How do you do spoiler tags? Hmm, after reading the explaination of the new ending, I still think the original ending as a reason to accomplish what was meant to be accomplished works better, but we will see.

As for Heroes, I really felt both seasons one and two did more than a little "barrowing" from The Watchmen. Not sure if it can be called a ripoff since it is not exactly the same story, but there are several elements that are clearly taken from the graphic novel. Sylar being a watchmaker's son was a pretty obvious homage. The end plot twist was shamelessly blatant. And in season two, all the flashbacks to the old has-been super heroes, whose children are now the current heroes, felt very much inspired by The Watchmen. Glad they gave it a rest with season three, you can only ripoff another franchise so much before people start accusing you of having no ideas of your own (which is an accusation I think Heroes deserves to be accused of, as I don't think that show has had one original thing about it from the very beginning).