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 |
| Nickname | Boy (by Guillame) |
| Gender | |
| Home | formerly a village in Haiti |
| Occupation | former agent of the Company |
| Parent | Guillame (deceased) |
| Sibling | None |
The Haitian is a mysterious man from Haiti recruited by the Company and partnered with Noah Bennet to aid into the investigations of evolved human. Eventually, the Haitian and Bennet both rebel against their superiors and go on the run. He is an evolved human with the ability to manipulate people's minds. The Haitian is also very religious, and 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, whose special ability is almost completely blocked by the Haitian. They proceed to attempt a similar abduction routine on Nathan Petrelli, but Nathan escapes. The Haitian assists 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. The Haitian uses his power to erase the memories of Mr. Bennet's wife and son and others. Bennet orders him to erase his adopted daugther's memory as well, but he instead takes her into his confidence. When the Company learns of Claire's ability, the Haitian erases Mr. Bennet's memory and takes 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 Claire at Peter Petrelli's apartment with Claire's biological grandmother.
The Haitian remembers a story about himself as a young boy in his village in Haiti living with his father, Guillame. He discovers his abilities for the first time when he 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.
Lizards
Bob sends Mohinder Suresh on an assignment, which turns out to be a mission to heal the Haitian, who believes the virus he's contracted is a punishment from God. Suresh persuades the Haitian to try the antivirus, which succeeds. When Mohinder explains that he is working for "a company," the Haitian appears to take Mohinder's memory of the entire incident and flees. The Haitian then manages to track down Noah Bennet at the copy shop, and the two men greet each other, smiling.
Graphic Novel:The Crossroads
After curing the Haitian of the virus, Mohinder directs him to meet with Noah Bennet in Costa Verde. The Haitian agrees, but first makes a trip to the crossroads, where he performs a ritual and experiences a vision. During the vision, his past victims recount his "crimes", and a serpent with legs and wings appears. The Haitian requests a blessing from his victims, the serpent, and the Loa for his new mission. His father then appears to him and gives his blessing.
The Kindness of Strangers
Noah notices windchimes blowing outside, and meets with the Haitian. The Haitian tells Noah that he has a lead on the paintings, and they must travel to Odessa. When Noah replies "Texas", the Haitian corrects him, telling him Ukraine. He notes it is a long trip, and wonders what Noah will tell his family, but Noah assures the Haitian that he will think of something.
Fight or Flight
The Haitian and Noah walk through Red Square, Moscow, while Noah takes a cellphone call.
The Line
In Odessa, Ukraine, the Haitian and Noah go to the home of Noah's mentor Ivan to force him to reveal the location of the series of eight paintings. Noah threatens to strip Ivan of his family memories if he refuses. The Haitian removes Ivan's memories of his first meeting with his wife, and Ivan begins to cooperate. After Ivan reveals the location of the paintings, the Haitian goes with Noah to recover them.
Out of Time
After Noah takes digital photos of each painting in the series of eight, the Haitian gathers them all together. Bennet then lights a match and burns all of the paintings.
Four Months Ago...
The Haitian appears after the explosion created by Peter Petrelli at Bob's office negating Peter's powers. He later appears at the docks where Peter and Adam Monroe are being chased by Bob and Elle and fights with Peter. He forces Peter into a shipping container to be shipped to Cork, Ireland and takes his memories, but not before revealing that he is on his side and gives Peter his symbol necklace.
Evolved human abilities
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."
"...Of course, there is always a company..."
"Don't you need to write any of this down?"
"Memory is not an issue for me."
- - Mohinder, the Haitian (The Crossroads)
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 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. Jimmy said he supposed the switch was made because Jimmy himself is from Haiti.
- 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, seven different times his father Guillame addresses him as "Boy". (It Takes a Village Parts 1, 2, 3, 4), and (The Crossroads)
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 believed 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).
- For images of the Haitian, see Images of the Haitian.
Fan Theories
Please refer to Theory:René for fan-created theories and other speculation.