Episode:Company Man

Company Man
Season:	One
Episode number:	117
First aired:	February 26, 2007
Written by:	Bryan Fuller
Directed by:	Allan Arkush
Previous episode:	Unexpected
Next episode:	Like Any Parasite
Heroes Interactive transcript

Synopsis

At the Bennet home Ted melts the doorknob off the back door and he and Matt enter the home. Matt disconnects Mr. Bennet's computer in hopes there may be some incriminating evidence on there. Ted suggests that Matt just get inside Mr. Bennet's head. Matt tells him that they're going to confront Mr. Bennet at Primatech. As Matt is disconnecting the computer he and Ted notice the Bennets returning home. Ted suggests that they confront Mr. Bennet now, but Matt is reluctant because he is with his family. Matt and Ted argue briefly and Matt is finally convinced to confront him now. The Bennets enter the house and Lyle goes to bring his mother upstairs. Ted steps into view and Mr. Bennet tells Lyle to get his mother out of the house. Matt draws his gun and stops them from leaving. Mr. Bennet introduces Matt as an officer of the LAPD and Matt tells him that he is no longer an officer thanks to him. Mr. Bennet asks why they're in his house with guns and Ted points out that he doesn't need a gun and that Mr. Bennet already knows this. Mr. Bennet claims not to know Ted. Ted tells him that if he keeps on lying he's going to get upset and that when he gets upset he gets "very bright and very hot." Matt tells Mr. Bennet that he's got to help them to keep Ted from getting upset. Mr. Bennet continues to claim that he's just a paper salesman.

15 years ago Mr. Bennet sits being interviewed by Thompson. Thompson asks him what he thinks about paper and tells him that as far as his friends and family are concerned it's his life. He congratulates Mr. Bennet and welcomes him as the new regional manager for Primatech Paper. Thompson tells him that nobody outside of the organization knows what they do. Mr. Bennet understands and agrees that people aren't ready to know about those who are developing special abilities. Thompson tells him that some of the things he'll be asked to do may be questionably moral. Mr. Bennet tells him that he has no problem with that. He tells Mr. Bennet that he will have a partner who is already here. Mr. Bennet looks away and Claude fades into visibility. Mr. Bennet is startled and confused.

In the present Ted presses Mr. Bennet to explain what goes on at Primatech. Matt explains that Mr. Bennet is responsible for abducting people and claims that he doesn't care what he's doing to people only that they don't remember what happens. Mrs. Bennet asks how they could be made to forget. Matt hears Claire think about The Haitian and then blame her father for what's happening. Matt reveals that Claire knows that this is Mr. Bennet's fault and that he's got everyone fooled except for Claire. He then reveals that Claire knows that her mother and Lyle were made to forget but that she wasn't. Matt asks her why The Haitian didn't erase her memory, but Claire tells him that she doesn't know. Mr. Bennet again claims that he's telling the truth and Ted's hands begin radiating. Matt tries to get Ted to relax. Claire reveals that her father isn't a paper salesman. Claire and Matt go into the other room to speak in private. He hears Claire thinking about going to get help since she can't be hurt. Matt tells her not to be a hero because Ted is dangerous and he needs her help to ensure that no one gets hurt. Claire realizes that Matt can read her mind. Matt claims that Mr. Bennet did this to him and Claire asks if he's done this to others as well. Matt tells her that they've both seen strange things and Matt mentions what happened at her school. Matt hears Claire think Peter Petrelli's name and tells Claire that Peter can read minds like he can. He hears Claire think that Peter can also do what she can do. He tells her that Peter told him to protect her and asks if she's got any abilities. He asks her why after Sylar's attack she didn't have any scratches on her. He hears her think that she's got the ability to heal.

14 years in the past on the rooftop of the Deveaux building Mr. Bennet and Claude discuss the fate of baby Claire. Thompson motions for Claude and Mr. Bennet to come over. Thompson leaves with Claude leaving Mr. Bennet to talk to Kaito Nakamura who is holding Claire. Kaito asks about Claire's mother and Mr. Bennet tells him that she likely died in the fire. Kaito gives Claire to him and tells him that he will be adopting her. Mr. Bennet is reluctant and tells Kaito that he doesn't believe he would be a good father, but Kaito tells him that he doesn't have a choice. He tells Mr. Bennet not to get too attached to Claire because if she manifests any abilities they're going to take her back.

In the present Claire asks her father if he made her this way and if she was adopted as some kind of experiment. Matt and Ted discuss what to do with the family. Ted tells Matt that he just wants to find a cure for what's happening to him. When Matt asks what if there is no cure he hears Ted think that he'll kill everyone. Ted tells Matt to get inside Mr. Bennet's head. He listens to Mr. Bennet's thoughts, but they're in Japanese. Ted tells Mr. Bennet that he wants answers. Matt hears Mr. Bennet think that there's a safe in the bookcase. Matt tells Ted and Ted goes to open the safe. Once Ted is out of the room, Mr. Bennet gets up and pulls a concealed gun from inside the fireplace. Matt punches Mr. Bennet before he can use the gun and Ted runs back out and starts kicking Mr. Bennet while he's on the floor. Matt pulls Ted off of Mr. Bennet. Ted points a gun at Mr. Bennet's wife and threatens to kill her. Matt hears Mr. Bennet thinking that he needs to trust him and shoot Claire because she can heal. He then hears Claire think to shoot her. Matt shoots Claire and she collapses. Claire's mom rushes over to her and screams. Mr. Bennet thinks to Matt that he needs to get Ted's trust. Matt tells Ted that they now know how serious they are. Mr. Bennet then thinks to Matt and warns him that he's about to punch him. He punches Matt and claims that he killed Claire. He tells them not to leave her body just laying here and then thinks to Matt that they need to move her body before she heals. Matt and Mr. Bennet carry Claire into her room where she soon heals and regains consciousness. Matt asks Mr. Bennet if he made her indestructible and Mr. Bennet tells him that he's not responsible for her powers. Mr. Bennet tells Claire that he will explain later, but for now she needs to do what he tells her to do. Mr. Bennet reveals that the people he works for don't know about Claire or else they would have taken her away. He tells Claire to do what he says for now and tells Matt to do what he thinks. He and Matt return downstairs. Matt tells Ted that they'll find what they're looking for at the paper company. Matt says he'll stay with the family while Ted goes with Mr. Bennet. Ted tells him that he'll stay with the family instead because he can do more damage there. Ted tells Mr. Bennet that he'd better be back within an hour.

14 years in the past Mr. Bennet tells Thompson that his wife found his gun and sedation kit and is suspicious. He apologizes and tells Thompson that he doesn't know what to do. He asks if his wife is in danger. Thompson asks him what he would do if he said "yes." Mr. Bennet tells him he would do whatever he was told. Thompson tells him to relax because his wife isn't going to remember what happened. Thompson explains that there's a mute boy they found from Haiti who can pull memories out of people. He tells Mr. Bennet to thank him afterwards for saving his wife's life.

In the present Matt and Mr. Bennet enter a secure room at Primatech. Matt tells him that if they don't bring back evidence Ted will be dangerous. Mr. Bennet tells him that they're bringing back a tranquilizer and that Ted doesn't want evidence he wants his wife back or revenge for her death. Matt asks what's going to happen to him and whether he's going to have his memory erased and be sent back to LA. Mr. Bennet tells him that he's not going anywhere because he's the only one he can trust. He tells Matt that he's alerted The Haitian.

Back at the Bennets's Ted sits forming small explosions in his hands while Claire watches secretly.

At the paper company Mr. Bennet meets up with The Haitian. He pushes The Haitian against the wall and tells him that he knows that he can talk. He asks who else knows about Claire and The Haitian tells him that it's just the two of them for now, but that he may reveal it to others. When asked why he didn't erase Claire's memories he claims that he answers to someone in Claire's life who's instructions supersede Mr. Bennet's.

7 years ago Mr. Bennet drives Claude down a highway. Claude asks what their mission is and Mr. Bennet tells him that all he knows is that they're looking into a security breach. Claude claims that Mr. Bennet knows more than he's letting onto, but just doesn't want to tell him. Mr. Bennet tells Claude that he is the security breach. He asks Claude if he's hiding someone with special abilities. Claude tells him that the work they're doing is starting to concern him and that he thought that since Mr. Bennet is hiding Claire that he'd be more sympathetic. Mr. Bennet tells him that Claire doesn't have any powers. Claude admits that she doesn't have powers yet, but that someday she might. Mr. Bennet claims that if she does manifest abilities that he'll turn her in as ordered. Claude tells Mr. Bennet that he was in his office when he was told to kill him, but got into the car with Mr. Bennet because he thinks that he's a good man. Mr. Bennet stops the car on a bridge and tells Claude to get out. He tells Claude to tell him whom he's hiding, but Claude questions the motives of the company. Mr. Bennet pulls his gun and asks him again. Claude tells him that he won't hunt his own people and that Mr. Bennet has a choice. Mr. Bennet shoots him and he falls against the rail of the bridge. He shoots him again and Claude turns invisible and appears to fall over the rail.

At the paper company The Haitian and Mr. Bennet argue over Claire. The Haitian claims that Mr. Bennet can't be trusted to put the interests of the company over Claire's safety and that makes him a liability. They argue over how to best keep Claire safe and Matt tells them that unless they give Ted what he wants she won't be safe.

Ted watches a clock at the Bennet residence when he hears a noise upstairs. He goes to investigate and Claire comes in through the back door and cuts her mom and brother loose. Investigating upstairs he finds Mr. Muggles in Claire's room. When he pulls back the sheets on Claire's bed he finds her missing and runs back downstairs. Lyle manages to run out the back door, but Claire is caught by Ted. Claire's mom refuses to leave and goes to help Claire. Ted uses his power to burn Claire's neck and then he and Claire's mom watch as she regenerates. Ted binds Claire and her mother with tape. Her mom tells her that she always thought Claire was a miracle. Claire denies that she's a miracle, but her mom tells her that when someone rises from the dead that it's a miracle. Claire's mom finally realizes what Claire meant when she told her that she walked through fire without getting burned. Ted asks Claire if Matt knew that she would heal when he shot her and becomes suspicious. Matt and Mr. Bennet return. Mr. Bennet offers Ted his file. Matt tells Ted that they have what they came for and should leave. Mr. Bennet tells Ted that if the people he works for knew that he's giving Ted this information they would kill him and that since he's risking his own life he would like Ted to let his family go. The Haitian comes in the back door and releases Claire and her mother who all leave through the back door and meet Lyle outside. Mr. Bennet tells Ted that he's not responsible for his powers and that there's no cure for them. Thompson enters secretly through the back door and goes to shoot Ted. Mr. Bennet warns him that shooting him will "set him off", but Thompson shoots him anyway and hits him in the shoulder. Ted falls to the ground loses control of his powers setting the house on fire. Mr. Bennet tries to reach Ted to sedate him but is unable to get close enough without being burned. Claire returns to the house and tells her father that she can do it. Matt helps Mr. Bennet out of the house. As Claire approaches Ted she gets horribly burned. The front door blows away and the explosions cease. Claire emerges from the house burned all over. As she approaches her father she regenerates. Her family hugs her.

At the paper company Thompson and Mr. Bennet talk. Thompson tells Mr. Bennet that it's a shame that he's going to have to kill another partner. Mr. Bennet asks if he's been located and Thompson tells him that they haven't found the partner, The Haitian. He tells Mr. Bennet that The Haitian probably figured Mr. Bennet would turn him in not realizing that it was actually Mr. Bennet who had been hiding Claire. Mr. Bennet claims that Claire must have trusted The Haitian over him. They observe Ted who is sedated in a cell. They then check on Matt who is unconscious on a table being examined. Thompson remarks that having someone with Matt's powers around will be very useful. He then asks Mr. Bennet when they can expect him to bring in Claire. He tells Thompson that he'll bring her in now.

Mr. Bennet drives Claire down a highway. She asks her father where she's going and whether she'll see her family again. He tells her that he doesn't know and just wanted to protect her.

3 years ago Claire helps her father pick out a pair of glasses. Claire asks if she's going to need glasses someday and Mr. Bennet reveals to her that she was adopted and that they don't know who her biological parents are. He tells her that it doesn't matter who her biological parents are because they love her. Claire picks out a pair of horn-rimmed glasses for her father. He tries them on and Claire tells him that he looks "like her dad."

Mr. Bennet pulls over on a bridge on the highway. He and Claire get out and meet with The Haitian who is waiting for them. He tells Claire that this is goodbye and Claire tells him that there has to be a better way. The Haitian tells her that this is the best way to keep the company from suspecting that her father was involved. Mr. Bennet tells The Haitian where to shoot him so that he won't be killed. The Haitian shoots Mr. Bennet. Mr. Bennet tells The Haitian to then "go deep" and erase his mind of any memories that would lead people to Claire. The Haitian erases Mr. Bennet's memories as Claire watches and cries.

Memorable Quotes

(Thinking) "You have to trust me, shoot Claire."

(Thinking) "Shoot me!"

-Mr. Bennet, Claire, to Matt Parkman, knowing he'd hear their thoughts.

"The son of a bitch is thinking in Japanese."

"Why are you thinking in Japanese?!"

-Matt, Ted, referring to Mr. Bennet

"You want me to play dead? I'm sorry, I'm not Mr. Muggles."

-Claire Bennet to Mr. Bennet

Notes

• Santiago Cabrera (Isaac Mendez) does not appear in this episode.
• Noah Gray-Cabey (Micah Sanders) does not appear in this episode.
• Ali Larter (Niki Sanders) does not appear in this episode.
• Masi Oka does not appear in this episode, but his character (Hiro Nakamura) does.
• Adrian Pasdar (Nathan Petrelli) does not appear in this episode.
• Sendhil Ramamurthy (Mohinder Suresh) does not appear in this episode.
• Leonard Roberts (D.L. Hawkins) does not appear in this episode.
• Milo Ventimiglia (Peter Petrelli) does not appear in this episode.

Trivia

• Company Man has more shots than any other episode of Heroes to date. Most have about 750 - Company Man has over 1000. (Heroes Two-Screen Experience)
• Jack Coleman (Mr. Bennet) is in 95% of the shots in this episode. (Heroes Two-Screen Experience)
• This episode was aired 25th of February on Global (Canada).

See Also

previous: Unexpected

Company Man

next: Like Any Parasite