Theories:Items

This article will archive all of the published and fan theories that exist for items on Heroes.

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The Company's guns

Theory	Citations	Notes
The phony exterminator was working for Mr. Bennet. That's why he has the same gun Eden and Mr. Bennet both use.	The exterminator's gun (Don't Look Back) is customized identically to Mr. Bennet's (Hiros) and Eden's (Fallout).

Hiro's sword

Theory	Citations	Notes
Future Hiro has come from an apocalyptic future where one needs a sword to defend oneself.	None.	- Hiro obtained the sword before the apocalyptic events.
Since a gun would be completely useless if time were frozen, he uses the sword to defeat enemies.	None	+ Hiro can move objects when time is stopped, but there's no evidence he can allow objects (like bullets) to move of their own accord.
Hiro uses the sword to channel his powers.	Hiro claims that having the sword will give him greater control of his power. (Godsend)	• The veracity of Hiro's belief is not yet known, but if Hiro's powers are wavering due to his shaken self-confidence, as Joe Pokaski and Aron Coleite have implied, it's possible that his belief that the sword will focus his powers will be enough to do the trick. - Hiro's father told him that the sword had no real power, and that it was only the confidence it gave him that focused his ability. No effort was made to repair the sword, and his father appeared to be providing him with a replacement instead.
Some evolved humans, such as those with Claire's regeneration ability, might have to be decapitated to be killed, as in the "Highlander" mythos, particularly Sylar.	Until the tree branch is pulled out of Claire's head by the coroner, Claire's regeneration does not function. (Collision)	+ This seems to be correct as all powers all controled by the brain, and without that no power would work.
Hiro's sword is a reference to Nightcrawler, a Marvel Comics character who possesses teleporting superpowers and uses a sword. Hiro is a member of the Merry Marvel Marching Society.	None	- This is more likely a coincidence than a rationale on Hiro's part.
Hiro's sword is actually a reference to Hiro Protagonist, a character in Neal Stephenson's book Snowcrash who also dressed in black.	None	- This might be a coincidence. - It's not like black isn't a common dress color.
With the sword, he will be a deadly adversary, since he will be able to stop time, attack his adversaries while they are helpless, then allow time to resume so that they will feel the effects of the wounds. It is hard to imagine how anyone will be able to defeat Hiro if he has enough warning to use his power to control time.	When Hiro "stops time", he can still interact with people and objects that are "frozen". (Don't Look Back)	+ This may be significant regarding Sylar's apparent resistance to bullets. The sword may be instrumental in defeating Sylar if/when the explanation behind his "bulletproof" nature is further explained.
The sword isn't for Hiro, it's for Niki. The sword will allow her two sides to be integrated and bring balance to her personality, giving her full access to her power.	None	+ Takezo Kensei, the samurai that originally possessed the sword was feared by everyone because he was brutal and powerful, just like Jessica. - However, if the sword is meant for Niki, it's not meant for her for another 5 years, at a minimum, as Future Hiro possessed the sword when he met with Peter.
The sword belonged to Future Hiro, but in this present it is meant for Sylar. His uncontrolled power and oppressive childhood combined together are what were turning him into a psychopath. With the sword he gains control over both and becomes sane again and tries to atone for his murderous rampage, and at some point before he gains full control of himself is transported to Feudal Japan.	None.	+ The beginning of the story of the ancient wielder of the sword, Takezo Kensei, sounds more like Sylar than Hiro. - However, this would require Sylar to either acquire Hiro's ability to bend time and space or Peter's ability to mimic the powers of others, and the depictions of Takezo Kensei resemble Hiro more than they resemble Sylar.
The sword was Hiro's. Future Hiro traveled back in time and was known as Takezo Kensei.	The painting of Takezo Kensei bears a distinct resemblance to Future Hiro. Both have long hair and a soulpatch. (Godsend)	• This is a corollary of a previous theory. - The personality of Takezo Kensei (brutal) does not mesh with the personality shown by either Hiro or Future Hiro. + Future Hiro tried to kill Sylar with his sword. (String Theory) - In an interview, George Takei strongly implied that Takezo Kensei is Hiro's ancestor.
The sword was never really needed for Hiro to use his powers. It's merely the placebo effect which seems to restore his powers.	Although Hiro believes his powers are depleted, in a moment of stress he's able to reverse time relative to Hope's bullet, a feat he hadn't accomplished before even when his powers were at full strength. (Unexpected)	+ Hiro's waning powers were more of a "mind over matter" concept, as he was losing faith in himself, but when he saw the sword and the story attached to it, his faith fell on the sword, not himself. When he obtained the sword, his faith returned and he was able to use his power. + Hiro's father certainly seems to firmly believe this. (Landslide)
Sylar will freeze the sword, causing it to break and Hiro to lose powers until he realizes that its just a "magic feather"	Sylar did break the sword using this method in The Hard Part. It remains to be seen if Hiro will overcome his need for the sword, although he did successfully teleport himself and Ando to safety with it broken. (The Hard Part)	+ Hiro's father seems to confirm this, as he states that it was not the sword that restored Hiro's powers, but his journey as a hero. (Landslide)
In the legend, Takezo Kensei finds his katana frozen in snow. Hiro could have went back in time and died in the fight with Dinosaur, or at any other time in the pre-historic period, and his sword was frozen over time. Takenzo Kensei later found the sword, after Hiro had used it.	None.

Isaac's sketchbooks

Theory	Citations	Notes
Isaac's sketchbook contains sketches (or paintings) showing how Sylar is stopped (and possibly killed).	Isaac gave away his sketchbook to a courier. Shortly before he was killed, Isaac told Sylar that he knew how he would be stopped. When Sylar demanded Isaac to show him, Isaac told him that the images were gone.(.07%)	- In Five Years Gone, both Future Hiro and Future Mohinder use Isaac's final 9th Wonders comic to foil Sylar's plans, and Present-day Hiro appears to be planning to use it in the same way. - Isaac might have just given the sketchbook to the courier out of kindness, or because he knew that he was going to be killed soon.

The list

Theory	Citations	Notes
Felipe Acerra, not Gabriel Gray, is Patient Zero.	Felipe is the first name listed on the list. (Homecoming)	- There is no clear evidence that the list is in any particular order. - Mohinder has referred to his father's belief that Sylar was Patient Zero multiple times. (Don't Look Back, Parasite) + Chandra assembled the list, so he would presumably know that Felipe was "Patient Zero" if his appearance as the first listed had any significance. - "Patient Zero" in itself implies that the person in question isn't on a list

Lonestar File

Theory	Citations	Notes
The file name of the Lonestar File, SEA:V5J1K2/P/L, contains coded information	None	• The events described in the file take place in Vietnam. "SEA:V" could refer to "South East Asia:Vietnam". The remaining characters could describe the soldiers, the mission, or the location. + In particular, some have hypothesized the "/P/L" refers to Petrelli and Linderman, though there is currently no evidence to support such a hypothesis. + If the letters do refer to the soldiers, "V", "J", and "K" could represent Amarillo, Loredo, and San Antonio, and the numbers some sort of status code. If "P" and "L" represent Dallas and Austin, the separation and lack of a code number could refer to the fact that they survived the mission.

Mohinder's taxi license

Theory	Citations	Notes
Mohinder's taxi license is a fake.	The expiration date on the license is February 30, 2007. (Genesis)	+ To acquire such a license in the 36 hours the show leaves him is impossible. + The Chelsea Cab Company boss appeared desperate to hire somebody.