Theory:Peter Petrelli

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The following fan theories are about Peter Petrelli.

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Theories

Theory	Citations	Notes
Peter used astral projection during How To Stop An Exploding Man while visiting Charles Deveaux.	None	+ During an interview, it was stated that Angela Petrelli's power involved getting from point a to b very quickly. Astral projection would allow for that, and because Angela is Peter's mother, Peter could have absorbed her ability at any point in his life. • If Peter was using astral projection in his "dream", then it would be assumed that he was also incorporating other simultaneously, and that has neither been confirmed or denied. For one, Peter was in the past, so space/time manipulation may have been in use. Second, Peter appeared invisible to everyone but Charles. Finally, astral projection would give Peter the means of being in more than one place at the same time. - Angela as of yet has not demonstrated an ability on the show. - During that moment of distress, he would most likely not have the thought to go to that moment in time to talk to Charles as there is a small chance that he would remember that moment in his life, and that he doesn't know he has the power.
Peter is Linderman's son, through an affair with Angela Petrelli. Linderman is likely unaware of this, and believes Peter to be a full Petrelli.	None.	+ Peter went into nursing, when none of his other relatives did so. Austin/Linderman was also a medic and has the power of healing. + Nathan and Peter look little alike and from what we have seen of Mr. Petrelli, we know that he looks a lot like Nathan. - However, Peter and Nathan share the same dark hair. The other dissimilarities between Peter and Nathan could simply be explained by the fact that Milo Ventimiglia and Adrian Pasdar are not related. + The discovery of his wife's affair with Linderman, could have been the initiative it took Mr. Petrelli to go against the company and attempt to testify against Linderman- and it may have been the root of his depression.
Peter's power is empathy. This would give him the ability to channel powers and would explain his prophetic dreams about Nathan, and explain how he knows what he felt.	None.	+ According to Tim Kring: "Peter’s [power] is based on his empathy and his ability to connect with people and when he’s around them." + This would also match the theory that their abilities are based on their personalities...or personality on abilities. Peter became a nurse to help people, so gaining empathy would just further his wanting to help. + Claude said that Peter was an Empath.
Peter has some unknown additional power that is or causes these dreams and blackouts.	None.	- According to the writers, each character has only one innate power. + The dreams could come from another person whose ability Peter absorbed without realizing it.
Peter's dreams come from his mimicking his mother's power.	None.	+ Since it looks like the first ability he has mimicked, it would have to be from someone that is always around him. Angela would fit the bill. + Ask Ausiello revealed that she has a power. • it was stated that with her power it is easier for her to get from "point A to point B", this could be either understand as a form of transportation or a form of intuition.
Peter's dreams come from mimicking the powers of Charles Deveaux.	See Theory:Charles_Deveaux	+ Peter was getting prophetic dreams before he encountered many others. He shared a "goodbye dream" with Charles, where Peter showed him he could fly. (Nothing to Hide) - Peter's first vision occurred six months ago, before he began working for Charles Deveaux. (Six Months Ago) + Charles Deveaux's affiliation with Angela indicates that he may have been around Peter long before Peter became his nurse, though Peter may not have known it at the time. (How to Stop an Exploding Man)
Peter's prophetic dreams come from his empathy mixing with Isaac's power.	None.	+ Before meeting Isaac, Peter's dreams were limited to sensing the feelings of people Peter was close to, such as Nathan and Charles Deveaux. After meeting Isaac, Peter began to dream of people he had yet to meet. - Peter's dreams had premonition qualities before he met Isaac. - Peter's dreams and Isaac's ability have very dissimilar characteristics.
Peter can share his duplicated powers with non-powered people, through an empathic connection.	None.	- Simone would not be dead if this was the case. + In Landslide, Peter grabs Claire and is able to render her invisible, despite her not having that ability. - This may be a function of the power being duplicated, though, as Niki is phased by D.L. during the same episode. - When Claude grabs objects, they also turn invisible.
Peter's vision of himself exploding may not be a prophecy; it may be form of empathic communication, like some of his other dream experiences seem to be.	His dream about Charles Deveaux was not prophetic. (Nothing to Hide) His dream about Nathan and Heidi's accident occurred at the same time Peter was asleep. (Six Months Ago)	+ If so, Peter is wrong to think he will be the cause of the explosion. - In Godsend, more of Peter's vision is seen, including scenes with Claude laughing while stealing money. These portions of Peter's vision, at least, have definitely proven to be prophetic. - Peter's dream of him jumping off a building had premonition qualities. - In an interview, Tim Kring states, "he's had dreams before, and they've had premonition qualities to them."
Future Hiro contacted Peter because Peter is the only person who can hold a conversation with him while he has stopped time.	By duplicating Claude's invisibility power, Peter made himself immune to it. (Godsend)	+ Peter's experience with Claude supports the theory. Duplicating Hiro's space-time manipulation power may have a similar effect. - Claude is able to see an invisible Peter, so it's not Peter's power that allowed him to see an invisible Claude. • It is still unclear whether Future Hiro has enough control of his power to exclude other people from the time-stopping effect, although he has shown that he can teleport other people with him, suggesting that he may well be able to allow others to move when time is stopped as well. + If Hiro was able to selectively exclude others from the time-freeze, then keeping time frozen during the jailbreak in Walls, part 1 would not mean he and Peter would "have to drag out a lot of stiff time-frozen bodies".
Peter mimicked the power of suggestion from Eden McCain.	While Peter visited Mohinder Suresh's apartment while Eden McCain was present, there is no indication that he duplicated her suggestion power. However, they were in the same room for some time, even coming in physical contact with each other. (Collision)	+ Eden could use her power at her discretion; it's possible Peter duplicated it and simply didn't know how to activate it. + Additionally, the fact that Peter was able to convince Mohinder to visit Isaac, but later fail to do it again may suggest that Peter tapped into Eden's power, but later did not. + Don't need to know that someone has a power to absorb it, but still needssome knowledge of what the power is if it is a active power.
Peter absorbs personalities as well as powers as a result of having to "feel" another person's presence in order for absorption.	None.	+ In his fight with Isaac, Peter displays an "evil", aggressive nature to him when he uses his telekinetic abilities, which likens to that of Sylar. Peter, being empathetic, needs to experience another person's "essence" in order to use their abilities. Being around Sylar invoked fear and chaos, so using Sylar's powers would inevitably cause Peter to have violent tendencies. - Peter, when stopping Claude's broomstick or dropping the taser gun's darts, did not have a violent outburst. • Peter was getting angry because of all the hit he got from Claude and he did had a angry look on his face when he finally blocked the staff. + Peter nearly killed when he was using his telekinesis in Kindred.
Peter can mimic non-superhuman abilities of others.	None.	+ Peter initially seemed only able to draw stick figures, but is able to paint similarly to Isaac when close to him. - In How to Stop an Exploding Man, when Sylar uses Isaac's power he sees the event on the canvas in the form of a picture already - the painting takes no exceptional skill, it is just tracing the lines and filling in the colors. • If this is the case then Sylar must be able to absorb non-superhuman abilities as well, as he can paint as well as Isaac or Peter. • If this was the case surely Sylar would be killing good writers or watchmakers or other skilled people, to gain their abilities. • Peter is an empath, so it makes sense that he can copy talents as well as powers. Since Sylar isn't an empath, it is possible that he can't copy people's talents, only their abilities, and he was just an ok painter on his own.
Peter's abilities reside in the long-term memory portion of his brain and are not a part of his genetic code. His empathic powers are therefore susceptible to the Haitian's ability. In contrast, Sylar changes his genetics with each power theft.	None.	+ By the end of Unexpected, Peter demonstrates he has the power to dominate any foe. Unbridled, his powers will only increase. Peter's powers must be abated for there to be any suspense in a Peter vs. anyone duel. - However, just like all powers, it seems an individual cannot use their own power against themselves. If Peter were around the Haitian, he would mimic his ability, meaning he would be immune to his powers, similar to the way in which he can see Claude when Claude is invisible.:- This is proven incorrect; in Four Months Ago, the Haitian is shown to block Peter's powers. - Mohinder has explicitly said to Peter that his ability comes from his DNA's ability to re-sequence itself to mimic that of others, almost like an "automatic" version of Sylar's genetic manipulation.
Peter Petrelli has absorbed all of Sylar's obtained abilities.	None.	+ In an interview with the show's creators and writers, they stated that Peter has absorbed all of Sylar's abilities. • He is probably unaware of these powers because he has to concentrate on a power to use it and he does not know what powers Sylar has stolen apart from telekinesis and liquefaction.
In the original timeline (Nov 8, 2007), Peter Petrelli mimicked density manipulation from one of the Moab prison ambush agents.	Graphic Novel snapshot:	+ In this scene from Walls, Part 2, everyone is accounted for except for Peter and the agent with enhanced speed. + The agent looks to be stepping backwards (not running), and the silhouette for Peter resembles the image of the larger ambush agent. + If Peter was using enhanced speed, the artist would have drawn jet-trails to indicate this.
Peter Petrelli's name is a reference to the many Marvel characters having first and last names that begin with the same letter.	None.	+ Many of the Marvel comics characters have names beginning with the same letter (e.g. Peter Parker, Reed Richards). + The show's writers have referenced popular culture with other character names: Claude Rains is a reference to the original actor to play a character who was invisible. - Tim Kring does not read comics. • Yet many Comics have entered many other forms of media including film, T.V, games, etc. Why a few characters have a "superstar" fame such as Spider-man or Batman, is unlikly that Kring has not come across a comic character in any media form
Peter is, or has some connection, to the 'rock monster'	None.	+ Both his first name and last name, Peter and Petrelli, come from the Latin term petra meaning "rock".
Peter absorbed the power to heal from Linderman at some point in the past.	None.	+ Linderman was in close contact with the Petrellis ever since War Buddies, and it is at least possible that he met Linderman at some point in his life, before the indictment. - Peter has never shown that he can use Linderman's power. + It may simply be dormant, if Peter is either unaware Linderman had a power or is somehow unable to empathize with Linderman, and, thus, cannot use his power. + Since it seems to have taken Linderman years to perfect his power, Peter might not be skilled enough to use it, and if he can, not very well. - Peter has been able to mimic powers that he has come in close proximity to since the eclipse. We must remember that the eclipse seems to be the turning point when manifestations began. Any powers he may have come in contact before that point may not be available to him. + Nathan is shown as burned and scarred in reflections to himself at the beginning of Season 2. Perhaps Peter subconciously uses the healing ability he picked up from Linderman on Nathan.
Until Peter learns to control his power of radiation, there is a risk he might explode again.	None.	+ This is likely seeing as how the cause of Peter's explosion in the first place was a lack of control.
If Peter was able to tap into Sylar's Intuitive Aptitude he would instantly be able to use all the powers he absorbs.	None.	+ Whenever Sylar takes a power he is almost instantaneously shown using the power he just absorbed even ones that took the original owner quite a while to gain control over (i.e. Isaac's Precognition)
If Peter has all of Sylar's powers and the powers of all he has come into contact with, its possible that he can only access them consciously if he is in the presence of that person when they are using their power. If they do not use their power, he will absorb it but only be able to access it subconsciously, though its more likely that regardless of interviews, that Peter really only absorbs powers when he is near as they are used.	None.	+ Peter turns invisible without realizing when Claude walks by him invisible. + Claire's regeneration is constant and would have been healing when in Peter's presence in Odessa, thus he gains constant regeneration. + Peter does not fly until after Nathan flies. + Peter never shows a power, at least not at full capacity, of those he has been in contact with if they have not actively used their powers in his presence. He doesn't use Eden's persuasion power when arguing with people. - Ted Sprague never used his powers in Peters presence, however Peter still managed to explode. • Peter's explosion may not have had anything to do with Peter; it WAS described as a power overload. • Ted's power is one that requires frequent control and is thus always active even in a "passive" state, like Claire's regeneration - Ted might have been regulating his radiation at the time he met Peter.
Peter's memory loss (Four Months Later) is due to the Haitian.	None.	+ The Haitian has the ability to wipe memories. + Peter was wearing the same necklace that the Haitian is always seen wearing. + In Lizards, the Haitian is not seen wearing the necklace, presumably because he gave it to Peter. - The Haitian would need to do this under circumstances where Peter is unable to mimic the Haitian, otherwise Peter mimics the Haitian's power, blocking mental manipulation. + The Haitian could have used his own power to block Peter's power mimicry before it took effect and absorbed the Haitian's power blocking ability. + The shock of the explosion of the magnitude that was demonstrated at the end of How to Stop an Exploding Man could have temporarily rendered Peter's abilities unusable. + The description for Lizards states that Mohinder is sent after the Haitian, perhaps to reverse the condition. - Peter could have just as easily hit his head when he fell to the ground after exploding. - Peter could simply be in shock, not remembering anything since the accident. - Peter could have absorbed Jessica from Niki, and she is now active but doesn't know whose body she is in. + Since Jessica is assumed to be a soul or some other entity that inhabits Niki's body, Peter would not have absorbed her since Jessica is not a superhuman power. • Jessica would have probably have noticed that she was in a different body once she discovered that she had a man's body and when everyone started calling her "Peter". + In "Four Months Earlier," The Haitian is shown wiping Peter's memory.
The special ability which Peter used against Tuko is the special ability of one of the three thieves.	Peter uses a special ability (apparently a blast of energy) to knock Tuko backward. (Four Months Later)	+ If, as it appears, Peter has amnesia, then he likely would not be able to "remember" the other evolved humans he has met, and therefore recall their abilities. In this case, any abilities which Peter uses would have to be unconsciously mimicked from the people around him, as they were prior to Distractions. - In Lizards, Peter uses several abilities which he had absorbed previously: regeneration, phasing, telekinesis and enhanced strength. - It is unlikely that Peter would simply absorb and use a person's power without knowing them or what their power is. + Peter often absorbs and manifests the powers of evolved humans in his immediate vicinity without any need to concentrate. + For example, when Peter first met Claude, he unconsciously mimicked invisibility, making himself able to see Claude.
The Power that Peter uses is some form of electromagnetism.	The energy blast looks like a blue flash. (Four Months Later)	+ In Five Years Gone, Future Peter has the power of electromagnetism, presumably gained from an Agent. He may have met the same agent during the four months after the explosion. - In a Behind the Eclipse interview, Joe Pokaski and Aron Coleite stated that Peter gained this ability from a female in the four months between How to Stop an Exploding Man and Four Months Later. + Peter himself has repeatedly referred to the power as "sparks" or "lightning". + According to Caitlin, the thieves thought it was "an electrical short".
If he met the Haitian, all of Peter's powers may have been removed, as he can't remember the people who he has taken the powers from.	He seems confused in that he has a power, and doesn't know who he is. (Four Months Later)	+ The Haitian can take memories, and Peter's powers are not in his DNA like most people's, but in his mind, as described by Claude. - Mohinder has explicitly said to Peter that his ability comes from his DNA's ability to re-sequence itself to mimic that of others, almost like an "automatic" version of Sylar's genetic manipulation - Peter has not lost any powers, as the Haitian only takes away people's memory; Peter simply can't use any powers he acquired in the past, as his memories (not his powers), of meeting the people, are gone. + Peter says in Distractions that in order to recall a power, he has to remember the person from whom he absorbed it. - In Lizards, Peter uses rapid cell regeneration, phasing, telekinesis, and enhanced strength.
One of Peter's used powers in Four Months Later and Lizards is some sort of concussive light manipulation.	The blast of light Peter fired carried with a concussive force.	+ The blast that hit Tuko only seemed to push Tuko back. - Peter himself has repeatedly referred to the power as "sparks" or "lightning".
One of Peter's used powers in Four Months Later and Lizards is a form of radioactive blasts from Ted Sprague.	None	+ We know for sure that he has that power. + Like Ted, he still has limited control over his radioactive powers, therefore when one of the thugs attacked, the blasts came naturally. - In a Behind the Eclipse interview, Joe Pokaski and Aron Coleite stated that Peter gained this ability from a female in the four months between How to Stop an Exploding Man and Four Months Later. + What the producers actually confirmed in the CBR was that he used an electricity power from a female he met in those four months, but he could have used more than one electricity power during the episode (Ted's EMP is also a form of electromagnetism). + At least some of the flashes appear similar to this directed EMP example from 1990's TV series Viper.
Claude was right about how Peter can call back his powers.	Claude said that in order for Peter to use his mimicked powers without the original owner present he had to block them out.	+ Because he doesn't remember anyone from his past, Peter has effectivly "blocked them out". That being said, he can still use the powers that he has absorbed. • In a Behind the Eclipse interview, Joe Pokaski and Aron Coleite stated that "Peter has learned and will continue to learn that's it's more about his heart than his memory."
Peter is now able to use more than one ability at the same time.	None	+ In Kindred, Peter was able to pin Will to the wall with telekinesis while he healed.
Peter absorbed Jessica.	None	+ After Peter received the family crest tattoo in Kindred, the tattoo reforms into The Symbol and disappears, like it would do with Niki when Jessica would go away. + When Peter was choking Will he seemed to enjoy it, much like Jessica enjoyed killing. - Peter remembered choking Will, and he remembered how he felt. • Niki asks Bob on the phone if he can cure her. This may refer to Jessica or possibly thr Shanti virus. - Jessica appears to manifest in fight or flight.
Peter can only use his powers under great stress.	None	+ He couldn't use his lightning powers just by willing them, but he could telekinetically move the truck and choke Will when he was stressed. - In Petrified Lightning, Peter used his lightning powers at will after speaking Caitlin's name.
Peter appearance in the shipping crate with amnesia was a part of his plan as well as the Haitian's, preparing for a future event.	None	+ The Haitian's duties always have a purpose to it. • His time in the company was to assist Noah in tracking other evolved humans. • Working under Angela Petrelli, he was to protect Claire. + If Peter was in hiding for the entire time, it would be strange for him to have a haircut that clean. • The Haitian may have been working directly and exclusively for Mrs. Petrelli, as he was to protect Claire while working with Noah. Also he is not to harm any of the petrelli's as noted when he and Noah appeared in Las Vegas to presumably capture Nathan but despite of being only a few feet away Nathan was able to fly away from them.
Peter was romantically involved with the person from whom he learned electromagnetism.	None	+ In Distractions, Peter tells Claude that he needs to remember how people made him feel in order to call up their powers. While he now has no memory of the other evolved humans he has met, he is still able to recall their powers, presumably by feeling the same emotions he felt towards the people in question. For example, when he is angered by Will, he responds with Sylar's telekinesis, and is almost overwhelmed by the emotion. He is initially unable to voluntarily recall electromagnetism until he thinks of Caitlin, with whom he is now romantically involved. It's likely he feels the same emotions for her as he felt for the person from whom he learned electromagnetism.
Peter absorbed the power of electromagnetism from Elle.	None.	+ In a Behind the Eclipse interview, Joe Pokaski and Aron Coleite stated that Peter gained this ability from a female in the four months between How to Stop an Exploding Man and Four Months Later. + Elle's electricity is the same blue color as Peter's electricity. + Peter could have met Elle before, as she is trying to find him.
Peter no longer needs to remember someone to use a certain power.	None.	+ Peter could not remeber anything about himself and has no idea he got these powers yet he can still use them. • What Peter actually said is that he needed to remember how the people from whom he copied powers "made him feel". It's possible to recall the emotion without recalling the person.
Peter was an agent of The Company during the four month time skip, while there, he met Elle and she gained romantic interest in him. In the end, the Haitian kidnapped him and stole his memory as part of his and Bennet's plan.	None	- Peter starts remembering when he meets his mother in the future (Out of Time) but until now there has never been someone who remembered things after the Haitain stole their memories.
Peter cannot use any abilities absorbed from Sylar except telekinesis	None	+ Peter has not used any of Sylar's abilities except for telekinesis. + A Company scientist was unable to detect in Sylar the "codon switches" for any ability other than telekinesis. (Godsend). This may be why Sylar's other abilities cannot be absorbed. - In an interview with the show's creators and writers, they stated that Peter has absorbed all of Sylar's abilities. - However, this does not mean that Peter can use those powers. There are many powers that Peter has been exposed to and cannot use.
Peter is the hooded killer	None	+ It is suggested in (Out of Time) that Peter has been working with Adam We know that Adam wants to hurt Hiro so perhaps has persuaded Peter to kill Hiro's father for him. + Bob believes that Adam Munroe is responsible for the murders, and that he is using other people with abilities - such as Maury Parkman - to commit the actual crimes. + Peter has worn a blue hooded jumper in Season One, similar to what is worn by the hooded killer. Peter has unlocked his ability to travel through time. Concievably, he could use this ability to double-back on the timeline and commit the murders while his past self is in Ireland.
Peter will seek out Hiro Nakamura's help in order to return to 2008 and rescue Caitlin.	None.	+ While in 2008, Peter learned from his mother that his time travel ability was absorbed from Hiro. ("Out of Time") + Also while in 2008, Peter was able to read his mother's mind and somehow recover his memories of her. ("Out of Time"). In the present day, he could use this ability with Adam, or other aquantances, to regain memories of Hiro and how to find him. + Peter is now in the company of Adam Monroe, who may also be looking for Hiro.
Peter could have been able to use Charlie's Enhanced Memory through his contact with Sylar.	None.	+ His mother told him to remember, and shortly after he appered to remember all the moments that he spent with his mother in his entire life. ("Out of Time")
Adam was broken out of his prison the Company put him in by Peter. This caused the Haitian and Elle to send Peter as far away from Adam as possible with no recollection of anything he has ever done, including his new "alliance" with Adam.	None.	+ Bob has said that Adam is a very manipulative person and could have talked Peter into letting him out. Peter's box could've been sneaked into the shipping container by an unknown individual, likely to be Adam.
Peter will get his scar from battling Adam Monroe.	None.	- The dark future after the bomb might never happen; many things have already occurred to change the history, so Peter could never get a scar.