Theory:Sylar

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The following fan theories are about Sylar.

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Theories

Theory	Citations	Notes
Sylar is meant to be Peter's literary/thematic antithesis.	None.	+ He has a similar motivation (to be special), similar looks, similar powers, both have mothers that don't believe in them, and both men have even talked to a Suresh who ultimately gave up on him before he could prove that he was special. One major difference between them is that Sylar's main power depends upon logic and Peter's power depends upon emotion - a common theme in many literary conflicts. + In Five Years Gone, when Sylar and Peter fight, Sylar uses freezing while Peter uses the power of pyrokinesis. In other words, Sylar is cold and emotionless ice, while Peter is hot and passionate fire. + The cast commentary confirms that it was "fire and ice". + Peter and Sylar have the same initials as a well-known pair of comic book nemeses: Peter Parker (Spider-Man) and the Green Goblin. + Furthermore, numerous references to other comics outside the Heroes universe have been mentioned, like the Hulk and Captain America. (It's Coming) - While initially compelling, the proposed antithetical relationship doesn't stand up to close scrutiny: Sylar's motivation stems from deep rooted compulsions (a persistent and insatiable hunger for others' gifts, which stems of its own accord, and excites him; jealousy towards Trevor evincing his desire for Elle, prompting actions that led to the acquisition of the former's power; a need to understand whether his putative father is being truthful) as opposed to a conscious decision to 'be special'; there is evidence to suggest that Peter's mother did believe in him, endorsing a way of life that would sensitise him; the main distinction, that Sylar represents logic and Peter is representative of emotion, seems to be sound on a superficial level but has, at best, been clumsily executed and may as well be accidental. The principal problem here is in the name - intuition has never been associated with logic, rather it sidesteps the rational process of enquiry. Essentially, for intuitive aptitude to work as a concept or an ability, the individual so gifted will need to take repeated leaps of faith, on the assumption that his/her ability will unfailingly prove to be correct; while this provides interesting parallels with religious faith and deific characters, it blurs the distinction (conceptually, if not in the mode of operation) between an empathic and an intuitive understanding, as neither involves rational enquiry. + Sylar and Peter both working off of their emotions only deepens the idea that they are two sides of one coin. + Sylar told Chandra that he wanted to be "significant" (Six Months Ago) and this stemmed from Virginia Gray's insistence that he was special and could be better than everybody else (The Hard Part); Peter also wanted to be significant - the conversations with Nathan and Mohinder before he jumps off the roof (Genesis) suggests that he dreamed of being a hero. + In I Am Sylar, Sylar disguised as Virginia Gray opens a conversation with himself as Gabriel and starts quoting his mother in addition to ad-libbing what she'd supposedly say had they really been talking. One of the things he says is that Virginia gave him extra attention because he was "special". This is also parallel to Peter, as he is his mother's favorite and was the one who developed a natural ability, making him "special" in his mother's eyes. • Although Angela stated that she liked Peter best because he actually cared for her (Genesis), it is highly implied in her conversation with Charles Deveaux that Angela was trying to shape him into something better because of her dreams. (How To Stop an Exploding Man) • Angela told Peter she used to be like him. (Into Asylum) + Sylar utilizes his powers with logic; as he has been able to break down every complex code, power and system within seconds of seeing it, his power is either more than just intuition or he couples his natural smarts with it. Peter utilized his powers with emotions, as he remembers how he felt around certain people in order to reobtain their abilities. Thus, the logic vs. emotion in regards to their powers still stands. + Sylar has shown some arrogant, clumsy tendencies that have gotten him temporarily killed, captured and hurt emotionally and physically. He has failed at killing certain people because of some of these tendencies, and has basically missed alot of these opportunities because he was monologuing. However, Sylar also set up complex mind games and traps for his enemies, has made elaborate plans for survival (on the spot, in some occasions), and has shown himself to be an intellectual, perhaps even a mad genius. • Some of his "mistakes" might have been caused by the hunger; most addictions cause a jittery impatience when people know they're going to get or start to crave "a fix". He also a common tendency in people suffering from psychosis: his emotions cause him to be distracted (such as when he's interrogating Angela in Dual) and he has a short temper, causing him to impulsively lash out.
Sylar may also be a thematic foil to evolution itself.	None.	+ His profession of watchmaker is often used as an analogue to an intelligent designer. Rather than following an evolutionary imperative, he appears to be redesigning himself using existing powers as a template which he then improves upon. + Evolution requires reproduction of the fittest, not merely survival of the fittest. So, unless he starts trying to have babies, he can't affect evolution at all. In fact, by taking so many evolved people out of the gene pool, he is actually slowing down evolution. + With all the alterations to his DNA, it is possible that he will cease to be genetically human and will therefore be unable to reproduce. - But, would that then render Peter and Arthur Petrelli as inhuman as well, were they to absorb numerous powers? It would seem that, with the other Petrellis being natural sponges, Sylar himself could absorb a (theoretically) unlimited number of abilities.
Sylar can be identified with some supernatural harbinger of the end of the world.	None.	+ Sylar builds and restores watches. The notion of supernatural "watchmaker", setting the laws of science in place then letting them tick away, is one frequent symbol for God (a rather apt one for a show centering around apparently God-directed evolution). + Sylar, like the biblical Lucifer/Satan, became dissatisfied with his status in life, wanting desperately to be more important, more special. By acquiring more and more superhuman powers, he appears to be making himself God-like, an act of supreme hubris. + "Gabriel" is the name of the archangel supposed to arrive immediately prior to the apocalypse. • The first episode of the first season (Genesis) and the first episode after the mid-season break (Godsend) both had titles of religious significance, the first being "Genesis" and the next being "Godsend". The Haitian associates these powers with being from God, and Jessica's character flippantly rejects the need for God's help at the end of Godsend. There are many religious references (predominantly Christian) throughout the show, which could be hints that Sylar plays a significant role in a supernatural scheme. • Both Genesis and Godsend begin with a G, as do both of Sylar's real names (Gabriel Gray).
Sylar is a different species of evolved human.	None.	+ There is much about him that is different from the others know evolved humans, and his original power was not detected by Chandra. - Chandra might have lacked the necessary equipment to detect intuitive aptitude. + Only his telekinesis was detected by The Company. + This would make him a even better villain and a opposite force for other characters. • Each evolved human could be their own subspecies of human, as their powers manfest in completely different ways. Also as long as they can produce fertile offspring with humans they are technically the same species, but not the same breed/race/ability to have abilities.
Sylar has Mosaic DNA and is a Chimera.	None.	+ This explains why the Company only found "telekinesis DNA" when tested they him.
Sylar wasn't going to kill Molly Walker; he was going to kidnap her and use her to find other evolved humans.	None.	• Sylar normally leaves no signs of physical contact when attacking his victims. Sylar causes a ruckus when he tries to drag Molly away when he could have easily killed her in the blink of an eye. (One Giant Leap). - Sylar can just kill Molly and take her ability. + Sylar showed that he had some conscience when he was afraid of blowing up after painting the explosion. He may have, at first, also been opposed to killing a child. - He may simply have been mindful that, as the agent of Molly's power, he would run the risk of being discovered via a strong telepath whenever this ability was employed. • The only example of this so far suggests that a person with Molly's ability can only be found by a telepath if the telepath is the one who the clairvoyant is looking for and if the telepath is strong enough to notice he's being looked for. There is also no suggestion that a telepath might find the clairvoyant through this, Maury showed no signs of knowing where Molly was.
Sylar developed powers at a young age, as Micah and Sanjog did.	None.	+ Sylar has stated matter-of-factly on more than one occasion that he can understand how things work. The connotation of this may imply that he has had this particular power for a long time, that he, too, developed powers at a young age. + His initial power suggests an inherent intellectual prowess; both Micah and Sanjog are smarter than usual for their age. - His apparent cleverness may simply be a byproduct of intuitive aptitude. - Intuitive aptitude may not actually be a power. + Intuitive Aptitude has been confirmed as a power by Sylar himself, when talking to Maya in the car on the way to the border.
Sylar understands Spanish.	None.	+ Sylar often showed some form of understanding of conversations between Alejandro and Maya, such as the fact that Alejandro needed Maya to translate English to Spanish, or his desire to abandon Sylar and cross with a coyote. - Sylar may have understood Alejandro's intent from tone and body language. + Sylar's intuitive aptitude, if it still works, may have helped him to learn the language by now. + The scene with the cockroach and Sylar in the cell was accompanied by the sound of a ticking clock. This implies that Sylar used his intuitive aptitude. Peter had also used intuitive aptitude to understand the reactions of his time meddling to stop his dad. If they can use the power for those, then theoretically the power should be able to help Sylar understand foreign languages quicker. + Sylar could have used Charlie's power to learn Spanish earlier, or could simply have learned in school. - Sylar lost that ability before Season 2 began. He could no longer use it to remember Spanish. + In How to Stop an Exploding Man, Sylar appears to understand Japanese, as he responds very specifically to what Hiro says to Ando. • Again, Sylar may simply have been picking up intent from tone, context, and body language. - Sylar can know Japanese and not Spanish. • As far as we know, Sylar has never been exposed to Japanese. • He could have learned it for fun or in school.
The Company spent considerable resources saving Sylar's life because they need him to extract the power stored in the brain inside the Vault.	One of the items inside the Primatech Vault is a preserved brain.	+ The brain is stored alongside assorted mysterious items, including a virus with the power to wipe out the human race, suggesting it holds high value or significant power. + Despite the incredible danger Sylar poses to all evolved humans, the Company has gone to great lengths to preserve his life; forbidding Mr. Bennet from killing him in Season 1, and treating him with several major surgeries to save him from the stab wound from Hiro's katana. + The crew commentary to Powerless suggests that the vault items are major clues to future plot points. + Sylar is the only character to be associated with brains as a plot element. - It would be insane to willingly give a powerful ability to someone as dangerous and uncontrollable as Sylar. + The brain's power may be of a highly valuable but non-combat-related nature, such as Bob's ability to turn base metals into gold. • The Company may believe that they had the means to control Sylar, i.e. by having Maury Parkman mentally dominate him, or by having the Haitian mindwipe his more vicious impulses. • It would be insane to create a virus that could destroy more than 90% of the world's population. + It could also be the reason why the company kept Peter in a cell. Peter should have Sylar's intuitive aptitude ability and would also be able to extract the power from the brain. - Peter was never asked to do this. - The Company has had plenty of chances for Sylar to do this, but they do not seem to have asked him to do it. - They even took away his abilities the second time they saved his life. - Angela even allowed Sylar to extract an ability from a different brain. + Bob and/or Angela may have had different plans than their predecessors.
The Serpent in the story of the Serpent and the Crane is a symbolic representation of Sylar.	None.	+ The Serpent kills the Crane and takes its ability to fly. This sounds a lot like power theft. - The story may be symbolic of The Haitian and his ability. The Haitian take the memories of others and "takes" the powers of others. He takes away Guillame's ability, and Guillame tells him that he wants to fly again. (It Takes a Village, Part 3) + Guillame asks, "What good is it to fly, if you have nowhere to go?" Sylar is in a similar situation because he takes powers but does not use them for anything except to gain more powers. + The Serpent believes that the Crane is unworthy of its wings just as Sylar believes his victims are unworthy of their powers. + Serpents are always symbols of evil, especially a form the devil commonly takes. • Serpents are not always symbols of evil. The Ouroboros, for instance, is symbolic of cycles, eternity, and unity. Snakes have also been symbolic of protection, wisdom, renewal/rebirth (outside of the Ouroboros' cyclical symbolism), and medicine (such as on the caduceus). - Although the resemblances are interesting, it's unlikely that the Haitian's tribe would have ever met someone like Sylar before, nor is it likely Sylar would have heard the legend. + While Guillame probably was not deliberately referring to Sylar himself, it is likely that the writers meant for the Serpent to be a symbol or representation of Sylar. - Sylar has had very little contact with the Haitian at all. - Around the time that the It Takes a Village series would have taken place, Sylar would have been very young and still call himself Gabriel. - It is unlikely that Sylar is connected to a Haitian tale. - Linda Tavara's story indicates that Sylar is not the first or only evolved human who has attempted to steal the evolved abilities of others. • Considering that the story is prevalent only in the graphic novels, it is likely that it may be symbolic of the Haitian. However, considering the serpentine nature of Sylar and the stealing of the ability to fly, it could also be prophetic of Sylar killing Nathan and taking his power, just as it was shown in Five Years Gone.
Sylar's rescue by Maya, Alejandro, and Derek was engineered by Drucker.	None.	+ One evolved human being saved by two other evolved humans riding in a car stolen from a third evolved human is a very big coincidence. - Coincidences are hardly uncommon in Heroes, nearly all the characters bump into each other or are inter-related at some point in the show, this could be just another such occurrence. + Derek's fraternity, the reason he stole the Rogue and went to Mexico, has a portrait of Drucker, strongly suggesting that the two are connected.
Sylar is going to be a father.	It is implied that he slept with Maya. (Truth & Consequences)	+ She may be pregnant. - Sylar wasn't the only one that slept with Maya. Mohinder Suresh slept with her. + It is highly doubtful Sylar was carrying condoms. + He has one in the exposed future. - Noah Gray is blond and it is highly doubtful that Maya or Sylar were blond when they younger. - Future Elle might be Noah's mother. Elle is dead. - Maya would be "showing" by now. - Maya used her ability since then. Although she did not kill any adults, this might kill any baby she had, given the embryo's lack of an immune system. + Her ability immunity might extend to her baby, as it would be part of her organism until it is born. + The embryo's undeveloped "body" may not be able to produce the poison.
Sylar's Achilles' heel, his kryptonite, is calling him Gabriel.	He has been visibly upset when he is called Gabriel, almost as if he is in pain.	- Both his adoptive and fake mothers have called him Gabriel repeatedly. • This could just be because of Sylar's soft spot for mother figures. - Elle called him Gabriel numerous times after he regained her trust. He didn't seem to care in the slightest. - He has called himself Gabriel on more than one occasion without appearing to be in pain. • Gabriel was a person he didn't want to be. Each time somebody calls him Gabriel, it reminds him of where he came from. • He still calls himself Gabriel when convenient. • Gabriel is still his legal name.
Sylar has taken Nathan's ability of flight.	In a possible future, Sylar had killed Nathan and taken his ability. (Five Years Gone)	+ Much of that future has come true, such as Candice's death by Sylar's hand. - Sylar did not acquire Candice's ability in the current timeline. - This did not happen in the exposed future. + The future seems to have turned back into that direction, with Sylar killing Nathan after he turned against his own kind. - Sylar can fly as a byproduct of telekinesis. + Flight is probably better for flying than telekinesis, as super speed is better for running than accelerated probability. + In the events of An Invisible Thread, it is implied that Sylar absorbs flight from Nathan through empathy. • Sylar would be confused if he thought he was Nathan but couldn't fly.
Future Gabriel named his son after HRG because he accidently killed him before this part of the future and wants to try and redeem himself. This means that Claire is after him for that and for taking her ability.	None.	+ We didn't see HRG in the future. + In Resistance, Claire talks about getting over the loss of her parents. Maybe Sylar accidentally killed them. - Claire confessed to Meredith that she was already after Sylar for attacking her. + Future Claire says to Gabriel, "This was my house. You took everything from me." This may partially refer to HRG's death.
Sylar is destined to become a hero in some form by overcoming or disposing of the "hunger" that intuitive aptitude causes.	None.	+ We have already seen that Noah's influence reformed Sylar and helped him suppress his hunger in the future. + Sylar can gain abilities without killing people. - Sylar prefers to acquire powers the old-fashioned way.
Future Gabriel named his son Noah because HRG became a father figure toward him or because he is in fact Gabriel's biological father.	None.	+ A person naming his/her son after his/her own "father" is very common. + Sylar and HRG were partners at Primatech. - Sylar refers to Peter as his brother, so unless he believes that Angela was involved with HRG and means Peter is his half brother, this is unlikely. - HRG is primarily a family man; why would he abandon and try to kill his own son? - HRG only seems to be about ten to fifteen years older than Sylar. It is extremely unlikely that HRG would have slept with Angela when he was 15 at the most, and concieved a child with her.
Peter and Sylar share some kind of supernatural connection.	None.	+ They are supposedly brothers. - Arthur is supposedly not Sylar's father. - Angela is supposedly not Sylar's mother. + Tim Kring has stated that Sylar's powers can be fooled. - Sylar's mother was already shown, and killed, and it wasn't Angela. + There is no proof that was his mother. + Perhaps Peter's biological parents are not really Angela and Arthur either. + In Landslide, without trying to, Peter suddenly picks up Sylar's thoughts in a crowded New York City street. - The scene suggests Sylar directed his thoughts at Peter so that he could get Ted Sprague caught. + They have very similar powers, in that they can absorb others abilities. Only two other people, Linda Tavara, and Peter's father are the only other evolved humans to show the ability to do this. • Ability absorption is only a perk to Linda's ability, not its intended use. • This is also true of intuitive aptitude.
Sylar's can move powers from one person to another, not just himself.	This ability was implied by Noah in Hiro's dream during the Villains episode.	+ While observing Sylar, Noah says that Sylar has the ability to transfer powers from one vessel to another. - Noah did not know how Gabriel transferred the ability to himself. - Noah may have been wrong. - Sylar's ability isn't power theft; it's seeing how things work. Power theft is how he uses his power, not his power's "intended" purpose. + His ability to see how things work may be the key to giving powers to another. • This could also have something to do with the development of the serum that Pinehearst is creating to give powers, but that's extra speculation. • The formula existed long before Sylar even discovered he had powers.
Claire Bennet would have been the mother of Noah Gray.	None.	+ It would explain Noah Gray's first name. - Elle is more likely to be the mother of Noah Gray in the timeline we saw him. + In the present day, Sylar kills Elle. • There is no proof Elle would have fallen in love with Sylar had Peter not tampered with the past. - Claire hates Sylar. + Sylar saved her life and took her power. She and him have a deeper connection now than they did. - Certainly not a good connection. + Having the same power means he understands the problems she's going through. That could have a pretty big effect, especially after what HRG tried to do with Stephen Canfield. - Good things from this would certainly be undermined by the Claire's trauma of having her ability taken against her will. - Claire is too young for Sylar; it's unlikely the writers would do that. • It is not uncommon for people for varying age differences to fall in love. The writer's want to show a variety of people exhibiting powers, and this would be another outlet for exploration. - Even though Claire is darker in the future, she still showed a little sadness when she killed Peter. She threatened Noah's life; it is doubtful she would threaten her own child. • It is not unheard of for a mother to hate her child, especially if she hates the father that much more. - In the exposed future, Gabriel still thinks Peter is his brother. Odds are he thinks Claire is his niece.
Sylar will re-obtain induced radioactivity from Amid Halebi.	He has this power in the exposed future.	+ Sylar's regeneration ability would protect him from the negative side-affects of Amid's power. + No need for that, Rule of Ted says he can't get hurt from his own power. - But the Rule of Ted doesn't apply to everyone (Rollo Fusor's accomplice's dehydration, Michael's laser emission, ect). Just as in the pilot episode Amid Halebi's ability scorched his hands. + Those are exceptions; Sylar, Peter, and Ted were shown not to suffer ill-effects from that specific power.
Sylar will regain precognitive painting from Byron Bevington.	None.	+ His name is on Elle's cellphone. + According to Heroes Evolutions content, Byron has precognition. - There is no evidence that Byron can "paint the future". + In the exposed future, Gabriel regained that ability by the time he is met by Peter's past self. - Sylar is seemingly on a very different path than in that future.
Sylar became evil again because baby Claire never got the catalyst.	None.	+ Seeing the catalyst in Claire's brain could have caused Sylar to realize the evil of his ways. Perhaps it helped him begin to "understand" the hunger part of his ability. - Why would the catalyst have that effect on him? + Just after Hiro took Claire to the past, to prevent her from getting the catalyst, Sylar turned evil again, killing Elle. - It would be a coincidence that the change to the past would begin to have an impact on the present at the same time the time travelers disappear. - Claire might never have gotten the catalyst in any timeline. + Sylar said she was different and special. - He could be referring to her power in general. - If he was talking about the catalyst, then Claire's path would be noticeably affected by Sylar not saying this in the new timeline.
Sylar likes cake.	After Sylar obtained lie detection from Sue Landers, three of her co-workers entered the room with a cake for Sue's birthday. Sylar excitedly said "Cake!" before telekinetically closing the door.	+ Sylar seemed excited at the sight of cake. + Sylar enjoys pie. Pie is similar to cake. - Pie and cake are different enough that many people enjoy one but not the other. - It's possible he was being morbidly sarcastic. - Sylar seems to enjoy spinach. He picks up a can of spinach and says excitedly "I'm back". Thus suggesting that he aspires for great strength, as displayed by Popeye. + Cake is more popular than spinach. + It's possible that one of the evolved humans he took powers from also had a side effect on their powers: A hunger for desserts (including cake and pie). Most likely suspects are Dale Smither or Zane Taylor. This hunger for confectionary products could lead us to see a new, more portly Sylar in future series. • Sylar exhibits the personality traits of the people he kills for only a short while. It's more likely he was affected by Elle's or Sue's personalities. • Displaying his victim's personalities is debatable, as he as pretend to be one of his victims on more than one occasion.
Rapid cell regeneration is one of Sylar's empathic abilities (like telekinesis and electric manipulation) because he was able to empathize with Claire.	In Angels and Monsters Sylar apologises to Claire and says that she must fear him. In Dual he says that she must be disgusted by him and think him a monster.	+ Sylar apologized to Elle just before gaining her ability. - Sylar's apology to Claire looked and felt nothing like the one he did to Elle.
Sylar regained precognition and induced radioactivity in the future from Peter, using the aspect of his own ability that is similar to Peter's own. The reason that he was able to copy those powers from Peter, whilst Peter himself was not able to copy the powers of his his future self, is that the two powers are not identical, and function differently.	None.	+ With Ted Sprague dead, Peter is (at least in the exposed future where he still had all his powers) the only known source of that power. - In a future where anyone can have abilities, a person with induced radioactivity would probably not be hard to come by.
Sylar's attempts to control the hunger have weakened it, and he is now more selective about the abilities he steals.	None.	+ He didn't try to steal Doyle's ability, nor did he appear to try to steal Danny Pine's. - Sylar was more concerned about toying with Noah, Claire, Meredith and Angela. As seen when he took Claire's ability, it takes a while to "find" the ability, time he didn't have at that moment.
Sylar has taken the power of metal mimicry from Danny Pine.	None.	+ Sylar clearly killed him, and having succumbed to the hunger, it seems unlikely that he would have passed over the opportunity of taking it. - Sylar was more concerned with his plan, with putting Angela, Claire, Meredith and Noah in tight situations. - He didn't bother to steal Doyle's ability. • He could use telekinesis to simulate Doyle's power. • He already did it with Audrey Hanson, almost making her shoot herself.
Sylar isn't Arthur's son, but they are still related.	None.	+ When Sylar asked Arthur if he [Arthur] was his family, Arthur replied: "Of course. I am your father". Then Sylar detected a lie. So this ability could have worked when Arthur said "I am your father", not directly after "Of course". This could mean that Arthur is Sylar's family, but not his father. - The workings of this ability are unclear, the ability might analyze the statement as a whole, not parts of it. • That would imply that the abilty can be "tricked". • Tim Kring has stated that the lie detection ability can be tricked. • Telling something that is true but irrelevant would count as truth; it's not that hard to find loopholes. • Only if its user doesn't understand the working of his own ability, not something that happens with Sylar. • Actually, Sylar was unable to control Dale Smither's ability. • That was only at first; he was able to use it quite well after a short while. + Arthur paused between the parts of the statement - possibly long enough for lie detection to work. - There's no defined threshold in which lie detection works. + So far this ability has been shown to detect a lie immediately.
Sylar still has a chance for redemption.	When confronting his adoptive father who he hated for abandoning him, he decided to let him live.	- Which is more cruel? Kill a man begging for death, granting him release, or walk away, leaving him to die a humiliating, agonizing, drawn out death as a complete failure? There was no mercy there.
Sylar and Luke Campbell are half brothers.	Sylar felt it wasn't mere coincidence that Luke is an evolved human and lived near his father.	+ Luke also said that somebody said that his mother was a whore. Even if the guy didn't really say it, she could have slept with Samson. + Luke, like Sylar could have been adopted.
Sylar won't kill Luke for his ability because he will absorb it through empathy.	None.	+ Elle was the only evolved human who was able to partner with Sylar, because he absorbed her ability through empathy. - Luke doesn't have the advantage of being an attractive young woman. Especially since Elle took an interest in Sylar even before he became a killer. Though he does kill her once he finds out she was using him too. • Sylar tried to slice Elle's skull before taking her ability, even though she always was an attractive young woman. - Sylar and Luke have gone seperate ways with no evidence of Sylar having Luke's ability.
Sylar's drive to find his father has obliterated "the hunger".	Sylar states that his motivations were finding abilities and taking them, but now they're mostly about finding his real father. (Building 26)	+ Sylar was able to control the hunger briefly under the guidance of a pseudo-mother figure. - Sylar killed Joe Macon and took his ability. + Imprinting is more practical than powerful; Sylar might have taken it just because it would have been useful to him in the future. + Macon refused to cooperate with Sylar. Sylar could have simply killed him in punishment, and took his ability for the heck of it. + Sylar refrained from killing Luke Campbell, despite the fact that Luke killed Daniel Simmons, a man with vital information on his father, and the fact that Luke had a powerful ability.
Sylar sent Luke away in order to save his life.	None.	+ He didn't kill Luke himself. + He obviously didn't want Luke to be killed by Samson.
Sylar loves roadtrips.	None.	+ He is the only character to have been on a roadtrip in every season. In season one with Mohinder, in season two with Maya and Alejandro, and in season three with Luke Cambell. • The only roadtrip he cleary wanted to take was the one with Mohinder, so he could acquire more abilities.
The metalic arm on the floor in Dual is actually Sylar's arm after he killed Danny Pine and stole his ability.	Danny was confirmed to be deceased. Most likely, Sylar killed him.	+ Sylar has rapid cell regeneration, so he could cut his arm off and it would grow back. + Sylar's hunger might make him take Danny's ability. - He didn't steal Eric Doyle's ability. + Puppet master would be redundant to Sylar's telekinesis. • Sylar could've stolen metal mimicry and discovered it's a weak ability against fire, and that he couldn't control the ability so his arm stayed metal. He may have cut his arm off so Meredith can't attack his metallic arm. • Sylar learns to wield his abilities very fast.
Sylar has "absorbed" precognitive dreaming from Angela Petrelli, including the ability to enter the dreams of others.	None.	+ Numerous clues indicate that he appeared in Danko's dream in the beginning of Into Asylum. Danko closed his eyes, then saw Sylar, then awoke to his cigarette lighter click and Sylar was impossibly far away instantaneously. Only Angela has been shown to do this. - There was no indication either one of them were asleep. - Neither was shown waking up. + Danko awoke to the sound of the lighter 'popping' after heating up. He whirled around with his gun, only to find Sylar has vanished into thin air with no sound. - The music was still on. + The music was on before he fell asleep, and it's a bit of a lulling song. + Sylar doesn't necessarily need to be asleep to use the ability on another. - Angela had to, if she needed, Sylar most likely does to, it's an ability over which there isn't a real control, according to Angela. + Danko was briefly shown relaxing and closing his eyes, just prior to Sylar's appearance. He seems to have nodded off. + Sylar was absolutely soaked and relaxed when he was shown afterward, implying he had been up there the whole time. - Precognitive dreaming cannot be forced on someone, as the dream is only had by the person with the power. Also, there was never an encounter after that where they had the same conversation in the car. + Angela has demonstrated that she can enter the dreams of others and speak to them. The subject seems to believe that the vision is real. See Precognitive dreaming. For example, she entered Sylar's dreams in Eris Quod Sum. + He was in contact with Angela Petrelli on multiple occasions, and cared for her at one point. + He was able to find Danko in the first place; a feat which would be completely explained with precognition. - Behind the Eclipse explains that as using of intuitive aptitude. - Or maybe Eric Doyle told him where to look for Danko, before Sylar made his ugly gift. + How would Doyle know where to look for Danko? - Maybe he somehow found it out in Puppet with No Strings. He ran into Danko then. + Doyle was being beaten to death and was left to perish in a fire, not a situation which lets you learn things like that.
Sylar's telekinesis enables him to levitate, giving him attributes similar to the power of flight.	Sylar is able to travel from Danko's car to the top of a nearby rooftop literally within seconds.	+ Sylar has no power that we know of that would enable him to do such a feat. It therefore follows that it must be an attribute of an existing power, and only telekinesis is flexible enough to accomadate this. - There was literally no sound from his entrance or departure from Danko's vehicle. Both car doors were closed. It is more likely that the ability is instead some sort of mental or illusion based power. + Sylar does not, to the best of our knowledge, possess such an ability. It's unlikely he would have acquired it in total secret without us knowing about it. + Sylar could easily control the locks of the car with telekinesis and possibly use it to "soften" any impact, masking any sound. • Can you really soften the sound of an unlatching of a car door? There are several moving pieces. • Sylar has been shown to use telekinesis on multiple objects before- most notably to levitate glass shards against Peter in Season One. • Sylar took Jesse Murphy's ability, and while it's mainly an offensive ability, Sylar could very well use it in a way to cancel out the sound. - The car door would have needed to be opened and shut virtually instantaneously. + Sylar moved instataneously when he trapped Claire in her own house. + Sylar seemed to use a flight-like power to escape from Audrey Hanson in Season 1. + It seems Sylar's telekinesis enabled him to hover above the ground to surprise Dale Smither and take her power. Full-blown flight is only a step up from this, and he has had a long time since that point to master it. + Sylar has shown he has an uncanny way to travel. After killing Elle, Sylar went all the way to Sue Landers office, than all the way to Pinehearst, than all the way to Primatech. Using telekinesis to levitate would explain so much of Sylar's traveling. - Sylar could be using public transportation, etc. + Sylar also travelled from Samson's cabin to Eric Doyle's location (likely close to Coste Verde), and then back to Danko's apartment in Washington with Doyle in tow in a very very short space of time. Flight at Nathan's or even West's speed could explain this. + Sylar also escaped the police in the graphic novel Road Kill, ending up hanging from a tree. + Sound manipulation was successfully used by Echo to mimic or distort sound. Jesse's ability is the same, and Sylar, as we know, gains high control over abilities taken via intuitive aptitude. He could therefore easily do the same. - Sound manipulation doesn't mean sound absorption. + It doesn't need to. Sound manipulation includes the ability to "mimic or distort noise." Sylar could have distorted the noise of the door opening to cover his escape, then flown away using telekinesis. • The writers confirmed in Behind the Eclipse Week 20 that Sylar cannot teleport- "That's all we can say." This implies we will find out the answer of how he did it eventually.
Since regaining two of his abilities after being infected with the Shanti virus, Sylar has stolen more abilities than shown on screen.	After Danko tells Noah what team Sylar is leading with his shape shifting ability, Noah states that they've been pulling a lot of wins lately. This may mean Sylar has been acquiring even more abilities. (Turn and Face the Strange)	+ In a scene from Into Asylum, it seemed as if Sylar had used a power similar to teleportation to enter and leave Danko's car and appear on the roof of a nearby building. • Sylar was confirmed by BTE not to have a teleportation ability.
Sylar intentionally got Sandra Bennet's signature wrong in the episode Turn and Face the Strange to make Noah Bennet attack his wife.	Sylar told Danko that he didn't want to kill Noah, he wanted to "destroy" him.	+ Sylar now has easy access to all of Danko's files. Assuming Danko keeps files on his employees, Sylar could have easily copied Sandra's signature with imprinting (acquired in Out of Town... On Business). - Information on the ability of imprinting is limited. We do not know if one can change the appearance of the words in such a fashion to achieve forgery. + It's logical to assume it would work that way. Nothing suggests that imprinting doesn't allow to fake signatures. + Sylar manipulated Alejandro and Maya Herrera emotionally. He also set up the traps in Dual and has shown excitement in playing mind games with his prey (terrorizing Claire twice, making Noah sweat, taunting Audrey Hanson, flaunting daddy's powers for Elle, etc...). It is not beyond his abilites to orchestrate such an event.
Sylar's genetic makeup is deteriorating due to the stress of his shape shifting and is causing him to lose his sanity. It may even kill him.	Sylar is shown to be unable to control his shape shifting at times and is seen talking to himself as his deceased mother. (I Am Sylar)	+ Noah Bennet theorized that the changes Sylar was making to his DNA with intuitive aptitude had driven him insane (Fallout). If Noah is correct, shape shifting may be speeding up the process and cause a complete mental break down. - Danko claims to have the same problems with changing his identity. He just needs something to remind himself of who he truly is. + Danko changes only his name, and Sylar changes his appearance - it's more difficult to take. • Sylar acquired shape shifting through the empathy aspect of his ability. It took Sylar some time to control other abilities he acquired in the same way, such as electric manipulation.
Sylar's was faking his incapacitation during the Primatech fire.	Sylar quickly recovered from Danko's knife toss. (I Am Sylar)	+ It makes more sense than the glass melting before his body. - Sylar's body could have sustained extensive damage before the glass melted, and all of it would have been regenerated. As long as his brain was relatively intact before the glass melted, it's perfectly plausible. + Sylar claims that the spot in his brain that needs to be hit is microscopic. - It's likely Sylar was exaggerating. That spot has been hit several times over the course of the show. He's hardly going to admit Danko has a decent chance of killing him that way. - Claire might have been lucky. - Sylar's shapeshifting ability may have reorganized his DNA to have his weakspot somewhere else or elminated altogether. Sylar didn't acquire the ability to shapeshift until after the fire.
Sylar's shape shifting ability can modify the essence of any power he gets, or at least change or remove some attributes of them.	Sylar woke up after Danko "killed" him with the knife.	+ Probably his weak point is now in another part of his body, or maybe removed. - Sylar said that the spot is microscopic; Danko could have missed it. + Sylar's rapid cell regeneration should not be different than Peter or Claire ones. Every time an object has penetrated their brains, they suddenly "died". + Claire lost her pain feelings; maybe Sylar knows how to change the human DNA. - Pain is the body's way to tell the body that something is harmful; after what Sylar put Claire through, the body could have simply stopped considering things as harmful, since she was able to heal from what Sylar did to her. + In that case, Claire should have stopped feeling pain since her first known accident, falling time after time in her experiments. - Claire said that she always felt pain, that it just went away very fast, after the traumatic event, the pain could have simply gone away.
If Peter touches Sylar and kills him, Sylar will slowly possess him until Peter transforms into and becomes the new Sylar.	Sylar behaved as though he had been possesed by his mother. (I Am Sylar).	- That happened because of Sylar's identity issues associated with his recently acquired shape shifing, Peter doesn't have identity issues that would trigger a crisis the way Sylar triggered.
Now that Sylar's brain weakspot has been moved elsewhere, the only way to kill him is to smash his entire head with something really heavy (like a hammer).	None.	+ This would destroy his brain completely, making it unable to regenerate. - He may have a telekinetic field around him to block blunt objects. A knife could pierce the telekinetic layer. Either way, he should be on his guard permanently because of Danko. - Incineration would probably kill him.
Sylar has regained some of the abilities he lost after his exposure to the Shanti Virus through clairsentience.	None.	+ He could touch something he wore when he gained the ability and then possibly remember how he gained the power and how he could change his genetic make-up back to it. - That would put Sylar in a third person perspective, and through brain examination or through empathy, Sylar probably needs the evolved human to physically be there to take their abilities.
Sylar will still be the father of Noah Gray. In fact, he will be both the father and his mother because he is a hermaphrodite.	None.	- Unless Sylar gets a cloning power, he can't be male and female at the same time, though he can shift between them. + He could produce a sample, turn into a woman, then impregnate himself. - Why would Sylar give himself the trouble? + The writers confirmed this is biologically possible. - The writers said it would be wrong.
Sylar can now get the powers of people with abilities even after they have died.	None.	+ He could touch them to absorb their DNA and shapeshift into what they were. He could then slice his head open and examine his brain with a mirror. - By that logic, he wouldn't be able to use his powers when shapeshifted, but he can. So in the brain Sylar replicates are only his abilities, not those of who he shapeshifts to.
Sylar will be back in full swing soon enough.	At the end of An Invisible Thread, Sylar's intuitive aptitude has been shown to resurface, as well as his affinity to clocks and watches.	+ The effects of telepathy have been shown to rarely stick. A healer who can't keep his hands to himself or Sylar's own regeneration kicking in would undo the alterations done to his mind by Matt. + Sylar will likely find out that he cannot fly. - Sylar may have absorbed Nathan's ability.
Sylar (as Nathan) still has the hunger. While he hasn't realized it yet, it may play a big part in "Redemption".	Angela looked worried when she realized Sylar (as Nathan) could understand how the clock worked.	+ Sylar (as Nathan) understood exactly what was wrong with the clock, which is something Sylar's native ability allows him to do, and the side effects of said ability is 'the hunger'.
Sylar (as Nathan) will remember who he is, quite possibly through touching an object linked to him or his mother.	None.	+ The ability he recieved thanks to Angela allows him to instantly recall the history of any object he touches. If he touches an object directly linked to Gabriel Gray or Virginia Gray, it may trigger his memory. + It can be even Angela.
Sylar will regain his old memories but continue to pose as Nathan so that he can be elected President.	In Five Years Gone, Sylar poses as Nathan. Now, Sylar (as Nathan) may eventually realize he can't fly but has other abilities, along with the hunger.	+ The series has been moving to a similar future to Five Years Gone, and Sylar will most likely still want power when he realizes who he really is. • Sylar may have gotten flight from Nathan just before killing him.
Sylar never gained Nathan's power. He was using telekinesis on himself to make him hover.	Nathan's brain was never exposed, and Sylar seemed to have not kept the habit of 'keeping it clean' when acquiring new abilities, for example, when he got Tom Miller's power. Sylar would have no reason to not expose the brain, as he went on to kill Nathan straight after.	+ When Sylar killed Dale Smither (Unexpected) she didn't hear him coming. A possible reason for this is he was able to atleast hover using Telekinesis. - Sylar may not have had a choice with Nathan as he would not have been able to concentrate on taking Nathan's ability his usual way while falling towards the Earth. + Even obtaining abilities without exposing the brain, like when he got shape shifting, required concentration, which would be hard while you are in the air, in a fight. - Sylar had used clairsentience on a number of Nathan's possessions; it could be enough for him to understand Nathan and take his ability. • The sounds effects when he landed was the same 'whoosing' sound that happens when Nathan flies.
Sylar (as Nathan) will find and touch Sylar's watch, causing him to regain his memories.	The watch is the one object most closely tied to his "Sylar" identity. It also carries a complete memory history of all the evil he's ever done, since he's worn it throughout his entire journey ever since he renounced the identity of Gabriel Gray and became Sylar.	• Um... exactly what happens to the watch when Sylar shapeshifts his clothes? Does it shapeshift into a different kind of watch? Does it just disappear? - If Angela and Noah had any sense, they would have removed the Sylar watch while Sylar was unconcious, then smashed it into a thousand tiny pieces, set the pieces on fire, and bury whatever's left specially to make sure this doesn't happen. + The fact that they cooked up this entire plan to begin with (instead of, say resurrecting Nathan with Claire's blood or simply having Peter impersonate Nathan to convince the President to shut down Building 26) suggests that Angela and Noah do not, in fact, have any sense, at least not at this particular moment. • Noah and Angela's motives are never clear, chances are they have a deeper motive for the use of this method (maybe keeping Sylar under control). - Since Sylar seems to acquire his abilities through understanding the ability, memory loss may strip him of stolen abilities.
Sylar is unable to use abilities such as electric manipulation, alchemy and others, because his memory was erased and he can't remember learning the abilities.	As "Nathan", Sylar doesn't know he has other abilities.	- When Peter had no memory of who he was, he was able to use his abilities. + But Peter did not have to "learn" his abilities like Sylar did for most of them. • Sylar would still have intuitive aptitude, telekinesis, electric manipulation and shape shifting, the last three because they were mimicked empathically, while abilities gained through brain examination would be lost. • When memory wiped, Peter was still able to use his powers, because they were triggered by emotions. It is uncertain what made Sylar's powers "tick", so it's possible he may be unable to use anything apart from his base ability. • The emotional trigger that caused Sylar's powers to "tick" may have been him reading about the mysterious murder spree, as he used to commit them himself. • Angela expects Sylar to use clairsentience to gain information on Nathan.
Sylar acquired puppet master from Eric Doyle.	Sylar used what appeared to be the power in An Invisible Thread.	+ Sylar was using the exact hand motions of Doyle while controlling Claire. The same sound effects were also used. + He may have acquired it while sending Eric to Danko. (Into Asylum) - He was using telekinesis in Villains with the invisibility sound effect. In An Invisible Thread Matt memory wiped Sylar with telepathy, but there was invisibility sound effect as well. Which means the sound effects don't always mean the proper powers. - Sylar has used telekinesis to force someone to move against their will before. + Sylar seemed to be using a lot of hand movements that mimicked what Claire was doing (An Invisible Thread), rather than just holding a hand or fingers out like he normally does when using telekinesis. • It could depend on the complexity of the movement. - The most Sylar has been shown to do with telekinesis is force someone back, bring their gun up to their head and try to force them to pull the trigger which could be just controling one part of the body at a time (forcing the arm, then holding it while forcing the finger). With Claire, she was doing complex things like walking and pouring wine. It is unlikely Sylar would be able to force such complex movements with telekinesis.
Sylar can create his own unique abilties.	Intuitive aptitude works by altering DNA to accomdate newly analyzed powers.	+ If Sylar can do this, than he presumably has mental access to his genetics. In this case, he could simply write his own 'code' from scratch. - He probably only knows that a coded ability will work after seeing it demonstrated. - If Sylar could do that, he wouldn't hunt evolved humans, he'd just keep changing his DNA. • Altering one's DNA without a sample seems to be risky. It could theoretically result in acquiring an ability similar to Mohinder's or elephant man's.
Sylar will be "reactivated" by Matt Parkman, Jr..	None.	+ It may be one of the ways how Sylar comes back, apart from regeneration. + It would be ironic: the father "buries" the monster, the son returns him. - Matt would likely try to avoid allowing "Nathan" near his son, knowing what he really is.
Sylar, as Nathan, will strive to be the best father, son, and brother he can be and will not revert to being a serial killer.	Volume 5 is titled Redemption.	+ Sylar as Nathan has no memories of his previous life. - Sylar has the hunger. + It's entirely possible that a person with intuitive aptitude can develop into a balanced, well rounded individual as seen with Future Gabriel Gray. + If Sylar has retained his powers but not his memories he may become "Super Nathan" and use his powers for good.
If Sylar regains his memories, Nathan will become a split personality, much like Jessica was to Niki.	None.	+ Sylar has shown to have an identity crisis. If he regains his memories, it could happen again. + Angela said he'd be able to fill in the blanks with clairsentience, the split personality would certainly be more Nathan like because of them. • A "Jekyll & Hyde" style story with Nathan/Sylar could be quite interesting. • Nathan, like Sylar, has demonstrated a thirst for power, albeit of a much more acceptable fashion. Perhaps a split personality would eventually result in Nathan influencing Sylar to be a better man, and vice versa. Eventually it may be immpossible to tell them apart. + This would be a great idea if it were kept as a more character driven device. Perhaps Sylar could retain Nathan's personality and then come to realize that he is actually Sylar. The character could attempt to reconcile his current personality with his guilty past. It could provide some sort of redemption for Sylar's character.
Sylar eventually will recover his memory due to his rapid cell regeneration ability.	In season 2, Adam helped Peter to get his memory back by healing his own mind.	- Sylar has been living Nathan's life for at least six weeks and has not reverted to his old self. + Peter had to be coached into trying to heal his mind, the same would apply to Sylar. + He still has clairsentience, these memories might trigger his healing. • It would have to trigger Sylar memories, not Nathan memories. - All his powers may have been surpressed except flight and his original intuitive aptitude. • Flight has yet to be confirmed as an acquired ability.
Sylar is mentally ill.	He often shows signs of unstable behavior.	+ Noah stated his belief that Sylar was insane. • He only suggested it. + He seemed happy that Peter was going to explode, despite the fact that he might die in the explosion. • It's likely that Sylar would survive the explosion due to Ted's ability. + He began having conversations with his dead mother in I Am Sylar. • That's because of shape shifting and the identity crysis that comes as its side effect. + He killed many people without a reason.
Arthur Petrelli knew Samson Gray or someone else with intuitive aptitude before he met Sylar.	Arthur knew that Sylar could acquire abilities with his power without killing them. The only two possibilities to explain this knowledge would be previous experience of IA or Sylar's ability actually being something different along the lines of empathic mimicry/power absorption.	+ Sylar did not display an empathic aspect of his ability before meeting Arthur.
Sylar has space-time manipulation or a similar ability.	None.	+ In some episodes he seems to be able to disappear. - BTE confirmed Sylar does not have a teleportation ability.