Theory:Sylar

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The following fan theories are about Sylar.

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Theories

Theory	Citations	Notes
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 freezing while Peter uses the power of pyrokinesis. In other words, Sylar is cold and emotionless ice, while Peter is hot and passionate fire. + 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. + Furthermore, numerous references to other comics outside the Heroes universe have been mentioned, like the Hulk and Captain America. ("It's Coming") - While initially compelling, the proposed antithetical relationship doesn't stand up to close scrutiny: Sylar's motivation stems from deep rooted compulsions (a persistent and insatiable hunger for others' gifts, which stems of its own accord, and excites him; jealousy towards Trevor evincing his desire for Elle, prompting actions that led to the acquisition of the former's power; a need to understand whether his putative father is being truthful) as opposed to a conscious decision to 'be special'; there is evidence to suggest that Peter's mother did believe in him, endorsing a way of life that would sensitise him; the main distinction, that Sylar represents logic and Peter is representative of emotion, seems to be sound on a superficial level but has, at best, been clumsily executed and may as well be accidental. The principal problem here is in the name - intuition has never been associated with logic, rather it sidesteps the rational process of enquiry. Essentially, for intuitive aptitude to work as a concept or an ability, the individual so gifted will need to take repeated leaps of faith, on the assumption that his/her ability will unfailingly prove to be correct; while this provides interesting parallels with religious faith and deific characters, it blurs the distinction (conceptually, if not in the mode of operation) between an empathic and an intuitive understanding, as neither involves rational enquiry.
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. + 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. - But, would that then render Peter and Arthur Petrelli as inhuman as well, were they to absorb numerous powers? It would seem that, with the other Petrellis being natural sponges, Sylar himself could absorb a (theoretically) unlimited number of abilities.
Sylar can be identified with some supernatural harbinger of the end of the world.	None.	+ Sylar builds and restores watches. 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 biblical 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. + "Gabriel" is the name of the archangel supposed to arrive immediately prior to the apocalypse. • 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". The Haitian associates these powers with being from God, and Jessica's character flippantly rejects the need for God's help at the end of Godsend. There are many religious references (predominantly Christian) throughout the show, which could be hints that Sylar plays a significant role in a supernatural scheme. • Both Genesis and Godsend begin with a G, as do both of Sylar's real names (Gabriel Gray).
Sylar is a different species of evolved human.	None.	+ There is much about him that is different from the others know evolved humans, and his original power was not detected by Chandra. - Chandra might have lacked the necessary equipment to detect intuitive aptitude. + Only his telekinesis was detected by The Company. + This would make him a even better villain and a opposite force for other characters.
Sylar has Mosaic DNA and is a Chimera.	None.	+ This explains why the Company only found "telekinesis DNA" when tested him.
Sylar wasn't going to kill Molly Walker; he was going to kidnap her and use her to find other evolved humans.	None.	• Sylar normally leaves 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). - Sylar can just kill Molly and take her ability. + Sylar showed that he had some conscience when he was afraid of blowing up after painting the explosion. He may have, at first, also been opposed to killing a child. - He may simply have been mindful that, as the agent of Molly's power, he would run the risk of being discovered via a strong telepath whenever this ability was employed. • The only example of this so far suggests that a person with Molly's ability can only be found by a telepath if the telepath is the one who the clairvoyant is looking for and if the telepath is strong enough to notice he's being looked for. There is also no suggestion that a telepath might find the clairvoyant through this, Maury showed no signs of knowing where Molly was.
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. + Intuitive Aptitude has been confirmed as a power by Sylar himself, when talking to Maya in the car on the way to the border.
Sylar understands Spanish.	None.	+ Sylar often showed some form of understanding of conversations between Alejandro and Maya, such as the fact that Alejandro needed Maya to translate English to Spanish, or his desire to abandon Sylar and cross with a coyote. - Sylar may have understood Alejandro's intent from tone and body language. + Sylar's intuitive aptitude, if it still works, may have helped him to learn the language by now. + Sylar could have used Charlie's power to learn Spanish earlier, or could simply have learned in school. + In How to Stop an Exploding Man, Sylar appears to understand Japanese, as he responds very specifically to what Hiro says to Ando. • Again, Sylar may simply have been picking up intent from tone, context, and body language.
The Company spent considerable resources saving Sylar's life because they need him to extract the power stored in the brain inside the Vault.	One of the items inside the Primatech Vault is a preserved brain.	+ The brain is stored alongside assorted mysterious items, including a virus with the power to wipe out the human race, suggesting it holds high value or significant power. + Despite the incredible danger Sylar poses to all evolved humans, the Company has gone to great lengths to preserve his life; forbidding Mr. Bennet from killing him in Season 1, and treating him with several major surgeries to save him from the stab wound from Hiro's katana. + The crew commentary to Powerless suggests that the vault items are major clues to future plot points. + Sylar is the only character to be associated with brains as a plot element. - It would be insane to willingly give a powerful ability to someone as dangerous and uncontrollable as Sylar. + The brain's power may be of a highly valuable but non-combat-related nature, such as Bob's ability to turn base metals into gold. • The Company may believe that they had the means to control Sylar, i.e. by having Maury Parkman mentally dominate him, or by having the Haitian mindwipe his more vicious impulses. • It would be insane to create a virus that could destroy more than 90% of the world's population. + It could also be the reason why the company kept Peter in a cell. Peter should have Sylar's intuitive aptitude ability and would also be able to extract the power from the brain. - Peter was never asked to do this. - The Company has had plenty of chances for Sylar to do this, but they do not seem to have asked him to do it. - They even took away his abilities the second time they saved his life. - Angela even allowed Sylar to extract an ability from a different brain. + Bob and/or Angela may have had different plans than their predecessors.
The Serpent in the story of the Serpent and the Crane is a symbolic representation of Sylar.	None.	+ The Serpent kills the Crane and takes its ability to fly. This sounds a lot like power theft. - The story may be symbolic of The Haitian and his ability. The Haitian take the memories of others and "takes" the powers of others. He takes away Guillame's ability, and Guillame tells him that he wants to fly again. (It Takes a Village, Part 3) + Guillame asks, "What good is it to fly, if you have nowhere to go?" Sylar is in a similar situation because he takes powers but does not use them for anything except to gain more powers. + The Serpent believes that the Crane is unworthy of its wings just as Sylar believes his victims are unworthy of their powers. + Serpents are always symbols of evil, especially a form the devil commonly takes. • Serpents are not always symbols of evil. The Ouroboros, for instance, is symbolic of cycles, eternity, and unity. Snakes have also been symbolic of protection, wisdom, renewal/rebirth (outside of the Ouroboros' cyclical symbolism), and medicine (such as on the caduceus). - Although the resemblances are interesting, it's unlikely that the Haitian's tribe would have ever met someone like Sylar before, nor is it likely Sylar would have heard the legend. + While Guillame probably was not deliberately referring to Sylar himself, it is likely that the writers meant for the Serpent to be a symbol or representation of Sylar. - Sylar has had very little contact with the Haitian at all. - Around the time that the It Takes a Village series would have taken place, Sylar would have been very young and still call himself Gabriel. - It is unlikely that Sylar is connected to a Haitian tale. - Linda Tavara's story indicates that Sylar is not the first or only evolved human who has attempted to steal the evolved abilities of others. • Considering that the story is prevalent only in the graphic novels, it is likely that it may be symbolic of the Haitian. However, considering the serpentine nature of Sylar and the stealing of the ability to fly, it could also be prophetic of Sylar killing Nathan and taking his power, just as it was shown in Five Years Gone.
Sylar's rescue by Maya, Alejandro, and Derek was engineered by Drucker.	None.	+ One evolved human being saved by two other evolved humans riding in a car stolen from a third evolved human is a very big coincidence. - Coincidences are hardly uncommon in Heroes, nearly all the characters bump into each other or are inter-related at some point in the show, this could be just another such occurrence. + Derek's fraternity, the reason he stole the Rogue and went to Mexico, has a portrait of Drucker, strongly suggesting that the two are connected.
Sylar is going to be a father.	It is implied that he slept with Maya in Season Two.	+ She may be pregnant. - Sylar wasn't the only one that slept with Maya. Mohinder Suresh slept with her. + It is highly doubtful Sylar was carrying condoms. + He has one in the exposed future. - Noah Gray is blond and it is highly doubtful that Maya or Sylar were blond when they younger. - Future Elle might be Noah's mother. Elle is dead. - Maya would be "showing" by now. - Maya used her ability since then. Although she did not kill any adults, this might kill any baby she had, given the embryo's lack of an immune system. + Her ability immunity might extend to her baby, as it would be part of her organism until it is born. + The embryo's undeveloped "body" may not be able to produce the poison.
Sylar's Achilles' heel, his kryptonite, is calling him Gabriel.	He has been visibly upset when he is called Gabriel, almost as if he is in pain.	- Both his adoptive and fake mothers have called him Gabriel repeatedly. • This could just be because of Sylar's soft spot for mother figures. - Elle called him Gabriel numerous times after he regained her trust. He didn't seem to care in the slightest.
Sylar will kill Nathan and take his ability of flight.	In a possible future, Sylar had in fact killed Nathan and taken his ability.	- Now that Nathan is Sylar's brother, maybe Sylar will gain a soft spot for him. + Nathan now can only be the brother or half-brother of Sylar if Nathan's parents are not really Angela and Arthur as well. + Much of that future has come true, such as Candice's death by Sylar's hand. - Sylar did not acquire Candice's ability in the current timeline. - This did not happen in the exposed future. + The future seems to have turned back in that direction, with Nathan going the other evolved humans. - Sylar can fly as an byproduct of telekinesis. As he didn't examinated Echo's brain because he had already gotten sound manipulation from Jesse, he wouldn't open Nathan's head for examination. + Flight is probably better for fly than telekinesis, as super speed is better for running than accelerated probability.
Sylar named his son after HRG because he accidently killed him before this part of the future and wants to try and redeem himself. This means that Claire is after him for that and for taking her ability.	Claire confessed to Meredith that she wanted to hurt Sylar for what he did to her.	+ We didn't see HRG in the future. + In Resistance, Claire talks about getting over the loss of her parents. Maybe Sylar accidentally killed them. - Claire's confession to Meredith came long before the exposed future, at a time when Noah was (and still is) alive and well. + Future Claire says to Gabriel, "This was my house. You took everything from me." This may be referring to HRG's death. + HRG would be unlikely to give his house to Sylar, especially if Claire was unhappy about it (which she was, apparently). So he must have taken it.
Sylar is destined to become a hero in some form by overcoming or disposing of the "hunger" that intuitive aptitude causes.	None.	+ We have already seen that Noah's influence reformed Sylar and helped him suppress his hunger in the future. + Sylar can gain abilities without killing people. - Sylar prefers to acquire powers the old-fashioned way.
Sylar named his son Noah because HRG will become a father figure toward him or because he is in fact Sylar's biological father.	None.	+ A person naming his/her son after his/her own "father" is very common. + Sylar and HRG were partners at Primatech. - Sylar refers to Peter as his brother, so unless he believes that Angela were involved with HRG and means brother as in sibling rather than full brother, this is unlikely. - HRG is primarily a family man; why would he abandon and try to kill his own son? - HRG only seems to be about ten to fifteen years older than Sylar. It is extremely unlikely that HRG would have slept with Angela when he was 15 at the most, and concieved a child with her.
Peter and Sylar share some kind of supernatural connection.	None.	+ They are supposedly brothers. - Arthur is not Sylar's father. - Angela is not Sylar's mother. + Perhaps Peter's biological parents are not really Angela and Arthur either. + In Landslide, without trying to, Peter suddenly picks up Sylar's thoughts in a crowded New York City street. + They have very similar powers, in that they can absorb others abilities. Only two other people, Linda Tavara, and Peter's father are the only other evolved humans to show the ability to do this. • Ability absorption is only a perk to Linda's ability, not its intended use. • This is also true of intuitive aptitude.
Sylar's can move powers from one person to another, not just himself.	This ability was implied by Noah in Hiro's dream during the Villains episode.	+ While observing Sylar, Noah says that Sylar has the ability to transfer powers from one vessel to another. - Noah did not know how Gabriel transferred the ability to himself. - Sylar's ability isn't power theft; it's seeing how things work. Power theft is how he uses his power, not his power's "intended" purpose. + His ability to see how things work may be the key to giving powers to another. • This could also have something to do with the development of the serum that Pinehearst is creating to give powers, but that's extra speculation. • The formula existed long before Sylar even discovered he had powers.
Sylar does not intrinsically have intuitive aptitude. He was born with the same, or similar, power as Peter.	None.	+ HRG says that Sylar has the ability to move powers from one vessel to another. - Sylar can use intuitive aptitude to transfer powers to himself. + He took the powers from Elle without killing her or her losing her powers, similar to how Peter could. + Sylar could have gained intuitive aptitude from his father, or perhaps somebody like Chandra Suresh. - Chandra did not have intuitive aptitude. + Intuitive aptitude could be a corruption of empathic mimicry. We already know his adopted mother did not give him enough attention, instead repeatedly insisting that he become "special". It is possible that this greatly limited his ability to empathize (hence his later psychotic break) and twisted his ability into its current state. - Intuitive aptitude shows how things work; something being corrupted so that it can accomplish this is unlikely. + Empathic mimicry could have been Sylar's initial ability, and not intuitive aptitude. Sylar came into contact with an individual possessing intuitive aptitude at a young age. • For all we know, intuitive aptitude doesn't even allow ability absorption--maybe Sylar was just subconsciously using his empathic mimicry every time right before a kill and examination. - Peter would not be able to absorb intuitive aptitude from Sylar in this case.
Sylar, Peter and Arthur all have the same ability.	Sylar has shown he can mimic powers through empathy.	+ All three can duplicate others powers. + Arthur showed that he had knowledge of mimicking powers through empathy and he knew that Sylar could do it. • The fact that Arthur is the only one who can steal (as opposed to mimic) an ability could be due to his years of experience with the ability. • The ability of power absorption/mimicry could manifest itself in different ways depending on the personality. • Sylar's emotional connection to his first murder would explain how telekinesis seems to be an empathically absorbed ability. • Sylar may have empathically mimicked intuitive aptitude from his father. • The combination of intuitive aptitude and power absorption could be the cause of the "hunger". - If Arthur originally had empathic mimicry, then there would have been no need to kill Adam by taking his power to heal himself. He would have just absorbed Adam's power through empathic mimicry and healed himself without the need to kill Adam. + Arthur gained empathic mimicry from Peter. • Then again, Arthur has shown himself not to be a very personable individual, such as showing no regret for attempting to kill Nathan. I don't think it is out of his character to kill someone to further his gains and perhaps, by killing Adam, he is removing someone who could be a bump in the road later on. By killing Adam this way, Adam can't regenerate, as opposed to if Arthur tried to kill him in simpler ways. Arthur is also doing the same thing now by killing any individuals who are dreaming or using precognition to learn how to stop him. He is removing problems in his way. - Adam would seem to be more of an asset to Arthur if left alive if possible, rather than kill him.
Sylar's original power is empathy but he gained intuitive aptitude from his father.	It is very unlikely for intuitive aptitude to be linked to the empathy power. If that is the case, it would explain why Sylar only kept intuitive aptitude, telekenisis which he gains through empathy and his original empathy power.	- The empathy that Sylar experienced with Elle was associated with fixing her power, which may be just another aspect of intuitive aptitude. (It's Coming) - The writers are not total idiots; they must surely recognize the poetry of Peter and Sylar being opposites sides of a similar ability. As such, it would make no sense for Sylar to become an Empath, as well. - Sylar "permanently lost all of his acquired powers except for telekinesis". [1] He still has his intuitive aptitude, however. - It is possible that Arthur somehow "implanted" Elle's ability into Sylar, fixing hers simultaneously, by means of an as-yet undisclosed ability.
When Sylar takes another person's power, he also takes their pain.	None.	+ Only two persons have survived when he took their powers. After he took Claire's ability, she no longer felt pain. After he took Elle's ability, she said, "The pain is gone." Before he took Elle's ability, Sylar said to her, "You know the pain I feel about this." This is related to the empathic aspect of his ability. - Sylar was mentioning the guilt he had about taking people abilities, he told Elle about it when they first met, and now he was reminding her of that. - Sylar kills most of the persons from whom he takes powers. + A dead person no longer feels pain.
Claire Bennet would have been the mother of Noah Gray.	None.	+ It would explain Noah Gray's first name. - Elle is more likely to be the mother of Noah Gray in the timeline we saw him. + In the present day, Sylar kills Elle. - Claire hates Sylar. - Claire is too young for Sylar; it's unlikely the writers would do that. - Even though Claire is darker in the future, she still showed a little sadness when she killed Peter. She threatened Noah's life; it is doubtful she would threaten her own child. - In the exposed future, Gabriel still thinks Peter is his brother. Odds are he thinks Claire is his niece. + The relationship is not actually incestuous.
Sylar will re-obtain induced radioactivity from Amid Halebi.	He has this power in the exposed future.	+ Sylar's regeneration ability would protect him from the negative side-affects of Amid's power. + No need for that, Rule of Ted says he can't get hurt from his own power. - But the Rule of Ted doesn't apply to everyone (Rollo Fusor's accomplice's dehydration, Michael's Laser emission, ect). Just as in the pilot episode Amid Halebi's ability scorched his hands. + Those are exceptions; Sylar, Peter, and Ted were shown not to suffer ill-effects from that specific power. - Amid Halebi may not exist in Heroes canon.
Sylar will regain precognitive painting from Byron Bevington.	None.	+ His name is on Elle's cellphone. + According to Heroes Evolutions content, Byron has precognition. - There is no evidence that Byron can "paint the future". + In the Exposed Future, Gabriel regained that ability by the time he is met by Peter's past self.
Sylar became evil again because baby Claire never got the catalyst.	None.	+ Seeing the catalyst in Claire's brain could have caused Sylar to realize the evil of his ways. Perhaps it helped him begin to "understand" the hunger part of his ability. + The moment Hiro took Claire to the past, to prevent her from getting the catalyst, Sylar turned evil again, killing Elle. - Claire might never have gotten the catalyst, Sylar just said she was different, and couldn't die. He could be referring to her power in general. Not to mention that Sylar would have received the Catalyst then, and there would be no reason for Author to go back in time to get it from Hiro. + Sylar can copy abilities; that doesn't mean he can steal or copy the Catalyst.
Sylar likes cake.	After Sylar obtained lie detection from Sue Landers, three of her co-workers entered the room with a cake for Sue's birthday. Sylar excitedly said "Cake!" before telekinetically closing the door.	+ Sylar seemed excited at the sight of cake. + Sylar enjoys pie. Pie is similar to cake. - It's possible he was being morbidly sarcastic. - Sylar enjoys spinach more. He picks up a can of spinach and says excitedly "I'm back". Thus suggesting that he aspires for great strength, as displayed by Popeye. + Nobody likes spinach. Everybody likes cake. + It's possible that one of the evolved humans he took powers from also had a side effect on their powers: A hunger for desserts (including cake and pie). Most likely suspects are Dale Smither or Zane Taylor. This hunger for confectionary products could lead us to see a new, more portly Sylar in future series.
Rapid cell regeneration is one of Sylar's empathic abilities (like telekinesis and electric manipulation) because he was able to empathise with Claire.	In Angels and Monsters Sylar apologises to Claire and says that she must fear him. In Dual he says that she must be disgusted by him and think him a monster.	- Sylar's apology to Claire looked and felt nothing like the one he did to Elle.
Linda Tavara is Sylar's biological mother.	None.	+ She is the only other person we know of that is able to take abilities from others. - Linda's ethnicity is different than Sylar. + He may look like his father. - Everything Linda Tavara touches dies. + Only if she chooses to take their auras. - The woman killed doesn't look like Linda. - Linderman killed Linda and burned her body. + Linda could have acquired the ability to shapeshift and choose to look during her time as an investigator as an Asian woman.
Sylar regained precognition and induced radioactivity in the future from Peter, using the aspect of his own ability that is similar to Peter's own. The reason that he was able to copy those powers from Peter, whilst Peter himself was not able to copy the powers of his his future self, is that the two powers are not identical, and function differently.	None.	+ With Ted Sprague, Isaac Mendez, and Usutu dead, Peter is (at least in the exposed future where he still had all his powers) the only known source of those two powers.
Sylar's attempts to control the hunger have weakened it, and he is now more selective about the abilities he steals.	None.	+ He didn't try to steal Doyle's ability, nor did he appear to try to steal Danny Pine's. - Sylar was more concerned about toying with Noah, Claire, Meredith and Angela. As seen when he took Claire's ability, it takes a while to "find" the ability, time he didn't have at that moment.
Sylar has taken the power of metal mimicry from Danny Pine.	None.	+ Sylar clearly killed him, and having succumbed to the hunger, it seems unlikely that he would have passed over the opportunity of taking it. - Sylar was more concerned with his plan, with putting Angela, Claire, Meredith and Noah in tight situations. - He didn't bother to steal Doyle's ability. • He could use telekinesis to accomplish Doyle's power. • He already did it with Audrey Hanson, almost making her shoot herself.
Sylar isn't Arthur's son, but they are still related.	None.	+ When Sylar asked Arthur if he [Arthur] was his family, Arthur replied: "Of course. I am your father". Then Sylar detected a lie. So this ability could have worked when Arthur said "I am your father", not directly after "Of course". This could mean that Arthur is Sylar's family, but not his father. - The workings of this ability are unclear, the ability might analyze the statement as a whole, not parts of it. • That would imply that the abilty can be "tricked". • Only if its user doesn't understand the working of his own ability, not something that happens with Sylar. • Actually, Sylar was unable to control Dale Smither's ability. • That was only at first; he was able to use it quite well after a short while. + Arthur paused between the parts of the statement - long enough for lie detection to work. - There's no defined threshold in which lie detection works. + So far this ability has been shown to detect a lie immediately.
Sylar is Arthur Petrelli's nephew through his sister Linda Tavara.	None.	+ It would explain their similar abilities. + It would explain why Sylar did not detect a lie when Arthur claimed to be his family. - It debatable to say lie detection worked only in one section of the statement, the workings of that ability aren't well defined. + It makes the link between Sylar and Peter clearer as Linda and Arthur have similar abilities. - They clearly have different ethnic origins. + Arthur's father may have had an affair, making Linda Arthur's illegitimate half sister. + Linda's notebook has a page for Arthur Petrelli with his address. It would be likely for her to have this if she knew she was Arthur Petrelli's sister. - Linda was an investigator, and she was tracking people with abilities to take these abilities for herself, not long lost relatives. + Linda's power is similar to Arthur's power. Why would she want it? - It's possible she didn't know what Arthur's ability was, his power wasn't written down like Linderman's. + It makes sense that Angela would know his parentage, if Sylar is her nephew. - It's not necessary for there to be a blood connection or one through marriage for one to know anothers parentage. - Angela can dream the future, and she had the Company's resources, she could have used either to find that out. + Sylar is in his 30s, making him old enough to be Linda's son, and it's conceivable that Arthur and Angela to have arranged the adoption after Linda's possible death. - Why would they do that? - There's no indication of Linda ever having children. + There's no indication she didn't, almost nothing is known about her. - The only person Linda was ever shown to get close to was Linderman, to take his ability; Occam's Razor indicates that the simplest explanation is the best. - Linda was fairly young when Linderman killed her, if she had had children, they'd be at their 40s. + Linda was 21 when Linderman killed her, so she could have had a child at 20 and he would be 36 in 2007. - From the little it was seen of her, Linda was not the type to settle down and have children, all she seemed to care about was getting auras. - Seeing Arthur and Angela's desire to pretend Sylar was their son, why not adopt him seeing as he could be their nephew? - It was clear that the only reason they did it was to manipulate Sylar into doing their biding.
Sylar still has a chance for redemption.	When confronting his adoptive father who he hated for abandoning him, he decided to let him live.	- Which is more cruel? Kill a man begging for death, granting him release, or walk away, leaving him to die a humiliating, agonizing, drawn out death as a complete failure? There was no mercy there.
Sylar survived being killed by Claire's glass shard merely by regenerating.	None.	+ The fire could have burnt Sylar's flesh and body enough so that the glass fell out, allowing him to regenerate again. + It seems unlikely that anyone in the building that might have survived would have tried to help Sylar. It also seems unlikely that anyone came into the building while it was burning and tried to save him.
Sylar was rescued by his father.	None.	+ Nobody had reasons to rescue Sylar, not even the manipulative Angela - ressurect only to hunt him again? The savior should have been someone close to Sylar - his father. - It's possible Angela saved him. Sylar only wanted answers, he didn't want to kill her without a reason. It's possible she let him go so that someone would be there to "keep things in check". The less relevant Sylar is, the more bleak the future is in Angela's eyes. Nobody else likes Sylar in any possible way. Even Noah despises him diregarding when he tried to redeem himself.
Sylar and Luke Campbell are half brothers.	Sylar felt it wasn't mere coincidence that Luke is an evolved human and lived near his father.	+ Luke also said that somebody said that his mother was a whore. Even if the guy didn't really say it. she could have slept with Samson. + Luke, like Sylar could have been adopted.
Sylar won't kill Luke for his ability because he will absorb it through empathy.	None.	+ The idea of Sylar's empathic absorption of powers should be continued. + Elle was the only evolved human who was able to partner with Sylar, because he absorbed her ability through empathy. - And he killed her anyway. - Luke doesn't have the advantage of being an attractive young woman. Especially since Elle took an interest in Sylar even before he became a killer. Though he does kill her once he finds out she was using him too. • Sylar tried to slice Elle's skull before taking her ability, even though she always was an attractive young woman. + Who said that the only thing that keeps Sylar from killing is female beauty? Luke isn't an attractive young woman, but he is still alive. It would be shameful for Sylar to display his empathic trick only once in his lifetime. - Sylar and Luke have gone seperate ways.
Sylar was rescued from the Primatech fire by Libertad.	None.	+ Libertad seems to help every evolved human, whether good or bad. - Whoever Libertad is, he seems to have a strong bond with computers. It sounds too much like Richard Drucker. + It would be cool to have a gundam Drucker/Libertad.
Sylar's telekinesis is not as strong as it used to be.	None.	+ Sylar needed Luke's help to shake off the assailant who held a gun at point blank range, while Eden had been confident he could fend off a similar attack. - Perhaps he was capable of stopping the assailant, and simply chose not to do so for other purposes. His conversation beforehand subtly hints at this. - It would not be the first time Sylar has feigned helplessness. + After the Shanti virus, Sylar's telekinesis was no longer based on his intuitive aptitude, merely his empathy. + He has shown less control over his other ability absorbed through empathy than his normal abilities. • While both Brian's and Elle's ability are more integrated to him than the others, and telekinesis seems only to be retained through empathy, Sylar did poke around Brian's brain, unlike with electric manipulation, which was acquired through empathy. • He subsequently forgot all other powers gained through intuitive aptitude, so he likely doesn't remember "how this one ticks" either. • Telekinesis is his most observed power, even if it's weaker in raw power, his experience with it makes up for it. + Sylar is no longer seen stopping bullets via telekinesis, unlike in Season 1. - In A Clear and Present Danger, Sylar seems to pop the tasers out before they take effect. Sounds like telekenetic bullet dodging to me. + The tasers actually hurt him but they couldn't knock him out because he can regenerate. - Actually, he has. - This may be because he no longer needs to, at least not he used to, he still needs to watch out for the back of the head.
Sylar's drive to find his father has obliterated "the hunger."	Sylar states that his motivations were finding abilities and taking them, but now they're mostly about finding his real father. (Building 26)	+ Sylar was able to control the hunger briefly under the guidance of a pseudo-mother figure. - Sylar killed Joe Macon and took his ability. + Imprinting is more practical than powerful; Sylar might have taken it just because it would have been useful to him in the future. + Macon refused to cooperate with Sylar. Sylar could have simply killed him in punishment, and took his ability for the heck of it. + Sylar refrained from killing Luke Campbell, despite the fact that Luke killed Daniel Simmons, a man with vital information on his father, and the fact that Luke had a powerful ability.
Sylar's base ability is actually "enhanced adaptation" which applies even to abilities. This stems from his mutable personality.	None.	+ Powers have been shown to often mimic the wielder's personality or need. Everyone is always trying to make Sylar in to something. He switched parents at least once as a kid, forcing him to adapt heavily. • This ability may work because Sylar's whole personality changes, resulting in new talents. This is highly similar to how empathic mimicry may work (by imagining yourself as someone else and hence imagining their personality and seeing their need for their ability), but this ability is focused on what personality Sylar needs to fit a current role. + Upon filling the role of watchmaker, he would pick up intuitive aptitude. + It's possible that he acquired empathic mimicry because his personality had changed to be highly empathic. • Arthur states that Sylar had this ability "all along", but most likely he simply used precognition to forsee his acquisition of Elle's ability via empathy. + Sylar is a fantastic actor and fulfills a wide variety of roles quite naturally, demonstrating his adaptability. He fools Mohinder in Volume 1, Maya in Volume 2, the police in Volume 3, and adapts to being a weapon, somewhat of a good guy, a monster, and a 'boyscout' as well. + Intuitive aptitude explains how he learns how others' abilities function, but it does not explain why Sylar is able to perform an ability simply by understanding it. This theory does explain it. + Children are more adaptable, and Sylar has been likened to a child by Angela Petrelli. • That might be more because of what happened to Sylar as a kid, how he missed out in his childhood and was very badly scared.
Sylar's mother is Angela.	None.	+ In a interview with the heroes' producers, it is stated that "There is probably a way someone could "beat" Sylar's lie detection ability." - They were talking about not saying the entire true or not saying something that is an actual lie. + Angela knows Sylar's father is not the watchmaker. + Sylar's father resembles someone from the group of twelve. + In the exposed future Sylar still calls Peter his brother. - Unlikely. When Sylar is in the diner and remembers his past, he clearly says "mother", and seems to know who he's looking at, when (presumably) Samson sliced open her forehead and pushed her out of his car before speeding off.
Sylar sent Luke away in order to save his life.	None.	+ He didn't kill Luke himself. + He obviously didn't want Luke to be killed by Samson.
Sylar used Bridget's power to remember his father selling him in Exposed.	None.	+ Sylar's memories of his childhood didn't seem to become clear until he touched the toy car and other objects in the restaurant.
Sylar's original power was empathic mimicry.	"Homecoming" and "Exposed".	+ Peter could have replicated empathic mimicry by touching Sylar, who in turn had mimicked intuitive aptitude by seeing Samson Gray murder his mother. + The only two abilities Sylar has kept, apart from empathic mimicry, are intuitive aptitude and telekinesis. Intuitive aptitude because of the emotional trauma of seeing his mother killed (absorbed from his father) and telekinesis because of the emotional struggle he went through to get that. He hasn't been able to mimic anyone else's ability (except Elle's) because he has become a pure killer: No empathy at all. - Peter had already been absorbing abilities through empathic mimicry before encountering Sylar. See examples of empathic mimicry. - Sylar had his ability explicitly named as "Intuitive aptitude" in the show via assignment tracker profile. - Peter had his ability explicitly named as "Empathic mimicry" in the assignment tracker map. • Peter could have used ability replication by touching evolved humans, before coming into contact with Sylar. - Peter wouldn't have been able to use multiple abilities if that was the case. - If Sylar has empathic mimicry, then it would be logical to suggest that Samson has it too, since he too can absorb powers. - Empathic mimicry isn't the only way to absorb abilities. If there are many ability absorbers, it doesn't mean they have the same absorbing ability. - The writers confirmed Sylar lost all of his abilities except his original and telekinesis. However, he still has intuitive aptitude.
Sylar loves roadtrips.	None.	+ He is the only character to have been on a roadtrip in every season. In season one with Mohinder, in season two with Maya and Alejandro, and in season three with Luke Cambell. • The only roadtrip he cleary wanted to take was the one with Mohinder, so he could acquire more abilities.
The reason why the Company could only find telekinesis codons in Sylar's DNA is because of his empathic connection to the ability.	None.	- Abilities are directly involved with DNA, it's impossible to have an ability not related to it. + Shanti virus took away the powers Sylar absorbed not through empathy. How is this even possible, since as we know, viruses cannot alter DNA?
Sylar will regain precognitive painting from Matt Parkman.	None.	+ By doing that, Sylar could also absorb Matt's telepathy. Telepathy would help Sylar, by persuading people into letting him kill them. - Matt could persuade Sylar to not kill him. + Neither Eden McCain's persuasion nor Eric Doyle's puppet master stopped Sylar. • Sylar would probably need to go on a spirit walk before he could paint the future with Matt's ability. - Matt is powerful enough to stop Sylar.
The metalic arm on the floor in Dual is actually Sylar's arm after he killed Danny Pine and stole his ability.	None.	+ Sylar has rapid cell regeneration, so he could cut his arm off and it would grow back. + Sylar's hunger would make him get Danny's ability. - He didn't steal Eric's ability. + Puppet master would be redundant to Sylar's telekinesis.