Talk:Joseph's ability

Ability Naming Conventions
The following sources are used for determining evolved human ability names, in order:
1. Canon Sources	Episodes
2. Near-canon Sources	Webisodes, Graphic Novels, iStories, Heroes Evolutions
3. Secondary Sources	Episode commentary, Interviews, Heroes: Survival
4. Common names for abilities	Names from other works
5. Descriptions of abilities	Descriptions
6. Possessor's name	If no non-speculative description is possible
Note: The highlighted row represents the level of the source used to determine the name for Joseph's ability.

What is it?

Joseph used his power on Doyle in iStory. It looked a lot like mental manipulation. But he didn't touch Doyle to knock him out. So... Your thoughts? AltesUTC CH 14:24, 15 December 2009 (EST)

• I think it is mental manipulation.-- Yoshi | Talk | Contributions 14:25, 15 December 2009 (EST)
  • Joseph's ability just now, that way if it is mental manipulation we are not wrong, but if it's not, we're still not wrong. --mc_hammark 14:26, 15 December 2009 (EST)
    • Personally I think it's something like Ability Negation, which would explain that Samuel could never reach his full potential.
      • That was because there were too few evolved humans in the carnival to give Samuel a significant boost. My theory is - it's telepathy. Because in Bloodlines he somehow knows which Eli is the Prime. AltesUTC CH
        • Or Joseph just saw prime Eli breathing, i mean it was cold over there so there would be smoke if you breath.-- Yoshi | Talk | Contributions 14:42, 15 December 2009 (EST)
          • Hey, you are right! One of Elis is indeed shown breathing. AltesUTC CH 14:48, 15 December 2009 (EST)
            • Oh wait, no. They ALL are breathing. Each one exhales steam. Hmm... AltesUTC CH 14:51, 15 December 2009 (EST)
• I say wait to see if more info about the ability comes to pass. With both the current iStory and graphic novel arch I'm sure it will. --OutbackZack 15:37, 15 December 2009 (EST)
  • Right. We know the iStory arc will continue, and we can assume Joseph will appear again. (I have no inside information on this.) Before we ask for clarification or anything like that, let's wait to see what happens. I'm glad to see this ability has not been named yet. I think the situation is being handled very well. Nice job, guys. -- RyanGibsonStewart (talk) 16:13, 15 December 2009 (EST)
    • I'm really hoping that this turns out to be the empath ability. It certainly seemed like that was where we were headed early on in the season.--Gibbeynator 17:08, 15 December 2009 (EST)
      • The biggest issue I have with Joseph being an empath is that he would have absorbed Samuel's ability, thus neutralizing as a threat. Personally, I think that Joseph has a power that has never been shown before, some sort of mental disruption, it would account for Samuel being so hazy when Mohinder first ran into him at the carnival. My other theory is that he used sedation, he may have lost control of his ability because he was about to collapse, not because the ability itself. Like, had he been holding a wine glass, when Joseph used his ability he would have dropped it, due to the fact that he gradually lost consciousness.--PJDEP 20:33, 15 December 2009 (EST)
        • He could have used Lydia's ability to see that Samuel had no intention of killing him, at least at first. It certainly seemed like Samuel had no intention of killing Joseph, only doing so because he was angry at the time.--Gibbeynator 20:34, 15 December 2009 (EST)
          • That may be true, but I was trying to say that Samuel has been made out to be the evolved human anti-christ of sorts. I feel like it would cheapen the experience of Joseph could do the same thing.--PJDEP 20:38, 15 December 2009 (EST)
            • It appears to be Empathic Manipulation as it points to manipulating emotions to make others lose concentration with their abilities and making them collapse due to an intense emotion to that effect. --Garthak 08:21, 16 December 2009 (EST)
              • Empathic manipulation requires touch, too. AltesUTC CH 09:07, 16 December 2009 (EST)
              • Joseph's empathic manipulation may work differently then NBC promo girl's version.--PJDEP 15:19, 16 December 2009 (EST)
                • By that logic, it can be any ability that requires touch, but Joseph has a different version that doesn't. If he had empathic manipulation, I think he could've swayed Eli and Samuel from their criminal ways. AltesUTC CH 05:05, 17 December 2009 (EST)

Seen or unseen

Just now it's listed as unseen, but wasn't there a picture when it happened. It was kind of blurry. I think this counts as seen, doesn't it. I'll see if I can get a pic. --mc_hammark 15:07, 15 December 2009 (EST)

• Here. --mc_hammark 15:25, 15 December 2009 (EST)

Finally! :)

At last we have an ability for him! It may not be the best ability, but even so :) -- Leckie -- Talk 08:51, 16 December 2009 (EST)

• We just aren't sure what it is. Maybe neurocognitive deficit, but we need some more info. AltesUTC CH 09:04, 16 December 2009 (EST)

What If

Maybe his ability has nothing to do with Eric fainting. Maybe, it was the strain of Eric trying to use his ability that made him unconscious. Or yes, Joseph's ability is like the Haitians. Because in Season One, Matt fainted when he was sitting across from the Haitian. --Scorvi12 05:23, 17 December 2009 (EST)

• Matt fainted because his drink was drugged. AltesUTC CH 05:35, 17 December 2009 (EST)
  • Oh, hahaha. Well, that point is squashed. But still, maybe it was the strain of Eric not being able to use his ability. Like in Dual, when he collapsed unconsciously after Sylar stopped him. --Scorvi12 06:45, 17 December 2009 (EST)
    • Well, iStory says, "A tall man enters the tent, taking in the situation. He sighs, recognizing Doyle's ability. Suddenly, Doyle feels his focus weakening, and before long, his mental grip on Samuel dissipates. Someone is messing with his ability! Unable to fight back, Doyle is finally outdone, and collapses to the floor". Dunno, nobody passed out after trying to use their ability while under the Haitian's influence, they only got nosebleed, and Doyle didn't. As to how Sylar defeated Doyle... I think he somehow used telekinesis, but it's unlikely. I don't think he has mental manipulation or anything similar, though. AltesUTC CH 06:18, 17 December 2009 (EST)
      • Well, I'm not sure yet. I suppose its a bit early for me to be making assumptions. Hahahaha. --Scorvi12 06:45, 17 December 2009 (EST)
        • A totally crazy idea: what if it's ability diminishment? The description given in the iStory fits all the criteria: Doyle loses focus and passes out! (only there's no blue glow) AltesUTC CH 06:53, 17 December 2009 (EST)
          • It would be so cool (and easier) if it was! It probably is something like that, plus loads of abilities are the same but done different. Like Knox enhanced strength and Niki's enhanced strength. --Scorvi12 06:57, 17 December 2009 (EST)
          • And here's the kicker: If they absolutely needed to end it this season, all Joseph would have to do is get Ando brought to him/his time and POOF. No more abilities. --Ricard Desi (t,c) 09:04, 17 December 2009 (EST)
            • That's one crazy theory Richard!!, Let's hope it doesn't come true!! :P - Jenx222 | U / T / C | <inlcudeonly>08:00, 7 January 2012 (EST) 10:13, 17 December 2009 (EST)