Episode:Once Upon a Time in Texas

Once Upon a Time in Texas
Season:	Four
Episode number:	407
First aired:	November 2, 2009
Written by:	Aron Eli Coleite Aury Wallington
Directed by:	Nate Goodman
Previous episode:	Strange Attractors
Heroes Interactive transcript

Summary

• Hiro travels back in time to save Charlie.
• In order to save Charlie, Hiro must get aid from an unlikely source.
• Samuel reveals his true motives to Hiro.

Story Development

Lauren Gilmore

Synopsis

Hiro accidently time travels to October 2006 with his hospital clothes on, where he finds himself in front of the Burnt Toast Diner. Lynette is en train de pour out the garbage and Hiro sees Charlie through the windows of the diner. Hiro recognizes a garden next to the diner, full of clothes hanged up for drying. He enters and while he is changing his clothes, a boy says Hiro "hands up", with toy guns, telling him that he can't get away with stealing his dad's clothes. Hiro apologizes and says that it's a matter of life and death and that destiny has sent him there to save the life of the woman he loves. The boy claims that there isn't such thing as love. Hiro then tells him the story of things that happened between him and Charlie. He tells him about how they met and how he travelled back in time to save her and he failed, and whatever he did at the end the brain man killed her. Hiro then tells the boy not to worry because this time he will stop the brain man and that he 's the good guy. The boy gives Hiro, a white Sheriff hat, saying that the good guys wear white hats, while the bad ones wear a black one. Then, Sylar comes to the entrance of the diner where they are standing. Hiro immediately takes the boy into his back and stands still. Sylar enters in and the boy comments that he was wearing a black hat. Charlie is seen to recieve order from Sylar through the windows.

Back, in the present time, Samuel enter Lydia's trailer. Lydia asks about Arnold and Samuel says that he's on the verge of dying. They are both sad. Samuel comments that the family is shrinking and that the graveyard becoming larger. He says that they need Hiro Nakamura. She reminds him that he said Hiro is on a path, but Samuel finds that path too damn long. He says that they need Hiro now to fix the past but doesn't know how to convince him. Lydia says that with desperate times comes desperate measures. She then goes and opens her back for manifesting her power. The image of Charlie appears at her back and Samuel understands that Hiro is in love. But Lydia say that she is dead three years ago, however Samuel sees it as an opportunity. She suddenly says that there's a lot more, Samuel touch with his stick to her back and the images of Noah attached to Lauren and of Sylar attached to Charlie appear. Lydia asks Samuel how he will get back there. He says he'll ask help from his dying friend. When Lydia objects he uses her words against her; "desperate times, desperate measures".

Back in time, in Midland, Texas, Charlie is serving coffee to Sylar, while Hiro is watching her from behind a newspaper. While serving Charlie recognizes Sylar's watch and says it's a Sylar field edition. She then goes into specific details of how the watch was brought from Russia. Sylar asks her if she's a collector and she denies saying that she read about it in a magazine a week ago. She then goes on telling him that she lately remembers everything. Then Sylar asks her questions to test her ability and she correctly answers all of them. He then asks her if she thinks that her blood clot in her brain caused this to happen. He then explains that he has an ability too and that he can see how things work and repair them if necessary. He then orders pancakes. Hiro eavesdrop to the entire conversation and hides again behind the newspaper when Charlie, baffled, goes to bring the order. Suddenly, Samuel appears behind Hiro telling him it's a smart move to hide behind a newspaper. He then brings Hiro outside, telling him that they need to talk.

At the same time, Noah is in the diner, talking on the phone with Sandra. He tells her that he obviously wants to be at school, for Claire's homecoming, and that however he can't control over his job. While he closes the phone both past Hiro and Ando and a woman enter the diner. The woman, Lauren apologizes to Noah for being late, she was late because of the traffic. She notes that he's making a "face," the same face he makes every time he lies to Sandra. Noah admits that he'd rather tell Sandra the truth than out catching a serial killer who is threatening his daughter. Lauren admits that she wishes she could tell the truth to her mother. Noah admits that it's nice to relax with a friend he can talk to. She asks if what they're doing is two friends talking, and says it's flirting but he doesn't recognize it because it's been so long. Lauren points out they have been having breakfast out of town for months but the pancakes aren't that good. She observes that Noah is such a cowboy that he would never admit it so she's taking the initiative. Lauren offers him her hotel room key but realizes Noah isn't interested. Noah's gets a call informing him that Ethan is there with the Sylar paintings. Lauren says she'll meet him at the office and he leaves. As they go, Sylar telekinetically pulls his coffee cup to him.

Samuel watches Sylar from hiding and asks Hiro why he's there. Hiro says he's there to save Charlie and Samuel says he's there to protect Hiro and make sure he understands the magnitude of his choice. He explains that everyone is on a specific path and he's making a sacrifice to make sure Hiro is successful. Samuel warns that it's a mine field of destiny and wonders if Charlie is worth it, and Hiro says it is. He turns to discover that Charlie isn't there.

Charlie is in the storage room and thinks she hears someone. She's unaware that Sylar is hiding behind her. He prepares to telekinetically slice open her skull, and Hiro arrives to freeze time. He wheels Sylar outside and puts him into the baggage compartment of bus, insisting that he'll continue on his destiny while he and Charlie are together. He closes the compartment door, goes back inside, checks his appearances, and then starts to contemplate the consequences. He realizes that if saves Charlie, he won't fall in love and history will "go kablooey." He goes out to the board and finds the birthday picture of Charlie. Hiro isn't in it. He vows that he will be, and then goes into the bathroom and unfreezes time for his past self. His younger self believes he's the future-self that Peter saw on the subway, but Hiro says he left his sword in the future. Future-Hiro then explains that the cheerleader will be fine and his past self must save Charlie, his true love. Hiro tells past-Hiro to go back six months to preserve the space-time continuum. If he doesn't they'll never fall in love with Charlie. Past-Hiro disappears and Hiro says he's a moron, and then checks the photo. He's now in the picture with Charlie.

Noah goes to see Isaac and asks him about the paintings, and explains that Isaac isn't the only one with special abilities. Noah needs his help to save the cheerleader that Isaac has been painting, and explains that the cheerleader is his daughter. Noah goes out and Lauren admits she was eavesdropping. She says she had no idea and promises that they'll handle it together. Lauren then leans forward and kisses him, and then apologizes for being such an ass. She assures him they have 37 hours until Homecoming and they'll nail Sylar, and then pretend she never kissed him. Noah says that he doesn't want to forget.

Hiro comes out of the bathroom and Samuel asks if everything is all right. He notes that Hiro looks satisfied and Hiro explains that he kept destiny from blowing up. However, he wonders if Hiro has everything straight. Hiro notices that Ando is sitting alone and runs over to explain that past-Hiro is six months in the past and Ando must wait for him. Ando agrees and Hiro goes to see Charlie. They embrace and he assures her that everything is fine from now on. He says they should go somewhere, anywhere, and asks her to pick a place. Charlie realizes that he's serious and says she wants to go to Otsu, Japan, to see where Takezo Kensei was born. However, she starts uncontrollably reciting information. Hiro snaps her out of it and she doesn't remember what she was saying. She starts to collapse and then admits that the aneurysm is rupturing and she's dying. Hiro assures her that she isn't yet.

Hiro drives to the bus' next stop in Odessa and opens the baggage compartment. Sylar comes up behind him and telekinetically slams him into the side of the bus. He demands to know who Hiro is, and Hiro asks him to fix Charlie. Sylar prepares to kill him but Hiro freezes time, gets to the side, and warns Sylar that he can't kill him. They face off in an alley and Hiro says he has something Sylar wants. When Sylar tries to kill him again, Hiro freezes time and gets behind him, and then unfreezes time again. Sylar figures Hiro will get tired eventually and tries to kill him again. Hiro freezes time, moves, unfreezes time, and warns that if Sylar kills him, he won't discover what Hiro knows about his own future. Sylar says he's on the way to meet the cheerleader, and he'll become invincible. Hiro warns him not to be so sure, and Sylar realizes that Hiro is dying of a tumor. He considers Hiro's offer as cheerleaders run by in the distance.

Hiro takes Sylar to see Charlie, and explains to Charlie's fellow waitress Lynette that Sylar is a doctor and can help. Once they're alone, Sylar says he can remove it. Charlie says that she's okay if it's her time, but Hiro insists that they're meant to be together no matter what it takes. Hiro holds her and talks about a poet named Ryokan, and recites a haiku the man wrote. Sylar begins to fix the aneurysm and Charlie's eye bleeds briefly. She realizes that Sylar did it and they embrace.

The cheerleaders are at the bus station to greet the rival team. Claire notices Noah across the street and runs to talk to him. She wonders why he's there and he says he's there to hear her cheer. She offers to hang with him if he wants and Noah says he'd love to. They grab shakes and coffee and she asks if he likes his work selling paper. Noah admits that he does, and Claire says that she can't imagine him wanting to sell paper. He admits that he wanted to teach Shakespeare in high school and Claire accuses him of being a drama geek. She says he should teach once she graduates and should do what makes him happy, but Noah says that he is happy. Jackie calls Claire over and Noah kisses his daughter goodbye, saying he'll see her later. He then considers Lauren's hotel key.

Sylar eats some pancakes and reminds Hiro of their deal. Hiro tells him that he'll die alone after killing many people and becoming the strongest of them. However, it won't make any difference because they'll all gather to stop him. He then teleports himself and Sylar back into the alley in Odessa, gets away, and unfreezes Sylar. Sylar hears the cheerleaders in the distance and goes to find Claire.

Lauren is having a drink in her hotel room when Noah comes in and asks for one of what she's having. He tells her that he can't do this and it's not smart for either of them because they're partners. Lauren tells him not to blame it on the job and points out that it's more than just casual sex. Noah admits that he cares about her and Lauren says that they've been lying, and asks if he wants to be himself with her and have some happiness. Noah explains that he loves his family and no matter how complicated as it is to lie, he still loves them. He says Lauren is a great agent and he needs her help with Sylar and Claire, and she assures him she'll be there for him, now and always. They go back to work.

Hiro watches Charlie from outside and Ando comes out to ask if everything is okay. Hiro says that it is and tells Ando to go back inside and wait. Charlie comes out and Hiro realizes something is wrong. She says she has a knot in her gut and says Hiro put it there because he cheated. She wonders how Hiro could let Sylar go on to kill so many people. He insists it's their happy-ever-after, but she wonders why she has to live when so many others die every day. Hiro says it's because he loves her, but Charlie says he's selfish and walks away.

Noah is in the cafeteria at the Company facility when Lauren comes in and gives him an envelope with a note and the motel keys. He asks her if they're pretending it never happened and she has no idea what he's talking about. Noah reads the note, which is from Lauren and says that she is having the Haitian wipe her memory because it's better and more professional if they have a non-romantic relationship, and she doesn't remember what happened. She asks if everything is okay and he says it was his mistake and everything is fine.

Memorable Quotes

"My family is shrinking and our graveyard is getting bigger."

- Samuel

"Her name is Charlie. Hmm. There's a problem. She's dead. Three years ago."

"That's not a problem. That's an... opportunity."

- Lydia, Samuel

"I mean, I wish I could tell my mom that I missed my nephew's bar mitzvah because I was busy bagging a guy who can shoot fire out of his nose, but I can't."

"So what'd you tell her?"

"PMS."

"I don't think that would work for me."

- Lauren, Noah

"I'm here to save Charlie."

"And why would you be doing something like that?"

"You told me I could right the wrongs of my life by stepping on the right butterflies. This is the biggest. It's Mothra."

- Hiro, Samuel

"Claire: I mean, do you like it? Do you love it, selling paper?"

"Yeah, I like it a lot."

"I just.. I'm sorry, I can't imagine you being in high school, and saying, "When I grow up, I want to sell paper.""

- Claire, Noah

"Yes, I will tell you how you die. You die alone. I'm sorry."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"It means that you will collect a lot of powers. You will kill many people. You will become strong. The strongest of them all. But in the end, it won't make any difference. We all gather to stop you. You're alone. No one will mourn your death. No one will shed a tear. No one. I wish I could change fate, but you must go on your path."

- Hiro, Sylar

Character Appearances

Hiro Charlie Lynette Petey Ando Sylar Lydia

Samuel Noah Lauren Gilmore Eden Isaac Ms. Roberts Jackie

Claire UWHS cheerleader (I) UWHS cheerleader (II) UWHS cheerleader (III) UWHS cheerleader (IV) UWHS cheerleader (V) UWHS cheerleader (VI)

Evan Psychic carny Arnold Mohinder

See Also

• For images from Once Upon a Time in Texas, see images from Once Upon a Time in Texas.

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Once Upon a Time in Texas

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