René
| The Haitian | |
|---|---|
| |
| Portrayed by | Jimmy Jean-Louis, Sheku Fofana (young Haitian) |
| First appearance | One Giant Leap |
| In-story stats | |
| Known ability | Mental manipulation |
| Formal name | Unknown |
| Gender | |
| Home | Formerly a village in Haiti |
| Occupation | Formerly worked for The Company (now on the run) |
| Parent | Guillame (father) |
The Haitian was Mr. Bennet's partner, and has taken his adoptive daughter Claire on the run from The Company. He has the power to manipulate other peoples' minds making them forget part, or all, of their memories. It appears that he can also block other abilities selectively. He openly wears The Symbol around his neck.
Character History
Season One
For an episode-by-episode summary, see René: Season One History.
The Haitian works as a member of Mr. Bennet's team at Primatech Paper Co.. Together, the Haitian and Mr. Bennet bring in Matt Parkman, a police officer with a special ability. He is able to mostly block Matt from reading Mr. Bennet's thoughts. After close examination and tagging with a radioactive isotope, the Haitian erases Matt's memory, and they release him. They proceed to attempt a similar abduction routine on Nathan Petrelli, but Nathan escapes. The Haitian has assisted in many other abductions of people with special abilities, including Ted Sprague, on behalf of an organization known as the Company. With Eden's assistance, the Haitian is able to capture Sylar and bring him back to Primatech, although he eventually escapes.
Mr. Bennet uses the Haitian to protect his family as well; the Haitian has erased the memories of his wife and son. Bennet orders him to erase his adopted daugther's memory as well, but he instead takes her into his confidence under orders from someone else. When the Company learns of Claire's ability, Mr. Bennet has the Haitian wipe his own memory and instructs him to take Claire into hiding. Claire, however, eludes the Haitian and travels to New York City to find Peter Petrelli. The Haitian gets there first and is waiting for her with her biological grandmother when she arrives at Peter Petrelli's apartment.
The Haitian remembers a story about himself as a young boy in his village in Haiti living with his father, Guillame. He recounts how discovered his abilities for the first time. His father is also gifted with a power that evoke extreme emotions such as bliss and horror, but the Haitian suppresses his father's abilities just by being present. Furthermore, when Guillame attempts to redeem himself, the Haitian wipes clean the minds of many villagers, reducing them to a zombie-like state. Guillame accompanies the Haitian to the Crossroads, seeking penance and planning to kill his son. The Haitian becomes one with his father's mind by touching him and causes him to recall the two of them being happy together, such that Guillame commits suicide instead of murder. Afterwards, the Haitian goes back to the village and meets Thompson for the first time. Thompson offers help, and they walk away.
Powers
The Haitian has the power to manipulate people's minds, selectively interfering with the use of special powers and selectively deleting memories.
Memorable Quotes
"He sent me here to make you forget. Like he sent me to your friend, and your brother, and your mother so many times. He'll be here soon, expecting that you won't remember anything, but it is very important that you do. Tell me Claire, can you keep a secret?"
"What you can do, what I can do — that is God. Respect it accordingly."
Notes
- The Haitian rarely speaks. In fact, Thompson was initially under the erroneous impression that he couldn't speak, as were Mr. Bennet and Eden McCain and presumably other agents of the Company until the events of Company Man. He finally broke his silence by speaking to Claire Bennet (Fallout). The Haitian also speaks French, as is customary in Haiti (Parasite).
- It seems that in speaking to Claire, the Haitian has differing loyalties than that of his now former partner, Mr. Bennet.
- The Haitian has been called "The Man at the Bar", "Mysterious Man", "Mystery Man", "Mysterious Black Guy", "MBG", "Mr. Mute", "Memory Wiper", "Mr. Bennet's Assistant", "Mr. Bennet's Cleaner", "Spooky Euro-Dude", and "SED".
- He is also jokingly referred to as "The Haitian Sensation That's Sweeping the Nation" by Jack Coleman (Mr. Bennet) during cast commentaries. This may be a reference to the sarcastic commentary website Television Without Pity, which routinely refers to him as "the Haitian Sensation". This is referred to in Company Man where Thompson tells Mr. Bennet that he has "a new sensation" for him.
- In the commentary for Parasite, it was revealed that before the casting of Jimmy Jean-Louis, the Haitian was originally intended to be a Maori warrior from New Zealand.
- Some fans--and even a photo caption on NBC.com--initially confused the Haitian with D.L. Hawkins because of their similar appearances.
- While the Haitian's name is still unknown, six different times his father Guillame addresses him as "Boy". (It Takes a Village Parts 1, 2, 3, and 4)
Trivia
- The Haitian's license plate number is 791 M72. (Parasite)
- The Haitian was presumably mute at a time. "Mute Haitian" is a pun for "mutation". Chandra Suresh believes that the powers of evolved humans result from a particular mutation of the brain.
- The Haitian is an only child. (It Takes a Village, Part 4)
See Also
- For other uses of Haitian, see Haitian (disambig).
- For the Haitian as he appeared in the dark future, see The Haitian (future).
Fan Theories
Please refer to Theory:René for fan-created theories and other speculation.