Haitian (Heroes)
Encyclopedia
The Haitian is a fictional character
on the NBC
television series Heroes
, portrayed by Haitian actor Jimmy Jean-Louis
. He is an associate of Noah Bennet
. For the first three seasons of the show, he was only referred to on screen as "the Haitian." Even his associates at Primatech called him this. In "Shadowboxing
," Claire reveals that his name is René.
." (After which a number of characters refer to him by his first name.) He does not speak until "Fallout
", and his associate Eden McCain expresses the belief that he is mute
. He kisses his necklace before erasing Matt Parkman's memory, and expresses a belief in God — specifically, a belief that superpowers are a gift from God, and should be respected.
in Haiti, he does not speak, and describes his powers with a drawing of himself pulling "grubs" out of people's heads. One of his earliest assignments is the first mind wipe of Sandra Bennet ("Company Man"). He is next seen fourteen years later in a bar by Matt Parkman
in "One Giant Leap
." In "Collision
", the Haitian is brought in to see a captive Parkman. On Bennet's orders, he uses his memory-related power to erase Parkman's memories of being kidnapped. Ted Sprague later reveals to Parkman that he had seen the Haitian under similar circumstances. The episode "Six Months Ago
" shows that the Haitian also had a hand in capturing Eden McCain, who went on to work with him and Bennet. The Haitian and Bennet attempt to kidnap Nathan Petrelli
, but Nathan escapes by flying away.
Bennet's tasks for the Haitian are not limited to dealing with people possessing powers. In the episode "Hiros
", the Haitian follows Bennet's order to "hollow out" Brody Mitchum, a schoolmate of Claire's who attempted to rape her. After this encounter, Brody no longer recognizes even his own name.
The Haitian and Eden work together in "Homecoming
" to capture Sylar
. In "Fallout
", Mr. Bennet orders the Haitian to erase the recent memories of Claire's friend, Zach, as well as her brother, Lyle, after Claire told her father that they both knew of her healing powers. Although the Haitian follows through with these orders, he secretly defies Mr. Bennet's order to erase Claire's memories.
The Haitian finally speaks when encountering Claire Bennet
. He tells her how he erased Zach and Lyle's memories, and asks her, "Can you keep a secret?" Two weeks later, in "Godsend
," the Haitian and Claire meet at an old factory area. Claire asks if he can at least restore Zach's memories so she'll have someone to share her secret with, but he states that he cannot do so because "that's not how [his] gift works." He also considers the superpowers he and Claire have to be "God's gift," and advises Claire to respect hers accordingly.
"The Fix
" reveals that the Haitian gave Claire special wind chimes
to hang outside her window if she needs to talk with him. The day after Claire does, they meet again at the same factory area. The Haitian asks if it's an emergency, but Claire just wants to know about her biological parents. The Haitian says that Claire's biological mother died in a fire, something Mr. Bennet told him at a time when he had no reason to lie. He claims not to know anything about Claire's biological father and recommends that she let it go.
In the episode "Distractions
," the Haitian accompanies Claire's adoptive father Mr. Bennet to his home in the pursuit of Sylar
who escaped Primatech and locked Mr. Bennet in the cell he'd previously occupied. While Mr. Bennet tended to his wife, the Haitian chased the wounded Sylar outside, but soon returned having lost his trail. The Haitian then wiped Sandra Bennet's mind
to make her forget ever having met Sylar, incidentally making her forget she allowed Claire to skip school that day.
In "Company Man", after Matt reveals to Mr. Bennet that the Haitian can speak, Mr. Bennet confronts the Haitian about his ability and why he did not erase Claire's memory. Afterwards, the Haitian helps Bennet rescue his family from Ted Sprague. When Bennet is ordered by his superior to bring Claire in to the company, Bennet turns her over to the Haitian. He then asks the Haitian to shoot him in the stomach and wipe his mind of anything that could lead the company to Claire.
In "Parasite
", the Haitian tells Claire that they must leave the country. At a gas stop he spoke on the phone in French
and revealed they were instructed to head to Marseilles, France
by way of New York. Desperate to see Peter Petrelli
, Claire steals the Haitian's passport, preventing him from following Claire through the airport security checkpoint. Claire then goes to Peter Petrelli's apartment in New York, where she meets her biological grandmother Angela Petrelli
. Much to Claire's surprise, the Haitian is there, and speaks to Angela in French. He has been secretly working to protect Claire on Angela's orders.
", the Haitian handcuffs Peter in a shipping container, saying that Angela Petrelli helped him in a time of need; he wipes Peter's memories so that he can "start a new life" and escape the Company. He also gives Peter his Helix chain. Peter later manages to use regeneration to restore his memories.
In "Lizards
", Mohinder finds the Haitian in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, suffering from the same virus that attacked Molly Walker
. Initially, he wishes Mohinder not to cure it, as he believes it is God's will that he die to atone for his past, but Mohinder convinces him that God sent Mohinder all the way from America to find him so the Haitian allows himself to be treated.
In "The Line
", the Haitian accompanies Bennet to Odessa
, Ukraine
, following a lead on some missing Isaac Mendez paintings. Once there, Noah uses the Haitian as a torture device to remove the memories of his mentor until he breaks down and tells Bennet where he can find the paintings.
", the Haitian takes part in the handover of the second part of the Formula. Hiro and Ando retrieve it from him, only to have it stolen by Daphne. He then captures Hiro and Ando and detains them in Level 2.
In "Villains
" he is shown present during Angela Petrelli
's attempt to kill Arthur Petrelli in order to suppress his powers.
The Haitian makes a return in "The Eclipse", where he is being sought out by the Petrelli brothers in Haiti
, believing that he is one of the few people that can stop their father. Initially, Nathan believes that he is responsible for the loss of his powers; however, the Haitian informs him that his abilities are also gone. The brothers explain to him that their father Arthur Petrelli is still alive and that his assistance is needed to help defeat him. The Haitian reveals that he is on the run from his half-brother, who goes by the name "Baron Samedi" and possesses the ability of impenetrable skin. The three are then ambushed by gunfire. Peter and the Haitian manage to escape, but Nathan is captured by Samedi and his insurgents
. Ultimately, the Haitian and Peter rescue Nathan and two girls. His powers restored once the eclipse ends, the Haitian chooses not to kill his brother, mind-wiping him instead.
In "Our Father
", he aids Peter in his attempt to kill Arthur Petrelli, blocking Arthur's powers so Peter can shoot him in the head. Arthur's vast range of powers is eventually able to overcome the Haitian's negation ability, leaving them both weakened. Sylar steps in and stops Peter, but kills Arthur after learning that he is not really Arthur's son. Sylar doesn't bother to attack either Peter or the Haitian since they do not possess abilities he desires.
" working again with Noah Bennet
for the New Company. He appears in Noah's office to erase any memory of Tracy Strauss
from Danko's mind, in order to convince Tracy to join them.
In "Once Upon a Time in Texas
", 3 years ago, fellow company agent Lauren Gilmore wrote Noah a note revealing that she had the Haitian wipe her mind of her feelings for Noah, in order to keep their relationship professional.
In "Shadowboxing
", the Haitian and Noah appear at Becky's sorority house having mind-wiped the girls who witnessed Becky and Claire
's abilities. After Claire lectures them about what they are able to do with people around her, the Haitian and Claire go back to her dorm to make sure Gretchen is okay. Once Gretchen decides to return home, Claire sends René, the Haitian, to make sure Becky won't hurt Gretchen until she leaves.
In "Brother's Keeper
", the Haitian shows up at Nathan
's senate office, where he finds Peter
and "Nathan"
. He then confesses to Peter in private that Angela
sent him there to mind-wipe both of them, but he believes Angela is not thinking well but being emotional, so René instead gives Peter the address to the real Nathan's corpse.
In "The Fifth Stage
", without Angela's knowledge, the Haitian meets Peter in order to "lend" him his abilities. René is left at the ER while Peter and Angela argue about killing Sylar/Nathan.
In the episode "Company Man", when questioned by Mr. Bennet about to whom the Haitian answers, he alluded that his allegiance was to someone significant "in Claire's life." This person is revealed to be Claire's grandmother, Angela Petrelli
, who is working with Mr. Linderman. It is also revealed that Angela Petrelli helped the Haitian at one point.
In the alternate future seen in "Five Years Gone", the Haitian is aligned with Matt Parkman in Homeland Security, and is taking orders from the person whom he believed to be President Nathan Petrelli
.
In season two, he works with Mr. Bennet to bring down the Company. However, in the episodes "Four Months Ago...
" he is seen in Bob's office where he suppresses Peter's abilities. He is also seen working for Bob again after the events of Season 2 in the graphic novel, "Donna's Big Date: Part 2."
In season three, the Haitian is allied with both Mr. Bennet and the Company as Noah is in the Company's fold after the escape of the Level 5 inmates at the beginning of the season.
It is stated that the Haitian keeps a moral debt to Angela Petrelli
("Four Months Ago...
"). His loyalty is proven when he decides to act against the Company's orders and mind-wipe Peter, so he can have a second chance as another person. Also, when he returns to the Company after Angela takes over, he is trusted with Angela's part of the formula ("One of Us, One of Them
"). He is present in Angela's attempt to kill Arthur Petrelli ("Villains
"), and can be listed as one of Angela's Heroes against Pinehearst ("Our Father
").
After being on the run during the Fugitives' arc, he returns to work in the New Company for Noah Bennet and Angela Petrelli ("Orientation
"), and even he is among the few people that knew Nathan was dead and Sylar was impersonating him ("Brother's Keeper
"), although he decided to act against Angela's orders and told Peter the truth about Nathan's death.
in "Collision
", or erase a person's memory so thoroughly that they cannot remember their own name, as he does to Brody Mitchum in "Hiros
" and Peter Petrelli
in "Four Months Ago...
". While the Haitian cannot restore erased memories on his own, as revealed in "Godsend
", the process can be undone by those with healing or regenerative powers
.
He is also shown to be able to force a person into unconsciousness through physical contact, as he does to Baron Samedi in "The Eclipse" and apparently Sylar
in "Homecoming
".
The Haitian has also displayed the ability to dampen or completely negate the powers of anyone within a certain distance of himself. The ability only works when he is conscious. The Haitian can allow specific individuals to use their powers in his presence if he wishes. This ability is not supreme, however, as various heroes have overcome it with great effort.
on G4
, Jimmy Jean-Louis stated that the Haitian was originally supposed to be from New Zealand, and that the character was going to be "The Kiwi." Kiwi is a colloquial term for the people of New Zealand. Jimmy Jean-Louis also stated that he auditioned three times for the role of D.L. Hawkins, which he did not get.
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...
television 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...
, portrayed by Haitian actor Jimmy Jean-Louis
Jimmy Jean-Louis
Jimmy Jean-Louis is a Haitian actor and model best known for his role as The Haitian on the NBC television series Heroes. Born in Pétionville, he moved to Paris at a young age to pursue a modeling career. His early roles were in French musical theatre and television commercials...
. He is an associate of 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...
. For the first three seasons of the show, he was only referred to on screen as "the Haitian." Even his associates at Primatech called him this. 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:...
," Claire reveals that his name is René.
Character overview
Wearing his father's necklace which displays a symbol seen throughout the series, the Haitian is an aloof character. He is referred to almost exclusively as simply "the Haitian" until he is referred to as René by Claire in "ShadowboxingShadowboxing (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:...
." (After which a number of characters refer to him by his first name.) He does not speak until "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...
", and his associate Eden McCain expresses the belief that he is mute
Muteness
Muteness or mutism is an inability to speak caused by a speech disorder. The term originates from the Latin word mutus, meaning "silent".-Causes:...
. He kisses his necklace before erasing Matt Parkman's memory, and expresses a belief in God — specifically, a belief that superpowers are a gift from God, and should be respected.
Genesis
The Haitian first discovers his ability to inhibit other powers as a child when he inadvertently stops his father's ability during an attack on their village. When discovered by the CompanyThe 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...
in Haiti, he does not speak, and describes his powers with a drawing of himself pulling "grubs" out of people's heads. One of his earliest assignments is the first mind wipe of Sandra Bennet ("Company Man"). He is next seen fourteen years later in a bar by 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...
in "One Giant Leap
One Giant Leap
"One Giant Leap" is the third episode of the first season of the NBC science fiction drama series Heroes. It was directed by Greg Beeman and written by Jeph Loeb.-Plot:...
." In "Collision
Collision (Heroes)
"Collision" is the fourth episode of the first season of the NBC science fiction drama series Heroes. It was originally titled "Come Together".-Plot:...
", the Haitian is brought in to see a captive Parkman. On Bennet's orders, he uses his memory-related power to erase Parkman's memories of being kidnapped. Ted Sprague later reveals to Parkman that he had seen the Haitian under similar circumstances. The episode "Six Months Ago
Six Months Ago
"Six Months Ago" is the tenth episode of the first season of the NBC science fiction drama series Heroes. The entire episode is set six months before the series' premiere, displaying how all the characters initially developed their powers.-Plot:...
" shows that the Haitian also had a hand in capturing Eden McCain, who went on to work with him and Bennet. The Haitian and Bennet attempt to kidnap Nathan Petrelli
Nathan Petrelli
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...
, but Nathan escapes by flying away.
Bennet's tasks for the Haitian are not limited to dealing with people possessing powers. In the episode "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....
", the Haitian follows Bennet's order to "hollow out" Brody Mitchum, a schoolmate of Claire's who attempted to rape her. After this encounter, Brody no longer recognizes even his own name.
The Haitian and Eden work together in "Homecoming
Homecoming (Heroes)
"Homecoming" is the ninth episode of the first season of the NBC science fiction drama series Heroes.-Plot:The episode begins with Claire and her friend Zach walking into the high school amphitheater with lunch as Claire's former cheerleader friends wait anxiously for the results of the Homecoming...
" to capture 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...
. 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...
", Mr. Bennet orders the Haitian to erase the recent memories of Claire's friend, Zach, as well as her brother, Lyle, after Claire told her father that they both knew of her healing powers. Although the Haitian follows through with these orders, he secretly defies Mr. Bennet's order to erase Claire's memories.
The Haitian finally speaks when encountering 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...
. He tells her how he erased Zach and Lyle's memories, and asks her, "Can you keep a secret?" Two weeks later, in "Godsend
Godsend (Heroes)
"Godsend" is the twelfth episode of the first season of the NBC science fiction drama series Heroes.-Plot:Two weeks following the events of "Fallout", Peter remains in a coma after consecutively absorbing too many powers...
," the Haitian and Claire meet at an old factory area. Claire asks if he can at least restore Zach's memories so she'll have someone to share her secret with, but he states that he cannot do so because "that's not how [his] gift works." He also considers the superpowers he and Claire have to be "God's gift," and advises Claire to respect hers accordingly.
"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...
" reveals that the Haitian gave Claire special wind chimes
Wind Chimes
"Wind Chimes" is a song composed by Brian Wilson and Van Dyke Parks for the American rock band The Beach Boys. The original version of the song was written and recorded for the aborted 1966 album Smile. The band completely re-recorded the song for inclusion on their next album, Smiley Smile...
to hang outside her window if she needs to talk with him. The day after Claire does, they meet again at the same factory area. The Haitian asks if it's an emergency, but Claire just wants to know about her biological parents. The Haitian says that Claire's biological mother died in a fire, something Mr. Bennet told him at a time when he had no reason to lie. He claims not to know anything about Claire's biological father and recommends that she let it go.
In 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...
," the Haitian accompanies Claire's adoptive father Mr. Bennet to his home in the pursuit of 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...
who escaped Primatech and locked Mr. Bennet in the cell he'd previously occupied. While Mr. Bennet tended to his wife, the Haitian chased the wounded Sylar outside, but soon returned having lost his trail. The Haitian then wiped Sandra Bennet's mind
Mindwipe
For the Transformers character, see Mindwipe .Mindwipe is a technique used in some science fiction scenarios, where the subject's memories and personality are erased and replaced by new memories and personality more useful to those who are carrying out the mindwiping, or to their area's...
to make her forget ever having met Sylar, incidentally making her forget she allowed Claire to skip school that day.
In "Company Man", after Matt reveals to Mr. Bennet that the Haitian can speak, Mr. Bennet confronts the Haitian about his ability and why he did not erase Claire's memory. Afterwards, the Haitian helps Bennet rescue his family from Ted Sprague. When Bennet is ordered by his superior to bring Claire in to the company, Bennet turns her over to the Haitian. He then asks the Haitian to shoot him in the stomach and wipe his mind of anything that could lead the company to Claire.
In "Parasite
Parasite (Heroes)
"Parasite" is the eighteenth episode of the first season of the NBC science fiction drama series Heroes. It was unique in that, in some markets, the introductory phrase "Previously on Heroes" was written in Japanese and spoken by Hiro, unlike the English that had always preceded it...
", the Haitian tells Claire that they must leave the country. At a gas stop he spoke on the phone in French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
and revealed they were instructed to head to Marseilles, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
by way of New York. Desperate to see 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...
, Claire steals the Haitian's passport, preventing him from following Claire through the airport security checkpoint. Claire then goes to Peter Petrelli's apartment in New York, where she meets her biological grandmother Angela Petrelli
Angela 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...
. Much to Claire's surprise, the Haitian is there, and speaks to Angela in French. He has been secretly working to protect Claire on Angela's orders.
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...
", the Haitian handcuffs Peter in a shipping container, saying that Angela Petrelli helped him in a time of need; he wipes Peter's memories so that he can "start a new life" and escape the Company. He also gives Peter his Helix chain. Peter later manages to use regeneration to restore his memories.
In "Lizards
Lizards (Heroes)
"Lizards" is the second episode of the second season of the NBC science fiction drama series Heroes. The episode was written by Michael Green and was directed by Allan Arkush. It originally aired on October 1, 2007.- Plot :...
", Mohinder finds the Haitian in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, suffering from the same virus that attacked Molly Walker
Molly Walker
Molly Walker, portrayed by Adair Tishler, is a fictional character on the NBC science fiction drama series Heroes. She is a young girl with the power to locate anyone just by thinking about them.-Genesis:...
. Initially, he wishes Mohinder not to cure it, as he believes it is God's will that he die to atone for his past, but Mohinder convinces him that God sent Mohinder all the way from America to find him so the Haitian allows himself to be treated.
In "The Line
The Line
"The Line" is the sixth episode of the second season of the NBC science fiction drama series Heroes. It aired on October 29, 2007 in the USA.-Plot:...
", the Haitian accompanies Bennet to Odessa
Odessa
Odessa or Odesa is the administrative center of the Odessa Oblast located in southern Ukraine. The city is a major seaport located on the northwest shore of the Black Sea and the fourth largest city in Ukraine with a population of 1,029,000 .The predecessor of Odessa, a small Tatar settlement,...
, Ukraine
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
, following a lead on some missing Isaac Mendez paintings. Once there, Noah uses the Haitian as a torture device to remove the memories of his mentor until he breaks down and tells Bennet where he can find the paintings.
Villains
In "One of Us, One of ThemOne of Us, One of Them
"One of Us, One of Them" is the third episode of the third season of the NBC science fiction drama series Heroes and thirty-seventh episode overall. It was written by Joe Pokaski and directed by Sergio Mimica-Gezzan. The episode aired on September 29, 2008.-Plot:The episode opens with Angela...
", the Haitian takes part in the handover of the second part of the Formula. Hiro and Ando retrieve it from him, only to have it stolen by Daphne. He then captures Hiro and Ando and detains them in Level 2.
In "Villains
Villains (Heroes)
"Villains" is the eighth episode of the third season of the NBC science fiction drama series Heroes and forty-second episode overall. Instead of the usual title screen with the show's name it uses a similar screen, replacing the word "Heroes" with the episode's name.-Plot:Hiro's drug-induced vision...
" he is shown present during Angela Petrelli
Angela 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...
's attempt to kill Arthur Petrelli in order to suppress his powers.
The Haitian makes a return in "The Eclipse", where he is being sought out by the Petrelli brothers in Haiti
Haiti
Haiti , officially the Republic of Haiti , is a Caribbean country. It occupies the western, smaller portion of the island of Hispaniola, in the Greater Antillean archipelago, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. Ayiti was the indigenous Taíno or Amerindian name for the island...
, believing that he is one of the few people that can stop their father. Initially, Nathan believes that he is responsible for the loss of his powers; however, the Haitian informs him that his abilities are also gone. The brothers explain to him that their father Arthur Petrelli is still alive and that his assistance is needed to help defeat him. The Haitian reveals that he is on the run from his half-brother, who goes by the name "Baron Samedi" and possesses the ability of impenetrable skin. The three are then ambushed by gunfire. Peter and the Haitian manage to escape, but Nathan is captured by Samedi and his insurgents
Insurgency
An insurgency is an armed rebellion against a constituted authority when those taking part in the rebellion are not recognized as belligerents...
. Ultimately, the Haitian and Peter rescue Nathan and two girls. His powers restored once the eclipse ends, the Haitian chooses not to kill his brother, mind-wiping him instead.
In "Our Father
Our Father (Heroes)
"Our Father" is the 12th episode of the third season of the NBC science fiction drama series Heroes. The episode aired on December 8, 2008.-Plot:...
", he aids Peter in his attempt to kill Arthur Petrelli, blocking Arthur's powers so Peter can shoot him in the head. Arthur's vast range of powers is eventually able to overcome the Haitian's negation ability, leaving them both weakened. Sylar steps in and stops Peter, but kills Arthur after learning that he is not really Arthur's son. Sylar doesn't bother to attack either Peter or the Haitian since they do not possess abilities he desires.
Fugitives
During the fourth volume, the photo of the Haitian can be seen several times in the fugitives board at Building 26, as one of the top targets Danko's agents must capture.Redemption
The Haitian is seen again in "OrientationOrientation (Heroes)
"Orientation" is the first episode of the fourth season of the NBC science fiction drama series Heroes and the sixtieth episode overall. The episode aired in the US on September 21, 2009...
" working again with 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...
for the New Company. He appears in Noah's office to erase any memory of 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...
from Danko's mind, in order to convince Tracy to join them.
In "Once Upon a Time in Texas
Once Upon a Time in Texas
"Once Upon a Time in Texas" is the seventh episode of the fourth season of the NBC science fiction drama series Heroes and sixty-sixth episode overall. The episode aired on November 2, 2009.-Plot:...
", 3 years ago, fellow company agent Lauren Gilmore wrote Noah a note revealing that she had the Haitian wipe her mind of her feelings for Noah, in order to keep their relationship professional.
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:...
", the Haitian and Noah appear at Becky's sorority house having mind-wiped the girls who witnessed Becky and 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...
's abilities. After Claire lectures them about what they are able to do with people around her, the Haitian and Claire go back to her dorm to make sure Gretchen is okay. Once Gretchen decides to return home, Claire sends René, the Haitian, to make sure Becky won't hurt Gretchen until she leaves.
In "Brother's Keeper
Brother's Keeper (Heroes)
"Brother's Keeper" is the ninth episode of the fourth season of the NBC science fiction drama series Heroes and sixty-eighth episode overall. The episode aired on November 16, 2009.-Plot:...
", the Haitian shows up at Nathan
Nathan Petrelli
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...
's senate office, where he finds 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...
and "Nathan"
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...
. He then confesses to Peter in private that Angela
Angela 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...
sent him there to mind-wipe both of them, but he believes Angela is not thinking well but being emotional, so René instead gives Peter the address to the real Nathan's corpse.
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 :...
", without Angela's knowledge, the Haitian meets Peter in order to "lend" him his abilities. René is left at the ER while Peter and Angela argue about killing Sylar/Nathan.
Loyalty
In the first season, the Haitian works for Mr. Bennet and Primatech Paper, though he ignores the order to mind-wipe Claire. Even though he takes the memories of Matt Parkman and Ted Sprague, they still remember the Haitian himself, just not the event; victims without powers, like Sandra Bennet, Lyle Bennet, and Zach, exhibit no recollections of the Haitian, however.In the episode "Company Man", when questioned by Mr. Bennet about to whom the Haitian answers, he alluded that his allegiance was to someone significant "in Claire's life." This person is revealed to be Claire's grandmother, Angela Petrelli
Angela 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...
, who is working with Mr. Linderman. It is also revealed that Angela Petrelli helped the Haitian at one point.
In the alternate future seen in "Five Years Gone", the Haitian is aligned with Matt Parkman in Homeland Security, and is taking orders from the person whom he believed to be President Nathan Petrelli
Nathan Petrelli
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...
.
In season two, he works with Mr. Bennet to bring down the Company. However, in the episodes "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 in Bob's office where he suppresses Peter's abilities. He is also seen working for Bob again after the events of Season 2 in the graphic novel, "Donna's Big Date: Part 2."
In season three, the Haitian is allied with both Mr. Bennet and the Company as Noah is in the Company's fold after the escape of the Level 5 inmates at the beginning of the season.
It is stated that the Haitian keeps a moral debt to Angela Petrelli
Angela 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...
("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...
"). His loyalty is proven when he decides to act against the Company's orders and mind-wipe Peter, so he can have a second chance as another person. Also, when he returns to the Company after Angela takes over, he is trusted with Angela's part of the formula ("One of Us, One of Them
One of Us, One of Them
"One of Us, One of Them" is the third episode of the third season of the NBC science fiction drama series Heroes and thirty-seventh episode overall. It was written by Joe Pokaski and directed by Sergio Mimica-Gezzan. The episode aired on September 29, 2008.-Plot:The episode opens with Angela...
"). He is present in Angela's attempt to kill Arthur Petrelli ("Villains
Villains (Heroes)
"Villains" is the eighth episode of the third season of the NBC science fiction drama series Heroes and forty-second episode overall. Instead of the usual title screen with the show's name it uses a similar screen, replacing the word "Heroes" with the episode's name.-Plot:Hiro's drug-induced vision...
"), and can be listed as one of Angela's Heroes against Pinehearst ("Our Father
Our Father (Heroes)
"Our Father" is the 12th episode of the third season of the NBC science fiction drama series Heroes. The episode aired on December 8, 2008.-Plot:...
").
After being on the run during the Fugitives' arc, he returns to work in the New Company for Noah Bennet and Angela Petrelli ("Orientation
Orientation (Heroes)
"Orientation" is the first episode of the fourth season of the NBC science fiction drama series Heroes and the sixtieth episode overall. The episode aired in the US on September 21, 2009...
"), and even he is among the few people that knew Nathan was dead and Sylar was impersonating him ("Brother's Keeper
Brother's Keeper (Heroes)
"Brother's Keeper" is the ninth episode of the fourth season of the NBC science fiction drama series Heroes and sixty-eighth episode overall. The episode aired on November 16, 2009.-Plot:...
"), although he decided to act against Angela's orders and told Peter the truth about Nathan's death.
Alternate futures
- In "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....
", the future Haitian is working for the Department of Homeland Security, assisting Matt Parkman in the interrogation of people with superpowers, and the capture of the future Hiro Nakamura, where he proves to be useful as he can prohibit the usage of Hiro's powers to some extent. Eventually, the Haitian is killed by Mohinder Suresh, who injects him with a lethal fluid that was meant for the present-day Hiro Nakamura. - In "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:...
", the Haitian is working alongside Claire, Knox, and Daphne to capture and/or kill Peter because of his "terrorist" status.
Powers and abilities
The Haitian has the ability to selectively erase the memories of anyone he wishes. In the graphic novel "It Takes a Village, Pt. 1", he is shown to accidentally clean out the minds of nearby villagers, but precise memory removal appears to require prolonged physical contact. The Haitian describes the experience as ranging from being like "picking flowers just after a spring rain" to "reaching into the moist soil of freshly dug graves" with "grubs biting at your fingers." When removing specific memories, he describes it as becoming "one with [the subject's] mind." He can erase memories of short periods, as demonstrated on Matt ParkmanMatt 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...
in "Collision
Collision (Heroes)
"Collision" is the fourth episode of the first season of the NBC science fiction drama series Heroes. It was originally titled "Come Together".-Plot:...
", or erase a person's memory so thoroughly that they cannot remember their own name, as he does to Brody Mitchum 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....
" and 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...
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...
". While the Haitian cannot restore erased memories on his own, as revealed in "Godsend
Godsend (Heroes)
"Godsend" is the twelfth episode of the first season of the NBC science fiction drama series Heroes.-Plot:Two weeks following the events of "Fallout", Peter remains in a coma after consecutively absorbing too many powers...
", the process can be undone by those with healing or regenerative powers
Healing factor
A healing factor is a term used to describe the ability of some characters in fiction to recover from bodily injuries or disease at a superhuman rate...
.
He is also shown to be able to force a person into unconsciousness through physical contact, as he does to Baron Samedi in "The Eclipse" and apparently 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...
in "Homecoming
Homecoming (Heroes)
"Homecoming" is the ninth episode of the first season of the NBC science fiction drama series Heroes.-Plot:The episode begins with Claire and her friend Zach walking into the high school amphitheater with lunch as Claire's former cheerleader friends wait anxiously for the results of the Homecoming...
".
The Haitian has also displayed the ability to dampen or completely negate the powers of anyone within a certain distance of himself. The ability only works when he is conscious. The Haitian can allow specific individuals to use their powers in his presence if he wishes. This ability is not supreme, however, as various heroes have overcome it with great effort.
Character development and concept
In an interview on The Post ShowThe Post Show
The Post Show is an interactive television series on G4 Network related to the NBC series Heroes.-Overview:The Post Show is a live, half-hour wrap-up show which premiered Saturday, November 3, 2007 on G4...
on G4
G4 (TV channel)
G4, also known as G4 TV, is an American cable- and satellite-television channel originally geared primarily toward young adult viewers, originally based on the world of video games...
, Jimmy Jean-Louis stated that the Haitian was originally supposed to be from New Zealand, and that the character was going to be "The Kiwi." Kiwi is a colloquial term for the people of New Zealand. Jimmy Jean-Louis also stated that he auditioned three times for the role of D.L. Hawkins, which he did not get.