by Grace Chu

Hayden Panettiere says she asked for her lesbian storyline

The Heroes lesbian storyline between Claire and Gretchen is still in the process of limping to the starting line, but word has it that it was Hayden Panettiere, who plays Claire, who introduced the idea of the lesbian story arc to the writers.

The actress said she suggested that her character of cheerleader Claire Bennet fall for her college roommate [Gretchen, played by] Madeline Zima in the forthcoming plotline. "I kinda threw it out there,” she told the Daily Express. "[The writers] put you in relationships and I was like, 'Can I just be with a girl or something? Let's do that."

"So they took it and ran with it. She's a great girl ... and we have a blast."

Ladies, take note: It was Hayden who wanted to kiss a girl in the show. If it weren’t completely age inappropriate for me to say the following, I’d say that “Claire bear” just got a whole lot hotter.

So this is where we are so far after the first few episodes.

Claire’s roommate, the competitive and abrasive Annie, who makes Election’s Tracy Flick look like a slacker in comparison, mysteriously fell out of a window. Pop culture pundits initially thought Annie would be Claire’s love interest, but unless Annie also has Claire’s regenerative abilities, it looks like Annie has joined and is jostling for first place in the great Guitar Hero tournament in heaven.

Gretchen (Madeline Lima), who recognized Claire’s name from the murdered cheerleader incident in Odessa, Texas, began popping up in front of Claire like a smiling whack-a-mole target. After suspecting that Annie may have been pushed out of the window, Gretchen suggested that she and Claire solve the mystery of Annie’s death by getting a dummy or cadaver and throwing it out the window to see where it lands. No, this suggestion doesn’t sound normal to me either.

Run, Claire, run!

Later that night, Claire decided to use herself as a dummy and threw herself out of the window. She determined that Annie did in fact kill herself, snapped her bones back into place, and looked up to see Gretchen waving at her with misty eyes. Did Gretchen tag Claire with a GPS device? Ok, Claire was in her dorm room, but still. Creeptastic.

What should Claire do now that her powers have been discovered? On one hand, Gretchen is somewhat off and is clearly obsessed with her, but on the other hand, Gretchen doesn’t care that Claire is a human Gumby. Claire did a cost-benefit analysis and determined that she and Gretchen should be friends and move in with each other.

Later on, as Claire and Gretchen were lounging around in a couch wearing the lesbian uniform of choice — white tank tops — Gretchen asked to see Claire’s ability in action.

As Claire reached for the scissors, Gretchen undressed Claire with her eyes, clearly wanting more than just flirtation with sharp objects.

Is this what South Park meant by “scissoring”?

Yesterday’s episode was devoid of the Cletchen storyline. Instead, the entire cast suffered existential crises and gazed at their navels for an hour, but judging from the previews, it looks like next week Gretchen will attempt to convince Claire that she isn’t creepy and that she isn’t a stalker — and then plants one on Claire’s lips.

Not the smoothest of moves there, Gretchen. But as Panettiere said in the interview with the Daily Express, Claire and Gretchen eventually end up together - at least briefly - and have “a blast,” so maybe Gretchen has a superpower after all.

Grace Chu's blog

Submitted by

Grace Chu

on October 6, 2009 - 1:00pm.

TAGS ::

LMAO.

Submitted by

Brennan (50 posts)

on October 6, 2009 - 1:22pm.

The look on her face when Gretchen kisses her is great!!

Hayden may be...

Submitted by

lesbian scales (4649 posts)

on October 6, 2009 - 1:25pm.

on the curious side, which is never a bad thing in my book!

A blast?

Submitted by

Anonymous

on October 6, 2009 - 1:38pm.

Maybe every time Gretchen has an orgasm she internally com busts? Claire would be her ideal partner. Sex. Boom. Heal. Sex.

We can't have a baby in the house! My sister's coming
Does she eat them?

Haha, I've been thinking of

Submitted by

Rubia (15 posts)

on October 6, 2009 - 1:41pm.

Haha, I've been thinking of re-watching Heroes for a while now. Hearing the news that Hayden wants to play a lesbian made me go overboard. I'm downloading! :)

Hot

Submitted by

Krystyn (33 posts)

on October 6, 2009 - 1:43pm.

Hayden is like a million times hotter this season.

For some reason, i think Claire is going to find out that her original roommate was indeed killed, and the killer will be Gretchen.

Is this what South Park

Submitted by

Bekkah (123 posts)

on October 6, 2009 - 1:46pm.

Is this what South Park meant by “scissoring”?

*cackles*

although it is amazingly easier to look at than their definition.

I wonder...

Submitted by

Val (30 posts)

on October 6, 2009 - 1:48pm.

if Gretchen will end up being an enemy that turns against her and then somehow gets knocked off after this season.

YES!!

Submitted by

nikki (151 posts)

on October 6, 2009 - 1:50pm.

when i saw the previews for next episode i literally jumped out of my chair screaming "YES!!!" my mom was all, "what's going on??"

i am SO juiced, i've been waiting for this since episode one and i've been wondering when you guys would start writing an artical on it. i'm so excited =D

i hope Gretchen isn't evil

what season of heroes is

Submitted by

clayrrr (22 posts)

on October 6, 2009 - 1:50pm.

what season of heroes is this btw? :))

season 4

Submitted by

aude_sapere (3 posts)

on October 6, 2009 - 8:51pm.

season 4

Just want to say

Submitted by

SaffronLove (862 posts)

on October 6, 2009 - 1:59pm.

I like Hayden Panettiere. To me, she's one of those reliable actors who always turns in a good performance, which is something I really appreciate as a consumer of entertainment.

Just curious: has she identified publicly as non-straight, or is this just what the article says it is (i.e., a storyline suggestion)?

Doesn't matter to me either way; like I said, just curious.

------------------------------------------------------------

After all these years, I see that I was mistaken about Eve in the beginning. It is better to live outside the Garden with her than inside it without her-Mark Twain

Just to clarify a few things...

Submitted by

Liz (7 posts)

on October 6, 2009 - 3:11pm.

Those quotes were taken from her recent appearance on Jimmy Kimmel, not from an interview with the Daily Express, and she definitely didn't say that her and Gretchen are going to end up together. She said that she and the actress, Madeline Zima, have a blast "working together" -- not that their characters are going to have a blast together.

I don't mean to be a Debbie Downer, but I really don't want everyone to get our hopes up and then eventually be like, "Hayden lied!" lol, when she really didn't. She clearly wants the lesbian storyline to continue though (especially since it was her idea in the first place!) so let's hope the producers are taking note of that!

Here's her interview with Kimmel. Talk of the Gretchen/Claire storyline starts at 5:25:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2K_AZ5WKRQo

She's evil!

Submitted by

Anonymous

on October 6, 2009 - 2:55pm.

It's pretty obvious Gretchen has other agendas then just being with Claire. I bet my left hand on it :-P

I get that vibe too.

Submitted by

Paraphase (89 posts)

on October 6, 2009 - 11:56pm.

I get that vibe too. Gretchen has an agenda and if she as an agenda then she probably will have a power too.

I knew there was a reason I

Submitted by

Anonymous

on October 6, 2009 - 2:56pm.

I knew there was a reason I like Hayden.

Not Trying To Be A Downer

Submitted by

schocher2009 (3 posts)

on October 6, 2009 - 3:00pm.

I'm not trying to be a downer either, but the series creator, Tim Kring, said that it's just a kiss and nothing more. Here's a TV Guide article from July:

As reported by TV Guide:

According to Hayden Panettiere (Claire), the persistence of fans has paid off. “I think the writers are feeling a lot of pressure now to do it, because everyone’s talking about it,” she says. “And I certainly wouldn’t complain.” The non-alcohol induced action (”just a kiss,” says creator Tim Kring) will happen in Episode 5 between Claire and her new college roomie, Gretchen (Madeline Zima). Hayden describes Gretchen as “an odd duck who’s obsessed with death and shows like CSI.”

“They’re really cute together,” Kring says. “If Gretchen reveals her sexual orientation to Claire, Claire might want to reveal her own secret.” In addition to fighting evil, Claire will also pledge Alpha Chi Delta, where preppy pledge master Becky is guarding a secret of her own. Hayden’s only edict for college: “I’ll never wear a cheerleading outfit again!”

yaay

Submitted by

atAll (28 posts)

on October 6, 2009 - 3:04pm.

i'm excited, but it was supposed to be Elle there with Claire :( kidding, i'm over it (NOT)

I shall call on u thru a letter..to court u my dear..'s picture

i know i like hayden

Submitted by

I shall call on... (101 posts)

on October 6, 2009 - 3:22pm.

thats so cool that she suggested it but i wasnt goin to get my hopes up because i know the creator and nbc wouldnt want that relationship for there show..which sucks because ur discriminatin and who says lesbians or gays cant have superpowers? huh..that is creepy i havent watched heros this season...but i have to catch up..i stopped watchin it because they kept addin so many superheros to it and i am like sweet molases i thought it was suppossed to be a few..???

"what do u get with two cheaters date each other?"

ans: the only conclusion i have come to is one of them will screw the other over..

"bloody hell women"

myspace.com/mr.fish89.com

Tracy Flick reference!

Submitted by

Penny Winterr (821 posts)

on October 6, 2009 - 3:45pm.

Election is the best movie EVER!

Can't WAIT

Submitted by

Lizard_Queen (22 posts)

on October 6, 2009 - 4:09pm.

..for this to happen. :D

Grace Sheffield

Submitted by

Femm (114 posts)

on October 6, 2009 - 4:14pm.

Omg, little Grace Sheffield is all grown up! And playing gay! Woohoo!

Haven't seen Heroes in ages, but might go and check it out now :)

They got me!

Submitted by

hugAnerd (84 posts)

on October 6, 2009 - 4:25pm.

NBC just figured out a way to bring me back to Heroes. Clever.

It's a Ratings Gimmick!

Submitted by

Sam.Mule (87 posts)

on October 6, 2009 - 4:34pm.

I love Heroes. I watch it religiously, despite the fact that it sucks. But I know a ratings gimmick when I see one, whether it's a ratings gimmick suggested by one of the actresses or not, and THIS... is a ratings gimmick. It's going to be very exciting for a week or two, and then it's going to go away. Though, I'd be happier if it didn't.

Je t'aime Hayden :D

Submitted by

RightFromParis (1 post)

on October 6, 2009 - 4:36pm.

This is definetly going to bring some afterellen's loggers LOL

Hayden is so hot this season dunno if it's the Haircut or the "Lesbo vibes"...

Madeline Zima as a killer smile.

And Claire's reaction cracked me up :O... xD

Throwing a dummy out a window

Submitted by

BAS (609 posts)

on October 6, 2009 - 4:47pm.

Am I the only one who thinks that is an entirely awesome idea? It's exactly what they'd do on Bones or CSI to see if someone fell or was pushed. Throwing yourself out a window...I don't watch Heroes, but I guess it doesn't hurt her when it happens?

Annie looks kind of gay too, maybe they were thinking about having them hook up, didn't feel chemistry, so they killed her off and brought in this Gretchen girl instead.

i might watch heroes again i

Submitted by

jdoggy (89 posts)

on October 6, 2009 - 5:27pm.

i might watch heroes again i have not watched an episode since the first 2 episodes of season 2

Snap, she is definitely hotter.

Submitted by

Anji (28 posts)

on October 6, 2009 - 8:21pm.

Scissor me timbers.

I think all you Debbie Downers

Submitted by

Aya (916 posts)

on October 6, 2009 - 10:16pm.

Actually enjoy bringing down this thread. We all have doubts and wouldn't be surprised if things ended as bad The O.C., etc. but we will enjoy it while it lasts, because it's Hayden Freaking Paneittiere!!!!

Wish Gretchen was hotter..

Submitted by

Jazzbie (212 posts)

on October 6, 2009 - 11:04pm.

First that gross guy from 'Ilu beth cooper' and now this, why must the fantarded part of my brain trick me into thinking i could have a Hayden too ;----;

Unfortunately, this is Heroes...

Submitted by

AfterStr8 (28 posts)

on October 7, 2009 - 1:06am.

so probably that means Gretchen is using a jedi mind trick on Claire to make her do stuff, or something like it.

Whatever...

On the bright side, Hayden's hot. For realz!

hayden

Submitted by

swoopesbabe (64 posts)

on October 7, 2009 - 7:12am.

that would b awesome.hayden,is a cuttie pie

Coincidence?

Submitted by

ditc6 (5 posts)

on October 7, 2009 - 7:27am.

I think I'm with Krystyn on this one. Something makes me think this girl found Claire for a reason, pretended to be from Texas, and killed the roomie to get closer. I hope I'm wrong. Don't do it Heroes, don't do it!

I love Hayden for asking for the storyline though. Very cool. Makes me like her even more.

www.ditc.net/catalog / twitter: ditc6

Owner of dykesinthecity.

LOL

Submitted by

Jadedgrrl (44 posts)

on October 7, 2009 - 8:12am.

Cletchen.

Don't dream it, be it.

That Gretchen is mighty cute...

Submitted by

STACIA (156 posts)

on October 7, 2009 - 10:34am.

But I will be pissed if she has the ability to make anyone fall in love with her or anything along those lines.

After almost giving up on Heroes after a horrific seasons 2 & so-so season 3, season 4 is back with a bang! Reminds me a lil bit of season 1.

*I need buddies!*

enjoy till next week

Submitted by

Shini (20 posts)

on October 8, 2009 - 11:57am.

Feast your eyes on this NSFW screenshot of the kiss, courtesy of tv.com who got stills from the network but wasn't nice enough to include the non-size-reduced high-resolution one they had (or maybe it just didn't look any better): http://image.com.com/tv/images/genie_images/story/2009/h/heroes_ClaireKi... (I can't get the tag to work like I want it to)

Also this is NOT the kiss shown in the original season preview so that's promising.