Claude Rains
| Claude Rains | |
|---|---|
| |
| Portrayed by | Christopher Eccleston |
| First appearance | Godsend |
| In-story stats | |
| Known ability | Invisibility |
| Gender | |
| Home | New York, NY |
Claude Rains has had the power of invisibility for 15 years.
Character history
Godsend
Peter sees a bearded man in his recurring visions. Later, while walking down a New York City street, he sees the same man nonchalantly picking through the property of others. Peter follows the man and yells to him. The thief is shocked to be seen; he grabs Peter and the two tussle.
The Fix
Peter quickly informs Claude that he can "do what you can do," and Claude promptly wants nothing to do with Peter. He disappears around the corner, and Peter fades back into sight. He then follows Claude to the rooftop of Charles Deveaux's building, where the two fight a bit more and Claude threatens Peter for following him again. Later, when Peter is running away from his brother and Mohinder, Claude shows up outside of Peter's apartment and helps him escape. The two then talk about Peter's power as an empath, and they go off to steal a cab.
Distractions
Claude continues to work with Peter, trying to teach him to control his powers. He tells Peter that he needs to use his power consciously and not just as a reflex. Claude takes a purse from a woman standing nearby and hands it to Peter. He leaves Peter standing with the stolen purse to see if Peter can maintain his invisibility without Claude's help.
Claude and Peter continue their conversation about Peter’s lack of control. Peter says that the police took his name and address and that Nathan will be angry when he learns what Peter did. Claude realizes that Peter has attachments to so many people in his life that he can’t let go of. He tells Peter that people are selfish, deceitful and gassy. Claude is amused when Peter defends the people he cares about. Claude decides that they will follow Simone to prove to Peter that other people are selfish.
They follow Simone to the roof of her father’s building. Claude uses Simone’s closeness with Isaac to taunt Peter about his faith in her. They argue and Peter tells Claude that he doesn’t have to do anything. Claude tells Peter he needs to fly; then he pushes him off the roof.
Claude finds Peter sitting next to the smashed taxi cab. Claude tells Peter he freed his mind and called out his power. Peter realizes that Claude was wrong about needing to let go of people, he has to remember them to draw on their powers. Peter starts to overload and Claude knocks him out.
Powers
Claude has the ability to become invisible, and has been living with the power for 15 years. He uses the power to his advantage, stealing from others. It is not clear, but it seems that Claude has the ability to make other objects invisible (since he can pick up wallets, phones, etc.. without other people noticing he is looking through their wallet, right in front of them). (Godsend)
Notes
- In an interview with TV Guide, Tim Kring stated that this character would become a mentor to Peter Petrelli.
- Based on the December promo, it would appear that Peter is the first person that Claude has met that was able to see him while he used his ability. This suggests that invisible heroes may be able to see each other as part of the ability, much the same way that Hiro & Peter were able to talk while time was stopped on the subway. (Hiros) This also suggests that the abilities of most of our heroes are new, as Claude appears surprised to meet someone else with an extraordinary ability (even though he's had his invisibility power for some time).
- When Isaac references the power of invisibility, Mr. Bennet immediately assumes he is referring to Claude. Mr. Bennet is aware of Claude's existence, and assumed he had died. He also most likely doesn't know anybody else with the power of invisibility. (Distractions)
Trivia
- Claude Rains is the name of the actor who played the title character in the 1933 movie The Invisible Man.
- Claude mutters "Fantastic," which is also the Ninth Doctor's catchphrase. The Ninth Doctor, from Doctor Who, is portrayed by Christopher Eccleston. (The Fix)
Fan Theories
Please refer to Theory:Claude Rains for fan-created theories and other speculation.