Theory:Abilities in general

Theories about abilities in general

The following fan theories are about abilities in general.

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Theories

Theory	Citations	Notes
All evolved human abilities are manifestations or variations on the classic psychic abilities of telepathy, telekinesis, and extra-sensory perception (ESP).	According to Chandra Suresh, all abilities appear to originate from a particular mutation in the brain. (Six Months Ago)	• If true, enhanced strength and regeneration are manifestations of telekinesis; mental manipulation is a variant of telepathy; precognition and electronic communication are types of ESP, etc. + Sylar, using his ability to discern how things work, identifies the brain as the source of abilities, and takes abilities after opening up the brain, including super-hearing which would normally be associated with the ears. When Claire's brain is damaged, she is unable to regenerate until the stick is removed. - The Haitian can only block mental abilities, therefore, some abilities must be physical. • The Haitian can block physical abilities such as super speed in One of Us, One of Them when Daphne Millbrook can't use her ability of super speed due to the Haitian being within proximity. She originally suspects Hiro but he denies it and then tries to teleport and cannot do it. He then notices the The Haitian and realizes he is blocking their abilities. This proves the Haitian can stop all known powers form working as far as we know. - This does not account for abilities such as induced radioactivity, pyrokinesis, freezing, or other forms of energy manipulation. + Pyrokinesis and freezing both basically just involve changes in temperature, which is essentially a function of the speed at which molecules vibrate, which could conceivably be controlled by telekinesis. Similarly, Ted's induced radioactivity could come about by telekinetically inducing photons to vibrate at different frequencies, and thus producing gamma radiation (as he has also shown the ability to produce a non-damaging EMP blast). + Pyrokinesis is a classic psychic ability, as illustrated by the Stephen King novel, Carrie. Freezing is also often described as a psychic phenomenon. - Time travel is not a classic psychic power. + ...although some recent views of psychic powers treat it as a variation of teleportation. • The Wildcards novels illustrate exactly how far the concept of "superpowers as variations of psychic powers" can be taken. - These powers do not all seem to be variations of ESP as in The Butterfly Effect. Mohinder was able to replicate abilities through extracting adrenaline from Maya this proves that some powers are not psychic but merely a natural reaction i.e. physical abilities like super speed, super strength or poison emission are only activated when the adrenaline is being pumped through the blood stream. • Not to split hairs, but if Telekinesis is a mental ability originating in the brain, and if instinctual, reflexive reactions coincide with increases in adrenaline, then mental abilities, too are tapped with increased adrenaline and the 'fight or flight' idea cited by Mohinder: Peter exhibited this during his training with Claude, where he instinctively used TK to block a blow from Claude. + Matt Parkman's original ability is telepathy, but after sharing Usutu's ability of precognition, Matt is now able to manifest precognition independently, indicating that they are closely related. + Daphne's ability is to move at super speed, but when boosted by Ando, she can actually travel through time, indicating that her ability is closely related to space-time manipulation. • The inclusion of time travel through speed was based off of Einstein's theory of relativity. It does not mean that the two powers are connected. • Chandra Suresh has stated that the brain is source of control for everything the body does. That does not mean that the powers are manifestations of mental powers, but that powers are merely controlled by the brain like everything else.
Abilities are a result of evolution and adaptation being influenced by the subconscious whims of the subject. In short, a person gets an ability that helps them in their day-to-day life, based on what they (either consciously or subconsciously) think they need.	In Dual, talking about wanting the ability you receive, Daphne stated to Matt "...you wanted to know what people thought about you, and now you can read minds. I wanted to run and now I can."	+ Peter's empathy would be useful in an occupation (nurse) that depends on feeling and healing the suffering of others. + Claire's ability is useful for cheerleaders, they break bones all the time. - Claire had her ability long before she was a cheerleader (Claire & the Cat) - Claire & the Cat was never released, therefore it is not considered canon in the Heroes universe. + Claire developed the ability (or at least kick-started it working) in order to survive the fire - this would be a necessary adaptation for her to live. - The fire never got to her, Noah rescued her before it happened, she only started exhibiting abilities six months prior to the Odessa train wreck. • Claire's parents were very protective of her. With their influence over her as a young child, she could have mentally adapted a subconscious want to be invulnerable. + Claire clearly sends the message through the series that she doesn't need/want to be overprotected by Noah, which relates to her ability to avoid any form of injury. + Nathan first manifested his flight ability when he needed a fast escape. + Matt's telepathy could be useful for a cop and a man who struggles in knowing what he should say to people. + Matt's telepathy could also be related to his dyslexia. - Matt and Maury Parkman share the same powers, possibly because of inheritance. + Niki vocally expressed her desire to be two people and her worries about being strong enough for her son several times. + D.L.'s ability to phase through matter would certainly be useful for a man in prison seeking escape. + Sylar's ability to understand how complex systems work would be a boon to any watchmaker. + Eden McCain just wanted to be heard and, when she spoke, everybody did. + Additionally, Tim Kring has stated in interviews that the character's abilities are reflections of their personalities. + Charlie was a waitress and her abilities of memorization would greatly assist her in taking and delivering orders. + Hiro's ability first manifested when he was trying to 'will' the train into not arriving, and he did succeed in making it late. - A person's life may be influenced by there ability. Meaning that a person would subconsciously take the path in life that would be greatly assisted by there ability not that there ability is chosen by there own subconscious to assist with the life they have. This would mean just by simply going back in time and say stopping someone from doing something you could change their ability. as Tim Kring has stated in interviews that the character's abilities are reflections of their personalities this goes both ways meaning that a persons personality is a reflection of there ability. Also, for people like Elle who manifested early this makes almost no sense. Why would a six year old need to create electricity and how could it possibly benefit her? No batteries in her toy camera? - Furthermore, how do Echo DeMille, the Sound absorption agent, or Nathan benefit from their abilities in their daily lives? + Their powers may have manifested in a time of need as Nathan's power first manifested while escaping Linderman's thugs, but the background lives or time or manifestation is unknown for Echo Demille or the Sound absorption agent. + Echo's not just a mailman, he's also a DJ, sound manipulation would be a great asset for him. + Ando felt he needed to help his friend, in a sense, his ability helps others with their abilities. + Mohinder wanted to be a super as those around him, his ability came in the form of super strength, senses, and stamina. + A crippled Daphne always wanted to run, and her athlete of a mother only fueled this ambition, the eclipse triggered super speed in Daphne. • Perhaps abilities are far more basic than they appear at first, but subconsciously a person chooses to utilize their basic ability in a way useful for them at that moment. Back to the Matt example, he first developed the part of his ability that allowed him to read minds because he was dyslexic and needed a way to save his failing marriage, so his mind power kicks in and he can read minds. The Hatian on the other hand might have the exact same ability but he first developed the part of the mind ability which would allow him to suppress powers and have a shot at taking down his brother who had impenetrable skin. For the sake of argument lets say that Claire had developed a different ability, lets go with telekinesis according to this theory, the first thing she would have learned to do would be to use telekinesis as a shield herself from injury. - The Haitian only learned about Samedi later in life, a long time after learning and developing his ability. - If this theory holds weight, what about Matt Parkman Jr's ability? An infant can certainly have no conscious or unconscious whims. • Parental attachment can cross their mind even if it's not a conscious thought. • Baby's are very curious, sensitive to sounds and movements, and they also tend to want to play. Matt Jr's powers can easily aid with all of those.
The abilities are designed by a higher ability.	None.	+ There are many references to religion in Heroes. For example, many of the characters are named after biblical figures. Also, Chandra Suresh's door is number 613, a holy number in the old testament. + The creators of the show have also hinted that there's a supernatural element to the character's abilities. Tim Kring studied divinity in school, and Joe Pokaski and Aron Coleite have commented on the preponderance of Biblical names. - However, religious symbolism doesn't necessarily imply a religious cause.
Siblings have the same or similar abilities.	None.	+ Twins (in popular culture) are closely connected both genetically and emotionally and generally share similar traits, even when separated. + Maya and Alejandro are confirmed as twins in Lizards and their abilities are somehow related. • Peter and Sylar both have powers that deal with duplicating other abilities. It is possible that they are twins. + In The Butterfly Effect, Angela states that Sylar is, in fact, her son. This makes it very possible that Sylar and Peter are twins. - It's been confirmed they're not. - Niki and Tracy have wildly different powers. + Niki and Tracy were also given their powers by doctor Zimmerman, so their powers would almost for sure be completely different. + Meredith and Flint.
Abilities are the result of a virus.	None.	+ Viruses alter DNA, and transposons literally can cut and paste genetic material and have had a large impact on evolution. 40% of human evolution is the result of transposons. The long incubation time in some viruses could mean mutation caused in such a way wouldn't manifest until late in life in the first generation, and late childhood/early teens in the second generation. + Many virus have a single strand DNA/RNA code. And had been stated that the "Symbol" represent a single RNA helix. + A virus could preferably infect brain cells, and that is why Sylar needs to "eat" them. - There has so far been no suggestion that abilities can be transferred to another through infection. • The presence of a virus does not necessitate the carrier to be contagious. Many viruses are not contagious (and many more are contagious only through limited means). Just as not everyone is affected by a particular mutation (strain) of influenza, so too could this hypothetical virus only affect a particular group (for instance, those with a particular genetic marker or makeup--this would set the evolved humans apart, if not effectually until the virus becomes active in them). It might also explain why people of varying ages manifest their powers, rather than it coming at, say, puberty, or some other predetermined time.
Animals may develop abilities as well.	None.	+ In this show, all around the world, humans are evolving and developing extraordinary abilities. It wouldn't seem much of stretch to say that other species are not part of this evolutionary process. - According to evolutionary theory, a new feature originates in a particular branch of the evolutionary "tree" and spreads only in descendants of its originators; it does not jump from one branch of the tree to another. Since superhuman abilities originated in the human branch of the tree, it should not appear in others. + Evolutionarily speaking, animals should have developed similar abilities. Convergent evolution is the reason why the eye has evolved over seven times independently. If these abilities are possible, they're also possible for animals. - However, some of these abilities would probably cause the animals that possesses them to die before they reached sexual maturity, such as those of Sprague or Claire's mother. Other abilities, like technopathy and Hana Gitelman's ability, would have been completely useless, and therefore there would have experienced no selective pressure in the gene pool. + There is such a thing as parallel evolution. - It would be really stupid if that happened. • That is a matter of opinion. + Some of these abilities have already appeared in animals, such as rapid cell regeneration in newts and lizards. Also, many of these abilities, such as flight are inherent characteristics of other animals, like birds, or underwater breathing in fish. - In newts and lizards, however, the regeneration takes a long period of time to complete, unlike the few minutes in Claire, Peter and Adam. • /- Perhaps the abilities manifested are developing in a part of the human brain not found in other organisms.
Simone had undiscovered abilities.	None.	+ Everyone in Peter's dreams are already pre-existing known empowered individuals, except for Simone. • Simone has died, but it is possible she had an undiscovered ability.
The gene which controls the development of an ability within an individuals brain is a recessive one. Therefore, any child of two powered parents should have abilities, as well.	None.	+ Niki and D.L. both have abilities, and their son Micah has his own ability. + Both Meredith, Claire's mother and Nathan, Claire's father, have abilities, thus Claire has an ability of her own. + The two sons that Nathan has had with Heidi, who is not an evolved human, do not possess any known abilities. - In the Petrelli family, it seems abilities don't manifest in males until the adulthood: Peter is 27 when he manifested; Nathan is 39; and their father, Arthur, didn't seem to manifest his ability until after the Vietnam War, apparent as he was shocked with Linderman's healing). So, it's possible Simon and Monty won't manifest until they're older. • Rare doesn't necessarily mean recessive; deafness is rare, but the allele for it is dominant. + Nathan and Peter parents are both super human. - Nathan was not born with a power. He instead was given one at his father's insistence.
Interaction with and proximity to an "active" evolved human can help a "dormant" evolved human to manifest their ability.	None.	+ Matt first manifests his telepathy directly after Eden used her ability on him, when he listens to Janice's thoughts after Eden tells him to eat donnuts. + Monica first manifests her ability soon after Micah starts living with her. • Monica's cousin and aunt both had powers, the latter having developed hers at an undetermined time. It's possible Monica had been exposed to special abilities prior to Micah's staying with her, and yet still didn't evolve until later. + Adam first regenerates soon after meeting Hiro, and while Hiro is nearby. • It is unclear whether Adam had a life threatening injury prior to meeting Hiro. • Hiro met Adam after an eclipse, which has been confirmed to be part of the ability manifestation. - Peter and Nathan grew up with their parents who have abilities - they did not start finding these abilities until 6 months before Season 1 when Nathan flew out of the car during his accident. - It wouldn't explain how Sylar manifested, since he didn't interact with any other evolved human until Brian Davis. (Six Months Ago) • The term being used here is "helped". No one is saying that manifestation is impossible without an active EH nearby. • It should also be noted that the hunger did not appear until Brian Davis, although Gabriel had presumably been using his powers to repair timepieces for quite a while. - It also wouldn't explain how Eden manifested, since she didn't interact with any other evolved human for a long time. (Life Before Eden) • The term being used here is "helped". No one is saying that manifestation is impossible without an active evolved human nearby.
The gene that gives humans abilities is passed down from parents, grandparents etc, but the ability the offspring receives is random.	None.	• This would require that the relevant gene (or allele?) somehow modified the rest of the genome, since Sylar is cited as having the "DNA for telekinesis". • Sylar isn't the best example since he is said to alter his DNA when he takes another ability. + Claire is has a completely different ability than her biological parents, as does Micah, while Matt has the same ability as his father. + Claire has a completely different ability than any of her shown grandparents. - Claire's father has a synthetic ability, which could interfere with the natural inheritance of abilities. + It is possible that the abilities are different if both parents have abilities, if only one parent has abilities then that ability is passed along to their children. Impossible to prove one way or another though until we know all the parent's abilities or lack-thereof. The only people that we know 100% had 2 heroes as parents have different abilities than the parents. Parkman's mom likely did not have abilities, but this has not been proven either way. • Mohinder says that the ability a person gets depends on their individual blood chemistry, so the ability is not so much random as it is individual. • Which would not only mean that the Parkmans have similar blood chemistry, but also that Nathan and West do as well.
Abilities come with the side effect of a mental defect.	Bob stated to Niki, "The body may develop somewhat of a fracture to cope with the use of these abilities." (Four Months Ago...)	+ Angela Petrelli claimed that Arthur Petrelli suffered from mental depressive disorder, which caused him to have delusions of grandeur. (Genesis) - Angela also claimed that Peter had it though Genesis. - Angela claimed the same thing about Nathan to Heidi but was clearly lying to cover up his secret. + Nathan is also an alcoholic. Addiction is a mental disorder. + Matt Parkman suffers from dyslexia. (Don't Look Back) + Hana's Mossad psychological profile states that Hana has a "difficulty in understanding the subtext of social interactions". + Niki Sanders suffers from Multiple Personality Disorder. (i.e. Jessica and Gina) + Elle stated the shrinks diagnosed her as a sociopath with paranoid delusions. (Four Months Ago...) • She was tortured by her father to test her powers. HRG implies that this was the cause of Elle's problems. - The disorders are hardly proof of anything. With the possible exception of Niki/Jessica/Gina, all of the disorders are relatively normal. Hana had been through a bit of hardship, with the suicide attack on the bus and the deaths of her mother and grandmother; Elle has been exposed to a fair amount of hardship herself, including the testing (mentioned by HRG), the destruction of her mother's house, etc. For the most part, the mental disorders of the evolved seem to be related to something other than the fact that they're evolved. "Power corrupts" would explain the behavior of most of previous generation (and Adam, and Sylar, and Eden...). A lot of the other characters are (currently) well adjusted (Claire, West, Hiro, D.L., the Haitian) (at least, as much as can be expected). Anyone remaining has probably been through something (e.g.: Nathan was severely burnt, and is mourning the (perceived) loss of his brother). • West appears to have a superiority complex over humans. + Maybe it is the other way around. The power of an individual is based on the disorder/side effect/defect/life a person has (or seeing as they get their power with their birth, the kind of person he/she will be). Matt suffered a disease because of which he can't read properly, and his ability grants him the power to read minds of other people.Claire, without her power, is just a fragile girl, that could get hurt easily, but her ability grants her the power to never get hurt. + In the case file for Claude it says "chronic avoidant personality disorder, exhibited by a pervasive distaste for human contact and antisocial behaviors when contact is initiated without his consent", which would explain why his ability is invisibility. + Daphne, whose power is super speed, has cerebral palsy, and cannot run or even walk without her power.
Each individual's abilities are manifestations of a small set of root abilities, or even a single omnipotence, and will grow and develop into these larger abilities.	Maury and Bob each clearly state that Matt's abilities are developing into something more.	+ Matt's abilities, initially thought to be simply reading minds, have been established to be an early stage of a larger, all-encompassing "mind ability". If Matt's ability is evolving and growing, it stands to reason that others are, too. + Many abilities seem to be similar or related, such as Claire and Adam's ability to heal themselves and Linderman's ability to heal others, or Micah's ability to interface with machines and Hana's ability to send digital signals. Some even seem like the same ability with only minor differences in execution, such as Eden's verbal mind control and Matt's telepathic mind control, or Candice's illusions and Maury's nightmares, or the electrical absorption, electric manipulation abilities. + Abilities are well-known to increase in potency over time, as Bennet notes when he abducts Matt, which would mean that increasing in function would not be unreasonable. + Claude comments to Peter while they are training that he believes there to be an ultimate version of their abilities, which he believes Peter is approaching. + Peter and Sylar's absorption of many abilities show that it is possible to contain many abilities within a single individual, implying that maybe they are simply speeding up the gradual process of ability development. - Adam has been alive far longer than a normal person would, and has shown no abilities other than regeneration. + It is clearly established that the species is in the process of evolving, so Adam, as a very early example of the process, could easily not have the same potential as later generations.
The Eclipse triggers a dormant gene that allows the holder of the gene to adopt the ability they desire.	None.	+ All the heroes saw an eclipse and then were granted abilities. + All their abilities are tied to their emotions and personalities and were given to them in times of distress after or shortly before seeing the eclipse. - Claire, Nathan, Niki, Peter and many other's abilities manifested before the eclipse in Six Months Ago. • Nathan and Niki are synthetic evolved humans.
Natural evolved humans that are related to each other have similar powers while synthetic evolved humans that are related to natural evolved humans have random powers.	None.	+ If Matt Parkman's power is naturally his, then this makes sense seeing as how he and his father have the same power. + If Peter's power is natural, then this theory would make sense seeing as how his father and him have powers that allow them to duplicate/take the abilities of others. + Nathan has a synthetic ability, which seems random compared to his father's and brothers' powers. + Flint and Meredith are siblings, and they both have pyrokinesis. + Niki's and Tracy's powers don't seem compatible, but random and unrelated. + If Maya and Alejandro are natural evolved humans, then this theory would make sense since their abilities complement each other. + It is possible that Micah would have had an ability similar to his father's, but since his mother is Niki, who is synthetic, he has a seemingly random ability. + Assuming that Meredith and Claire are natural evolved humans, than this theory would make sense considering that their powers are completely different. However, since Nathan, who is synthetic, is Claire's birth father, then his artificial ability genes could have interfered with the ability that Claire was supposed to have. + It is reasonably safe to assume that Khufu was a natural evolved human. Thus, this theory would make sense, considering that members of Khufu's kin and his descendant Abu Aswan all had the ability of levitation. + The Haitian and his father both had abilities that altered the mind, while one made people jovial or fearful, the other made people within proximity forget everything. - Angela's ability to dream the future is unrelated to both her sister's ability to control the weather, and her father's ability to emit bursts of energy, and it is unlikely that her mother had an ability that related to both Angela's and Alice's abilities.
Many abilities are meant to be used selfishly.	A lot of abilities cannot be used to do good.	+ Doyle's ability to control people cannot be used to help people, in most circumstances. - Doyle can stop people from doing bad things, like robbing a bank or raping somebody. He just needs the inner heroism in order to use it strictly in this manner. + Maya's ability cannot help people. - According to the original ending of season two, her power would have saved Odessa from the Shanti virus. + Evolution is meant to help a species to survive, not help others. • This theory assumes (correctly or incorrectly) that evolution has a meaning as opposed to no meaning, and by extension perhaps intelligent design.
Powers start off as basic versions, but then extend to much more.	None.	+ Adam Monroe started off with regeneration, and then stopped aging, the same may happen to Claire. + Telepathy has been shown to grow into a much more powerful ability .(Matt and Maury Parkman) • The growth of abilities may be something passive, something that happens with experience, or something that has to be specifically honed in on.
Certain abilities that overlap, such as mental manipulation, telepathy and others like them are actually the same ability.	None.	+ The Haitian seems to be able to control all brain functions, and Matt is in the process of also doing this. • Some evolved humans may be limited in their abilities because they are unaware of their potential. + Matt only started his manipulation abilities after he discovered that he could, from his father who was already experienced in this area. + There may be ability homology.
Powers can be learned.	Sylar's Intuitive aptitude; Flint's learning of his powers in Graphic Novel: Playing with Fire.	+ Sylar takes other abilities by 'learning' them. In the graphic novel, Flint also 'learns' his powers, "mak(ing) it extra hot". Matt also learns thought suggestion after realizing his father could do that. While it might not be possible for everyone to learn powers, maybe certain individuals could. Also, while it might not work for all powers, maybe certain powers could be learned. - This could just be because all of them were born with their abilities and discovered them by trying to do so.
Abilities such as rapid cell regeneration and impenetrable skin are abilities that can rival each other but have basically the same effect.	None.	+ Ability homology exists in Heroes. - These two abilities have very little to do with each other, one prevents one from physical harm while the other allows one to recover from physical harm. • Both allow its users to be protected from physical harm. - Rapid cell regeneration reverts the effects of physical harm, impenetrable skin doesn't allow physical harm to be dealt.
Peter, Sylar, Arthur and Linda Tavara have the same ability, but execute it in different ways due to their different personalities.	Sylar can use emathy to get an ability.	+ Powers have been known to reflect a persons personality. + Each has a unique way of using their ability and obtaining the powers, but have the same result. - Similar, not exactly the same. When Sylar got Elle's ability, the didn't have an immediate mastery of the ability. - Neither empathic mimicry nor power absorption results in the death of the one the ability is used on. • The theory says that the differences in the powers are the because of differences in the personalities, Linda and Arthur have the same way of getting the ability but the difference is Linda kills the person, Arthur and Linda have similar abilities, similar outlooks and similar goals. And Sylar didn't get immediate control over Elle's ability because he gained it through empathy, Peter couldn't control a lot of his power in season one because of how he got them, Sylar gained his through understanding how to use them and how to control them. The differences are how they get the ability and in some the execution, but in the end it is the same result for the person absorbing, or copying the ability: they have the ability. • Adam's death was the result of no longer having an ability to counter his aging. + Each has differences to it, such as Linda being able to see aura's, but this can acount for an ability she took earlier on like Aura sensory which would allow her to separate normal people from evolved humans. Sylar can understand things, but did use empathy to get Elle's ability. Peter can understand and connect with people by understanding their emotions. Arthur takes and doesn't give back and has never shown a side that would account for him having enough heart to use empathy, or understand things past what he has concluded them as. In short each could be capable of the other but their personalities are what their abilities reflect, only if their outlook changed would someone like Arthur be able to use empathy.
People can take two natural abilities; generally their normal ability and immunity to it.	None.	+ Rule of Ted or other immunity could be a separate ability to induced radioactivity or pyrokinesis etc. + Peter is immune to abilities he has absorbed e.g. telepathy. - Ability immunity could be an aspect of the own ability, which makes it usable. + "Pyrokinesis is the ability to create and manipulate fire using the power of the mind". No reference to being immune to fire. - Manipulate can account for various effects, one of which could me the immunity.
Abilities sap intelligence.	In Dying of the Light Usutu puts Hiro Nakamura through a series of tests meant to foster forethought and prudence rather than an overdependence on abilities; it is inferred that the possession of abilities often leads their users to behave less intelligently. Chandra Suresh states that "the brain controls every action". Conventional thought processes such as memory, comprehension, etc. may suffer due to mental processes being devoted to an ability.	+ Evolved humans with simple abilities often seem more intelligent and tend to use those abilities in imaginative ways. Nathan Petrelli's only ability is flight, and he maintains his political resources through numerous scandals. Evolved humans with "Swiss Army" abilities tend to be gullible, short-sighted and downright reckless. Peter Petrelli seems to act less and less intelligently as he accumulates abilities. + The Company motto one of us, one of them may be an attempt to enhance performance by pairing reckless evolved humans with clear-headed normals. Noah Bennet is shown to be able to match the abilities of most evolved humans through determination and planning. - This is perhaps just conjecture and justification for plot-driven mistakes. If characters with potent and/or numerous abilities consistently used them intelligently, multiple seasons of plotlines would be resolved per episode. - Peter's attitude in Dying of the Light was the result of mimicking Sylar's ability.
Abilities have both spiritual and physical connections to the person.	None.	+ Sylar's ability couldn't be detected through tests, he could only have a spiritual connection to his ability.
An individual can have an ability that is strong enough not to be replicated, much like having an ability strong enough not to be blocked.	The Haitian had trouble containing Arthur because he was so powerful.	+ If there is a character powerful enough to resist power blocking, there may be someone powerful enough that their powers cannot be copied. • Exposed Future Sylar was able to block Peter from obtaining his power of intuitive aptitude. • No, due to the complex nature of the ability, Peter needed instructions on how to access the ability, he had already absorbed it since their first encounter when Peter saved Claire.
The ability someone gets is dependant on that persons needs at the time of activation.	In Dual, talking about wanting the ability you recieve, Daphne stated to Matt "...you wanted to know what people thought about you, and now you can read minds. I wanted to run and now I can."	+ When Nathan's powers activated, he flew out of a car that was about to crash. + When Matt's powers activated, he was struggling with exams, he then found he could read other peoples minds. + When Hiro's powers activated, he was frustrated by the monotony of work and wanted to stop time. + When Daphne's powers activated, she wanted to be able to walk again. + When Alejandro's powers activated, he wanted nothing more than to counteract Maya's ability. + This could explain why some gifts run in the family and some don't seem to have any connection at all: Claire has an ability completely unrelated to her parents' abilities, Matt has the same ability as his father. • Nathan's ability is synthetic, it's possible that this may interfere with the natural inheritance of abilities. • This may not be true in all cases. Did Peter need empathic mimicry at the time he manifested? With some, like Peter, it may be a more general need than an immediate one. • As a nurse he needed to empathise with his patients, as we don't know when his powers activated it is hard to tell. + This would explain why Peter's abilities changed as when they were reactivated, he actually wanted to be able to take another persons abilities. - Peter doesn't take abilities, he still just copies them. • Some abilities just don't seem to flow with this theory (pyrokinesis, water mimicry, etc).
For every evolved human on earth, there is or will be an evolved human with the same ability, or an antithetic ability.	The law of physics that states that for every action, there is an equal or opposite reaction.	+ There are many instances of similar or opposite abilities. (e.g. Peter and Sylar or Meredith and Tracy)
Abilities manifest during states of extreme emotion. The emotion can be fear (Tracy), a feeling of being trapped (D.L.), anger (Maya), or even a sense of awe (as in, when an evolved human witnesses an eclipse).	None.	+ Adam manifested when he was about to die, as did Claire and Nathan.
Abilities can mutate during intense, life or death-like situations.	None.	+ Claire couldn't feel pain after she got her head cut open, Elle started generating more electricity after her run in with Sylar, Adam resurrected himself from a skeleton after his final fight with Hiro, Peter was finally able to recall powers as he was plummeting to his death, and Tracy turned into a water mimic when she froze herself solid. + It has been shown that powers are linked to adrenal glands, which would be incredibly active during such situations.