Illusion
| Illusion | |
|---|---|
 Candace morphs into Simone. | |
| Held by: | Candace Willmer |
| Ability to: | Manipulate perceptions of reality |
| Examples of illusion | |
The power of illusion is the ability to manipulate how other people perceive reality.
Characters
- Candace Willmer is the only known character to have this ability.
- In a possible future, Sylar has gained this ability, presumably by killing Candace.
Limits
Candace has the ability to disguise herself as another person with a nearly flawless illusion. Her ability can apparently fool all five senses: sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste. When she was impersonating Sandra Bennet, Mr. Bennet literally held her and kissed her without penetrating the disguise.
Candace does not necessarily have to have met an individual she is impersonating. She was able to impersonate Simone Deveaux, although they apparently never met before Simone's death, and Candace had not seen Simone's dead body until after she appeared in her form. How she was able to accomplish this feat is unknown.
Candace can also create illusions in her vicinity. She was able to hid Simone Deveaux's body from police, and she kept Micah Sanders from escaping by making it seem that every path he took lead back to her. She claims that she can make a person see anything she wants them to see.
Sylar's use of this power in the Dark Future demonstrates that illusions can fool electronic equipment like cameras, since he was able to disguise himself on national television.
Examples
- Candice appears as Simone also using her power to conceal Simone's dead body, fooling the police. Upon revealing her true identity, Simone re-appears on the bed. (Parasite)
- Candice appears as Sandra Bennet to catch Mr. Bennet plotting to oppose the Company. (Parasite)
- Candice appears as Claire Bennet to trick Mr. Bennet. (.07%)
- After Jessica refuses to obey Linderman's request for Micah, Candice takes the form of Jessica. (.07%)
- In a possible future, Sylar appears before an entire nation as President Nathan Petrelli, having previously stolen Candace's ability.
- Candice impersonates Niki and makes it appear that all paths from the room lead back to it. (The Hard Part)
Notes
- In the episode commentary for Parasite, Allan Arkush and Christopher Zatta discuss Candace's power. Zatta says he believed it was important that Candace's ability be a mental one -- that is, to appear like other characters rather than to physically become other characters -- to be more in keeping with the other powers in the show.
- Candace states that she can "show [someone] things that would make him want to tear his eyes out". This may be hyperbole on her part, but it suggests that she can create very frightening illusions. (.07%)
- As of .07%, the special effect used to show Candace's power has changed. Previously, it was shown as a "shimmery" effect that impacted much of the area around her. Now, it is shown as a "morph" effect that affects only her.
Gallery
-
-
...then fades... -
...and slowly... -
...reappears as herself. -
Watch as Candace becomes Simone. -
-
...shimmers for a moment... -
...and then changes back to her natural self. -
Mr. Bennet doesn't buy Candace's illusion. -
Candace appears as Jessica... -
...then gradually... -
...returns to her true appearance.
