Nathan Petrelli

Nathan Petrelli
Portrayed by	Adrian Pasdar
First appearance	Genesis
In-story stats
Known ability	Flight
Nickname	"Flying Man"
Gender
Home	Hyde Park, NY
Residences	Mansion in Hyde Park, NY
Occupations	former U.S. Congressman-elect, former district attorney, former Navy officer
Significant others	formerly Heidi Petrelli, formerly Meredith Gordon
Parents	Angela Petrelli, Arthur Petrelli (deceased)
Children	Simon Petrelli, Monty Petrelli, Claire Bennet
Sibling	Peter Petrelli (younger brother)

Nathan Petrelli is an aspiring politician who, inspired by his late father, seeks to one day help the world by occupying a high position in the government. Through a long and painful struggle, Nathan succeeded in becoming a Congressman for the state of New York. After the apparent death of his beloved younger brother Peter, he resigned and was alone, jobless, and wallowing in his sadness. He is an evolved human with the ability of flight.

About

Nathan placed a high value on his election campaign, often above that of his family. During the campaign, he masked his brother's dreams and attempts to fly by telling the media that Peter has tried to commit suicide. Nathan also tells his mother to "get over" her husband's recent death. Nathan is also willing to abide by his election committee's decision to keep his wife, recently crippled, away from the media spotlight to avoid appearing "weak."

Nathan downplays the existence of his flying power, despite having flown several times, both intentionally and unintentionally.

Character History

Season One

For an episode-by-episode summary, see Nathan Petrelli: Season One History.

Nathan is busy with his campaign when his brother claims he can fly. Peter resorts to jumping from a building, but Nathan flies, yet fails to catch him. The next day, Nathan is forced to admit that he can fly. He tells the public that Peter is suicidal to keep the reporters away. Mohinder pesters him on the streets, which he gets away from, and he meets with Niki, whom he sleeps with. During his sleep, he is kidnapped by Bennet and the Haitian, whom he escapes from. Landing at a diner, he meets Hiro, and is warned of a dark future, but is told he will win the election.

Back at New York, he has brunch with his family, and buys a painting from Linderman at his brother's request. He brings it to Isaac's loft, and, upon seeing it, splashes it with paint, leaving Simone with the mess. He then gets Peter from jail after the homecoming incident, and witnesses him fall unconscious, after claiming he is the bomb. Nathan stays at his side for two weeks.

He visits Isaac and Simone about the paintings, meeting with Hiro again. They talk, and agree to stop the exploding man. Nathan finds Mohinder, and they unsuccessfully try to calm Peter down in his apartment. Afterwards, he finds out that his daughter, Claire, is still alive from Meredith. He visits her, and gives her money for her to be silent. He resumes his quest to bring Linderman down - only for Peter to appear and tell him Simone is dead. Nathan goes to the Corinthian Casino regardless, and finds Hiro. Helping Hiro get his sword, Nathan forcefully takes Niki's gun, and meets Linderman. Linderman offers Nathan a "life of meaning", which he accepts - a life of meaning being a life in the White House. Nathan discovers that his brother has been killed, and goes to the Petrelli mansion, only to see Claire, who revives Peter.

Nathan, Peter and Claire talk about the explosion, and Claire tells Nathan about Ted. Nathan warns Linderman about Ted, and gets a visit from Thompson, who assures Nathan that Ted is not a problem. Finally, Angela convinces Nathan to take the role of President once the catastrophe has occurred. Linderman also helps, telling him that his father was "one of us". After, he receives a visit from D.L. and Jessica while he wins the election, and tells them where Linderman is. He gives his victory speech. He convinces his mother he is ready for his role, and meets with Peter and Claire - only to take Claire away from Peter. He confirms to Claire that he is involved, and Claire escapes by jumping through the window. Finally, before Peter can explode, Nathan flies in, grabs Peter, and flies away, allowing the explosion to occur above the city.

Season Two

For an episode-by-episode summary, see Nathan Petrelli: Season Two History.

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Evolved Human Abilities

• Nathan has the ability to fly. It is currently unknown how he propels himself or what speeds or altitudes he is capable of achieving, but judging by the sound of his flight when escaping from Mr. Bennet and The Haitian (Hiros), he is probably supersonic.

Memorable Quotes

"Most of what we are is what people expect us to be. I mean, if you take them away, nothing means anything."

- Nathan (to Peter) (.07%)

"Ma, it doesn't matter any more. Peter's dead, I'm not having this conversation."

-Nathan (to Angela) (.07%)

"Your father was weak."

"My father was my hero."

- Linderman, Nathan (Landslide)

"I love you, Nathan."

"I love you too."

- Peter, Nathan (How to Stop an Exploding Man)

"You saved the cheerleader, so we could save the world."

- Nathan (to Peter) (How to Stop an Exploding Man)

"I'm not a cargo jet, Parkman."

- Nathan (to Matt) (Fight or Flight)

Notes

• An ad for Nathan's campaign airs on the television in Isaac's loft. It states that Nathan "served his country" in Bosnia, Serbia, and Rwanda (Genesis). votepetrelli.com further notes that these tours of duty were as a pilot in the US Navy.
• According to Don't Look Back, Nathan is running to represent New York's 14th congressional district (an actual district in New York City). However, votepetrelli.com says Nathan is running in the 30th district (an obsolete seat since 2000).
• According to votepetrelli.com, Nathan served under the district attorney as a prosecutor.
• Nathan tells Peter that his power will only be useful for rescuing cats from trees (Nothing to Hide). Of course, he's already put it to better use by rescuing a woman from a burning building (Trial by Fire).
• Nathan took his first steps sometime before November 8, 1968 (War Buddies, Part 2). Children usually take their first steps around their first birthday, so Nathan would have been at least a year old at this time. Though his exact age is unknown, this would mean that as of the election on November 7, 2006, Nathan was roughly 39 years old.
• Nathan is on the list.
• In a possible future timeline, Nathan blamed Sylar for the explosion to protect Peter. Nathan subsequently became President, and was murdered by Sylar, who used Candice Willmer's power to impersonate him. (Five Years Gone)
• In a deleted scene in Genesis, Nathan prosecutes D.L. Hawkins's case and wins, continuing a winning streak Nathan appears to have been enjoying.
• In another possible future timeline, Nathan dies in the first outbreak of the Shanti virus. (Out of Time)

Trivia

• In an interview, Jason La Padura said that Peter and Nathan were originally written to be twins.
• In the script for the unaired pilot, Nathan's name was originally "Harrison Cambell" and he was 34 years old.
• According to Peter, Nathan was the "top of his class, valedictorian".

External Links

• Nathan Petrelli Tribute Video
• Nathan's Blog (spoof fan site)
• Nathan Petrelli's Official Campaign Page (Heroes Evolutions)
• Nathan Petrelli's Official Campaign Page - French Version
• Save Nathan Petrelli (fan-created blog)

See Also

• For other uses of Nathan, see Nathan (disambig).
• For articles related to Nathan, see Related Articles:Nathan.
• For images of Nathan, see Images of Nathan Petrelli.
• For Sylar impersonating Nathan in the dark future, see Sylar (future).
• For other members of the Petrelli family, see Petrelli (disambig).
• For others that could be considered Claire's parents, see Claire's parents (disambig).
• For Nathan's compaign site for Congress see votepetrelli.com.

Fan Theories

Please refer to Theory:Nathan Petrelli for fan-created theories and other speculation.

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