Nathan Petrelli
Encyclopedia
Nathan Petrelli, portrayed by Adrian Pasdar
, is a fictional character
on the NBC
science fiction
drama series Heroes
. He is a New York
lawyer
-turned-senator
with the power of self-propelled flight. Ambitious and pragmatic, Nathan has a decidedly anti-hero
streak, which exacerbates his complex relationship with his brother, Peter Petrelli
. Nathan was the main villain
at the beginning of Volume 4: Fugitives, but, after being exposed as an evolved human by Danko, redeemed himself. After being killed in battle by Sylar
, a copy of Nathan's mind was created to control Sylar's body so he still lived in some form, but he eventually lost control to Sylar and was then dead for good.
and Arthur Petrelli. He was a lawyer
working with the District Attorney
's office. The District Attorney wanted to expose the Mafia
connections of his father's client, Daniel Linderman. As he was driving his wife home from a party in a convertible, another vehicle attempted to run them off the road. Nathan inadvertently flew from his car, causing the car to lose control and veer off the freeway. The resulting crash paralyzed
his wife, Heidi.
Six months later, Nathan is running for Congress
. In the pilot episode
, he is approached by his brother Peter
, who tells him that he'd been having strange dreams and believed he could fly. Nathan claims to be unconvinced. The following morning, Nathan watches from an alley as Peter jumps off a building in an attempt to fly. As Peter falls, Nathan flies into the air and grabs his brother's hand. They descend for a few seconds, but then the brothers lose their grip on one another.
The next day, Nathan denies that he flew and tries to explain away what happened as if it were simply a failed suicide attempt
by Peter. Much later that night, Nathan is called to another rooftop, where Peter threatens to jump unless Nathan admits that he flew. Nathan eventually admits that he did fly. Still more focused on his campaign and his family, Nathan holds a press conference where he broaches the subject of depression
. He reveals that his father suffered from it, and that it eventually led to his death. Nathan then claims that Peter's attempt to fly was actually a suicide attempt, to satisfy the press. Peter storms out of the press conference, later cursing Nathan and assault
ing him, but goes along with the story in public.
On his way to Las Vegas
to meet with Linderman, Nathan encounters Mohinder Suresh
, who attempts to warn him that his life may be in danger. Nathan mistakes Mohinder for his recently murdered father, Chandra, assumes that Peter sent him, and ignores him. In Las Vegas, Nathan encounters "Jessica" Sanders
and the two sleep together. The one-night stand
is recorded in a blackmail
attempt by Linderman. Afterwards, Noah Bennet monitors them and has the Haitian kidnap Nathan.
Barefoot and in pajamas, Nathan escapes when Bennet is distracted. Flying away, Nathan breaks the sound barrier
in the process. Nathan lands outside a diner
in the desert outside Las Vegas and calls an aide for help. While waiting for his ride, Nathan meets Hiro Nakamura
, who enthusiastically announces that he too has powers. Nathan is skeptical, but humors Hiro, who says he can teleport
and manipulate time. Nathan asks about the upcoming election; Hiro says that Nathan wins by a "landslide"
. When Nathan's ride arrives at the diner, Nathan agrees to give Hiro a ride back to the city.
After dropping Hiro off, Nathan goes back to meet with Linderman, only to run into Niki on the way. Niki confesses her alter-ego Jessica's role in the blackmail attempt, saying that she had been blackmailed herself. When Nathan meets with Linderman's associate again, he works out a deal with her: Though their original deal was for two million dollars, Nathan becomes more certain than ever of his victory and negotiates for four million, saying, "two million makes me a congressional candidate in your pocket; four million, makes me a congressman."
After Nathan returns to New York, he and his family have brunch with a newspaper reporter. During the brunch, the reporter questions Nathan about his connections to Linderman, and Nathan's meeting with a blonde woman (aka Jessica Sanders) in Vegas. Peter covers for Nathan, telling the reporter that Nathan was arranging a private clinic to treat him for his depression. Before leaving, Nathan tells Peter about the failed kidnapping attempt, and warns his brother to be careful, saying that people would want to lock them up if they realized the two brothers had powers.
At home, Nathan inquires about a painting by Isaac Mendez
which Linderman had purchased and Peter wants. Linderman sends it to Simone Deveaux
's gallery
. When the painting arrives, Nathan views it with Simone. The painting depicts a man resembling Peter, dead under a homecoming banner and a clock. After seeing it, Nathan destroys it, telling Simone that he is protecting Peter from getting himself killed. Nathan later appears to bail Peter out in "Fallout
". As they walk away from the jail, Peter collapses. Eventually, Nathan watches helplessly as Peter is coma
tose for two weeks.
Finally, Nathan gets tired of waiting and goes to Mendez's loft. There, Nathan finds several of Mendez's finished "future paintings". Nathan is especially thoughtful about the "exploding man" image, which he and Isaac both worry is Peter. Soon, Hiro appears, and happily greets Nathan. Nathan and Hiro talk about their role in stopping the "bad man" who may blow up New York. Later, Nathan returns to Peter's bedside only to discover that Peter has revived and checked out.
In "The Fix
", Nathan goes to Mohinder to find out where Peter is, but neither has heard from Peter in days. Mohinder tells Nathan about a list made by Mohinder's father and explains to Nathan how Peter's DNA
causes him to absorb and mimic other people's abilities. Nathan initially refuses to let Mohinder help find Peter, but Mohinder convinces him by stating that if he can study Peter, he may be able to find a cure.
They go to Peter's apartment, where Peter is preparing to leave town. Without fully hearing them out, Peter says he doesn't have time to be Mohinder's "guinea pig
". Peter then tricks the two and gets away.
At the end of the episode "Distractions
", Nathan receives a telephone call from Meredith Gordon, a woman in Texas
with whom he once had a relationship. She informs him that their daughter Claire
is still alive. Nathan assumes that her timing the call right before his election means that she wants money, and offers $100,000 to stay quiet, which she accepts;she later lies to Claire saying the amount is only $50,000 and Claire is entitled to half. In "Run!", Nathan shows up to visit Meredith and deliver the money but states he does not want to get too involved with Claire. Claire was secretly listening to the conversation which, due to lies Meredith told her, did not portray Nathan in a very positive light. At the end of the episode, back in Vegas, Jessica gets a call from Linderman saying that he wants Nathan assassinated.
The FBI, who is investigating Linderman, gives Nathan a wiretap to wear so that they can gather evidence. He also helps Hiro sneak into Linderman's casino hotel to steal the sword he needs. Just before Nathan goes to meet Linderman, Niki Sanders confronts him and tells him that Linderman's people know of his plans, including that he wears a wire, and plan to kill him. She advises him to either accept a deal with Linderman or run with his whole family. Nathan refuses, suggesting instead that he should kill Linderman. Niki gives him her gun and tells him to knock her out, to prevent her more ruthless alter-ego, Jessica, from seizing control. Nathan takes the gun and punches Niki.
A nervous Nathan goes down to the kitchen to shoot Linderman. Linderman, anticipating Nathan's actions, calmly reasons that if Nathan were to shoot him, his men would kill Nathan within moments. Linderman then tells Nathan that he can give him answers, stating that he knows about his abilities. He offers him the seat in Congress, suggesting that it will lead eventually to the White House, "a heartbeat away from the Presidency." Nathan, wavering at this point, puts down the gun.
In ".07%", Linderman shows Nathan a painting of Nathan standing in the Oval Office
. Linderman tempts Nathan with the prospect of being President
and informs him that it will happen the day after Peter blows up. While Nathan is troubled that he will lose his brother and is devastated when he sees the dead body of Peter at his mother's house, he believes that it is Peter's destiny
to explode.
Later, Nathan meets his biological daughter, Claire, for the first time. Though he tells her that he can't deal with her in his life right now because of the election, he does add that he wants her to return after the election is over so they can be a family.
After Claire talks to Peter about Ted, Peter and Claire confront Nathan about Ted. With someone else having the ability to explode, Peter is hopeful that the explosion can be stopped. Nathan is doubtful, and points out that Peter's vision was of his own explosion. Peter responds that he had a vision of flying as well, despite the fact that it was Nathan who could fly - a fact that impresses Claire. After Peter and Claire leave, Nathan makes a phone call, saying "Mr. Linderman, we have a problem."
It is revealed that Nathan may play a bigger role in the company than expected when, Peter and Claire go to Petrelli Campaign Headquarters to meet with Nathan. Upon arriving, they see Nathan meeting with Thompson, whom Claire recognizes as her adoptive father's old boss. She identifies him to Peter as the man she is running from. Thompson and Nathan, meanwhile, discuss the planned explosion, and Thompson tells Nathan not to worry or have second thoughts. Thompson tells Nathan that Mr. Linderman has a grasp on the situation and that they are aware of who Sprague is. Nathan is upset that he was kept in the dark about Sprague. Later, Nathan's mother arrives and reveals her part in the planning of the explosion in New York. She tells Nathan that after a catastrophe like this, a leader is needed, and tells him that he needs to be that leader.
Nathan then encounters Hiro again and Hiro tells him what happens to him in the future. Nathan, however, tells Hiro that the explosion cannot be stopped. Hiro then calls him a villain as Nathan waves to the cameras and drives away. Much later, in "Landslide
", Linderman delivers on his promise and, with Micah Sanders' help, assures Nathan's win as Congressman by a majority of votes. At the same time, Linderman uses his healing powers to restore Heidi's legs as a gift to even further keep Nathan on his side.
In "How to Stop an Exploding Man
", the finale to Season 1, Nathan appears committed to the fact that Peter will explode, destroy the city, and kill millions; paving his way to power and the destiny designed by Linderman and others. However, Claire, who has been strong-armed into traveling into Paris with Angela, shames him into changing his mind, stating that the "future isn't written in stone." Nathan appears after Peter and Hiro defeat Sylar
. After saying, "You saved the cheerleader so we could save the world," Nathan grabs Peter and flies far into the stratosphere. With the other heroes looking to the sky, Peter detonates miles above the ground, instead of destroying New York City.
", it is revealed that Nathan suffers severe radiation poisoning
and is badly burned by Peter, who he drops after being convinced to do so, and is knocked back when Peter explodes in mid-air. Peter rescues Nathan from falling after his explosion. After regaining consciousness, his mother told him that the coast guard never found Peter's body. He recovered after being injected with Adam Monroe
's regenerative blood.
In "Four Months Later...
", it is revealed that Nathan has become an alcoholic, while hoping for Peter to return. In the opening scenes, he is seen bumping into Ando Masahashi
on the street. He has presumably resigned from his office, and his wife and children have left him due to his erratic behavior. After a confrontation with his mother, who blames Nathan for Peter's apparent death, he goes to a bar for a drink. Claire calls him to tell him how she is coping, and Nathan glances in the mirror. In the mirror, a severely scarred image of himself appears. A moment later, it is gone.
In "Fight or Flight
" he goes to Philadelphia to help Matt Parkman
find his father, with the intention of finding out who really murdered Kaito Nakamura. (Nathan's mother, Angela, confesses to the murder under duress.) When Maury Parkman is confronted with the fact that Matt has the same powers, he agrees to tell them everything; however, instead of helping them, he uses his power to trap them in their own personal nightmare
before leaving the apartment. Nathan is on top of the Deveaux Building, watching helplessly as New York burns in the aftermath of the explosion. He is then confronted by himself, still scarred from his attempt to rescue Peter. A fight ensues between him and his disfigured self, which ends when Matt inserts a thought in Nathan's head, causing them to realize they are actually fighting one another. They then find another photo marked with the Symbol, this time of Bob.
In "Out of Time
", Nathan confronts Bob about the original 12 members of The Company
and it is the first time he is told that Adam Monroe, and not Linderman, founded the shadowy organization. Nathan also learns from Bob that his brother, Peter, is still alive, although Bob admits that they lost track of him. In "Four Months Ago...
", he is seen getting out of a taxi in front of the bar in Cork, Ireland
, where Peter spent the first few episodes of the season.
In "Powerless
", Nathan convinces Peter of Adam Monroe's intentions to release the Shanti virus and cause worldwide devastation. After the destruction of the virus, Nathan decides that they must schedule a press conference to make their abilities known to the public. It is his hope that public awareness will help stop the actions of the Company. Near the conclusion of his speech, as he is about to announce his ability of flight, Nathan is shot twice in the chest and lies in Peter's arms.
; he believes that God
has given him a second chance at life. Nathan now believes that he must do God's bidding, but he is now haunted by an apparition of Linderman that only he can see and hear. He is later contacted by Tracy Strauss
and is asked to take over the position of the late Senator. He mistakes Tracy for Niki Sanders
, as the two look exactly alike. The position would be Nathan's second chance at politics, and Linderman persuades him to take this opportunity. Nathan accepts after a small amount of time to himself. After taking the position, he notices that Tracy is nowhere to be found. He heeds Linderman's advice and tries to contact her. He eventually saves her from committing suicide by jumping into the Potomac River
by flying and catching her as she leaps off a bridge. They are later seen sitting together in a room and, as Nathan had revealed his powers, Tracy reveals her power to him by freezing his drink. He takes her by her hands and notes that they are not even slightly cold. The two then share a kiss.
In the episode "Angels and Monsters
", Nathan and Tracy have consummated their relationship. Tracy explains to Nathan that she accidentally killed an innocent man and that she must turn herself in to the proper authorities. Nathan reassures her that it was not her fault and that God has given them these abilities for the betterment of mankind. Tracy reacts to the statement with bewilderment and reveals that it was not divine intervention
, but rather that their abilities are man-made and were manufactured by a doctor in Reseda, California. In order to get closure to Tracy's claim, Nathan seeks out his mother Angela, knowing that she would have information. Angela explains that not every individual who possesses powers has the necessary genetic code to do so. She seems to already be fully aware of Tracy, Niki and Barbara's existence. It is revealed that Dr. Zimmerman created a synthetic variation of the code and imbued certain newborns (Nathan, Tracy and her siblings being amongst them) with abilities. Infuriated and hurt, Nathan scolds his mother for using him and other innocent children as guinea pigs and storms out of her office along with Tracy.
In the episode "Dying of the Light
", Nathan and Tracy are still reeling from Angela's revelation about their condition. Nathan suggests that they seek out assistance from Mohinder Suresh
. Upon arriving at Suresh's loft
, Nathan reveals to him that man does have the ability to imbue other humans with abilities through genetic manipulation. Naturally, Mohinder assumes that Tracy is Niki. Tracy expresses that she just wants her abilities to be removed after demonstrating her freezing ability to him and thus proving that she is not Niki Sanders
. Under the guise of assistance, Suresh injects the both of them with a fluid, telling them that the vial contains nothing but a "marker". Tracy then falls on the floor unconscious as Nathan realizes that the both of them have been drugged by the doctor. After being restrained and regaining consciousness, Tracy then tricks Mohinder into holding her hand, whereby she freezes it and her restraints to the point of making them brittle enough to shatter with ease. She then frees herself and Nathan (whose still under the effects of the drug) and attempts to escape only to be stopped short of the exit by an angry Mohinder.
In "Eris Quod Sum
" Nathan and Tracy prepare to face off against Mohinder. He explains to them that since their abilities are synthetic they would both be beneficial to his research. When neither party agrees to Suresh's plea, he suddenly snatches Maya from her cocoon and retreats by using his strength and agility to crash through the skylight
of his loft and escape. Bewildered, Nathan and Tracy begin to free Suresh's other cocooned victims when they are interrupted by Noah Bennet
and his new partner, Nathan's ex-girlfriend Meredith Gordon. Upon glancing at Tracy, Meredith comments that "He still has a thing for blondes". After explaining his relationship to the other two people and Claire Bennet
to Tracy, Noah asks them if Suresh injected anything into their bodies, then advises them to come to the Company to be checked out. Nathan then receives a call from his biological daughter Claire Bennet
who relays the day's events to him, making him promise not to tell anyone where she is. Later, he and Tracy meet up with Claire and an injured Peter Petrelli
, who reveals to him not only that their father Arthur Petrelli is still alive, but that he has absorbed his powers. Nathan is skeptical as he is adamant that their father is dead, however, Peter warns him that Arthur must be stopped or he will kill them all. Nathan asks Peter to tell him where their father is, but Peter is hesitant to answer. Claire discloses the information and gives him the name "Pinehearst". Peter then insists that because it is dangerous, he should not go there. Nathan feigns reassurance and tells Peter that they will shut Pinehearst down legally and promptly leaves. In the hallway, Tracy deduces that Nathan was lying and he confirms this by stating that he is preparing to go and see his father.
In "The Eclipse", the powerless Nathan and Peter assist the Haitian in defeating his half-brother Baron Samedi, a posthuman warlord who uses his ability to make others believe he is a god. Seeing the damage that can be caused by power being in the wrong hands, Nathan concludes that his father's idea of creating a super-powered army would be the best way to deal with it. Leaving Peter behind, he flies away to join Pinehearst.
After taking over Pinehearst from his father, Tracy informs him of a project involving giving abilities to 50 Marines. However, he is foiled when Peter, assisted by Flint and Knox, destroy Mohinder's lab and research and burn Pinehearst down. After Peter injects himself with the formula in order to escape and save both of their lives, Nathan, disgusted with his brother, tells Peter he wouldn't have done the same for him, and leaves.
) and convinces him that people with abilities need to be imprisoned.
We later find out in the first episode of Fugitives, "A Clear and Present Danger
", that Nathan has been appointed Chairman of Homeland Security by the President, giving him unlimited power to find and take his fellow evolved humans into captivity, whilst keeping the organization in the dark about his own ability. He plans to contain them and eventually find a cure for their abilities, but this is at odds to the aims of others working on the operation.
Nathan hires Emile Danko, referred to as "The Hunter" by the fugitives, to work with Noah Bennett to try to capture the Heroes. Though Nathan's intentions with the Heroes are well-meaning, Danko sees differently. He wants to eliminate the people with abilities. This difference in perspective proves a strain in their working relationship, especially when Nathan orders Claire, his daughter, immunity. Despite allowing Peter to be targeted, Nathan tries to protect him as best as he can, risking everything to save Peter when he's shot by Danko and falls off a building. Nathan is aware that his plan is derailing in front of his eyes. He is finally able to fire Danko in "Shades of Gray
" which leads The Hunter to confirm his theory about the senator having an ability; Danko pushes him out of a window and watches him fly away. At this point, Nathan, realizing Danko's next move, takes off for Costa Verde to pick up Claire.
Though Nathan appears to be cold and calloused, he continues to show empathy for the fugitives. He repeatedly saves Peter, and tries to have a civil relationship with Tracy, whom he persuades to lie for him. He is the one who saves Claire when the agents barge into her room and attempt to kidnap her.
In "Into Asylum
" he flies Claire to Mexico in order to try to protect her, and while drunk confesses how badly he realized he had made mistakes and that he wants to try to fix them, so they head back to the US.
In "Turn and Face the Strange
", he communicates with Angela and then travels to Coyote Sands with Claire, where they reunite with Angela and Peter, and later in the night, with Noah.
In "1961
", he, Peter, Noah and Claire are digging on Angela's orders to find Alice. When Peter decides to get away, Nathan follows him to convince him to return, and once they hear about the sandstorm in Coyote Sands, they head back there. By the end of the day, he is the one who comforts Angela for losing Alice again, and invites her to join the family at the diner. He promises everyone to set things right by talking to the president, but then is shocked to see himself in a live press conference; when Noah identifies Sylar as seen in "I Am Sylar
", Nathan resolves to stop him on his own, leaving everyone behind, not noticing that Peter is following him. Once he gets to his Senate office, he confronts Sylar and is nearly scalped by him, but instead he is "saved" by Danko who takes Nathan down.
In "An Invisible Thread
", Sylar plans to keep him alive a little longer while he acquires more of Nathan's memories in order to approach the President properly; when Claire shows up at the Senate office, Sylar impersonates Nathan and leaves the real one unconscious in the bathroom. Once he wakes up, he is found by Peter, and together they try to stop Sylar from reaching the President. As Nathan informs security agents about a threat against the President, he is forced to reveal his ability so they can be trusted to stop Sylar. Nathan and Peter finally confront him, with Peter and the now rescued Claire fleeing from the room once Sylar seemingly flies away from the building with Nathan out of the window, only for them to return to the room mere seconds later, with Sylar having empathically acquired Nathan's flight. In a shocking twist, Sylar slits Nathan's throat using his telekinesis and laughs, telling the dying Nathan that "Claire is going to be so mad at me." After meeting with Matt and Noah, Angela discovers Nathan's body and breaks down in despair, convinced that Matt was supposed to save Nathan, as seen in one of her prophetic dreams. Angela manages to persuade Matt to use his ability on a tranquilized Sylar to make him think he is Nathan Petrelli, intending for Matt to use her own memories of Nathan to essentially 'plant' Nathan's personality in Sylar, hoping that Sylar's stolen power of clairsentience will help the new Nathan 'fill in the blanks'. Once Matt tells him that Sylar is dead, that he is Nathan and wipes his personal memory, Sylar shapeshifts into Nathan and wakes up. 'Nathan' later burns 'Sylar's' (really shape-shifter James Martin) body at Coyote Sands after having convinced the President to shut down the Building 26 operation and proclaims a new beginning.
. 'Nathan' also begins to discover some of Sylar's abilities, namely telekinesis and electric manipulation.
Angela later brings 'Nathan' various items from the old Nathan's past so he will absorb more memories using another of Sylar's acquired abilities, unbeknownst to him. A baseball cap causes him to visualize someone lying dead in a pool. After talking to Peter, he goes to Millie Houston's home and talks to her about her missing daughter Kelly, and, after touching various objects around the pool, realizes the truth: Nathan accidentally killed Kelly, and it is revealed that Angela hid the truth and had the Haitian erase his memory of it. 'Nathan' tells Millie the truth, and she sends an assassin after him who shoots him multiple times and buries him in a grave. However, he regenerates and emerges in the form of Sylar, suffering from amnesia
. Nathan's memories begin to return to Sylar, and when distracted Sylar even briefly assumes Nathan's form once again. However, under the tutelage of Samuel Sullivan, Sylar is encouraged to recall his true self.
In "Shadowboxing
", Sylar wakes back up as 'Nathan', with no memory of not being Nathan and is frightened to discover himself at the Carnival and flies off to get Peter's help. He learns that Angela had his schedule cleared for an indefinite vacation. Peter brings 'Nathan' to learn the truth the Haitian directed him to. They find the real Nathan's dead body. 'Nathan' looks at the body's history via touching it and sees Matt Parkman. They find Matt in a hospital, where Peter heals him. Sylar's mind takes over Matt and replants itself in Sylar's body after a tense almost-showdown. 'Nathan' attempts to flee Peter, afraid that Sylar could take over his body, but Peter absorbs Nathan's ability of flight and follows. At Thanksgiving dinner, 'Nathan' and Peter get Angela to admit Nathan's status. Sylar takes over and tries to kill Angela, but Nathan's mind regains control and he flies away, distraught by what his mother has done to him.
In "The Fifth Stage
", 'Nathan' has since lost control again to Sylar, but Peter defeats him and helps Nathan regain control with mental manipulation. Peter takes him to the rooftop where he tried to convince Nathan he could fly and the two discuss it. Nathan starts to lose the fight to keep control of Sylar's body and doesn't care as he's accepted that he's really dead and that this isn't his body. He displays parts of Sylar's personality, and giving up, pushes Peter away after their embrace, and throws himself over the edge of the roof. Peter catches him and tries to convince him to pull himself up, but 'Nathan' tells him to give his goodbyes to Angela and to take care of Claire. He also tells Peter that he has always been all that's good in the world, and that he doesn't think the world hasn't seen anything (from evil) yet. When Peter claims he can't do it alone, 'Nathan' tells him he can and convinces him to let him go. After the two tell each other they love each other one more time, Peter lets go and 'Nathan' falls to his "death", body shape-shifting back into Sylar for the final time before landing on the roof of a car. Sylar survives by regenerating, and Nathan is seemingly gone for good. Peter and Angela later mourn his second death together.
In "Upon This Rock
", Nathan's death is faked as having occurred in a plane crash and he gets a full state funeral. At the funeral, Peter gives the eulogy, revealing that Nathan taught him the things his father should have and never was easy on him to prepare him for the real world which Peter believes that Nathan succeeded in.
In "Let It Bleed
", a wake for Nathan is held and a devastated Peter, unable to handle things, heads off to an office shooting to try to save people, believing its what Nathan would have wanted him to do. Peter defeats the shooter, but is injured until he replicates Claire's regeneration power and heals. Claire helps him confront Nathan's death and gets him to stop throwing himself into danger. Later, as a way of remembering Nathan, Peter replicates flight from Claire's ex-boyfriend West Rosen and goes for a flight after looking at a picture of himself and Nathan together.
In "The Wall
", Peter and Sylar end up trapped in Sylar's mind for what seems like five years to them. Sylar has absorbed Nathan's memories and seems to have some trouble differentiating between Nathan's and his own, resulting in Peter hitting him. At the end of the five years, Peter admits that he's no longer so angry at Sylar, but can't forgive him as he feels he won't be doing right by Nathan. Sylar realizes that Peter believes he'll lose Nathan if he forgives Sylar. Sylar gets Peter to realize that he's no longer the way he was and Peter finally accepts it and seems to forgive him for Nathan's death.
In "Brave New World
", Peter and Samuel Sullivan
battle it out with Samuel saying that Nathan and his own brother Joseph let them down. This angers Peter who says Nathan never let him down, Nathan built him up and seems to draw more strength from this fact and eventually defeats Samuel.
", Nathan has been elected President of the United States
; however, he is revealed to be Sylar
masquerading as Nathan using Candice Wilmer's illusion-casting powers. After his identity is revealed to Peter, Sylar says Nathan had already turned against the heroes before he was killed, which Peter doesn't believe.
", Nathan is the President of the United States yet again, and is married to Tracy Strauss. After the future Claire captures the present Peter, Nathan asks him to read his mind to see if his intentions are sincere. While Peter admits that Nathan has good intentions, he tells him that he is wrong in his actions. Sylar's power then begins to overwhelm Peter, who begins to cut open Nathan's skull. Peter regains control halfway through and quickly stops, teleporting away. Future Nathan is last seen on the ground suffering massive bleeding from the head.
Nathan possesses the power of self-propelled flight. He is one of the characters who has least demonstrated his power in the series, saying that he is afraid both of being seen as a freak
and taken in for scientific study. In contrast, however, he also demonstrates a great deal of control over his power. As demonstrated in "Hiros
", Nathan can reach speeds exceeding the sound barrier
with no apparent adverse effects to him or his hair and clothes. As revealed in "Angels and Monsters
", his power is synthetic; after discovering that Nathan did not possess the genetic code for abilities, his parents decided that the Formula be used on him. He first discovered his power when he inadvertently used it to save himself from a car crash which left his wife wheelchair
-bound. The first on-screen flight is in "Genesis", when he attempts to save Peter from falling to his death.
When the body of Sylar was being manipulated to assume Nathan's role, he possessed the range of abilities attained by the serial killer and used telekinesis, electrical manipulation, psychometry, shape shifting and Sylar's copy of flight. Of these, Nathan seemed to master telekinesis and psychometry- the latter being used to help 'Nathan' fill in the blanks in his personal recollections that Angela and Matt couldn't fill themselves- while he only used electrical manipulation by accident and shape shifting to take on his own form when taking control from Sylar.
Adrian Pasdar
Adrian Kayvan Pasdar is an American actor, voice artist, and film director. He is known for playing Jim Profit on the TV series Profit, for his roles in Near Dark, Carlito's Way, Mysterious Ways and as Nathan Petrelli on Heroes. Additionally, he directed the feature film Cement...
, is a fictional character
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
on the NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
drama series Heroes
Heroes (TV series)
Heroes is an American science fiction television drama series created by Tim Kring that appeared on NBC for four seasons from September 25, 2006 through February 8, 2010. The series tells the stories of ordinary people who discover superhuman abilities, and how these abilities take effect in the...
. He is a New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
lawyer
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
-turned-senator
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
with the power of self-propelled flight. Ambitious and pragmatic, Nathan has a decidedly anti-hero
Anti-hero
In fiction, an antihero is generally considered to be a protagonist whose character is at least in some regards conspicuously contrary to that of the archetypal hero, and is in some instances its antithesis in which the character is generally useless at being a hero or heroine when they're...
streak, which exacerbates his complex relationship with his brother, Peter Petrelli
Peter Petrelli
Peter Petrelli, portrayed by Milo Ventimiglia, is a fictional character on the NBC science fiction drama series Heroes. He is a hospice nurse-turned-paramedic in his mid-20s with the power to absorb and mimic the powers of other people with special abilities, or powers...
. Nathan was the main villain
Villain
A villain is an "evil" character in a story, whether a historical narrative or, especially, a work of fiction. The villain usually is the antagonist, the character who tends to have a negative effect on other characters...
at the beginning of Volume 4: Fugitives, but, after being exposed as an evolved human by Danko, redeemed himself. After being killed in battle by Sylar
Sylar
Gabriel Gray, more commonly known by his assumed name of Sylar , is one of the primary antagonists and antiheroes in the NBC drama Heroes. Portrayed by Zachary Quinto, he is a superpowered serial killer who targets other superhumans in order to steal their powers...
, a copy of Nathan's mind was created to control Sylar's body so he still lived in some form, but he eventually lost control to Sylar and was then dead for good.
Genesis
Nathan is the eldest son of AngelaAngela Petrelli
Angela Petrelli , portrayed by Cristine Rose, is a fictional character featured in the television show Heroes. She is the mother of Nathan and Peter Petrelli. The character is based upon the Angela Lansbury character Mrs. Iselin in the film The Manchurian Candidate...
and Arthur Petrelli. He was a lawyer
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
working with the District Attorney
District attorney
In many jurisdictions in the United States, a District Attorney is an elected or appointed government official who represents the government in the prosecution of criminal offenses. The district attorney is the highest officeholder in the jurisdiction's legal department and supervises a staff of...
's office. The District Attorney wanted to expose the Mafia
Mafia
The Mafia is a criminal syndicate that emerged in the mid-nineteenth century in Sicily, Italy. It is a loose association of criminal groups that share a common organizational structure and code of conduct, and whose common enterprise is protection racketeering...
connections of his father's client, Daniel Linderman. As he was driving his wife home from a party in a convertible, another vehicle attempted to run them off the road. Nathan inadvertently flew from his car, causing the car to lose control and veer off the freeway. The resulting crash paralyzed
Paralysis
Paralysis is loss of muscle function for one or more muscles. Paralysis can be accompanied by a loss of feeling in the affected area if there is sensory damage as well as motor. A study conducted by the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, suggests that about 1 in 50 people have been diagnosed...
his wife, Heidi.
Six months later, Nathan is running for Congress
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
. In the pilot episode
Genesis (Heroes episode)
"Genesis" is the pilot episode of the NBC science fiction drama series Heroes. It was directed by David Semel and written by Tim Kring. The episode focuses on several of the main characters discovering their superpowers for the first time, and attempting to find out more about them...
, he is approached by his brother Peter
Peter Petrelli
Peter Petrelli, portrayed by Milo Ventimiglia, is a fictional character on the NBC science fiction drama series Heroes. He is a hospice nurse-turned-paramedic in his mid-20s with the power to absorb and mimic the powers of other people with special abilities, or powers...
, who tells him that he'd been having strange dreams and believed he could fly. Nathan claims to be unconvinced. The following morning, Nathan watches from an alley as Peter jumps off a building in an attempt to fly. As Peter falls, Nathan flies into the air and grabs his brother's hand. They descend for a few seconds, but then the brothers lose their grip on one another.
The next day, Nathan denies that he flew and tries to explain away what happened as if it were simply a failed suicide attempt
Failed suicide attempt
Failed suicide attempts comprise a large portion of suicide attempts. Some are regarded as not true attempts at all, but rather parasuicide. The usual attempt may be a wish to affect another person by the behaviour. Consequently, it occurs in a social context and may represent a request for help....
by Peter. Much later that night, Nathan is called to another rooftop, where Peter threatens to jump unless Nathan admits that he flew. Nathan eventually admits that he did fly. Still more focused on his campaign and his family, Nathan holds a press conference where he broaches the subject of depression
Clinical depression
Major depressive disorder is a mental disorder characterized by an all-encompassing low mood accompanied by low self-esteem, and by loss of interest or pleasure in normally enjoyable activities...
. He reveals that his father suffered from it, and that it eventually led to his death. Nathan then claims that Peter's attempt to fly was actually a suicide attempt, to satisfy the press. Peter storms out of the press conference, later cursing Nathan and assault
Assault
In law, assault is a crime causing a victim to fear violence. The term is often confused with battery, which involves physical contact. The specific meaning of assault varies between countries, but can refer to an act that causes another to apprehend immediate and personal violence, or in the more...
ing him, but goes along with the story in public.
On his way to Las Vegas
Las Vegas metropolitan area
The Las Vegas Valley is the heart of the Las Vegas-Paradise, NV MSA also known as the Las Vegas–Paradise–Henderson MSA which includes all of Clark County, Nevada, and is a metropolitan area in the southern part of the U.S. state of Nevada. The Valley is defined by the Las Vegas Valley landform, a ...
to meet with Linderman, Nathan encounters Mohinder Suresh
Mohinder Suresh
Mohinder Suresh is a fictional character on the NBC drama Heroes, portrayed by Sendhil Ramamurthy. He is from Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India and is a genetics professor at the University of Madras who holds a PhD in parapsychology...
, who attempts to warn him that his life may be in danger. Nathan mistakes Mohinder for his recently murdered father, Chandra, assumes that Peter sent him, and ignores him. In Las Vegas, Nathan encounters "Jessica" Sanders
Niki Sanders
Nicole "Niki" Sanders is a fictional character portrayed by Ali Larter in the television series Heroes. Niki is the wife of D. L. Hawkins and mother of Micah Sanders . Niki, a sufferer of Dissociative Identity Disorder, displays superhuman strength, being able to literally rip others in half...
and the two sleep together. The one-night stand
One-night stand
Originally, a one-night stand was a single theatre performance, usually by a guest performer on tour, as opposed to an ongoing engagement. Today, however, the term is more commonly defined as a single sexual encounter, in which neither participant has any intention or expectation of a relationship...
is recorded in a blackmail
Blackmail
In common usage, blackmail is a crime involving threats to reveal substantially true or false information about a person to the public, a family member, or associates unless a demand is met. It may be defined as coercion involving threats of physical harm, threat of criminal prosecution, or threats...
attempt by Linderman. Afterwards, Noah Bennet monitors them and has the Haitian kidnap Nathan.
Barefoot and in pajamas, Nathan escapes when Bennet is distracted. Flying away, Nathan breaks the sound barrier
Sound barrier
The sound barrier, in aerodynamics, is the point at which an aircraft moves from transonic to supersonic speed. The term, which occasionally has other meanings, came into use during World War II, when a number of aircraft started to encounter the effects of compressibility, a collection of several...
in the process. Nathan lands outside a diner
Diner
A diner, also spelled dinor in western Pennsylvania is a prefabricated restaurant building characteristic of North America, especially in the Midwest, in New York City, in Pennsylvania and in New Jersey, and in other areas of the Northeastern United States, although examples can be found throughout...
in the desert outside Las Vegas and calls an aide for help. While waiting for his ride, Nathan meets Hiro Nakamura
Hiro Nakamura
is a fictional character on the NBC fantasy drama Heroes who possesses the ability of space-time manipulation. This means that Hiro is able to alter the flow of time. Previously, his ability allowed him to teleport, stop time, or travel through time, but recent events in the series have prevented...
, who enthusiastically announces that he too has powers. Nathan is skeptical, but humors Hiro, who says he can teleport
Teleportation
Teleportation is the fictional or imagined process by which matter is instantaneously transferred from one place to another.Teleportation may also refer to:*Quantum teleportation, a method of transmitting quantum data...
and manipulate time. Nathan asks about the upcoming election; Hiro says that Nathan wins by a "landslide"
Landslide victory
In politics, a landslide victory is the victory of a candidate or political party by an overwhelming margin in an election...
. When Nathan's ride arrives at the diner, Nathan agrees to give Hiro a ride back to the city.
After dropping Hiro off, Nathan goes back to meet with Linderman, only to run into Niki on the way. Niki confesses her alter-ego Jessica's role in the blackmail attempt, saying that she had been blackmailed herself. When Nathan meets with Linderman's associate again, he works out a deal with her: Though their original deal was for two million dollars, Nathan becomes more certain than ever of his victory and negotiates for four million, saying, "two million makes me a congressional candidate in your pocket; four million, makes me a congressman."
After Nathan returns to New York, he and his family have brunch with a newspaper reporter. During the brunch, the reporter questions Nathan about his connections to Linderman, and Nathan's meeting with a blonde woman (aka Jessica Sanders) in Vegas. Peter covers for Nathan, telling the reporter that Nathan was arranging a private clinic to treat him for his depression. Before leaving, Nathan tells Peter about the failed kidnapping attempt, and warns his brother to be careful, saying that people would want to lock them up if they realized the two brothers had powers.
At home, Nathan inquires about a painting by Isaac Mendez
Isaac Mendez
Isaac Méndez was a fictional character in the NBC drama Heroes. Portrayed by Santiago Cabrera, he had the ability to paint the future.-Genesis:...
which Linderman had purchased and Peter wants. Linderman sends it to Simone Deveaux
Simone Deveaux
Simone Deveaux is a fictional character in the TV series Heroes. She is portrayed by Tawny Cypress.-Genesis:When Simone Deveaux is introduced in the premiere episode, she is an art dealer living in New York City who is romantically involved with artist Isaac Mendez...
's gallery
Art gallery
An art gallery or art museum is a building or space for the exhibition of art, usually visual art.Museums can be public or private, but what distinguishes a museum is the ownership of a collection...
. When the painting arrives, Nathan views it with Simone. The painting depicts a man resembling Peter, dead under a homecoming banner and a clock. After seeing it, Nathan destroys it, telling Simone that he is protecting Peter from getting himself killed. Nathan later appears to bail Peter out in "Fallout
Fallout (Heroes)
"Fallout" is the eleventh episode of the NBC supernatural drama series Heroes.-Plot:The episode begins with Mr. Bennet bringing Claire home amidst a discussion regarding her powers. Mr. Bennet admits to Claire that he knew about her powers even before she did. She becomes angry with him, but he...
". As they walk away from the jail, Peter collapses. Eventually, Nathan watches helplessly as Peter is coma
Coma
In medicine, a coma is a state of unconsciousness, lasting more than 6 hours in which a person cannot be awakened, fails to respond normally to painful stimuli, light or sound, lacks a normal sleep-wake cycle and does not initiate voluntary actions. A person in a state of coma is described as...
tose for two weeks.
Finally, Nathan gets tired of waiting and goes to Mendez's loft. There, Nathan finds several of Mendez's finished "future paintings". Nathan is especially thoughtful about the "exploding man" image, which he and Isaac both worry is Peter. Soon, Hiro appears, and happily greets Nathan. Nathan and Hiro talk about their role in stopping the "bad man" who may blow up New York. Later, Nathan returns to Peter's bedside only to discover that Peter has revived and checked out.
In "The Fix
The Fix (Heroes)
"The Fix" is the thirteenth episode of the first season of the NBC science fiction drama series Heroes.-Plot:Niki is still in the county jail. A psychiatrist arrives to work on Niki's case, and diagnoses her with multiple personality disorder; Niki refuses her help. Meanwhile, D.L. is having...
", Nathan goes to Mohinder to find out where Peter is, but neither has heard from Peter in days. Mohinder tells Nathan about a list made by Mohinder's father and explains to Nathan how Peter's DNA
DNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid is a nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms . The DNA segments that carry this genetic information are called genes, but other DNA sequences have structural purposes, or are involved in...
causes him to absorb and mimic other people's abilities. Nathan initially refuses to let Mohinder help find Peter, but Mohinder convinces him by stating that if he can study Peter, he may be able to find a cure.
They go to Peter's apartment, where Peter is preparing to leave town. Without fully hearing them out, Peter says he doesn't have time to be Mohinder's "guinea pig
Guinea pig
The guinea pig , also called the cavy, is a species of rodent belonging to the family Caviidae and the genus Cavia. Despite their common name, these animals are not in the pig family, nor are they from Guinea...
". Peter then tricks the two and gets away.
At the end of the episode "Distractions
Distractions (Heroes)
"Distractions" is the fourteenth episode of the first season of the NBC science fiction drama series Heroes.-Plot:Claude and Peter walk invisibly through a busy New York street, where Claude tells Peter that he absorbs other powers as a reflex and that he is going to help him gain some control over...
", Nathan receives a telephone call from Meredith Gordon, a woman in Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
with whom he once had a relationship. She informs him that their daughter Claire
Claire Bennet
Claire Bennet is a fictional character in the NBC science fiction drama series Heroes. She is portrayed by Hayden Panettiere and first appeared on television in the pilot episode of the series, "Genesis" on September 25, 2006...
is still alive. Nathan assumes that her timing the call right before his election means that she wants money, and offers $100,000 to stay quiet, which she accepts;she later lies to Claire saying the amount is only $50,000 and Claire is entitled to half. In "Run!", Nathan shows up to visit Meredith and deliver the money but states he does not want to get too involved with Claire. Claire was secretly listening to the conversation which, due to lies Meredith told her, did not portray Nathan in a very positive light. At the end of the episode, back in Vegas, Jessica gets a call from Linderman saying that he wants Nathan assassinated.
The FBI, who is investigating Linderman, gives Nathan a wiretap to wear so that they can gather evidence. He also helps Hiro sneak into Linderman's casino hotel to steal the sword he needs. Just before Nathan goes to meet Linderman, Niki Sanders confronts him and tells him that Linderman's people know of his plans, including that he wears a wire, and plan to kill him. She advises him to either accept a deal with Linderman or run with his whole family. Nathan refuses, suggesting instead that he should kill Linderman. Niki gives him her gun and tells him to knock her out, to prevent her more ruthless alter-ego, Jessica, from seizing control. Nathan takes the gun and punches Niki.
A nervous Nathan goes down to the kitchen to shoot Linderman. Linderman, anticipating Nathan's actions, calmly reasons that if Nathan were to shoot him, his men would kill Nathan within moments. Linderman then tells Nathan that he can give him answers, stating that he knows about his abilities. He offers him the seat in Congress, suggesting that it will lead eventually to the White House, "a heartbeat away from the Presidency." Nathan, wavering at this point, puts down the gun.
In ".07%", Linderman shows Nathan a painting of Nathan standing in the Oval Office
Oval Office
The Oval Office, located in the West Wing of the White House, is the official office of the President of the United States.The room features three large south-facing windows behind the president's desk, and a fireplace at the north end...
. Linderman tempts Nathan with the prospect of being President
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
and informs him that it will happen the day after Peter blows up. While Nathan is troubled that he will lose his brother and is devastated when he sees the dead body of Peter at his mother's house, he believes that it is Peter's destiny
Destiny
Destiny or fate refers to a predetermined course of events. It may be conceived as a predetermined future, whether in general or of an individual...
to explode.
Later, Nathan meets his biological daughter, Claire, for the first time. Though he tells her that he can't deal with her in his life right now because of the election, he does add that he wants her to return after the election is over so they can be a family.
After Claire talks to Peter about Ted, Peter and Claire confront Nathan about Ted. With someone else having the ability to explode, Peter is hopeful that the explosion can be stopped. Nathan is doubtful, and points out that Peter's vision was of his own explosion. Peter responds that he had a vision of flying as well, despite the fact that it was Nathan who could fly - a fact that impresses Claire. After Peter and Claire leave, Nathan makes a phone call, saying "Mr. Linderman, we have a problem."
It is revealed that Nathan may play a bigger role in the company than expected when, Peter and Claire go to Petrelli Campaign Headquarters to meet with Nathan. Upon arriving, they see Nathan meeting with Thompson, whom Claire recognizes as her adoptive father's old boss. She identifies him to Peter as the man she is running from. Thompson and Nathan, meanwhile, discuss the planned explosion, and Thompson tells Nathan not to worry or have second thoughts. Thompson tells Nathan that Mr. Linderman has a grasp on the situation and that they are aware of who Sprague is. Nathan is upset that he was kept in the dark about Sprague. Later, Nathan's mother arrives and reveals her part in the planning of the explosion in New York. She tells Nathan that after a catastrophe like this, a leader is needed, and tells him that he needs to be that leader.
Nathan then encounters Hiro again and Hiro tells him what happens to him in the future. Nathan, however, tells Hiro that the explosion cannot be stopped. Hiro then calls him a villain as Nathan waves to the cameras and drives away. Much later, in "Landslide
Landslide
A landslide or landslip is a geological phenomenon which includes a wide range of ground movement, such as rockfalls, deep failure of slopes and shallow debris flows, which can occur in offshore, coastal and onshore environments...
", Linderman delivers on his promise and, with Micah Sanders' help, assures Nathan's win as Congressman by a majority of votes. At the same time, Linderman uses his healing powers to restore Heidi's legs as a gift to even further keep Nathan on his side.
In "How to Stop an Exploding Man
How to Stop an Exploding Man
"How to Stop an Exploding Man" is the twenty-third and final episode of the first season of the NBC science fiction drama series Heroes. The episode was written by Tim Kring and was directed by Allan Arkush. It is the conclusion of the three-part finale for season one.The episode started filming...
", the finale to Season 1, Nathan appears committed to the fact that Peter will explode, destroy the city, and kill millions; paving his way to power and the destiny designed by Linderman and others. However, Claire, who has been strong-armed into traveling into Paris with Angela, shames him into changing his mind, stating that the "future isn't written in stone." Nathan appears after Peter and Hiro defeat Sylar
Sylar
Gabriel Gray, more commonly known by his assumed name of Sylar , is one of the primary antagonists and antiheroes in the NBC drama Heroes. Portrayed by Zachary Quinto, he is a superpowered serial killer who targets other superhumans in order to steal their powers...
. After saying, "You saved the cheerleader so we could save the world," Nathan grabs Peter and flies far into the stratosphere. With the other heroes looking to the sky, Peter detonates miles above the ground, instead of destroying New York City.
Generations
In "Four Months Ago...Four Months Ago...
"Four Months Ago..." is the eighth episode of the second season of the NBC science fiction drama series Heroes. The episode was written by series creator/executive producer Tim Kring and was directed by executive producer Greg Beeman. It originally aired on November 12, 2007...
", it is revealed that Nathan suffers severe radiation poisoning
Radiation poisoning
Acute radiation syndrome also known as radiation poisoning, radiation sickness or radiation toxicity, is a constellation of health effects which occur within several months of exposure to high amounts of ionizing radiation...
and is badly burned by Peter, who he drops after being convinced to do so, and is knocked back when Peter explodes in mid-air. Peter rescues Nathan from falling after his explosion. After regaining consciousness, his mother told him that the coast guard never found Peter's body. He recovered after being injected with Adam Monroe
Adam Monroe
Adam Monroe, also known as in non-canon feudal Japan, is a fictional character portrayed by David Anders in the NBC science fiction drama Heroes. The character first appears in the second season episode "Four Months Later...", although the legend of Kensei is referenced several times during the...
's regenerative blood.
In "Four Months Later...
Four Months Later...
"Four Months Later..." is the first episode of the second season of the NBC science fiction drama series Heroes. The episode was written by Tim Kring and was directed by Greg Beeman. It originally aired on 24 September 2007...
", it is revealed that Nathan has become an alcoholic, while hoping for Peter to return. In the opening scenes, he is seen bumping into Ando Masahashi
Ando Masahashi
is a fictional character on the NBC science fiction television drama series Heroes, portrayed by James Kyson Lee.The character was billed in a recurring role during the first season, and was promoted to series regular in the second...
on the street. He has presumably resigned from his office, and his wife and children have left him due to his erratic behavior. After a confrontation with his mother, who blames Nathan for Peter's apparent death, he goes to a bar for a drink. Claire calls him to tell him how she is coping, and Nathan glances in the mirror. In the mirror, a severely scarred image of himself appears. A moment later, it is gone.
In "Fight or Flight
Fight or Flight (Heroes)
"Fight or Flight" is the fifth episode of the second season of the NBC science fiction drama series Heroes. It aired on October 22, 2007. This episode marks the first appearance of Elle, played by Kristen Bell, credited as a series regular...
" he goes to Philadelphia to help Matt Parkman
Matt Parkman
Matthew "Matt" Parkman, Sr., is a fictional character of the NBC science fiction serial drama Heroes, played by Greg Grunberg. Matt is a police officer, who works for the LAPD and NYPD in Seasons One and Two respectively...
find his father, with the intention of finding out who really murdered Kaito Nakamura. (Nathan's mother, Angela, confesses to the murder under duress.) When Maury Parkman is confronted with the fact that Matt has the same powers, he agrees to tell them everything; however, instead of helping them, he uses his power to trap them in their own personal nightmare
Nightmare
A nightmare is an unpleasant dream that can cause a strong negative emotional response from the mind, typically fear or horror, but also despair, anxiety and great sadness. The dream may contain situations of danger, discomfort, psychological or physical terror...
before leaving the apartment. Nathan is on top of the Deveaux Building, watching helplessly as New York burns in the aftermath of the explosion. He is then confronted by himself, still scarred from his attempt to rescue Peter. A fight ensues between him and his disfigured self, which ends when Matt inserts a thought in Nathan's head, causing them to realize they are actually fighting one another. They then find another photo marked with the Symbol, this time of Bob.
In "Out of Time
Out of Time (Heroes)
"Out of Time" is the seventh episode of the second season of the NBC science fiction drama series Heroes. It aired on November 5, 2007.- Plot :...
", Nathan confronts Bob about the original 12 members of The Company
The Company (Heroes)
The Company refers to a fictional covert international organization in the NBC drama Heroes. Its primary purpose is to identify, monitor and study those individuals with genetically-derived special abilities. The Company played a central role in the plot of Volume Two, during the second season of...
and it is the first time he is told that Adam Monroe, and not Linderman, founded the shadowy organization. Nathan also learns from Bob that his brother, Peter, is still alive, although Bob admits that they lost track of him. In "Four Months Ago...
Four Months Ago...
"Four Months Ago..." is the eighth episode of the second season of the NBC science fiction drama series Heroes. The episode was written by series creator/executive producer Tim Kring and was directed by executive producer Greg Beeman. It originally aired on November 12, 2007...
", he is seen getting out of a taxi in front of the bar in Cork, Ireland
Cork (city)
Cork is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the island of Ireland's third most populous city. It is the principal city and administrative centre of County Cork and the largest city in the province of Munster. Cork has a population of 119,418, while the addition of the suburban...
, where Peter spent the first few episodes of the season.
In "Powerless
Powerless (Heroes)
"Powerless" is the eleventh and final episode of the second season of the NBC science fiction drama series Heroes and thirty-fourth episode overall. It was written by co-executive producer Jeph Loeb and directed by executive producer Allan Arkush. The episode aired on December 3, 2007 as the...
", Nathan convinces Peter of Adam Monroe's intentions to release the Shanti virus and cause worldwide devastation. After the destruction of the virus, Nathan decides that they must schedule a press conference to make their abilities known to the public. It is his hope that public awareness will help stop the actions of the Company. Near the conclusion of his speech, as he is about to announce his ability of flight, Nathan is shot twice in the chest and lies in Peter's arms.
Villains
Nathan is rushed to the hospital with Peter and Matt in tow, and appears to have died. However, he revives seconds later next to Peter, and has an epiphanyEpiphany (feeling)
An epiphany is the sudden realization or comprehension of the essence or meaning of something...
; he believes that God
God
God is the English name given to a singular being in theistic and deistic religions who is either the sole deity in monotheism, or a single deity in polytheism....
has given him a second chance at life. Nathan now believes that he must do God's bidding, but he is now haunted by an apparition of Linderman that only he can see and hear. He is later contacted by Tracy Strauss
Tracy Strauss
Tracy Strauss, portrayed by Ali Larter, is a fictional character on the NBC science fiction drama series Heroes. She has the ability to freeze anything that she touches. As the series progresses, her ability evolved to include water mimicry. Introduced in the third season, she is an adviser to the...
and is asked to take over the position of the late Senator. He mistakes Tracy for Niki Sanders
Niki Sanders
Nicole "Niki" Sanders is a fictional character portrayed by Ali Larter in the television series Heroes. Niki is the wife of D. L. Hawkins and mother of Micah Sanders . Niki, a sufferer of Dissociative Identity Disorder, displays superhuman strength, being able to literally rip others in half...
, as the two look exactly alike. The position would be Nathan's second chance at politics, and Linderman persuades him to take this opportunity. Nathan accepts after a small amount of time to himself. After taking the position, he notices that Tracy is nowhere to be found. He heeds Linderman's advice and tries to contact her. He eventually saves her from committing suicide by jumping into the Potomac River
Potomac River
The Potomac River flows into the Chesapeake Bay, located along the mid-Atlantic coast of the United States. The river is approximately long, with a drainage area of about 14,700 square miles...
by flying and catching her as she leaps off a bridge. They are later seen sitting together in a room and, as Nathan had revealed his powers, Tracy reveals her power to him by freezing his drink. He takes her by her hands and notes that they are not even slightly cold. The two then share a kiss.
In the episode "Angels and Monsters
Angels and Monsters
"Angels and Monsters" is the fifth episode of the third season of the NBC science fiction drama series Heroes and thirty-ninth episode overall. The episode aired on October 13, 2008.-Plot:...
", Nathan and Tracy have consummated their relationship. Tracy explains to Nathan that she accidentally killed an innocent man and that she must turn herself in to the proper authorities. Nathan reassures her that it was not her fault and that God has given them these abilities for the betterment of mankind. Tracy reacts to the statement with bewilderment and reveals that it was not divine intervention
Miracle
A miracle often denotes an event attributed to divine intervention. Alternatively, it may be an event attributed to a miracle worker, saint, or religious leader. A miracle is sometimes thought of as a perceptible interruption of the laws of nature. Others suggest that a god may work with the laws...
, but rather that their abilities are man-made and were manufactured by a doctor in Reseda, California. In order to get closure to Tracy's claim, Nathan seeks out his mother Angela, knowing that she would have information. Angela explains that not every individual who possesses powers has the necessary genetic code to do so. She seems to already be fully aware of Tracy, Niki and Barbara's existence. It is revealed that Dr. Zimmerman created a synthetic variation of the code and imbued certain newborns (Nathan, Tracy and her siblings being amongst them) with abilities. Infuriated and hurt, Nathan scolds his mother for using him and other innocent children as guinea pigs and storms out of her office along with Tracy.
In the episode "Dying of the Light
Dying of the Light (Heroes)
"Dying of the Light" is the sixth episode of the third season of the NBC science fiction drama series Heroes and fortieth episode overall. The episode aired on October 20, 2008.-Plot:...
", Nathan and Tracy are still reeling from Angela's revelation about their condition. Nathan suggests that they seek out assistance from Mohinder Suresh
Mohinder Suresh
Mohinder Suresh is a fictional character on the NBC drama Heroes, portrayed by Sendhil Ramamurthy. He is from Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India and is a genetics professor at the University of Madras who holds a PhD in parapsychology...
. Upon arriving at Suresh's loft
Loft
A loft can be an upper story or attic in a building, directly under the roof. Alternatively, a loft apartment refers to large adaptable open space, often converted for residential use from some other use, often light industrial...
, Nathan reveals to him that man does have the ability to imbue other humans with abilities through genetic manipulation. Naturally, Mohinder assumes that Tracy is Niki. Tracy expresses that she just wants her abilities to be removed after demonstrating her freezing ability to him and thus proving that she is not Niki Sanders
Niki Sanders
Nicole "Niki" Sanders is a fictional character portrayed by Ali Larter in the television series Heroes. Niki is the wife of D. L. Hawkins and mother of Micah Sanders . Niki, a sufferer of Dissociative Identity Disorder, displays superhuman strength, being able to literally rip others in half...
. Under the guise of assistance, Suresh injects the both of them with a fluid, telling them that the vial contains nothing but a "marker". Tracy then falls on the floor unconscious as Nathan realizes that the both of them have been drugged by the doctor. After being restrained and regaining consciousness, Tracy then tricks Mohinder into holding her hand, whereby she freezes it and her restraints to the point of making them brittle enough to shatter with ease. She then frees herself and Nathan (whose still under the effects of the drug) and attempts to escape only to be stopped short of the exit by an angry Mohinder.
In "Eris Quod Sum
Eris Quod Sum
"Eris Quod Sum" is the seventh episode of the third season of the NBC science fiction drama series Heroes and forty-first episode overall. The episode aired on October 27, 2008...
" Nathan and Tracy prepare to face off against Mohinder. He explains to them that since their abilities are synthetic they would both be beneficial to his research. When neither party agrees to Suresh's plea, he suddenly snatches Maya from her cocoon and retreats by using his strength and agility to crash through the skylight
Daylighting
Daylighting is the practice of placing windows or other openings and reflective surfaces so that during the day natural light provides effective internal lighting. Particular attention is given to daylighting while designing a building when the aim is to maximize visual comfort or to reduce energy...
of his loft and escape. Bewildered, Nathan and Tracy begin to free Suresh's other cocooned victims when they are interrupted by Noah Bennet
Noah Bennet
Noah Bennet, also known as the man in horn-rimmed glasses or simply Mr. Bennet, is a fictional character from the NBC drama Heroes played by Jack Coleman. The role was initially recurring, but became regular as of the 11th episode...
and his new partner, Nathan's ex-girlfriend Meredith Gordon. Upon glancing at Tracy, Meredith comments that "He still has a thing for blondes". After explaining his relationship to the other two people and Claire Bennet
Claire Bennet
Claire Bennet is a fictional character in the NBC science fiction drama series Heroes. She is portrayed by Hayden Panettiere and first appeared on television in the pilot episode of the series, "Genesis" on September 25, 2006...
to Tracy, Noah asks them if Suresh injected anything into their bodies, then advises them to come to the Company to be checked out. Nathan then receives a call from his biological daughter Claire Bennet
Claire Bennet
Claire Bennet is a fictional character in the NBC science fiction drama series Heroes. She is portrayed by Hayden Panettiere and first appeared on television in the pilot episode of the series, "Genesis" on September 25, 2006...
who relays the day's events to him, making him promise not to tell anyone where she is. Later, he and Tracy meet up with Claire and an injured Peter Petrelli
Peter Petrelli
Peter Petrelli, portrayed by Milo Ventimiglia, is a fictional character on the NBC science fiction drama series Heroes. He is a hospice nurse-turned-paramedic in his mid-20s with the power to absorb and mimic the powers of other people with special abilities, or powers...
, who reveals to him not only that their father Arthur Petrelli is still alive, but that he has absorbed his powers. Nathan is skeptical as he is adamant that their father is dead, however, Peter warns him that Arthur must be stopped or he will kill them all. Nathan asks Peter to tell him where their father is, but Peter is hesitant to answer. Claire discloses the information and gives him the name "Pinehearst". Peter then insists that because it is dangerous, he should not go there. Nathan feigns reassurance and tells Peter that they will shut Pinehearst down legally and promptly leaves. In the hallway, Tracy deduces that Nathan was lying and he confirms this by stating that he is preparing to go and see his father.
In "The Eclipse", the powerless Nathan and Peter assist the Haitian in defeating his half-brother Baron Samedi, a posthuman warlord who uses his ability to make others believe he is a god. Seeing the damage that can be caused by power being in the wrong hands, Nathan concludes that his father's idea of creating a super-powered army would be the best way to deal with it. Leaving Peter behind, he flies away to join Pinehearst.
After taking over Pinehearst from his father, Tracy informs him of a project involving giving abilities to 50 Marines. However, he is foiled when Peter, assisted by Flint and Knox, destroy Mohinder's lab and research and burn Pinehearst down. After Peter injects himself with the formula in order to escape and save both of their lives, Nathan, disgusted with his brother, tells Peter he wouldn't have done the same for him, and leaves.
Fugitives
Three weeks later, Nathan is talking with the President (portrayed by Michael DornMichael Dorn
Michael Dorn is an American actor, and voice artist who is best known for his role as the Klingon Worf from the Star Trek franchise.-Early life and career:...
) and convinces him that people with abilities need to be imprisoned.
We later find out in the first episode of Fugitives, "A Clear and Present Danger
A Clear and Present Danger
"A Clear and Present Danger" is the fourteenth episode of the third season of the NBC science fiction drama series Heroes and forty-eighth episode overall. It aired on February 2, 2009. The episode is the beginning of Volume 4: Fugitives. It marks the first time a season of Heroes has contained...
", that Nathan has been appointed Chairman of Homeland Security by the President, giving him unlimited power to find and take his fellow evolved humans into captivity, whilst keeping the organization in the dark about his own ability. He plans to contain them and eventually find a cure for their abilities, but this is at odds to the aims of others working on the operation.
Nathan hires Emile Danko, referred to as "The Hunter" by the fugitives, to work with Noah Bennett to try to capture the Heroes. Though Nathan's intentions with the Heroes are well-meaning, Danko sees differently. He wants to eliminate the people with abilities. This difference in perspective proves a strain in their working relationship, especially when Nathan orders Claire, his daughter, immunity. Despite allowing Peter to be targeted, Nathan tries to protect him as best as he can, risking everything to save Peter when he's shot by Danko and falls off a building. Nathan is aware that his plan is derailing in front of his eyes. He is finally able to fire Danko in "Shades of Gray
Shades of Gray (Heroes)
"Shades of Gray" is the nineteenth episode of the third season of the NBC science fiction drama series Heroes and fifty-third episode overall. The episode aired on March 9, 2009.-Plot:...
" which leads The Hunter to confirm his theory about the senator having an ability; Danko pushes him out of a window and watches him fly away. At this point, Nathan, realizing Danko's next move, takes off for Costa Verde to pick up Claire.
Though Nathan appears to be cold and calloused, he continues to show empathy for the fugitives. He repeatedly saves Peter, and tries to have a civil relationship with Tracy, whom he persuades to lie for him. He is the one who saves Claire when the agents barge into her room and attempt to kidnap her.
In "Into Asylum
Into Asylum
"Into Asylum" is the twenty-first episode of the third season of the NBC science fiction drama series Heroes and fifty-fifth episode overall...
" he flies Claire to Mexico in order to try to protect her, and while drunk confesses how badly he realized he had made mistakes and that he wants to try to fix them, so they head back to the US.
In "Turn and Face the Strange
Turn and Face the Strange
"Turn and Face the Strange" is the twenty-second episode of the third season of the NBC science fiction drama series Heroes and fifty-sixth episode overall. The episode aired on April 6, 2009.-Synopsis:...
", he communicates with Angela and then travels to Coyote Sands with Claire, where they reunite with Angela and Peter, and later in the night, with Noah.
In "1961
1961 (Heroes)
"1961" is the twenty-third episode of the third season of the NBC science fiction drama series Heroes and fifty-seventh episode overall. The episode aired on April 13, 2009.-Plot:...
", he, Peter, Noah and Claire are digging on Angela's orders to find Alice. When Peter decides to get away, Nathan follows him to convince him to return, and once they hear about the sandstorm in Coyote Sands, they head back there. By the end of the day, he is the one who comforts Angela for losing Alice again, and invites her to join the family at the diner. He promises everyone to set things right by talking to the president, but then is shocked to see himself in a live press conference; when Noah identifies Sylar as seen in "I Am Sylar
I Am Sylar
"I Am Sylar" is the twenty-fourth episode of the third season of the NBC science fiction drama series Heroes and fifty-eighth episode overall. The episode aired on April 20, 2009...
", Nathan resolves to stop him on his own, leaving everyone behind, not noticing that Peter is following him. Once he gets to his Senate office, he confronts Sylar and is nearly scalped by him, but instead he is "saved" by Danko who takes Nathan down.
In "An Invisible Thread
An Invisible Thread
"An Invisible Thread" is the twenty-fifth and final episode of the third season of the NBC science fiction drama series Heroes and fifty-ninth episode overall. The episode aired on April 27, 2009. It marked the end of the Fugitives volume, as well as its 2008-2009 season run...
", Sylar plans to keep him alive a little longer while he acquires more of Nathan's memories in order to approach the President properly; when Claire shows up at the Senate office, Sylar impersonates Nathan and leaves the real one unconscious in the bathroom. Once he wakes up, he is found by Peter, and together they try to stop Sylar from reaching the President. As Nathan informs security agents about a threat against the President, he is forced to reveal his ability so they can be trusted to stop Sylar. Nathan and Peter finally confront him, with Peter and the now rescued Claire fleeing from the room once Sylar seemingly flies away from the building with Nathan out of the window, only for them to return to the room mere seconds later, with Sylar having empathically acquired Nathan's flight. In a shocking twist, Sylar slits Nathan's throat using his telekinesis and laughs, telling the dying Nathan that "Claire is going to be so mad at me." After meeting with Matt and Noah, Angela discovers Nathan's body and breaks down in despair, convinced that Matt was supposed to save Nathan, as seen in one of her prophetic dreams. Angela manages to persuade Matt to use his ability on a tranquilized Sylar to make him think he is Nathan Petrelli, intending for Matt to use her own memories of Nathan to essentially 'plant' Nathan's personality in Sylar, hoping that Sylar's stolen power of clairsentience will help the new Nathan 'fill in the blanks'. Once Matt tells him that Sylar is dead, that he is Nathan and wipes his personal memory, Sylar shapeshifts into Nathan and wakes up. 'Nathan' later burns 'Sylar's' (really shape-shifter James Martin) body at Coyote Sands after having convinced the President to shut down the Building 26 operation and proclaims a new beginning.
Redemption
Six weeks later, 'Nathan' tells Angela that he hasn't felt like himself lately. He then becomes so fixated on a clock that is running fast that he doesn't even hear what Angela is saying, making her extremely worried. Angela tries to convince him he is simply going through a midlife crisisMidlife Crisis
"Midlife Crisis" is a song by the American rock band Faith No More. It was released on May 26, 1992 as the first single from their fourth album, Angel Dust...
. 'Nathan' also begins to discover some of Sylar's abilities, namely telekinesis and electric manipulation.
Angela later brings 'Nathan' various items from the old Nathan's past so he will absorb more memories using another of Sylar's acquired abilities, unbeknownst to him. A baseball cap causes him to visualize someone lying dead in a pool. After talking to Peter, he goes to Millie Houston's home and talks to her about her missing daughter Kelly, and, after touching various objects around the pool, realizes the truth: Nathan accidentally killed Kelly, and it is revealed that Angela hid the truth and had the Haitian erase his memory of it. 'Nathan' tells Millie the truth, and she sends an assassin after him who shoots him multiple times and buries him in a grave. However, he regenerates and emerges in the form of Sylar, suffering from amnesia
Amnesia
Amnesia is a condition in which one's memory is lost. The causes of amnesia have traditionally been divided into categories. Memory appears to be stored in several parts of the limbic system of the brain, and any condition that interferes with the function of this system can cause amnesia...
. Nathan's memories begin to return to Sylar, and when distracted Sylar even briefly assumes Nathan's form once again. However, under the tutelage of Samuel Sullivan, Sylar is encouraged to recall his true self.
In "Shadowboxing
Shadowboxing (Heroes)
"Shadowboxing" is the eighth episode of the fourth season of the NBC science fiction drama series Heroes and sixty-seventh episode overall. The episode aired on November 9, 2009.-Plot:...
", Sylar wakes back up as 'Nathan', with no memory of not being Nathan and is frightened to discover himself at the Carnival and flies off to get Peter's help. He learns that Angela had his schedule cleared for an indefinite vacation. Peter brings 'Nathan' to learn the truth the Haitian directed him to. They find the real Nathan's dead body. 'Nathan' looks at the body's history via touching it and sees Matt Parkman. They find Matt in a hospital, where Peter heals him. Sylar's mind takes over Matt and replants itself in Sylar's body after a tense almost-showdown. 'Nathan' attempts to flee Peter, afraid that Sylar could take over his body, but Peter absorbs Nathan's ability of flight and follows. At Thanksgiving dinner, 'Nathan' and Peter get Angela to admit Nathan's status. Sylar takes over and tries to kill Angela, but Nathan's mind regains control and he flies away, distraught by what his mother has done to him.
In "The Fifth Stage
The Fifth Stage
"The Fifth Stage" is the eleventh episode of the fourth season of the NBC science fiction drama series Heroes and seventieth episode overall. The episode aired on November 30, 2009.- Plot :...
", 'Nathan' has since lost control again to Sylar, but Peter defeats him and helps Nathan regain control with mental manipulation. Peter takes him to the rooftop where he tried to convince Nathan he could fly and the two discuss it. Nathan starts to lose the fight to keep control of Sylar's body and doesn't care as he's accepted that he's really dead and that this isn't his body. He displays parts of Sylar's personality, and giving up, pushes Peter away after their embrace, and throws himself over the edge of the roof. Peter catches him and tries to convince him to pull himself up, but 'Nathan' tells him to give his goodbyes to Angela and to take care of Claire. He also tells Peter that he has always been all that's good in the world, and that he doesn't think the world hasn't seen anything (from evil) yet. When Peter claims he can't do it alone, 'Nathan' tells him he can and convinces him to let him go. After the two tell each other they love each other one more time, Peter lets go and 'Nathan' falls to his "death", body shape-shifting back into Sylar for the final time before landing on the roof of a car. Sylar survives by regenerating, and Nathan is seemingly gone for good. Peter and Angela later mourn his second death together.
In "Upon This Rock
Upon This Rock (Heroes)
"Upon This Rock" is the twelfth episode of the fourth season of the NBC science fiction drama series Heroes, the seventy-first episode overall. It is the first episode in a back-to-back series return after the 2009 holiday hiatus...
", Nathan's death is faked as having occurred in a plane crash and he gets a full state funeral. At the funeral, Peter gives the eulogy, revealing that Nathan taught him the things his father should have and never was easy on him to prepare him for the real world which Peter believes that Nathan succeeded in.
In "Let It Bleed
Let It Bleed (Heroes)
"Let It Bleed" is the thirteenth episode of the fourth season of the NBC science fiction drama series Heroes, the seventy-second episode overall. It is the second episode in a back-to-back series return after the 2009 holiday hiatus...
", a wake for Nathan is held and a devastated Peter, unable to handle things, heads off to an office shooting to try to save people, believing its what Nathan would have wanted him to do. Peter defeats the shooter, but is injured until he replicates Claire's regeneration power and heals. Claire helps him confront Nathan's death and gets him to stop throwing himself into danger. Later, as a way of remembering Nathan, Peter replicates flight from Claire's ex-boyfriend West Rosen and goes for a flight after looking at a picture of himself and Nathan together.
In "The Wall
The Wall (Heroes)
"The Wall" is the seventeenth episode of the fourth season of the NBC science fiction drama series Heroes, and the seventy-sixth episode overall. The episode aired on February 1, 2010.-Plot:...
", Peter and Sylar end up trapped in Sylar's mind for what seems like five years to them. Sylar has absorbed Nathan's memories and seems to have some trouble differentiating between Nathan's and his own, resulting in Peter hitting him. At the end of the five years, Peter admits that he's no longer so angry at Sylar, but can't forgive him as he feels he won't be doing right by Nathan. Sylar realizes that Peter believes he'll lose Nathan if he forgives Sylar. Sylar gets Peter to realize that he's no longer the way he was and Peter finally accepts it and seems to forgive him for Nathan's death.
In "Brave New World
Brave New World (Heroes)
"Brave New World" is the eighteenth and final episode of the fourth season of the NBC science fiction drama series Heroes, and the seventy-seventh and final episode overall. With the show's cancellation three months later, "Brave New World" serves as the de facto series finale. The episode aired on...
", Peter and Samuel Sullivan
Samuel Sullivan
Samuel Sullivan, portrayed by Robert Knepper, is a fictional character on the NBC science fiction drama series Heroes, being the primary antagonist of Volume 5: Redemption. Samuel has the ability of terrakinesis. The mysterious leader of a carnival ring, "Sullivan Bros...
battle it out with Samuel saying that Nathan and his own brother Joseph let them down. This angers Peter who says Nathan never let him down, Nathan built him up and seems to draw more strength from this fact and eventually defeats Samuel.
Genesis
In the future of "Five Years GoneFive Years Gone
"Five Years Gone" is the twentieth episode of the first season of the NBC science fiction drama series Heroes. It is the last episode before the three-part finale of season one....
", Nathan has been elected President of the United States
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
; however, he is revealed to be Sylar
Sylar
Gabriel Gray, more commonly known by his assumed name of Sylar , is one of the primary antagonists and antiheroes in the NBC drama Heroes. Portrayed by Zachary Quinto, he is a superpowered serial killer who targets other superhumans in order to steal their powers...
masquerading as Nathan using Candice Wilmer's illusion-casting powers. After his identity is revealed to Peter, Sylar says Nathan had already turned against the heroes before he was killed, which Peter doesn't believe.
Villains
In the future of "I Am Become DeathI Am Become Death
"I Am Become Death" is the fourth episode of the third season of the NBC science fiction drama series Heroes and thirty-eighth episode overall. It was written by Aron Coleite and directed by David Von Ancken. The episode aired on October 6, 2008.-Plot:...
", Nathan is the President of the United States yet again, and is married to Tracy Strauss. After the future Claire captures the present Peter, Nathan asks him to read his mind to see if his intentions are sincere. While Peter admits that Nathan has good intentions, he tells him that he is wrong in his actions. Sylar's power then begins to overwhelm Peter, who begins to cut open Nathan's skull. Peter regains control halfway through and quickly stops, teleporting away. Future Nathan is last seen on the ground suffering massive bleeding from the head.
Powers and abilities
Freak
In current usage, the word "freak" is commonly used to refer to a person with something unusual about their appearance or behaviour. This usage dates from the so-called freak scene of the 1960s and 1970s. "Freak" in this sense may be used either as a pejorative, a term of admiration, or a...
and taken in for scientific study. In contrast, however, he also demonstrates a great deal of control over his power. As demonstrated in "Hiros
Hiros
"Hiros" is the fifth episode of the first season of the NBC science fiction drama series Heroes.-Claire:Claire and Brody have survived their crash and are seen in the hospital. Claire finally tells her father that Brody had attempted to rape her, but makes him promise not to tell the authorities....
", Nathan can reach speeds exceeding the sound barrier
Sound barrier
The sound barrier, in aerodynamics, is the point at which an aircraft moves from transonic to supersonic speed. The term, which occasionally has other meanings, came into use during World War II, when a number of aircraft started to encounter the effects of compressibility, a collection of several...
with no apparent adverse effects to him or his hair and clothes. As revealed in "Angels and Monsters
Angels and Monsters
"Angels and Monsters" is the fifth episode of the third season of the NBC science fiction drama series Heroes and thirty-ninth episode overall. The episode aired on October 13, 2008.-Plot:...
", his power is synthetic; after discovering that Nathan did not possess the genetic code for abilities, his parents decided that the Formula be used on him. He first discovered his power when he inadvertently used it to save himself from a car crash which left his wife wheelchair
Wheelchair
A wheelchair is a chair with wheels, designed to be a replacement for walking. The device comes in variations where it is propelled by motors or by the seated occupant turning the rear wheels by hand. Often there are handles behind the seat for someone else to do the pushing...
-bound. The first on-screen flight is in "Genesis", when he attempts to save Peter from falling to his death.
When the body of Sylar was being manipulated to assume Nathan's role, he possessed the range of abilities attained by the serial killer and used telekinesis, electrical manipulation, psychometry, shape shifting and Sylar's copy of flight. Of these, Nathan seemed to master telekinesis and psychometry- the latter being used to help 'Nathan' fill in the blanks in his personal recollections that Angela and Matt couldn't fill themselves- while he only used electrical manipulation by accident and shape shifting to take on his own form when taking control from Sylar.