Theory:Sylar

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The following fan theories are about Sylar.

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Theories

Theory	Citations	Notes
Sylar wasn't going to kill Molly Walker, rather, he was going to kidnap her and use her to find other evolved humans.	None	• Matt discovers that Sylar left no signs of physical contact when attacking his victims. Sylar causes a ruckus when he tries to drag Molly away when he could have easily killed her in the blink of an eye. (One Giant Leap). - He could just have taken her power and used it himself. + Sylar showed that he had a conscience when he was afraid of blowing up after painting the explosion. He may have, at first, also been opposed to killing a child.
Sylar's powers have something to do with emotion, due to what Chandra says to him and his intonation in Six Months Ago.	None.	• Sylar may have some sort of emotional power in addition to his others, but there's little evidence to support such a theory.
Sylar can alter his brain by studying the physical characteristics of other brains, which is why he is able to alter his own abilities.	Sylar has the ability of intuitive aptitude. (Six Months Ago)	+ Sylar's intuitive aptitude was confirmed in Fallout, but there's no clear evidence how he absorbs powers. Knowing how things work and being able to alter his own brain seem like two distinct powers. • He has not yet fixed anything, mechanical or biological, other than manually. + Mr. Bennet said it was his DNA he was altering (Fallout). + Sylar was able to absorb Charlie Andrews's power despite only having a matter of seconds to look at her brain once it was exposed (Seven Minutes to Midnight, Road Kill). • The picture of the post-attack Charlie was quite unclear as to whether her brain was still there or not - Sylar might have taken it with him to study. + Sylar may have been performing telekinetic brain surgery on himself after studying the brains he removed from others. - This would not explain how he acquired Brian Davis's ability.
Sylar may also be a thematic foil to evolution itself.	None.	+ His profession of watchmaker is often used as an analogue to an intelligent designer. Rather than following an evolutionary imperative, he appears to be redesigning himself using existing powers as a template which he then improves upon. + Evolution requires reproduction of the fittest, not merely survival of the fittest. So, unless he starts trying to have babies, he can't affect evolution at all. In fact, by taking so many evolved people out of the gene pool, he is actually slowing down evolution. + However, with all the alterations to his DNA, it is possible that he will cease to be genetically human and will therefore be unable to reproduce.
Sylar is meant to be Peter's literary/thematic antithesis.	None.	+ He has a similar motivation (to be special), similar looks, (perhaps) similar powers, both have mothers that don't believe in them, and both men have even talked to a Suresh who ultimately gave up on him before he could prove that he was special. One major difference between them is that Sylar's main power depends upon logic and Peter's power depends upon emotion - a common theme in many literary conflicts. + In Five Years Gone, when Sylar and Peter fight, Sylar uses cryokinesis while Peter uses the power of pyrokinesis. In other words, Sylar is cold and emotionless ice, while Peter is hot and passionate fire. • The powers displayed seemed visually to more closely resemble Ted's radiation ability than cryokinesis (as shown in The Hard Part) or pyrokinesis (as shown in The Fix and Distractions). This would be consistent with "present-day" events, as both characters have now been shown to have acquired Ted's ability, whereas we have no evidence that Future Peter had ever come into contact with Meredith. + The cast commentary confirms that it was "fire and ice". + Peter and Sylar have the same initials as a well-known pair of comic book nemeses: Peter Parker (Spider-Man) and the Green Goblin.
Sylar may have unwittingly gained Charlie's blood clot when he killed her to acquire her power.	None.	- Given Sylar's ability to understand complex systems and repair them, he would probably have detected the clot and not duplicated it in himself.
Sylar is the anti-Chandra, much like he would be the antithesis to Peter.	None.	+ He finds the special people, much like Suresh did. He has a map like Chandra's. He even worked with him. While Chandra found the special people and helped them harness their own abilities, Gabriel would steal their abilities to become even more powerful.
Even if The Haitian were to remove the memories of Claire from Sylar, Sylar would not be effected because of the memory power he gained from Charlie.	None.	- There is no reason to think that Charlie's exceptional memory capacity would grant special resistance to the Haitian's power to erase specific memories. • It is, however, illogical to assume that someone who can't forget somehow forgets. In all likelihood, they would cancel each other out, which means the Haitian would have to be in continuous contact or else the effects of the memory wipe would be reversed. - Having an eidetic memory means one can form memories quickly and accurately, and in volume. It does not mean those memories cannot be lost, especially by damage to the brain. There is no reason to think the Haitian could not "excise" those memories like any others. However, Sylar's precise memory may make it more likely for him to notice incongruities in what is left. + The first trailer for Godsend included a shot of Sylar lying on the floor of his cell with Mr. Bennet saying "He is to have no memory of Claire." This may mean that, in an unaired scene, Mr. Bennet had the Haitian erase Sylar's memories of Claire. If so, Sylar somehow resisted having his memories erased.
Sylar has developed the power of psychic surgery. He has done this either through the combination of his intuitive abilities and telekinesis or by acquiring it from a victim.	None.	+ In the episode Godsend Hank, while running tests on Sylar, claims the only power they can trace in him is telekinesis, in spite of his victims show the signs of other abilities being used against them. + In One Giant Leap, Mohinder Suresh broke into Sylar's apartment and found medical books seeming to focus on medical procedures, primarily on the brain. This is perhaps a sign that his telekinesis is powerful enough and precise enough that he can use it to do intricate procedures on others and himself. Additionally, Sylar had to smash his victim's head open with an ornamental crystal to acquire his first stolen ability; now he seems to carry no tool or weapon. - While this would explain how he gained other people's abilities after studying their brains, this would not explain how he gave himself Brian Davis's telekinetic ability in the first place.
Sylar has at least one brother who may have special abilities. Their special abilities may have made him or them shine and made Gabriel seem that much more plain, contributing to his pathological need to be special.	The shop that Gabriel Gray worked at when Chandra Suresh found him was his family's business Gray and Sons. (Six Months Ago)	+ Now while it may have had the same name for generations, it could also mean that Gabriel has at least one brother, maybe more. • The store Gray and Sons may also lead us to believe that Sylar owned the store, and he himself had unmentioned sons, who he feels the need to be special for. + Gabriel was a second-generation watchmaker, meaning his father first owned the store. Gabriel must have brothers. - The Gray in Gray and Sons may refer to Sylar's grandfather while the sons may be his father and uncle(s).
Sylar is the half brother of Peter and Nathan Petrelli through an affair of Mr. Petrelli.	Sylar states he used to wish that "some stranger would come and tell [him] that [his] family wasn't really [his] family" because they were so insignificant, and he wanted to be special. (Six Months Ago)	• So far, neither of Sylar's parents are known to have had powers. + There are an incredible number of parallels and coincidences between Peter and Sylar. Both wanted desperately to be special, their powers are similar (though Peter's is born of emotion rather than logic), both men have talked to a Suresh who prematurely gave up on them being special, when Peter imagines himself as a bomb he is wearing a similar (but not identical) coat and watch to Sylar's, and when in the hospital Peter has a vision of his brother Nathan suddenly becoming Sylar (which may have been a mix of his recent trauma and a foreshadowing of their relationship). + These two characters are the only two to have alliterative initials, Peter Petrelli and Gabriel Gray.
Sylar can be identified with some supernatural harbinger of the end of the world.	None.	+ Sylar, as Gabriel Gray, refers to himself as "the son of a watchmaker." The notion of supernatural "watchmaker," setting the laws of science in place then letting them tick away, is one frequent symbol for God (a rather apt one for a show centering around apparently God-directed evolution). + Sylar, like the mythical Lucifer/Satan, became dissatisfied with his status in life, wanting desperately to be more important, more special. By acquiring more and more superhuman powers, he appears to be making himself God-like, an act of supreme hubris. + Also, "Gabriel" is the name of the archangel supposed to arrive immediately prior to the apocalypse. • Additionally of note is that the first episode of the first season (Genesis) and the first episode after the mid-season break (Godsend) both had titles of religious significance, the first being "Genesis" and the next being "Godsend." Also, the Haitian associates these powers with being from God, Jessica's character flippantly rejects the need for God's help at the end of Godsend. Basically, there are many religious references (predominantly Christian) throughout the show, lending some believability to the idea that Sylar plays a significant role in a supernatural scheme. However, most indications are merely hints towards that interpretation, not solid evidence. • It should also be noted that both "Genesis" and "Godsend" begin with a G, as do both of Sylar's real names (Gabriel Gray).
Sylar's powers may be able to counteract those of Candice Willmer.	None.	+ Sylar's intuitive aptitude allows him mentally dismantle and quite simply "figure out" complicated things, such as the illusions used by Candice.
After murdering Isaac Mendez and stealing his power, an imprisoned Sylar will take over as the painter of future events in a Hannibal Lecter-like role.	None.	+ Tim Kring has indicated that Sylar's story will continue into the second season. + The Company has also used Isaac's paintings to rely on their prophecies. It's possible that the Company could imprison Sylar and use him to replace Isaac. Meanwhile, Peter could simultaneously fill the same role for the other characters.
Sylar is Peter Petrelli's twin brother.	None.	+ Tim Kring said "Peter and Sylar are two halves of a similar coin". + Their abilities are both absorbing powers, although differently. + Both Zachary Quinto (Sylar) and Milo Ventimiglia (Peter) were born in 1977. + Sylar's comment about "brother against brother" in Five Years Gone would have been coincidentally accurate, making a dark joke out of Peter's reply that his brother can't phase through walls.
Future Sylar will gain Molly Walker's power.	Hiro said that he brought Molly, Candice, and D.L. to Bennet.	+ Candice and D.L. are both dead and Sylar has their powers. + Bennet turns the dangerous e.h. to Matt and since he turned over Candice and D.L., he presumably turned Molly over too. + Bennet considers Molly a threat to Claire since she could find her anywhere and could have turned Molly over, knowing the dangerous evolved humans were killed. + Sylar could have killed Molly and taken her power at the same time he took Nathan's, Candice's, and D.L.'s. (He goes to kill Nathan and Candice and D.L. are there [delivered from Matt] and he kills them all and steals powers.) + Evolved humans s are found a lot in the future and "Nathan" is the one condemning them. - Had Sylar managed to gain Molly's powers he would not have needed Matt or anyone else to find Claire and would have acquired her abilities shortly after taking Molly's.
When Sylar is in his most evil form, he is modeling himself after the vampire Nosferatu.	None	Sylar is portrayed and described at times as being claw-like, and has at times, been painted in an Nosferatu style.
Sylar did not die in How to Stop an Exploding Man.	None.	+ Sylar's body disappeared, and there was a trail of blood leading to a manhole cover, possibly indicating he dragged himself there. + It has been indicated by the writers that Sylar's story will continue in the second season.
Sylar can recover from near-fatal wounds (such as being shot) by using his telekinesis to perform surgery on himself.	None.	+ There were many medical textbooks in Sylar's apartment, which he could have memorized once he gained eidetic memory. + In the graphic novel Road Kill, Sylar definitely shows bullet wounds where Noah shot him, and he mentions "These bullet holes wouldn't be a problem if I had just gotten to that cheerleader." However, he still manages to recover remarkably fast. - He probably healed like any normal person would. It only appeared to be a quick healing process because his telekinesis eased the impact of the bullets, which coincides with the writers words. + The writers have stated that much of Sylar's apparent invulnerability is due to his telekinesis.
Sylar killed Claude and stole his power.	None.	+ In How to Stop an Exploding Man, Noah and Peter go to Kirby Plaza, but they don't see Sylar. Peter says that he must be "hiding in plain sight." Sylar then seemingly appears out of nowhere behind Noah. - Sylar was sneaky when Claude was still alive. It's more plausible to say that Sylar uses telekinesis or an unknown power to increase his speed. - Claude is invisible, making it near impossible for Sylar to find him. - Sylar approaches Dale undetected in 'Unexpected', in which Claude is still alive. The last time we see Claude is in between Sylar meeting Dale and Sylar coming back to kill Dale. It is very unlikely that Sylar would have gone back to N.Y to find an invisible Claude, kill him, and travel back to where Dale was to kill her. All of his focus would probably have been on Dale at that point in time. - Invisible people can see other invisible people (Peter first finding Claude). The scene in Mohinder's apartment when Peter saves Mohinder from Sylar, Sylar cannot see Peter, and so uses the glass shards to find him. This scene was in an episode after Dale's murder, where he demonstrated similar stealth abilities.
Sylar can "steal" abilities by eating the unique part in an evolved human's brain, after extracting it.	Molly Walker said, "He sees into your soul, [and] then he eats your brain." (The Hard Part)	• As yet, there is no conclusive proof that Sylar actually consumes any part of the brains he steals.
Sylar may have a secondary ability that works with his intuitive aptitude to alter his genetics.	None.	+ It was confirmed by staff from the show that Sylar takes brains and does something with it. + Sylar somehow controlled himself to mimic death when he was in the cell at Primatech. + This would be a logical extension and fit into the idea that evolved humans have related abilities if they have more than one (e.g., Hiro's bending time and teleportation; the Haitian's ability to remove memories and to negate superhuman abilities from those around him). + If Sylar had some secondary ability to alter his body as long as he understood the principles and what was needed, he could modify himself in order to add powers to the core of his specific genome that gives all evolved humans their abilities. In a way, this is similar to Peter's mimicking, which is perhaps the reason Sylar said, "You're like me aren't you?.. I'd like to see how this works." - Noah Bennet said that all the evolved humans with whom the Company has come in contact have only had one power each.
Sylar has gained a power which repairs or enhances his vision.	Gabriel Gray wore glasses. (Six Months Ago) After this time, he did not wear them until visiting his mother. (The Hard Part)	- It is possible that he only wore glasses in Six Months Ago because he was working on a watch. - Gabriel wears glasses while talking to Chandra and outside of his apartment. - Sylar could be wearing corrective contact lenses.
Sylar never had an intuitive understanding of how things work do to any special powers, but this was some form of autism or mental condition.	None.	+ When Chandra first tested him, none of the tests suggested that he had an ability. + While being tested by Hank at Primatech, Hank could see no signs of any special abilities other than telekinesis, possibly suggesting that before he killed Brian Davis and acquired his ability, he had none of his own.
Sylar uses his ability to study to brains of other evolved humans. Doing this allows him to access the different parts of the brain needed to use a special ability.	None	+ Sylar has the ability of intuitive aptitude.
Sylar developed powers at a young age, as Micah and Sanjog did.	None.	+ Sylar has stated matter-of-factly on more than one occasion that he can understand how things work. The connotation of this may imply that he has had this particular power for a long time, that he, too, developed powers at a young age. + His initial power suggests an inherent intellectual prowess; both Micah and Sanjog are smarter than usual for their age. - His apparent cleverness may simply be a byproduct of intuitive aptitude. - Intuitive aptitude may not actually be a power.
Sylar has some sort of enhanced durability or a super charged immune system power.	None	+ Hank told Noah Bennet that they had administered enough glycimerine to kill an elephant. + He hit the Bennet's fridge with enough force to dent it and was able to escape the Haitian with relative ease. + Sylar has killed at least ten people but has only exhibited seven acquired powers. + Sylar fell off the roof of Union Wells and walked away. When Peter sustained the same fall, his legs were mangled and entire body bloodied. + The end of How to Stop an Exploding Man may lead one to believe that he survived the assault on him.
Sylar will join forces with other evolved humans in Season Two to fight the new "Big Bad".	None	+ Molly Walker has said that there is someone worse than the boogeyman. - Knowing Sylar, he would more likely join forces with this new threat then with the people that beat him within an inch of his life and stabbed him through the heart.
One of Sylar's abilities is enhanced reflexes or "danger sense".	None	+ Sylar would need enhanced senses to stop a speeding bullet or speeding bullets. Even with all of his powers he would still have human reflexes and humans can't dodge bullets. :- Sylar doesn't dodge Hiro when he rushes at him yelling with his sword. (How to Stop an Exploding Man) + He may only be able to sense danger like Spider-man and this may only apply to things he can't see.
Sylar can only use one power at a time.	None	+ We have never seen him use two powers at exactly the same time, only one immediately after the other. - He used both cryokinesis and [[telekinesis[[ at the same time to make a snow globe for his mother (The Hard Part). - In Five Years Gone he flew while being in the illusion.
Future Sylar did not absorb Claire's power as Future Hiro said, but instead killed Linderman and used his healing power to heal the stab wound made by future Hiro.	None	+ Claire is still alive in the Dark Future of "Five Years Gone" + Linderman is nowhere to be seen in the Dark Future. + The timeline in which D.L. killed Linderman would have been different due to Peter not rescuing Claire.