DARK ANGEL has not yet proven to me that it can be a long running series, but I did like the second episode. 'Heat' was penned by Patrick Harbinson and contained new insights into what makes Max tick, specifically why she can jump high fences. We learned that the genetic cocktail they used to create our heroine contained a dash of feline DNA, which not only allows her to jump 15 feet, but also causes her to go into 'heat' three times a year. I bet the guys were drooling over this little bit of information.

The opening scene was great. Max knows how to kick some serious butt, and she has fun with it, after all, that is what she was made for. I particularly liked her line, "You know you're kind of cute", which she says to a guy after she just took him down and then she proceeds to whack him again. I guess that line was a result of her being in 'heat'. The bar scene was also a lot of fun. Max checking out all the guys in the room and her friends, Kendra and Original Cindy, watching her check out all the guys. The supporting characters, like Kendra and Original Cindy, are still one-dimensional and I'm wondering if we are ever going to get to know them. I guess time will tell. Original Cindy is a great fun. I certainly hope we get to see a lot of her.

While in the bar, Max picks up an appropriately goofy guy named Eric. Luckily Logan called her away before she could do something stupid. Logan notices that Max isn't acting her normal bitchy self, but Max doesn't hang around and ends up back at the bar where Eric is still waiting. Fortunately for Max, Eric had a little too much to drink and thus she was again save from doing anything stupid…too bad Eric didn't realize that.

The main focus of this episode was the discovery of Hannah, the woman that helped Max escape from the Project Manticore compound 10 years before. I'm surprised so many computer files survived the pulse, and particularly that Logan is able to find these files, but such is TV. Anyway, Logan informs Max that Hannah is alive and of course Max, known for her lack of patience, goes to find her despite Logan's protests.

I was very impressed by Alba portrayal of Max during the scenes with Hannah. I particularly liked the scene where Max was looking at Hannah through the window. Just a look showed Max's vulnerability regarding Hannah. When Max confronts Hannah, we find out some interesting information about Project Manticore. Hannah referred to the kids who escaped as 'prototypes', which begs the question, what kind of woman, in good conscience, could be involved in such a project? I'd like to think she was in the dark about everything, but she knew too much. She knew that kids were being engineered and she gave details to Max. Max was disappointed to learn that her mother was just another girl looking to get paid, but told Hannah that she turned out alright with her 'strange little life.'

Lydecker was of course hot on Max's trail. Luckily not only has Max been trained in the art of survival, but now she also has Logan to help her out, and of course Eric. So Max gets Hannah away from Lydecker and Eric, who could be counted on in a pinch and had the misguided notion that he was Max's boyfriend, ended up saving the day with the help of Logan. I loved the action during this escape, especially Max jumping over the bridge with her cat-like abilities.

So Max has again escaped the clutches of Lydecker, who by the way is very creepy, and at the end of the episode Max learns from Hannah that her mother did want her. In fact, she tried to escape before Max was born, and according to Hannah, she was the only mother who did try. I have my doubts about Hannah. If she knew that it was Max's mother who tried to escape, she must have been really involved in the Project, more so than she revealed to Max. There were several 'prototypes' how did Hannah know that it was Max's mother who tried to escape? Of course it is possible that Hannah made up that bit of information up for Max to make her feel better.

Hopefully we'll find out more about Hannah and Max's mother. I'd hate it to end up being one of those unanswered questions that drive me crazy. Another question that I have regarding the project is just how many of these children were created? Those that escaped are probably living like Max, in the shadows, but what about those who didn't escape? Are they alive? Are they working for the government? So many questions…next week on DARK ANGEL we see the more vulnerable side of Max.