Numbers in brackets are keyed to footnote editorial comments.
Volume III: Villains
Chapter Eight: Villains
Africa: Mohinder goes on about good an evil, and how understanding the past is necessary to understand how a person becomes one or the other. Hiro lies on the ground, eyes whited out, while Ando tries to wake him.
18 Months ago, Petrelli Mansion: Arthur gives a speech of thanks on the 21st anniversary of his marriage, calling Nathan the finest Assistant D.A. New York has ever had, but unable to bring himself to call Peter a nurse[1]. Arthur finishes by calling Angela the love of his life. After the toast, they join their sons and are approached by Linderman. After Arthur and Angela move away, Linderman questions Nathan about an upcoming investigation into Linderman's business. Nathan jokes about Linderman needing to prepare for handcuffs, then he and Peter walk away. Linderman finds Arthur, who looks into Nathan's mind and sees trouble coming. Linderman knows that if Nathan pokes around too much, he'll find that Arthur is behind everything. Arthur knows that Nathan won't back off. The son challenges the father, and only one can be left standing. He'll have one last talk with him, and if that doesn't work, they'll kill him.
1 Year ago, Convenience Store, Memphis Tennessee: Flint and Meredith are robbing it. They have the patrons down on the floor. Flint is keeping them there with bursts of flame. Meredith is walking around to each one, picking up their valuables. Suddenly, Flint notices one man who isn't on the floor. He's standing in one of the aisles leafing through a magazine. Meredith tries to get Flint to leave. They're done, but Flint orders the man onto the ground. Instead, the man just calmly turns to face Flint. It's Thompson. When Flint fires up his hands, Thompson pulls a fire extinguisher from his jacket and hoses Flint down. Flint's helpless. Meredith orders him to run, and fires a flame-ball at Thompson. Thompson dodges and pulls out his taser. Meredith gives up. Flint gets away.
Gray's Watch Shop, Brooklyn New York, 1 year ago: Gabe tests the strength of a noose he's tied, then swings one end of it over a rafter and stands on a chair. He remembers Brian Davis, who came into his shop with telekinesis and never left. Gabriel sees himself murder Brian with a paperweight again and again as he fits the noose around his neck. Suddenly, a door opens and in walks a girl. It's Elle, and she walks into the back room of the shop in time to see Sylar dangling. She burns through the rope with a lightning bolt. She begs Gabe to say something, and he mutters "Forgive me" before passing out.
A few minutes later, Gabriel lies on the floor rubbing his neck. Elle tries to get him to talk about the terrible thing he's done, but he can't. Elle assures him he'll get through this because he's not a bad person. She tells him the rope broke, and that's a sign that he deserves a second chance. She tells him her name. He thinks she's an angel with a broken watch.
Outside, Elle walks to a van which opens to reveal Noah, who's been monitoring the situation. She doesn't understand why they're not bagging and tagging Gray the way they do everyone else. Noah explains that nobody knew how whales found each-other across thousands of miles of ocean until one scientist recorded their song. Whales don't sing in captivity. Sylar's ability to transfer power from one person to another is very rare[3]. When Elle wonders how they get their whale to sing, Noah answers, "pie."
A Cell: Thompson reads through the litany of Meredith's crimes, including burning down four out of seven group homes. The company would like to make her an agent. She declines. She has reason to hate the company, but does not reveal what it is. Thompson lays it out: she can become an agent, or a prisoner in an asbestos lined cell. Meredith tries to trade her services for their promise not to go after Flint. Thompson doesn't go for it. Meredith agrees.
Petrelli Mansion: Arthur trims roses on the back patio. Angela appears to ask if Arthur will reconsider going to the party Peter's throwing for his graduation. Arthur declines. The apartment is smaller than a shoebox and the boy's becoming a nurse. Angela assures him that when Peter's power manifests, he'll become a great man. Nathan enters, and Angela tells him that she tried but Arthur still won't come. While he's there, Arthur tries to get him to hand off the Linderman case to another assistant D.A. He's worried about the pressure Nathan's prosecuting Arthur's client would put on the family. Nathan tells him not to worry. Linderman's toxic to the family and Nathan would be happy to bury him in a very deep hole for a very long time. Nathan walks away, but notices his father staring at him. He leaves. Arthur cuts the bloom from a rose.
Night, Highway, 1 Year Ago: We've seen this before in the first season: Nathan and Heidi in a convertible when an unmarked van comes up behind them and forces them into an off ramp barrier. Heidi screams when she realizes Nathan is no longer in the driver's seat beside her. He's in the air, watching helplessly.
Hospital: We've seen this before too, Nathan gets bad news while Peter watches through glass. New footage: Angela and Arthur rush up to Nathan, concerned about Heidi's welfare. Nathan turns on his father, insisting it was Linderman. Peter has to come between them to break up the coming fight. Nathan calms down enough to tell Peter that Heidi's spine has been broken and she'll never walk again. Heidi's awake and asking for Nathan, but before he leaves, Nathan assures his father that he's going to hurt Linderman and if Arthur's between them, Arthur's going to get hurt too. It's time Arthur chose between family and client.
Petrelli Mansion: Arthur sits in his bed, typing on his laptop when Angela enters. She wonders about what Nathan said, but Arthur assures her Linderman wouldn't go after Nathan on his own. Angela agrees, and insists Arthur tell her he did not order Linderman to kill Nathan. Arthur's insulted that she asks, and denies it. She apologizes.
A Shantytown, Austin Texas, 1 Year Ago: Thompson and Meredith enter the area and spot their man: Danny Pine. Meredith wants to light him up, but Thompson insists it's a training mission. No powers unless he says. Thompson approaches and identifies himself as Jim Farrell with the V.A. They're trying to transition some of the homeless vets to affordable housing. Pine wonders about Scofield, who had been out to the shantytown last week. Meredith quickly steps in. Scofield was assigned to Dallas, and they're the new team. Pine looks suspicious, then flexes his right arm. It turns to metal and he uses it to knock Thompson down. He steps toward Meredith, but she sends out a flare that engulfs the metal arm. Pine backs off screaming, and before he can recover, Meredith grabs Thompson's taser and zaps Pine into unconsciousness. She looks very pleased with herself. Thompson gets up, holding his head, and welcomes her to the company.
Queens, New York: From inside the Primatech Paper van, Bennet watches Sylar's apartment through a half-dozen monitors. Sylar himself is frantically disassembling his map and notes for finding other specials. A knocks comes on the door and he opens it to find Elle standing there with a pie in her hands. She's been wondering how he's been. He's been great. He's just been cleaning. All the clutter has been filling his head with bad thoughts. Elle notices a list which Sylar says contains names of people like him. She thinks he means nice, single guys and wants to take the list with her. He grabs it and throws it into the garbage, then he tells her about his power, demonstrating it by moving a drying-rack full of dishes across the counter. Elle fakes amazement and wants to know more about the list, but Sylar asks about the pie. It's peach, his favorite. While he's inspecting it, Elle snatches the list from the waste-basket, to Noah's satisfaction.
Primatech Cell Block: As Meredith and Thompson escort Pine through a corridor, he compliments her handling of the situation. She's not an agent now, though. The test is loyalty. She doesn't have to agree with the decisions the company makes, but she has to obey orders without question. He gives her a key-card and tells her to put Pine in cell nine. As she walks through the cell block with Pine, she comes across a cell containing Flint. When he tried to get away, an invisible man tackled him in an alley. He's pleased she's an agent too. They can work together. She's distressed by the idea, but when Thompson enters, she insists there's no problem and puts Pine away.
Sylar's Apartment: Noah watches from the van as Elle and Gabe share pie. She wonders about the other people with powers and what it's like to be able to move things like he does. He doesn't know how many more there are, and doesn't want to. Power feels great, but he covets the power of others. It's a hunger, but since he's met her he feels like he doesn't have to be special. Elle insists that he is special just the way he is.
Outside: Elle approaches the van, and Noah gives her a hard time for her reassurance. She doesn't think he's going to kill again. Noah believes he will, and the only question is whether they're going to be around to witness it or whether he'll do it in a dark alley somewhere. Then he realizes that she likes Gabe. He pulls out some paper and points to a name, suggesting Trevor Zykle (??). Elle refuses to do "it," but Noah insists they need to see him kill. Elle refuses again, and he gets her jacket out of the van. She's free to go. The have orders. If she doesn't follow them, she's not an agent. If she's not an agent, she's on her own. They need to introduce Mr. Zykle to Mr. Gray.
Petrelli Mansion: Linderman and Arthur argue over what's happened with Nathan. Arthur insists they finish the job, but Linderman wants to postpone it. Arthur wonders if Linderman thinks they should postpone New York as well, or maybe Linderman has outlived his usefulness. Linderman hastily changes his tune. He knows a guy in Montreal... Suddenly, they both notice Angela standing in the doorway, horrified. She runs into the kitchen and grabs a knife. Arthur follows. She holds him back with the knife, but he uses his mind powers on her. She knows it has to be done, that Nathan has to die. She protests, but is overwhelmed by his will.
Africa, Present: Hiro yells "Murder!" in Japanese and sits up. Ando tries to wake him but the Guide warns against it. He's stuck between worlds and could be stranded there if he awakens. Instead, the Guide sets Ando to mixing some steaming goop and goes over to examine Hiro. Ando grows woozy, so the Guide warns him against inhaling the fumes. He holds the bowl of goop under Hiro's nose, and Hiro flops back into dream-time.
Primatech Cells, Past: Meredith goes into the cells and wakes up Flint. There's a trainyard a few miles away. From there he should be able to get to Houston. Flint's confused. They're going to be agents together. The company's been nice to him. Meredith points out that he's dumb, because they're tricking him. He's doubtful, but she reminds him their father said God gave him a big sister instead of a brain. Later, in a boxcar containing a rack of propane tanks, she outlines their plan to go to Mexico, work in a cantina, lay low for a while. Flint isn't enthusiastic. Meredith tries to bring him around but before she gets very far, she's hit by a taser. Thompson's stowed away with them. Flint's convinced Meredith is dead and that Thompson will do the same to him. Thompson reloads the taser while Flint sends a fireball his way and tries to run off. Thompson tries to track down Flint, but Meredith comes to in time to distract him. While Thompson goes after Meredith, Flint comes up behind him. He turns and aims the stun gun, but Meredith tackles him to the ground. While they wrestle, Flint pulls open the boxcar door and jumps. Thompson's upset. The company could have given Flint a purpose, but now he's their sworn enemy. So is Meredith, and she sets a blaze among the propane tanks. She and Thompson jump from the train the instant before it explodes.
Petrelli Mansion, Past: Angela prepares supper on the stove when Linderman enters. She's surprised by his presence. Arthur's down town. Linderman knows. He's got a shred of morality left, and he can't stand by while Arthur abuses her. Angela grows agitated, not knowing what he's talking about. He can't push thoughts into her head, but he can heal the scars. Every time Arthur uses his power, it leaves a mark behind. Angela can't believe Arthur would do that to her, and slaps him at the accusation. Linderman gives her a choice between living in blind obedience or knowing the truth. On the verge of tears, Angela presses his hands to her head. Linderman does his magic, and she remembers.
Odessa, Texas, A massive, flaming train wreck: Fire crews speed to the site. Thompson and Meredith walk away. She hates the company because they killed her little girl. Fourteen years ago they came for her. There was a firefight and the house burned with Claire inside of it. Thompson recognizes the name, but before Meredith can ask what he means, he cuts her loose. It's a get-out-of-jail free card in memory of her little girl. Meredith runs off while in the background, Claire runs toward the burning wreck in a replay of her heroics from the series premier.
Sylar's Apartment: Elle makes ziti while Gabe pops the cork on some bubbly. She's having second thoughts about what she has to do. As she's suggesting they check out a theater show just down the street, there's knock at the door. She's invited someone else and hopes Gabe doesn't mind. She opens the door for Trevor and introduces him. He has a power too. She got his name off Gabe's list. Trevor demonstrates by pointing his fingers at the glasses on a table. They suddenly explode as if shot. Gabe's confused, fascinated and hungry. Elle has a great idea and will be right back. She leaves the room.
Petrelli Mansion: Angela and Arthur eat the soup Angela had been preparing. She's got something on her mind, but Arthur can't tell what. She seems far away. She wonders if, without his power, he'd know her at all anymore. She looks behind him and he turns to see the Haitian. Arthur grimaces. A touch of indigestion. Angela persists: does Arthur know her without his power? Is she going to kiss him or kill him?
Sylar's Apartment: Trevor blows up more glasses. Elle's excited. Gabe's having trouble controlling himself. Elle thinks Trevor's special. Sylar demonstrates his own power by throwing Trevor into a wall and telling Elle she needs to leave. Elle pleads with him, and when that gets her nowhere, fries him with a bolt of lightning. He falls to the floor while she tells him he doesn't have to do this. Back in the van, Noah grabs a taser and heads to the door. When Sylar gets up, he throws her across the room and orders Elle to get out. Noah sits back down. Trevor, who'd been released when Sylar got shocked, tries his exploding finger trick on Sylar, but Sylar pins him telekinetically before he can get off a shot. He then proceeds with the usual brainectomy while Noah watches through the monitors. Elle runs into the van, horrified by what she's done. She can't watch. Noah, however, is fascinated. Operation over, Sylar stares at his hands in horror then bolts from the apartment.
Petrelli Mansion: Angela rages about Arthur's willingness to sacrifice their son. Arthur tries to defend himself, pleading that there are larger things at stake and they can't afford to be sentimental. She thinks he was a great man once but he's lost his soul. Arthur's groans and doubles over, then stares at his empty soup bowl, realizing she's poisoned him. While the Haitian stands by, blocking his powers, Arthur falls to the floor and expires. Angela hands the Haitian a card and tells him to use the incinerator on level 3. The Haitian is about to bundle up and bag Arthur when Nathan enters the house. He finds his father on the floor and rushes to help him. Angela fakes surprise. Nathan thinks he's had a heart attack, and that he's still breathing. Nathan uses his cell to call for an ambulance.
Street: Noah finishes reporting over his cell phone. The op's over and he has one more loose end to tie up. Elle joins him and he tells her not to be so upset. They got some great information. Elle's distraught. Sylar could have been saved, but they've turned him into a monster. Bennet reminds her that they're agents. They follow orders. A cab pulls up on the other side of the street, and Noah apologizes. His ride has arrived. Peter gets out of the cab. Noah gets in. The driver is Mohinder. Their cab ride was seen in the first season premier.
Hospital: Nathan and Angela wait outside an emergency room. A doctor enters, the same doctor who has been seen watching over Arthur in his sickbed in previous episodes. He tells them that Arthur is gone, death by heart attack. Angela wants him cremated. The doctor sends them home and they'll deal with the paperwork in the morning. He goes back into the emergency room, where Arthur is being kept alive by machines. Arthur is reduced to speaking with his mind. The doctor will get another body so that Angela can have something to cremate. The poison damaged Arthur's nervous system. The paralysis is permanent.
The Funeral: Nathan and Peter sit and reminisce. Their mother interrupts, snappishly insisting that their father was a man deeply flawed in ways they'll never know.
Africa, the Present: Hiro comes out of his trance. They have to warn Angela, Nathan and Meredith that Arthur's alive. Ando starts to ask about all that when he's interrupted by a scream. They run out of the shelter to find the Guide (whose name is, apparently, Usutu) lying on the ground without his head[4]. Hiro finds the head some distance away, and while he's staring at it, Arthur comes up to him and puts his hands on Hiro's ears. Hiro screams.
[
1. Peter's dangly bangs are back! Ah, memories of good times... good times...
2. The show's title card has been changed to "Villains" from "Heroes." Nice touch.
3. Rare? Three of this season's characters (Peter, Sylar, Arthur) have that ability, more than any other single ability we've seen so far (Flying, 2: Nathan and West. Healing, 2: Claire and Adam. Future Paint 2: Isaac and the Guide. Strength 2: Niki and Knox. I think that's it for doubles) There must be some definition of "rare" with which I am unfamiliar.
4. He finally gets his name said on screen, and he's not around to hear it.
]
