Theory:Peter Petrelli

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The following fan theories are about Peter Petrelli.

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Theories

Theory	Citations	Notes
Peter can not obtain the the Haitian's power because the Haitian will block Peter's innate ability of empathy before Peter can use it.	None.	+ Peter has not displayed the Haitian's ability. - Surely it is just as likely the act of having the Haitian remove his memories allowed Peter to absorb the Haitian's abilities - memory/mind manipulation on self as well as others. - Peter was able to use telekinesis and/or space/time manipulation to stop taser darts shot by Noah Bennet and the Haitian from hitting him despite the fact that the Haitian was close enough to block him from using his abilities, this seems to indicate that Peter was automatically blocking the Haitian from blocking him (Peter at that time didn't know about the Haitian's ability). - If this was the case the Haitian wouldn't be able to erase peters mind or stop him from using whatever ability he was planning on using in Four Months Ago
Peter used astral projection during How To Stop An Exploding Man while visiting Charles Deveaux.	None.	+ During an interview, it was stated that Angela Petrelli's power involved getting from point a to b very quickly. Astral projection would allow for that, and because Angela is Peter's mother, Peter could have absorbed her ability at any point in his life. • If Peter was using astral projection in his "dream", then it would be assumed that he was also incorporating other simultaneously, and that has neither been confirmed or denied. For one, Peter was in the past, so space/time manipulation may have been in use. Second, Peter appeared invisible to everyone but Charles. Finally, astral projection would give Peter the means of being in more than one place at the same time. - Angela as of yet has not demonstrated an ability on the show. - During that moment of distress, he would most likely not have the thought to go to that moment in time to talk to Charles as there is a small chance that he would remember that moment in his life, and that he doesn't know he has the power. • After his mind-wipe, Peter was still able to use abilities he didn't know he had. - It's possible that Charles Deveaux had the ability of invisibility, or Peter's ability, and thus would be able to see Peter, if Peter had physically traveled in time back to that point. + Peter may have used astral projection in Truth and Consequences when he attempted to travel to 2008 again. - Or he could have just been daydreaming. His dreams are a mystery themselves. • When he returned to the present, he was still holding a poster he'd picked up in the future. - He might have gone back to the future without knowing it, and then returned to the instant that he left, thus making it appear to Adam that Peter had never left, but just started yelling things. Also, if only his mind had traveled to the future, how could he have taken the flyer back?
Peter can share his duplicated powers with non-powered people, through an empathic connection.	None.	- Simone would not be dead if this was the case. + In Landslide, Peter grabs Claire and is able to render her invisible, despite her not having that ability. - This may be a function of the power being duplicated, though, as Niki is phased by D.L. during the same episode. - When Claude grabs objects, they also turn invisible.
Peter mimicked the power of suggestion from Eden McCain.	While Peter visited Mohinder Suresh's apartment while Eden McCain was present, there is no indication that he duplicated her suggestion power. However, they were in the same room for some time, even coming in physical contact with each other. (Collision)	+ Eden could use her power at her discretion; it's possible Peter duplicated it and simply didn't know how to activate it. + Additionally, the fact that Peter was able to convince Mohinder to visit Isaac, but later fail to do it again may suggest that Peter tapped into Eden's power, but later did not. + Don't need to know that someone has a power to absorb it, but still needs some knowledge of what the power is if it is a active power. + He absorbed Bob and Elle Bishops abilities, Elle used hers on Peter, so he knew what she could do, however he doesn't know Bob can do. - The only instance where Bob and Peter have been in the same room have been instances where Peter's abilities were being supressed (by the Haitian or by medication). + Molly Walker and Micah Sanders were near D.L. Hawkins in "How to Stop an Exploding Man", Peter doesn't know what their abilities are yet, so can't tap into them. - He used D.L. Hawkins phase shifting ability to escape with Adam Monroe, even though Peter hasn't meet him before "How to Stop and Exploding Man", it seems that once he knows how to tap into an ability, he can do it again. + They could've met before in an unaired encounter and he saw him use his phase shifting ability. + Peter seemed immune to Parkman's suggestions in Powerless.
Peter absorbs personalities as well as powers as a result of having to "feel" another person's presence in order for absorption.	None.	+ In his fight with Isaac, Peter displays an "evil", aggressive nature to him when he uses his telekinetic abilities, which likens to that of Sylar. Peter, being empathetic, needs to experience another person's "essence" in order to use their abilities. Being around Sylar invoked fear and chaos, so using Sylar's powers would inevitably cause Peter to have violent tendencies. + Peter was quite eager to telekinetically strangle Will in Kindred, suggesting that the use of Sylar's telekinesis makes him more violent like Sylar. - Peter, when stopping Claude's broomstick or dropping the taser gun's darts, did not have a violent outburst. • Peter was getting angry because of all the hits he got from Claude and he did had a angry look on his face when he finally blocked the staff. Plus, Future Peter was often angry/aggressive while using his telekinesis. + Peter nearly killed when he was using his telekinesis in Kindred. + In Kindred, after Peter pinned Will to the wall, he tells Caitlin that he wanted to kill him. This reflects Elle's personality.
Peter can mimic non-superhuman abilities of others.	None.	+ Peter initially seemed only able to draw stick figures, but is able to paint similarly to Isaac when close to him. - Peter may have only been able to draw stick figures because of the limited art supplies available. When given paint and canvas, he has been known to draw more accurate paintings (such as the Montreal painting). If he were able to mimic non-superhuman abilities, then he would have been able to paint or sketch a good picture regardless of his proximity to Isaac. - In How to Stop an Exploding Man, when Sylar uses Isaac's power he sees the event on the canvas in the form of a picture already - the painting takes no exceptional skill, it is just tracing the lines and filling in the colors. • If this is the case then Sylar must be able to absorb non-superhuman abilities as well, as he can paint as well as Isaac or Peter. • If this is the case though, then Sylar would have been able to control Dale's ability right away and would not have been so disoriented by the amplified sounds. • If this was the case surely Sylar would be killing good writers or watchmakers or other skilled people, to gain their abilities. • Peter is an empath, so it makes sense that he can copy talents as well as powers. Since Sylar isn't an empath, it is possible that he can't copy people's talents, only their abilities, and he was just an okay painter on his own. • Peter, Sylar and Issac's paintings are all very different in style, Tim Sale only produced Isaac's paintings, with the others being done by different artists. This would suggest that the ability taken from Isaac includes the artistic ability.
Peter Petrelli has absorbed all of Sylar's obtained abilities.	None.	+ In an interview with the show's creators and writers, they stated that Peter has absorbed all of Sylar's abilities. • He is probably unaware of these powers because he has to concentrate on a power to use it and he does not know what powers Sylar has stolen apart from telekinesis, liquefaction, and radiation. • Peter has only been shown to use powers that Sylar used while in the vicinity of Peter.
In the original timeline (Nov 8, 2007), Peter Petrelli mimicked density manipulation from one of the Moab prison ambush agents.	Graphic Novel snapshot:	+ In Walls, Part 2, everyone is accounted for except for Peter and the agent with enhanced speed. + The agent looks to be stepping backwards (not running), and the silhouette for Peter resembles the image of the larger ambush agent. + If Peter was using enhanced speed, the artist would have drawn jet-trails to indicate this. - There is little evidence of anything from the shadows of the image. That being said, it is clear that the female agent with superspeed is running towards the source of light while Peter is running perpendicular to the source of light. Furthermore, people rarely draw jet-trails on shadows. Instead, the shape and size of the shadows are exaggerated to give the illusion of being "in two places at once".
Peter Petrelli's name is a reference to the many Marvel characters having first and last names that begin with the same letter.	None.	+ Many of the Marvel comics characters have names beginning with the same letter (e.g. Peter Parker, Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Matt Murdock, Scott Summers, Warren Worthington, Bruce Banner, Stephen Strange). • Many characters in DC Comics also have this naming convention, with most characters having initials L.L., not to mention characters like Guy Gardner (the Green Lantern) and J'onn J'onzz (Martian Manhunter). + The show's writers have referenced popular culture with other character names: Claude Rains is a reference to the original actor to play a character who was invisible. - Tim Kring does not read comics. • Yet many Comics have entered many other forms of media including film, T.V, games, etc. Why a few characters have a "superstar" fame such as Spider-man or Batman, is unlikely that Kring has not come across a comic character in any media form - It's not just Marvel that uses this style of name; in fact, the first to do so was Detective Comics, with Clark Kent, Lex Luthor, Lois Lane, Lana Lang, etc. Alliterative names are very common because they are easy to remember and sound nice.
Peter absorbed the power to heal from Linderman at some point in the past.	None.	+ Linderman was in close contact with the Petrellis ever since War Buddies, and it is at least possible that he met Linderman at some point in his life, before the indictment. - Peter has never shown that he can use Linderman's power. + It may simply be dormant, if Peter is either unaware Linderman had a power or is somehow unable to empathize with Linderman, and, thus, cannot use his power. + Since it seems to have taken Linderman years to perfect his power, Peter might not be skilled enough to use it, and if he can, not very well. - Peter has been able to mimic powers that he has come in close proximity to since the eclipse. We must remember that the eclipse seems to be the turning point when manifestations began. Any powers he may have come in contact before that point may not be available to him. • Peter already had his power in Six Months Ago when Nathan had the accident, and we are assuming that the dreams he has are a result of the power of another evolved human.
If Peter was able to tap into Sylar's intuitive aptitude he would instantly be able to use all the powers he absorbs.	None.	+ Whenever Sylar takes a power he is almost instantaneously shown using the power he just absorbed even ones that took the original owner quite a while to gain control over (i.e. Isaac's Precognition).
If Peter has all of Sylar's powers and the powers of all he has come into contact with, its possible that he can only access them consciously if he is in the presence of that person when they are using their power. If they do not use their power, he will absorb it but only be able to access it subconsciously, though its more likely that regardless of interviews, that Peter really only absorbs powers when he is near as they are used.	None.	+ Peter turns invisible without realizing when Claude walks by him invisible. + Claire's regeneration is constant and would have been healing when in Peter's presence in Odessa, thus he gains constant regeneration. - If Peter has constant regeneration then he would not be scarred in Five Years Gone. + May have happened in the vicinity of the Haitian or other power dampening source. + Peter does not fly until after Nathan flies. + Peter never shows a power, at least not at full capacity, of those he has been in contact with if they have not actively used their powers in his presence. He doesn't use Eden's persuasion power when arguing with people. - D.L. Hawkins never used his powers in Peter's presence, but Peter still used phasing to escape from the Company with Adam. - Ted Sprague never used his powers in Peters presence, however Peter still managed to explode. • Peter's explosion may not have had anything to do with Peter; it was described as a power overload. • Ted's power is one that requires frequent control and is thus always active even in a "passive" state, like Claire's regeneration - Ted might have been regulating his radiation at the time he met Peter.
Claude was right about how Peter can call back his powers.	Claude said that in order for Peter to use his mimicked powers without the original owner present he had to block them out.	+ Because he doesn't remember anyone from his past, Peter has effectively "blocked them out". That being said, he can still use the powers that he has absorbed. • In a Behind the Eclipse interview, Joe Pokaski and Aron Coleite stated that "Peter has learned and will continue to learn that's it's more about his heart than his memory."
Peter no longer needs to remember someone to use a certain power.	None.	+ Peter could not remember anything about himself and has no idea he got these powers yet he can still use them. • What Peter actually said is that he needed to remember how the people from whom he copied powers "made him feel". It's possible to recall the emotion without recalling the person.
Peter cannot use any abilities absorbed from Sylar except telekinesis.	None.	+ Peter has not used any of Sylar's abilities except for telekinesis. + A Company scientist was unable to detect in Sylar the "codon switches" for any ability other than telekinesis. (Godsend). This may be why Sylar's other abilities cannot be absorbed. - In an interview with the show's creators and writers, they stated that Peter has absorbed all of Sylar's abilities. - However, this does not mean that Peter can use those powers. There are many powers that Peter has been exposed to and cannot use.
Peter will seek out Hiro Nakamura's help in order to return to 2008 and rescue Caitlin.	None.	+ While in 2008, Peter learned from his mother that his time travel ability was absorbed from Hiro. (Out of Time) + Also while in 2008, Peter was able to read his mother's mind and somehow recover his memories of her. (Out of Time). In the present day, he could use this ability with Adam, or other acquaintances, to regain memories of Hiro and how to find him.
Peter could have been able to use Charlie's enhanced memory through his contact with Sylar.	None.	+ His mother told him to remember, and shortly after he appeared to remember all the moments that he spent with his mother in his entire life. (Out of Time) - Adam helped Peter remember who he was and how they got to Montreal by simply explaining his brain cells needed to heal. The instance in the future seems more along the lines of the same principle. - Surely it is just as likely the act of having the Haitian remove his memories allowed Peter to absorb the Haitian's abilities - memory/mind manipulation on self as well as others.
Someone wanted Peter to come into contact with Ricky's gang.	Ricky commented on the unlikeliness of Peter showing up in the one container that they were set to rob. (Lizards)	+ Ricky and his gang specifically planned to break into one container out of the hundreds in the storage lot. It would be a ridiculous coincidence if Peter just happened to be in that container. + Peter's container was empty, but, according to Ricky, it was supposed to be filled with iPods. + Peter is often considered to be the most powerful hero, due to his ability to absorb the powers of others. It is therefore likely that someone hopes to manipulate him into helping them. + The Company was able to trace Peter to Ireland, without Molly or radioactive isotopes. - Why would Ricky try to hide Peter from Elle if they were on the same side? - Why would Elle kill Ricky if they were on the same side? + Ricky and his gang are not necessarily the ones manipulated the situation. The Haitian or some other character may have wanted Peter to interact with Ricky's gang for reasons of his own, possibly something to do with Caitlin. - The Haitian trapped Peter in a random container, it was just pure luck. • If Arthur Petrelli does have the ability of luck manipulation, this could just explain the pure luck. - Elle was looking for containers at the dock first. If she knew Ricky and his gang had him, she would have gone there first. • You are assuming that the Haitian was working with the company.
Peter exhibited a new use of his dream power by bringing back the evacuation notice in Truth and Consequences.	None.	+ Peter has used this dream power before in connection with Charles Deveaux (see Theory:Charles Deveaux), however this time he brought back a physical object from that place/time. Thus, he is not just a astral projection, but can physically interact with that location. + This can not be an example of space-time manipulation because Adam does not see him "leave" his present location in the building in Montreal. In a sense, he is in two places at once. - Peter could have simply returned to the exact time he left. + Adam claims to have heard Peter screaming Caitlin's name while Peter was gone - this could not have happened if time was frozen because he would have been gone and back in an instant. • Peter continued to yell her name when he was with Adam in the present. • Adam heard Peter, but neither Caitlin nor the version of Peter with her seemed to hear Peter, which may indicate some sort of transcendent or dream-like state because he was apparently audible and physically present for Adam, but he obtained a flyer from the future and brought it back to the past with him.
Peter possesses some form of enhanced speed.	In Powerless, in the second it takes the Shanti virus vial to dramatically drop in slow motion and almost hit the floor, Peter manages to run a couple dozen feet and squeeze through the narrow vault door.	• This may simply be an inconsistency in the script. • Peter may have been using Hiro's power to slow down time. • This would, effectively if not in how it is done, be the same thing as enhanced speed. • Peter may have used telekinesis to hold the vial in place. • Sylar and Peter appear to require line-of-sight in order to establish a "lock" onto an object with TK. Peter was still a couple dozen feet outside the vault door when the virus vial began to fall. • Also, Peter didn't know that the vial had been dropped until he could see it, so he would have no reason to use his telekinesis on it. • Sylar has also displayed enhanced speed, meaning that it may be possible to use Telekinesis to push your body past its limits for moments at a time.
The Haitian, by removing Peter's memories, may have irreversibly enabled Peter to access multiple powers at a single time.	In many recent episodes (Kindred, Truth and Consequences, Powerless, etc.), Peter has used multiple abilities at once.	- This could have initially been an ability to use all passive abilities (or a constant use of all passive abilities), because rapid cell regeneration, immunity to space-time freezing, and immunity to telepathic suggestion do not necessarily require the intent to use an ability. + Peter was able to actively simultaneously implant a thought into Matt's head and telekinetically throw Matt backwards in Powerless. • Peter was not able to recover his memory until Adam told him to use his ability. • This may have been a use of the Haitian's ability, reversing damage, but it also could have been Adam's rapid cell regeneration.
Maarten will meet Peter.	Future Peter has the power of pyrokinesis. (Five Years Gone)	+ There is no reason for Meredith to return to the show, but Maarten might still work for the Company (as Ivan still did). - Maarten has only had one appearance so far. • Future Peter no longer exists, because the explosion didn't destroy New York. Peter might never obtain pyrokinesis.
Peter's increased control of his powers is due to his having absorbed intuitive aptitude from Sylar.	None.	+ Peter used to need to focus on a person in order to copy their power. Throughout Volume Two, he was able to access the superpowers of people he didn't remember while amnesic. + Peter was also able, not only to copy the powers of people he didn't remember, but also copy the powers of people he never saw using their power before. • He copied D.L.'s phasing in order to phase through his bonds, despite having only been in D.L.'s presence once and never having seen D.L. use his power. (Lizards) This suggests that Peter's ability is controlled subconsciously. + Peter was previously able to copy only one power at a time. He is now able to use at least two at once, having continued to maintain a telekinetic grip on Will while healing the injuries he received from multiple bullet wounds. (Kindred) We know that Sylar is capable of using multiple powers at the same time. (Road Kill) + As shown by his use of the ability to destroy the Shanti Virus, Peter is now seemingly able to completely control his induced radioactivity, something that he was catastrophically incapable of doing in Season One.
Peter can only use some powers to do whatever the "source" of it can do and if he encounters them when they have refined control of it, the ability he has is refined as well.	None.	+ When Peter first met Matt Parkman in Fallout and absorbed his telepathy, he could only read minds as that's all Matt could do at that time while in Powerless, he may have gained the thought transmission / mind control aspect of that ability from meeting Matt near the vault. + Adam Monroe has refined control of his regenerative ability (due to approximately 350 years of experience), this stronger regenerative capability could've be absorbed by Peter when they meet in Four Months Later (once the "Haitian Pills" were out of his system).
If Peter gets within range of another version of himself, he will create a rift.	None.	+ Peter could not go back to the Shanti Virus Future in Truth and Consequences, even though he strenuously tried. Adam was impressed by his retrieval of an evacuation notice, perhaps because he was unable to actually time travel. - Hiro came very close to his future incarnation, and nothing wrong happened. + Hiro's only ability is time-travel, whereas Peter's is empathic mimicry. Hiro cannot absorb any powers, but Peter can, so if Hiro and Future Hiro come in contact, nothing happens, but if Peter and Future Peter come in contact, they may absorb each others powers, which could create a paradox or rift. + Perhaps absorbing his own power would cause a paradox.
Peter has absorbed Candice's illusion ability, Micah's technopathy and Molly's clairvoyance.	He was quite close to them both during the final scene of "How To Stop An Exploding Man".	• Peter absorbed Phasing from D.L. by only being in the same general area. D.L. was sitting with Micah and Molly at the time. • Candice may have dragged Sylar away.
Peter will go insane.	None	+ It has been suggested that the numerous alterations to Sylar's DNA has unbalanced his mind. The same might happen to Peter.
Peter is actually adopted, and is in fact Sylar's biological brother.	In Five Years Gone, Future Sylar says, "Brother verses brother, its almost Biblical."	+ Peter and Sylar are often referred to as "two sides of the same coin," even by Tim Kring. - Virginia, Sylar's mother, does not have any known ability. This makes it unlikely that she mothered two evolved sons. • It makes it unlikely that she could mother even one evolved human son, but she has. - Future Sylar was most likely referring to the fact that Peter thought he was fighting his own brother, Nathan, rather than hinting that they are brothers.
Sylar will convince Peter to become evil in Volume Three, before Peter kills Sylar.	None.
Peter has absorbed the powers of people that were walking down the street, at stores and other public places near him, which could explain his mystery powers.	For some of the powers that Peter has exhibited, we don't know who or where they came from.	+ This could explain why Peter has his dreams, as he may have acquired this ability without knowing it from someone in the street. - This would be a poor explanation by the writers, as many potentially exciting plot twists will no longer be able to occur, for example if the theory that Peter got his dreams from Charles was correct, then we could see an interesting plot development there. On the other hand, if Peter's dreams come from a random evolved human on the street, it does not allow for the same story line development. + It might not give the show the same story line development, but the person he walks by could be a character we will meet later, like Harry Fletcher or Sparrow Redhouse; perhaps even someone we have seen but Peter has not met.
Peter can only absorb others abilities if they are "used" in his presence.	None.	- Peter might not know about the abilities unless he sees them used. + In Season 2, Peter uses his abilities without having any memory of absorbing them. + Peter has NOT displayed any abilities that have not been used on him or near him. + Peter did not hear Matt's thoughts until Matt tried to hear Peter's thoughts (Fallout). + Peter could not fly until he jumped off the building; he did not fly until after his brother flew up to catch him. (Genesis) + Peter has only displayed Sylar's Telekenisis, this is the only power Sylar has used in Peter's presense. (Unexpected) - Peter automatically absorbed Ted's Induced radioactivity. (The Hard Part) + Ted could constantly be putting out TRACE about of radioactivity. + Peter does not have Clairvoyance. Peter has been near Molly (How to Stop an Exploding Man) but did not absorb her power. We know he did not absorb it because Molly uses her power just by thinking about someone. Yet when Peter thinks about someone he does not know where they are. + When Peter is in the company's jail cell, Peter does not know where Nathan is even though he does thinks about Nathan. (Four Months Ago...) + Clairvoyance is NOT activated when Peter looks at the picture of Nathan and Adam tells him to remember. (Four Months Ago...) - Where did Peter's dreaming ability come from? + If this ability came from Charles Deveaux then he absorbed it while Charles Deveaux was dreaming.
Peter cannot heal people by injecting them with his own blood even though he has absorbed Claire's ability.	None	+ Peter has absorbed the powers of many other people, altering his DNA. This may make the bodies of other humans reject transfusions of his blood. + Adam Monroe knew of Peter's abilities yet he healed post-explosion Nathan himself instead of telling Peter how to do it. + Peter didn't think to heal Nathan with his own blood after he was shot, even though Claire suggested that she herself do it. • This could be because that wasn't Peter; it was future Peter.
Peter and Nathan Petrelli are brothers with Hiro Nakamura and Sylar.	We don't know who Sylar's father is, so he may be Arthur Petrelli. While Hiro's biological mother may actually be Angela Petrelli, since we know she slept with Kaito Nakamura.	+ Angela's power is similar to Precognition, while Kaito's ability was probability prediction. So then Arthur's power may also be related with probability, since two of the four parents can already predict the future in some kind of way. + All of their children would have similar abilities as well; Sylar (Intuitive aptitude) and Peter (Empathic mimicry) are related, while Hiro (Space-time manipulation) and Nathan (Flight) are also very similar. + Angela reveals herself to be Sylar's mother in The Butterfly Effect