Matt Parkman
| Matt Parkman | |
|---|---|
| |
| Portrayed by | Greg Grunberg |
| First appearance | Don't Look Back |
| In-story stats | |
| Known ability | Telepathy |
| Formal name | Matthew Parkman |
| Gender | |
| Age | 35 |
| Home | Los Angeles, CA |
| Residence | Matt Parkman's home |
| Occupations | LAPD police officer, bodyguard |
| Significant other | Janice Parkman (wife) |
Matt Parkman is a police officer with the Los Angeles Police Department. He would like to become a detective, but he has been unable to pass the test because he suffers from dyslexia. He discovers he has the ability to hear the thoughts of others.
Character History
Don't Look Back
Matt is helping to secure a crime scene, the suspected serial killing/abduction of the Walker family, when he begins to "hear" the thoughts of the missing girl, Molly Walker. He locates her in a secret room under the stairs, and immediately draws suspicion from the investigating FBI agents. When Matt mentions the name "Sylar", which he picked up from the agents' thoughts, Audrey Hanson arrests him on the spot.
One Giant Leap
After proving his ability by reading Audrey's mind in the interrogation room, he is offered a position to assist in the investigation. Things turn dangerous when a man who appears to be Sylar shows up. Stopping the mysterious man from harming Molly Walker in the building, Matt tries to comfort the girl, while Audrey gives chase. Ultimately, the man escapes, but not before displaying apparent telekinesis, almost forcing Audrey to shoot herself in the head. Matt fires at the suspect, knocking him down. The suspect soon stands back up and disappears. Later, Matt comes home to his wife, Janice, with whom he is in couple's counseling. Though he apologizes for missing the day's session and tries to tell her about his amazing day, Janice is still upset with Matt and doesn't want to hear it. Janice also comments about how, when she got promoted, he seemed to resent her for it. Matt tells her he didn't mean to, but Janice turns away from him. Hearing Janice's thoughts that she wants Matt to leave, Matt responds "I will" verbally, and then storms out.
At a bar, Matt hears most, if not all, the thoughts of the various patrons and the bartender. However, when he comes across a patron whose mind he cannot read, he begins to hear the other voices fade out. The mysterious other man sits and stares at Matt until Matt finally collapses on the floor, unconscious.
Collision
Matt wakes up strapped to a table in a laboratory to find Mr. Bennet and the mysterious man standing over him. Bennet tells him he doesn't work for any agency, and that he knows Matt is telepathic, but that his abilities won't work with the mystery man present. Nevertheless, Matt is able to pick Claire's name out of Bennet's thoughts, and Bennet instructs the man to "go deep and clean him out."
Hiros
Matt wakes up on the couch at home. His wife Janice has been frantically searching for him. He believes he merely got drunk and passed out, but she tells him he's been missing for a full day. Matt reads her mind to assuage her anger, telling her he knows how frustrated she's been with him. He uses his powers to plan the perfect date. Later that night, he leaves to pick up some ice cream and talks a would-be convenience store robber into setting down his gun and leaving. Immediately afterwards, he is overwhelmed by the thoughts of the other shoppers, who panic at the sight of the gun. Matt finally passes out.
Nothing to Hide
Matt says everything has been going well at home and seems to want to confess to his wife about his power. However, Janice thinks she has been "found out" and Matt grows distressed and leaves.
Audrey Hanson arrives later at the police station and says they have found another murder victim, an oncologist who has been burned to a cinder and whose body is emitting high levels of radiation. Audrey believes this to be the work of Sylar. When they arrive at the morgue, Matt is skeptical of Sylar's involvement. Audrey tells Matt that a fingerprint was retrieved, seared into the bone, and a match comes up on the computer: Theodore Sprague. Audrey and Matt leave to investigate his place of residence. They investigate the burned and radiation-filled home, where Matt finds cancer medication prescribed to Karen Sprague by the murdered doctor. They leave for the hospital where Karen is being treated. After arriving, Matt defuses a tense situation by reading comatose Karen's mind, and communicating to her husband.
Matt calls his wife, whom he has been avoiding all day, and leaves a heartfelt voicemail while his wife listens. Back at the station, Matt's former partner Tom McHenry informs him that Matt will be able to retake the detective test in interview form, so his dyslexia won't be an excuse for failure anymore. Then, reading Tom's mind, Matt finds out he was having an affair with someone's wife, presumably with Janice. Matt punches him in rage and is pulled out of the locker room by other cops.
Graphic Novel:Control
After punching Tom McHenry, Matt questions his reaction. He decides to to go on patrol in his car to blow off steam. He hears a dispatch for a suspect fleeing from a robbery, and Matt pursues him. The robber tries to lose him by driving through a pedestrian shopping area, but Matt uses his power to anticipate the robber's moves, and eventually flipping over the robber's car and arresting him.
Seven Minutes to Midnight
Audrey yells at Matt for hitting his former partner, because any trouble Matt gets in jeopardizes her investigation of Sylar. Audrey leads him to an interrogation room to question Theodore Sprague. They upset Ted, but Matt manages to calm him down, and the two evolved humans discuss their blackouts, the Haitian, and the marks on their necks.
Janice Parkman looks through a photo album of herself and Matt as he arrives home. Janice tells him that she got a call asking why he punched Tom McHenry. Matt admits that he did punch him and hears his wife thinking "He knows. Dammit, I knew it." Matt tells her that he got suspended for one month without pay. Janice tells Matt that something happened between her and Tom. When Matt asks if they slept together, she admits it, but tells him it's over. Matt gets a call from Audrey saying that Ted has escaped.
Six Months Ago
Matt pulls Eden over in Los Angeles. After spotting a bottle of alcohol in the passenger's seat, he asks her to step out of the vehicle, but she uses her power of suggestion on Matt and convinces him that he "wants to eat a box of donuts."
The next day, Matt, zoned out, sits in his squad car with a donut in his hand. Tom McHenry pulls up beside him and supports him on his upcoming second try at the detective's test. He then criticizes Matt eating a donut as being a "walking cliché."
Later, at his home, Janice comforts Matt about failing the detective test a second time. He notes that the problem isn't knowing the answers, but that "half the letters look backwards" on the test. Matt reads her mind that she thinks he is her "hero". He argues with her about how she can love a failure such as himself.
Fallout
Arriving at the Union Wells High School crime scene, Matt tells Audrey Jackie's attempted brain removal looks like the work of Sylar. Matt takes some pills, and Audrey comments that they are the fourth handful he has taken so far. Matt justifies, "I have headaches." They go to investigate their suspect, Peter Petrelli. In the interrogation room at the Odessa Sheriff's Department, Audrey asks most of the questions, though she is interrupted by Peter and Matt's discomfort. Both men, exhibiting their unique powers, appear to be experiencing some "feedback" from reading each other's mind. Audrey questions Claire and Mr. Bennet next, as Matt tries to "listen" from an adjacent room. Unfortunately, he is unsuccessful, and only gets static, similar to when he was in the presence of the man at the bar.
As Matt and Audrey stake out Primatech Paper Co., Matt hears Audrey think that he's cute. They see Mr. Bennet leave the building, talking to the Haitian, whom Matt recognizes. Using a lot of effort, the telepathist attempts to enter their minds, resulting in a nose bleed and a single word—Sylar.
Godsend
Audrey and Matt accompany a SWAT team invasion of the Primatech Paper Co.. The SWAT team says there's nothing but paper inside. Matt approaches Mr. Bennet and asks where Sylar is. He tries to read Mr. Bennet's mind, but the Haitian blocks him. With a tape in hand, FBI Agent Elisa Thayer approaches Matt and Audrey. Thayer says the tape shows him in the company parking lot every day for two weeks. When Matt claims that Mr. Bennet abducted people, including him, Thayer says Audrey will be reprimsnded for her actions. Thayer and Audrey leave, telling Matt that they're done and to go home. Matt walks up to Mr. Bennet, grabs him, and pushes him against a wall. Matt says he won't give up until he finds out what's going on. Mr. Bennet replies, "Good luck with that."
Later, at his house, Janice says she's taken out a suitcase, but hasn't packed. She admits that most of the marriage trouble they're having is her fault. Matt says they need to be completely honest with each and confesses that he can read thoughts. She doesn't believe him, so he asks her to pick a number between one and a million. She laughs.
The Fix
Matt and Janice talk outside on their patio about Mr. Bennet abducting him. As their conversation turns to Matt's telepathy, he tells his frustrated wife that he can't control his power. Matt gets ready to go to the station for a review of his Primatech raid. When he overhears Captain Baldwin and another captain's disparaging thoughts, Matt recants his farfetched statement for a more plausible one. Matt returns home to tell Janice that he has been suspended for six months. Janice informs Matt that she is pregnant.
Run!
Matt and Janice talk as he gets ready for a security job: guarding Aron Malsky, whom Matt picks up at LAX and drives to Ridgway Jewelry in the diamond district. Using his telepathy, Matt quickly discerns that the diamond merchant is setting Aron up for a hit, and that Mr. Linderman wants Aron dead for stealing his money. Aron grabs the diamonds and leaves the money. Matt and Aron are accosted by Jessica, who fires at them but misses.
Matt telepathically overhears Jessica arguing with Niki and assumes he's hearing two assassins. He calls a police contact for backup, sneaks up behind Jessica on the stairwell, and makes her drop her gun over the railing. He handcuffs her to the railing and heads off looking for Niki.
Matt finds Aron in a room and hears him thinking "fourth one over, third one back" over and over. Jessica, having broken the cuffs, surprises him and throws him out the window, but he lands on the building's sign. He climbs back in and finds Aron bent double. When the police arrive, Matt assures them he's on the job. The detective on the scene finds Matt's story far-fetched, and tells Matt there's no sign of the diamonds. Following Aron's thoughts, Matt locates the diamonds above a drop-ceiling tile, but as he goes to give them to the detective, he overhears the man thinking that Matt's a joke and will never be a policeman again, so he slips the diamonds back into his pocket.
Unexpected
Matt hides Malsky's bag of diamonds in a sock drawer in his bedroom, but Janice notices a diamond ring. Matt implies it's a gift and claims he knows someone who let him buy it at wholesale. When Janice tells Matt that a geneticist called, Matt becomes suspicious. Later, Janice confronts Matt about the diamond, angry that is worth $40,000. He explains that it belonged to Malsky, but that he's dead now. He promises to take the diamonds down to the station, but receives a phone call before he can leave. He tells Janice that he has to go out.
Matt meets Ted and Hana in a cemetery. Matt learns that the marks on their necks are for tracking purposes. Hana shows Matt a pneumatic syringe used to make the mark. When Matt learns that a shipment of needles went to Primatech Paper Co. he is relunctant to go back to Odessa, but ultimately is convinced to protect his family and to save others. He travels to the Bennets' home, armed, and helps hold the family hostage.
Graphic Novel:The Path of the Righteous
Matt meets Ted and Hana at Karen Sprague's grave. Hana feels Matt is too focused on revenge.
Company Man
At the Bennets' home, Ted melts the doorknob off the back door, and he and Matt enter. Matt disconnects Mr. Bennet's computer in hopes there may be some incriminating evidence on there. Ted suggests that Matt just gets inside Mr. Bennet's head. Matt tells him that they're going to confront Mr. Bennet at Primatech. As Matt is disconnecting the computer, he and Ted notice the Bennet family returning home. Ted suggests that they confront Mr. Bennet right then, but Matt is reluctant because he is with his family. Matt and Ted argue briefly but Matt is finally convinced to confront him right then. The Bennets enter the house and Lyle goes to bring his mother upstairs. Ted steps into view and Mr. Bennet tells Lyle to get his mother out of the house. Matt draws his gun and stops them from leaving. Mr. Bennet introduces Matt as an officer of the LAPD, but Matt tells him that he is no longer an officer thanks to him. Mr. Bennet asks why they're in his house with guns. Ted points out that he doesn't need a gun and that Mr. Bennet already knows this. Mr. Bennet claims not to know Ted. Ted tells him that if he keeps on lying, he would get upset, and that when he gets upset he gets "very bright and very hot." Matt tells Mr. Bennet that he's got to help them to keep Ted from getting upset. Mr. Bennet continues to claim that he's just a paper salesman.
Ted presses Mr. Bennet to explain what goes on at Primatech. Matt explains that Mr. Bennet is responsible for abducting people and claims that he doesn't care what he's doing to people, only that they don't remember what happens. Mrs. Bennet asks how they could be made to forget. Matt hears Claire think about the Haitian and then blame her father for what's happening. Matt reveals that Claire knows that this is Mr. Bennet's fault and that he's got everyone fooled except for her. He then reveals that Claire knows that her mother and Lyle were made to forget but that she wasn't. Matt asks her why the Haitian didn't erase her memory, but Claire tells him that she doesn't know. Mr. Bennet again claims that he's telling the truth and Ted's hands begin radiating. Matt tries to get Ted to relax. Claire reveals that her father isn't a paper salesman. Claire and Matt go into the other room to speak in private. He hears Claire thinking about going to get help since she can't be hurt. Matt tells her not to be a hero because Ted is dangerous and he needs her help to ensure that no one gets hurt. Claire realizes that Matt can read her mind. Matt claims that Mr. Bennet did this to him and Claire asks if he's done this to others as well. Matt tells her that they've both seen strange things and Matt mentions what happened at her school. Matt hears Claire think Peter Petrelli's name and tells Claire that Peter can read minds like he can. He hears Claire think that Peter can also do what she can do. He tells her that Peter told him to protect her and asks if she's got any abilities. He asks her why after Sylar's attack she didn't have any scratches on her, even though the scene was covered in her blood. Again, he reads her mind, catching her thought, "I can heal."
Matt and Ted discuss what to do with the family. Ted tells Matt that he just wants to find a cure for what's happening to them. When Matt asks what if there is no cure, he hears Ted think that he'll kill everyone. Ted tells Matt to get inside Mr. Bennet's head. He listens to Mr. Bennet's thoughts, but they're in Japanese. Ted tells Mr. Bennet that he wants answers. Matt hears Mr. Bennet think that there's a safe in the bookcase. Matt tells Ted who proceeds to head to safe. Once Ted is out of the room, Mr. Bennet gets up and pulls a concealed gun from inside the fireplace. Matt punches Mr. Bennet before he can use the gun, and Ted runs back out and starts kicking Mr. Bennet while he's on the floor. Matt pulls Ted off of Mr. Bennet. Ted points a gun at Sandra and threatens to kill her. Matt hears Mr. Bennet thinking that he needs to trust him and shoot Claire because she can heal. He then hears Claire think to shoot her. Matt shoots Claire and she collapses. Sandra rushes over to her and screams. Mr. Bennet thinks to Matt that he needs to get Ted's trust. Matt tells Ted that they now know how serious they are. Mr. Bennet then thinks to Matt and warns him that he's about to punch him. He punches Matt and claims that he killed Claire. Mr. Bennet tells Matt through his thoughts that they need to move the body before she heals. Matt states that the family shouldn't have to see it, so they do just that. Matt and Mr. Bennet carry Claire into her room where she soon heals and regains consciousness. Matt asks Mr. Bennet if he made her indestructible and Mr. Bennet tells him that he's not responsible for her powers, and that he doesn't appreciate Matt confusing her. Mr. Bennet tells Claire that he will explain later, but for now she needs to do what he tells her to do. Mr. Bennet reveals that the people he works for don't know about Claire or else they would have taken her away. He tells Matt to do what he thinks. He and Matt return downstairs. Matt tells Ted that they'll find what they're looking for at the paper company. Matt says he'll stay with the family while Ted goes with Mr. Bennet. Ted tells him that he'll stay with the family instead because he can do more damage there. Ted tells Mr. Bennet that he'd better be back within an hour.
Matt and Mr. Bennet enter a secure room at Primatech. Matt tells him that if they don't bring back evidence, Ted will be dangerous. Mr. Bennet tells him that they're bringing back a tranquilizer and that Ted doesn't want evidence, he wants his wife back or revenge for her death. Matt asks what's going to happen to him, whether he'd have his memory erased and be sent back to LA. Mr. Bennet tells him that he's not going anywhere because he's the only one he can trust. He tells Matt that he's alerted the Haitian.
At the paper company, Mr. Bennet meets up with the Haitian. He pushes the Haitian against the wall and tells him that he knows that he can talk. He asks who else knows about Claire. The Haitian tells him that it's just the two of them for now, but that he may reveal it to others. When asked why he didn't erase Claire's memories, he claims that he answers to someone in Claire's life whose instructions supersede Mr. Bennet's.
At the paper company, the Haitian and Mr. Bennet argue over Claire. The Haitian claims that Mr. Bennet can't be trusted to put the interests of the company over Claire's safety and that makes him a liability. They argue over how to best keep Claire safe and Matt tells them that unless they give Ted what he wants she won't be safe.
Matt and Mr. Bennet return to the house. Mr. Bennet offers Ted his file. Matt tells Ted that they have what they came for and should leave. Mr. Bennet tells Ted that if the people he works for knew that he's giving Ted this information they would kill him and that since he's risking his own life, he would like Ted to let his family go. The Haitian comes in the back door and releases Claire and her mother who all leave through the back door and meet Lyle outside. Mr. Bennet tells Ted that he's not responsible for his powers and that there's no cure for them. Thompson enters secretly through the back door and points a gun at Ted. Mr. Bennet tries to warn him that shooting him will "set him off", but Thompson shoots him before he can finish his sentence and hits him in the shoulder. Ted falls to the ground and loses control of his powers, setting the house on fire. Mr. Bennet tries to reach Ted to sedate him but is unable to get close enough without being burned. Claire returns to the house and tells her father that she can do it. Matt helps Mr. Bennet out of the house.
At the paper company, Thompson and Mr. Bennet talk. They check on Matt who is unconscious on a table being examined by Candace Willmer. Thompson remarks that having someone with Matt's powers around will be very useful.
Powers
Matt has the power of telepathy, the ability to hear thoughts. It is not yet known whether he possesses other telepathic abilities, such as the ability to project thoughts. Matt sometimes is unable to control his abilities, and can be overwhelmed by intense thoughts.
Notes
- Matt is on the List.
- On the offical NBC Heroes page for Matt Parkman, a link hidden in the monitor on the squad car displays a video clip of an unaired incident of Parkman using his powers to locate a man speaking in a foreign tongue under a grate in the floor. This scene is from the unaired 72 minute version of In His Own Image shown at SDCC 2006.
Fan Theories
Please refer to Theory:Matt Parkman for fan-created theories and other speculation.
Template:Jessica's victims