Arthur Petrelli

Arthur Petrelli
Portrayed by	Robert Forster
First appearance	War Buddies, Part 2
In-story stats
Known abilities	Ability absorption Absorbed abilities demonstrated: Telepathy, Rapid cell regeneration, Electric manipulation, Poison emission, Telekinesis, Mental manipulation, Space-time manipulation, Precognition
Alias	Dallas
Gender
Date of marriage	1964
Date of death	Post-March 2007
Occupations	Founding member of the Company, former leader of Pinehearst Company, former Linderman Group criminal defense attorney, former Law firm head, former U.S. Army Sergeant (served as a squad leader)
Significant other	formerly Angela Petrelli
Parent	Mrs. Petrelli (deceased)
Children	Nathan Petrelli (deceased), Peter Petrelli
Grandchildren	Claire Bennet, Simon Petrelli, Monty Petrelli
Sibling	Tim Petrelli
Other relatives	Sister-in-law: Alice Shaw

Arthur Petrelli was the husband of Angela, the father of Nathan, Peter, and was a founding member of the Company. He was an evolved human with the ability to steal other evolved humans' abilities through physical contact.

About

After having served in the Vietnam War alongside Daniel Linderman, Arthur (and his wife) helped found the Company. He worked with the others in the group to perform acts they believed would help the world. Arthur continued his relationship with Linderman, as he was the criminal defense attorney for the Linderman Group. Arthur was reported to have committed suicide in April 2006 after a long battle with depression although in truth his wife Angela poisoned him. He survived, albeit completely paralyzed and faked his own death. However, about a year later, Arthur made his existence public and began assembling a team of evolved human "villains" to carry out his plans. He was finally killed by Peter and Sylar with the help of the Haitian.

Character History

Genesis

Angela Petrelli acts strangely after Mr. Petrelli's death.

Don't Look Back

As Peter Petrelli recovers in his hospital bed, his mother comes to visit. After asking about Peter's rooftop episode, Angela reveals that Mr. Petrelli was diagnosed with clinical depression at age 23. He eventually committed suicide, but not before two failed attempts to kill himself. Both attempts were covered up as heart attacks. Angela fears Peter's delusions of grandeur are signs that he is developing the same problem his father had.

Collision

Peter jokes to Mohinder that they're both just cheap knockoffs of their fathers.

Six Months Ago

Mr. Petrelli does not come to Peter's apartment celebrating his graduation from nursing school. Angela tells Peter that Mr. Petrelli is very proud of him, but couldn't attend the party because he has a meeting with Mr. Linderman in Atlantic City. Later at the celebration, Nathan Petrelli informs Peter that the District Attorney wants him to prosecute Mr. Linderman. Peter points out that their father often defends Mr. Linderman in court. Going after Mr. Linderman will implicate their father, since he had knowledge of Linderman's crimes. Nathan explains that this is an opportunity to "take the stink off the family."

A while later, Nathan informs Peter that there's not going to be a deposition because their father is dead. Nathan claims that he died of a heart attack. He tells Peter to take comfort in the fact that their father didn't know what they were about to do to him.

Distractions

Claude says he would bet twenty bucks that Peter's dad didn't make much of him.

Graphic Novel:War Buddies, Part 2

In 1968, "Dallas" goes on seven-day mission to recover a downed A4 Skyhawk. He travels on a boat heading toward a Vietnamese base. To pass the time, Dallas plays winning hands of poker much to the chagrin of the other soldiers. When Loredo takes Austin's book, Dallas unsuccessfully tries to befriend Austin by sharing a letter from home. During an unexpected shoot-out, Dallas gets mortally wounded in the abdomen. Austin uses his powers to completely heal Dallas's wound, which both astonishes and scares "the living hell" out of Dallas.

Graphic Novel:War Buddies, Part 3

Austin and Dallas continue their mission to find a downed Skyhawk. Dallas interrogates a Vietnamese soldier about the Skyhawk's location by beating him up brutally. He commands Austin to use his powers to heal the soldier. Dallas continues beating the native for four hours until he gives up the aircraft's location--it's right outside a peaceful village called Au Co. Dallas plans to destroy the village and its inhabitants, despite Austin's protests.

Graphic Novel:War Buddies, Part 4

Austin and Dallas prepare for the invasion of Au Co. When Austin questions attacking civilians, they both witness a girl seemingly raise massive vegetables from the soil. When Austin questions killing the girl, Dallas snaps into a rant on how the mission can end the war and orders Austin to get the explosives ready. After the explosives detonate, Dallas and Austin proceed to take out targets. Dallas, however, hears a woman scream "Au Co" towards the girl with a special ability, coming to the realization that the girl, not the village, is the target. Right before he takes aim, Austin tackles him to the ground.

Graphic Novel:War Buddies, Part 5

Austin's effort to keep Dallas from shooting Au Co fails, and Dallas restrains Austin until she dies. Back at their military base, they both receive medals for their actions on the mission, but Austin refuses to corroborate Dallas's description of how Austin healed his wounds. Dallas's career suffers because of his unsubstantiated claims. Later, in New York City, "Dallas" receives a visit from his former army buddy, "Austin". They go to Central Park, where Austin says he finally understands the sacrifices Dallas had to make for the greater good, and he believes they can do great things together. For the first time, Dallas shares his real name with his old war buddy: Petrelli.

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Angela says she and her husband always knew of Claire's existence and made arrangements for her.

Landslide

Mr. Linderman says to Nathan that his father would be proud of him. He says that his father was "someone with great power", someone who wanted to make a difference. However, in the end, he gave up because he was weak. Nathan replies that his father was his hero.

Four Months Later...

When Nathan comes home drunk, his mother remarks to him that she's glad his father isn't there to see him now. Kaito reveals that Mr. Petrelli was part of an elite group of twelve individuals.

The Kindness of Strangers

Nathan identifies his father amongst others in the photo of the group of twelve.

Graphic Novel:Elle's First Assignment, Part 1

Bob tells Elle that Claire's blood could make her a major player in the Company, comparing her to Arthur Petrelli.

Graphic Novel:War Buddies, Part 7

Arthur's name and location are in Linda Tavara's notepad, which Linderman currently possesses.

Season Three

For an episode-by-episode summary, see Arthur Petrelli: Season Three History.

Arthur appears in one of Angela's dreams of the future. In the dream, Arthur confronts Angela and forces her to be unable to move once she awakens. Meanwhile, at the Pinehearst building, Maury Parkman reports to a bedridden Arthur on the progress of Daphne Millbrook's recruitment. Knox soon brings Adam Monroe into Arthur's room and Arthur is able to take Adam's regenerative abilities, causing him to rapidly age and die. Arthur, now fully healed, addresses "the bad guys" but is interrupted by the entrance of his son. Arthur tricks Peter and removes all of his powers, leaving him powerless. Arthur also uses his power to remove Maya Herrera's poison abilities, thus winning the trust of Mohinder Suresh, whom Arthur gives the task of completing the formula.

Arthur is killed after causing much grief.

Just as Mohinder begins an experiment on Peter, Sylar appears and kills Dr. Livitz and releases Peter. Arthur throws some lightning at Peter but misses, leading Peter to escape. Arthur stops Mohinder from hurting Sylar and reveals that Sylar is his son. Arthur tells Sylar that Angela tried to kill him as a baby and Sylar decides to side with Arthur, telekinetically throwing Peter out of a window. Via a spirit walk, it is revealed that Arthur arranged Nathan's accident, which led Heidi to become paralyzed. Arthur went on to plan another attempt on Nathan's life with the aid of Linderman. Angela attempts to kill Arthur upon learning of his plans for Nathan. Arthur, bedridden has Dr. Livitz to tell Angela and his family that he is dead. In present time, Arthur learns of Hiro's spirit walk and teleports to Africa and kills Usutu, also erasing Hiro's memories to the point where he thinks he's ten.

Returning to Pinehearst, Arthur teaches Sylar how to acquire abilities empathically. Arthur also learns from Daphne that Matt Parkman is attempting to help Angela. Arthur enters Angela's mind and after a few words from his ex-wife, he releases his hold over her. Knowing that the only way to perfect the formula is with a catalyst, Arthur sends Knox and Flint after his granddaughter, whom he also believes to be the catalyst. Arthur then uses his precognition to discover that another eclipse is on its way. Upon regaining his powers, Arthur travels 16 years in the past and removes all of Hiro's abilities, also absorbing the catalyst from him. He then throws Hiro off a roof and sends Claire back to Primatech with a warning for Angela. After returning to Pinehearst, Arthur implants the catalyst into the formula, perfecting it. Arthur is then confronted by Peter and The Haitian. The Haitian is unable to suppress Arthur's abilities for long so Arthur attacks Peter, who shoots him. The bullet is stopped mid-air by Sylar, who asks Arthur a question. Arthur answers but Sylar knows he's lying and kills him himself.

Orientation

Angela tells Nathan that Arthur got himself "a big expensive sports car and a younger woman with questionable morals" to get over his midlife crisis.

The Fifth Stage

Peter and Nathan sit on a rooftop and talk about the last time they were there, when they discussed their dad's depression and whether Peter could fly.

Upon This Rock

At Nathan's funeral, Peter reminisces about his childhood while giving a eulogy. He states that Nathan had taught him several skills, such as skateboarding or fishing, because Arthur wasn't around to teach them to Peter. He also says that Nathan was much more demanding of him than his father would have been.

Graphic Novel:From the Files of Primatech, Part 4

In 1978, Arthur discusses the results of Mindy Sprague absorbing too much energy and changing the weather pattern to create a blizzard. After Charles Deveaux offers to go "clean up," Arthur introduces Maury Parkman to the other Company founders. Arthur implies Maury can do the job just as well as Charles.

Evolved Human Abilities

Arthur Petrelli had the ability to steal the abilities of other evolved humans. By making physical contact, Arthur took Adam Monroe's ability and was immediately able to access it, healing the nerve damage that had left him paralyzed. A person whose ability Arthur has stolen is left powerless.

He claimed to have absorbed all of Peter's abilities after touching him, leaving Peter without his abilities; however, he did not demonstrate all of the abilities that Peter possessed.

Acquired Abilities

The abilities that Arthur had acquired and demonstrated are:

• Telepathy from an unknown source and Peter Petrelli (demonstrated in Villains)
• Rapid cell regeneration from Adam Monroe and Peter Petrelli (Dying of the Light)
• Electric manipulation from Peter Petrelli (Dying of the Light)
• Telekinesis from Peter Petrelli (stolen in Dying of the Light, demonstrated in Eris Quod Sum)
• Poison emission from Maya Herrera (Eris Quod Sum)
• Mental manipulation from an unknown source (demonstrated in Villains)
• Space-time manipulation from Peter Petrelli and Hiro Nakamura (first stolen in Dying of the Light, demonstrated in It's Coming)
• Precognition from Peter Petrelli (stolen in Dying of the Light, demonstrated in It's Coming)

The known abilities that Arthur had acquired but didn't demonstrate are:

• Empathic mimicry from Peter Petrelli (Dying of the Light)
• Enhanced strength from Peter Petrelli (Dying of the Light)
• Flight from Peter Petrelli (Dying of the Light)
• Induced radioactivity from Peter Petrelli (Dying of the Light)
• Intuitive aptitude from Peter Petrelli (Dying of the Light)
• Invisibility from Peter Petrelli (Dying of the Light)
• Phasing from Peter Petrelli (Dying of the Light)
• Precognitive dreaming from Peter Petrelli (Dying of the Light)
• Pyrokinesis from Peter Petrelli (Dying of the Light)
• Super speed from Peter Petrelli (Dying of the Light)

Arthur claimed that the effects of his ability are permanent.

Memorable Quotes

"Your father was weak."

"My father was my hero."

- Linderman, Nathan (Landslide)

"Ah, it feels good to breathe again."

- Arthur (Dying of the Light)

"The bad guys are here."

- Arthur (Dying of the Light)

"You don't have your powers anymore, Peter...because I have them now."

- Arthur (Dying of the Light)

"I am better, Peter. That's not a belief, it's a fact."

- Arthur (Eris Quod Sum)

"Son, until you change that attitude, you're grounded."

- Arthur (to Peter) (Eris Quod Sum)

"I understand you've been dreaming about me."

- Arthur (to Hiro) (Villains)

"It's coming."

- Arthur (It's Coming)

Notes

Arthur Petrelli as he appeared in the photo of the Company's founders.

• Since the photo of the Company's founders was taken before Robert Forster was cast, it has another actor as Arthur. A similar problem happened with Chandra.
• Arthur Petrelli appears to have been financially successful as a lawyer, and seems to have left his wife considerably wealthy.
• According to Angela, at age 23 Arthur was diagnosed with major depressive disorder. Though this may have been a lie, as she said it was the reason for his suicide.
• Arthur Petrelli, as Dallas, tells part of his Vietnam War history in the Lonestar File. This file is found in the top secret Pentagon archives.
• The note that Dallas shares with Austin appears to be from the mother of Dallas's son--it reads, "Our son...took his first steps yesterday."
• Mr. Petrelli's law firm used the Symbol in its logo (Lizards). Now he apparently uses two of the Symbols joined together as the logo for Pinehearst, his new place of business.
• At the time Arthur removed his powers, Peter had also been exposed to the abilities of persuasion, freezing, mental manipulation, melting, enhanced hearing, shattering, clairvoyance, technopathy, alchemy, sound manipulation, Mohinder's ability, and clairsentience.
• In an interview, Chuck Kim confirms that Arthur stole Peter's ability of empathic mimicry.
• When Peter wakes up and finds that he is handcuffed to a gurney and unable to escape, Arthur is sitting nearby reading Nietzsche (Eris Quod Sum). A major concept in Nietzsche's philosophy is the Übermensch (variously translated as superman, superhuman, or overman).
• Angela was put into a coma after a vision involving Arthur. In it, Arthur said that she "won't be able to move" (Angels and Monsters). It is unclear exactly how she became comatose/paralyzed but it looks like he simply trapped her in her mind like Maury did to Molly. Matt Parkman freed Angela after a telepathic struggle with Arthur that ended with Angela convincing him to let her go (It's Coming).
• Arthur has been an experienced user of telepathy since at least April 2006. (Villains)
• Arthur, having taken the the ability to erase memories from somebody (presumably from Peter), erases nearly two decades worth of memories and knowledge from Hiro (Villains).
• Arthur, during the Vietnam War, strongly resembled his son Nathan. (War Buddies)
• Despite all of his powers, Arthur was finally killed by the Haitian, Peter and Sylar. The Haitian used his ability to suppress Arthur's powers, while Peter fired a bullet at his father's head. Sylar temporarily stopped the bullet in midair but then, having discovered that Arthur lied about being his father, projected the bullet through Arthur's head, killing him permanently.
• In a deleted scene from Our Father (found on the Season 3 DVD), Arthur goes to Madras, India after reading Mohinder's mind, and steals Molly's ability.

See Also

• For other uses of Arthur, see Arthur (disambig).
• For other members of the Petrelli family, see Petrelli (disambig).
• For images of Arthur, see Images of Arthur Petrelli.
• For a list of his victims, see Arthur's victims.

Fan Theories

Please refer to Theory:Arthur Petrelli for fan-created theories and other speculation.