Episode:How to Stop an Exploding Man
| How to Stop an Exploding Man | |
|---|---|
| Season: | One |
| Episode number: | 123 |
| First aired: | May 21, 2007 |
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| Written by: | Tim Kring |
| Directed by: | Allan Arkush |
| Previous episode: | Landslide |
| Where does it come from—this quest, this need to solve life's mysteries when the simplest of questions can never be answered? Why are we here? What is the soul? Why do we dream? Perhaps we'd be better off not looking at all. Not delving, not yearning. But that's not human nature. Not the human heart. That is not why we are here. Yet still we struggle to make a difference, to change the world, to dream of hope; never knowing for certain whom we will meet along the way. Who among the world of strangers will hold our hand, touch our hearts, and share the pain of trying. |
Story Development
| Man watching Molly |
Summary
- Niki and D.L. reunite with Micah.
- Matt, Mohinder, and Bennet use Molly to find Sylar.
- Peter has another dream.
- Ando confronts Sylar.
- Everyone converges on Kirby Plaza for the final showdown.
- Matt, Niki, Hiro, and Peter battle Sylar.
- Nathan makes a tough decision regarding the future.
Synopsis
After killing Linderman, Niki wonders to D.L. why he didn't phase the bullet through him, hitting her. D.L. urges Niki to get Micah, but Niki tells D.L. he can get them out.
With Matt on the floor, Molly recognizes Officer Parkman and asks if he's there to keep her safe. He realizes who she is, and reassures her that no one will hurt her, looking towards Mohinder and Mr. Bennet with their guns drawn.
Hiro rushes out of Jittetsu Arms and ponders Ando's fate. Kaito urges Hiro to forget his friend and remember his mission, but Hiro asks his father to not lose faith in him. Kaito asks him not forget his legacy and hands him the repaired sword. Hiro teleports away.
Sylar enters a trance and begins to see flashes of the future. He begins to paint a standoff between himself and Peter at Kirby Plaza. When realizing who he is facing off, he angrily slashes a painting of Peter.
With a tape of his earlier speech playing, Nathan is visited by Angela in his office and is informed of Linderman's murder, but is assured that the plan will continue. Angela notes that the plan was not Linderman's alone, and Nathan responds that he is not necessary for the explosion to occur.
Niki and D.L. get to the 42nd floor, but D.L. urges her to go alone, saying that she has the strength and always did. While Mohinder and Mr. Bennet drag Thompson's body, Bennet discusses how the Company used to stand for something, but is now corrupt. Claire calls Bennet on the phone to inform him of Sylar's murder of Ted with Sylar stealing Ted's ability. Bennet asks to talk to Peter, where he tells him that he's the only one who can stop Sylar. When asked how they'll find him, Bennet tells Peter of a tracking system being fixed, with Molly feeling ill and being treated by Mohinder in the next room. Peter pulls the rental car into a parking lot, where Nathan is waiting. Claire tells Peter that Nathan isn't trustworthy and isn't needed, but Peter tells her that he's afraid and needs his brother. He reads Claire's thoughts to reveal Claire's distrust for Peter now. Peter goes to Nathan, where he informs Nathan about Sylar and that he needs his brother's help. Nathan tells that Claire doesn't need to be involved, but Peter tells him that she's the only one who can stop Sylar or himself. As Nathan talks, Peter reads Nathan's thoughts about the explosion and realizes he cannot trust his brother, as Claire had urged. When realizing Claire is not in the car, he runs to find her, turning invisible. He runs outside, but is overwhelmed by his glowing hands and passes out.
With Molly still weak, Bennet urges Mohinder to make Molly's ability work to find Sylar. Matt asks how she does it, asking if she can find anyone in the world. Molly tells him she cannot find one person, who is much worse than Sylar. She states that when she thinks about this individual, the person can see her. Bennet reminds Molly of the task at hand, and she locates him on Reed Street, prompting Bennet's realization that Sylar is at Isaac's loft. Bennet calls Claire, but Angela, who is watching Claire with Nathan, answers the phone. When Bennet asks where Claire is, Angela replies with her family. After Bennet proclaims that he is her family, Angela reminds him that she was given to him for watching over, but has done a poor job so far. When asked where they're taking her, Angela tells Bennet they're leaving to safety and he should do the same soon. Bennet talks to Claire and tells her to leave with them, but then escape when safe. He asks where Peter is, but she does not know. Bennet tells Claire he has a plan and loves her. After talking to his daughter, he tells Matt their new priority is to find Peter so he can stop Sylar. Matt tells Bennet he knows where Sylar is and he'll go and stop him, even if he may get killed.
Peter, unconscious in the street, awakes in a dream on the rooftop of the Deveaux building. He's surprised to see himself wheeling out Charles Deveaux with Angela in tow. After leaving the two friends, he meets Simone. When asked about their parents' connections, Peter notes that Angela is full of surprises. Peter goes to tell Simone that he is not a hero, but Charles is, explaining his thoughts on death, beauty and life. After seeing himself and Simone leave, Peter overhears Charles talking to Angela about Linderman's plan and that he believes Peter is special. He believes that heart will save the world, not strength: Peter is the key, not Nathan. Angela disagrees, and that the bomb will occur and Nathan will lead the world after. Charles expresses his disagreement on the inevitability of the explosion and that he won't be living to see it. Angela wishes him well and leaves her good friend. After Angela leaves, Charles acknowledges Peter's presence in what seemed to Peter to be a dream.
Ando enters Isaac's loft with his sword in hand. When looking at a painting, he slips on blood on the floor. When turning around, Sylar throws the sword behind him and chokes Ando. After seeing the 9th Wonders! on the floor, he pins Ando to the wall. Sylar reads through the comic and sees his death, thinking Hiro is a silly man and cannot kill him. Ando tells Sylar he cannot take his brain, but Sylar asks why he would want with his brain. After asking Ando where Peter is, he begins to cut Ando at the throat when Hiro teleports in. He retrieves Ando's sword and confronts Sylar. Sylar reminds Hiro that in the time it takes Hiro to stop time, he will have already cut Ando's head off and asks him what he will do next. Hiro then teleports across the room and grabs Ando, teleporting away.
Niki finds a door open, with Jessica sitting on a couch. She asks how it's possible that she's here, but is interrupted by Jessica pointing to Micah passed out on the floor with blood on his face. After taunting Niki, Jessica kicks Niki in the face while Niki is bent over.
Matt enters Isaac's loft with his gun at the ready. While walking around, he notices various paintings, including the painting of Sylar in Kirby Plaza. He then rushes out of the loft.
Mohinder gathers Molly's supplies and tells Molly they're leaving after Matt called because "the boogeyman" is coming. Molly pauses then tells him that Sylar is already there.
After discussing their plans to leave, Nathan and Angela are questioned by Claire about why they aren't trying to stop the explosion. Nathan notes that the future explosion is inevitable. When Claire tries to ask why they would let Peter die, Angela notes that he will survive because of Claire's ability. When Claire asks Nathan why he would let Peter be responsible for so many deaths, Nathan asks for her trust and embraces her. Claire tells the two that she has a family and jumps out of the window, regenerating on the street and walking away. Angela urges Nathan to not go after her.
Memorable Quotes
"I know you're there, Peter."
"Please. What would I want with your brain?"
"That's NOT me."
"So you'll know I'll be back."
"But... your sword?"
"'It is not the sword. It is the man.' This man is ready."
"Hiro. You look bad ass."
"Really?"
"Call me Noah."
"Haven't I killed you before?"
"Didn't take."
"You saved the cheerleader, so we could save the world."
"@#$%!"
- - Hiro
Character Appearances
Trivia
- Mr. Bennet's first name is finally revealed as Noah.
- According to the NASA Catalog of Solar Eclipses four Solar Eclipses occurred in 1671, all of them only partial. The 1671 Sep 03 Eclipse was observable from Japan and reached a magnitude of 0.331, far from being total as depicted at the end of this episode.
- After Niki knocked Candice out, Candice lost control of her power and the illusions of Jessica and Micah vanished, yet she returned to her usual appearance instead of reverting to her "huge form" that was hinted at by her previous comments.
See Also
- For images from How to Stop an Exploding Man, see Images from How to Stop an Exploding Man.
| previous: Landslide | How to Stop an Exploding Man |
| See Also: Volume One Episodes • Volume Two Episodes • Volume Three Episodes • Volume Four Episodes • Volume Five Episodes • Heroes Reborn Episodes • All Episodes |
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