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Parasite (Heroes)
Encyclopedia
"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. It was originally announced as "Like Any Parasite" until NBC shortened its name to "Parasite" on February 24, 2007. Like the previous episode, this episode debuted on Global in most Canadian markets a day ahead of NBC. This was the last episode to be aired until April 2007, when the series picked up once again to finish the season.
dies, Isaac Mendez
blames Peter Petrelli
for her death and tries to shoot Peter, but he turns invisible and flies out the window. Distraught, Peter goes to Nathan
for help. Nathan says he will leave an anonymous phone call to the police, directing them to Isaac's home. He advises Peter to get help from Mohinder, but Peter disappears again.
Thompson questions Mr. Bennet, who states that the last thing he remembers is driving his wife, Sandra, home from the hospital. He does not know the whereabouts of Claire
or the Haitian. Later, outside the room, Thompson and Candice Wilmer observe Bennet, along with Matt Parkman
, who is being held against his will. Parkman says that Mr. Bennet is telling the truth.
A few hours later, Mr. Bennet and Candice arrive at Isaac's apartment. Candice disguises herself as Simone and hides Simone's corpse to fool the police. She then turns into Simone to taunt Isaac, and he begs Mr. Bennet to stay. But he refuses, claiming that they concocted an alibi, saying Simone will be in Europe indefinitely. After they leave, a devastated Isaac goes back to using heroin and paints several images which depict himself with his head cut open and his brain removed, the same as Sylar's
victims.
The Haitian tells Claire that they must flee the country because they cannot trust anybody else. He tells Claire that they cannot stay with Peter Petrelli. He makes a phone call and speaks in French. Later, when they arrive at the airport, Claire manages to separate from the Haitian by taking his passport and boarding pass. She goes to Peter Petrelli's apartment in New York because he is the only person she trusts. Angela Petrelli
opens the door, lets Claire come in and starts speaking in French. Angela introduces herself as Claire's grandmother and reveals that she has been trying to protect her. Because of that, she has been working with the Haitian, who had somehow found his way there before Claire arrived.
Before having his memory wiped, Mr. Bennet had told his wife to pretend that she had her memory erased by the Haitian. Moreover, he had told her the truth about whom he worked for and had given her a handwritten note, stating not to look for Claire. After returning from New York, Bennet reiterates his plan, affirming he will destroy Primatech, to "Sandra," whom Candice had been impersonating. As Candice reveals herself, Thompson and the men arrive to apprehend Bennet.
Nathan and Hiro meet each other at the hotel. Nathan gets Hiro into the museum, where he gives the remnants of the painting to the curator. After the curator leaves the room, Hiro performs a search on the curator's computer for the fabled sword of Takezo Kensei, which returns Item CRM-114. Just as Hiro is about to take the sword, the curator catches him and calls security. The first guard to get there is an undercover Ando
, who helps him block off the rest of the security. Hiro finally gets the sword and teleports himself and Ando to the future New York, where they see the aftermath of the explosion. As they survey the wreckage of the city, a crushed Hiro says that he has failed.
Jessica Sanders continues to pose as Niki. She plays Heavenly Sword
for the PlayStation 3
with Micah
. D.L. Hawkins, however, is getting suspicious of her due to a clue left by Niki, a picture of Nathan on his pillow. Jessica says that she was posing as a dealer and kisses him, then he leaves. Jessica confronts Niki in the mirror, then grabs a gun out of a duffel bag and loads it.
Nathan is working undercover with the FBI
and has a wire strapped to him to get the evidence on Linderman. Jessica surprises the agents, who are set up in another room, and speaks to them by name, calling them Alonso and Quesada (references to Marvel Comics
editors Axel Alonso
and Joe Quesada
), before killing them both. Nathan comes back to his room, where Niki has been waiting. After removing the wire from Nathan, she warns him that his life is in danger and advises him to either accept Linderman's deal or run. Nathan then chooses one of his own choices which is to kill Linderman. Nathan confronts Linderman, who is cooking dinner in the hotel kitchen. He is about to shoot Linderman when the old man states that it would be pointless if Nathan shot him because Nathan himself would be dead in moments. He states that he knows about the powers of Nathan and Peter and other heroes, in addition to knowing about Claire. Linderman continues, promising Nathan that he will not only win the election but that he will be in the White House
in a few years' time, a heartbeat away from the Presidency. Nathan puts down the gun.
Mohinder Suresh
, back at his apartment, offers Sylar a cup of chai that is drugged with curare
. After sipping the drugged drink, Sylar collapses. When Sylar reawakens, he is strapped down in a chair, hooked up to an I.V.
filled with a fluid that prevents him from using his abilities. Mohinder reveals that he knew of Zane's death for quite some time, as Zane's body was eventually discovered and his death published in a newspaper. Sylar begs for his life and tells Mohinder that he knows about his sister and his father's secrets. Mohinder extracts spinal fluid from Sylar, runs the tests, and finally finds the key to being able to locate other people with superpowers. He tells Sylar that he will not forgive him for killing his father, despite their unstable relationship. Mohinder shoots at Sylar, but Sylar stops the bullet in mid-air, breaks free, and tells Mohinder he had stopped the I.V. long ago, adding that he was not really begging for his own life but offering Mohinder his.
Later, Peter comes to Mohinder's apartment, finding it darkened with the furniture overturned, as though a great struggle had taken place. Blood drips down onto him and he looks up to find a weakened Mohinder pinned to the ceiling, whispering, "Sylar." As he turns around, Sylar appears behind him and telekinetically pins him to the wall, grabbing him by the throat and inspecting him as he mutters, "You're like me, aren't you? I'd like to see how that works." He starts slicing Peter's head as Peter screams in pain. A few drops of blood and a lock of hair fall to the floor as the episode ends.
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...
. 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. It was originally announced as "Like Any Parasite" until NBC shortened its name to "Parasite" on February 24, 2007. Like the previous episode, this episode debuted on Global in most Canadian markets a day ahead of NBC. This was the last episode to be aired until April 2007, when the series picked up once again to finish the season.
Plot
After Simone DeveauxSimone 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...
dies, 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:...
blames 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...
for her death and tries to shoot Peter, but he turns invisible and flies out the window. Distraught, Peter goes to 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...
for help. Nathan says he will leave an anonymous phone call to the police, directing them to Isaac's home. He advises Peter to get help from Mohinder, but Peter disappears again.
Thompson questions Mr. Bennet, who states that the last thing he remembers is driving his wife, Sandra, home from the hospital. He does not know the whereabouts of 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...
or the Haitian. Later, outside the room, Thompson and Candice Wilmer observe Bennet, along with 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...
, who is being held against his will. Parkman says that Mr. Bennet is telling the truth.
A few hours later, Mr. Bennet and Candice arrive at Isaac's apartment. Candice disguises herself as Simone and hides Simone's corpse to fool the police. She then turns into Simone to taunt Isaac, and he begs Mr. Bennet to stay. But he refuses, claiming that they concocted an alibi, saying Simone will be in Europe indefinitely. After they leave, a devastated Isaac goes back to using heroin and paints several images which depict himself with his head cut open and his brain removed, the same as Sylar's
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...
victims.
The Haitian tells Claire that they must flee the country because they cannot trust anybody else. He tells Claire that they cannot stay with Peter Petrelli. He makes a phone call and speaks in French. Later, when they arrive at the airport, Claire manages to separate from the Haitian by taking his passport and boarding pass. She goes to Peter Petrelli's apartment in New York because he is the only person she trusts. 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...
opens the door, lets Claire come in and starts speaking in French. Angela introduces herself as Claire's grandmother and reveals that she has been trying to protect her. Because of that, she has been working with the Haitian, who had somehow found his way there before Claire arrived.
Before having his memory wiped, Mr. Bennet had told his wife to pretend that she had her memory erased by the Haitian. Moreover, he had told her the truth about whom he worked for and had given her a handwritten note, stating not to look for Claire. After returning from New York, Bennet reiterates his plan, affirming he will destroy Primatech, to "Sandra," whom Candice had been impersonating. As Candice reveals herself, Thompson and the men arrive to apprehend Bennet.
Nathan and Hiro meet each other at the hotel. Nathan gets Hiro into the museum, where he gives the remnants of the painting to the curator. After the curator leaves the room, Hiro performs a search on the curator's computer for the fabled sword of Takezo Kensei, which returns Item CRM-114. Just as Hiro is about to take the sword, the curator catches him and calls security. The first guard to get there is an undercover Ando
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...
, who helps him block off the rest of the security. Hiro finally gets the sword and teleports himself and Ando to the future New York, where they see the aftermath of the explosion. As they survey the wreckage of the city, a crushed Hiro says that he has failed.
Jessica Sanders continues to pose as Niki. She plays Heavenly Sword
Heavenly Sword
Heavenly Sword is a video game developed by Ninja Theory exclusively for the PlayStation 3 console and published by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe...
for the PlayStation 3
PlayStation 3
The is the third home video game console produced by Sony Computer Entertainment and the successor to the PlayStation 2 as part of the PlayStation series. The PlayStation 3 competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
with Micah
Micah Sanders
Micah Sanders, portrayed by Noah Gray-Cabey, is a fictional character on the NBC science fiction drama series Heroes. He is the son of Niki Sanders and D.L. Hawkins. He is a child prodigy and a technopath.- Beginnings :...
. D.L. Hawkins, however, is getting suspicious of her due to a clue left by Niki, a picture of Nathan on his pillow. Jessica says that she was posing as a dealer and kisses him, then he leaves. Jessica confronts Niki in the mirror, then grabs a gun out of a duffel bag and loads it.
Nathan is working undercover with the FBI
Federal Bureau of Investigation
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is an agency of the United States Department of Justice that serves as both a federal criminal investigative body and an internal intelligence agency . The FBI has investigative jurisdiction over violations of more than 200 categories of federal crime...
and has a wire strapped to him to get the evidence on Linderman. Jessica surprises the agents, who are set up in another room, and speaks to them by name, calling them Alonso and Quesada (references to Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
editors Axel Alonso
Axel Alonso
Axel Alonso is American comic book creator, known primarily as an editor at DC Comics from 1994–2000, and at Marvel Comics from 2000 to the present. At DC, he edited a number of books published under their Vertigo line, such as Doom Patrol, Animal Man, Hellblazer, Preacher and 100 Bullets...
and Joe Quesada
Joe Quesada
Joseph "Joe" Quesada is an American comic book editor, writer and artist. He became known in the 1990s for his work on various Valiant Comics books, such as Ninjak and Solar, Man of the Atom...
), before killing them both. Nathan comes back to his room, where Niki has been waiting. After removing the wire from Nathan, she warns him that his life is in danger and advises him to either accept Linderman's deal or run. Nathan then chooses one of his own choices which is to kill Linderman. Nathan confronts Linderman, who is cooking dinner in the hotel kitchen. He is about to shoot Linderman when the old man states that it would be pointless if Nathan shot him because Nathan himself would be dead in moments. He states that he knows about the powers of Nathan and Peter and other heroes, in addition to knowing about Claire. Linderman continues, promising Nathan that he will not only win the election but that he will be in the White House
White House
The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
in a few years' time, a heartbeat away from the Presidency. Nathan puts down the gun.
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...
, back at his apartment, offers Sylar a cup of chai that is drugged with curare
Curare
Curare is a common name for various arrow poisons originating from South America. The three main types of curare are:* tubocurare...
. After sipping the drugged drink, Sylar collapses. When Sylar reawakens, he is strapped down in a chair, hooked up to an I.V.
Intravenous therapy
Intravenous therapy or IV therapy is the infusion of liquid substances directly into a vein. The word intravenous simply means "within a vein". Therapies administered intravenously are often called specialty pharmaceuticals...
filled with a fluid that prevents him from using his abilities. Mohinder reveals that he knew of Zane's death for quite some time, as Zane's body was eventually discovered and his death published in a newspaper. Sylar begs for his life and tells Mohinder that he knows about his sister and his father's secrets. Mohinder extracts spinal fluid from Sylar, runs the tests, and finally finds the key to being able to locate other people with superpowers. He tells Sylar that he will not forgive him for killing his father, despite their unstable relationship. Mohinder shoots at Sylar, but Sylar stops the bullet in mid-air, breaks free, and tells Mohinder he had stopped the I.V. long ago, adding that he was not really begging for his own life but offering Mohinder his.
Later, Peter comes to Mohinder's apartment, finding it darkened with the furniture overturned, as though a great struggle had taken place. Blood drips down onto him and he looks up to find a weakened Mohinder pinned to the ceiling, whispering, "Sylar." As he turns around, Sylar appears behind him and telekinetically pins him to the wall, grabbing him by the throat and inspecting him as he mutters, "You're like me, aren't you? I'd like to see how that works." He starts slicing Peter's head as Peter screams in pain. A few drops of blood and a lock of hair fall to the floor as the episode ends.
Ratings
In the 18-49 demographic, "Parasite" earned a 6.6/16 ratings share. This episode was watched by 14.90 million viewers.External links
- Watch "Parasite" at NBC.com. May not be accessible outside of the United States.
- Beaming Beeman: Episode 18: Parasite - Director's blog on the filming of this episode, and an interview with its first-time writer.