy of Universal PlayBack: a genuine canvas by Tim Sale, who did all the artwork for Isaac's visionary paintings in the first season. The canvas comes with a certificate of authenticity signed by Tim Sale, and it will be on display at Oktoberfest at the Apollo Piccadilly Circus.