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I hate how opening credits spoil plots. At the end of the latest episode of "Heroes"—"I Am Become Death"—Hiro and Ando dig up Adam (a.k.a. Takezo Kensei), who remains both alive and angry with Hiro. Normally, me writing this would be a spoiler because normally it would come as a surprise to see a last-minute reappearance of a formerly prominent and regular character who seemed to be incapacitated and removed from the show (immortal or nearly so though he may be). Unfortunately, the makers of "Heroes" spoiled this episode's ending themselves by listing David Anders in the opening credits.
I am all for crediting actors—their contributions are essential, they deserve recognition for their work, and in some cases their names, their appearances in promotional materials, and their participation in promotional events is perfectly appropriate—but this habitual credits-at-the-beginning bullshit actually keeps ruining both television shows and movies. When audience members know an actor is going to make an appearance, that appearance is no surprise and audience members may actually find themselves actively awaiting and contemplating such appearances—activities that lessen their immersion in the stories being told and thus, their enjoyment thereof.
