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Nathan Petrelli

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Revision as of 21:28, 29 October 2008 by imported>Godbot77 (→‎Trivia)
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Nathan Petrelli
Portrayed by Adrian Pasdar
First appearance Genesis
In-story stats
Known ability Flight (synthetic)
Nickname Flying Man
Gender
Home Hyde Park, NY
Residences Mansion in Hyde Park, NY
Occupations United States Senator, New York
former U.S. Congressman,
former district attorney,
former U.S. Navy officer (served as a pilot)
Significant others Heidi Petrelli (ex-wife),
formerly Meredith Gordon,
formerly Niki Sanders,
Tracy Strauss
Parents Angela Petrelli,
Arthur Petrelli
Children Claire Bennet,
Simon Petrelli,
Monty Petrelli
Siblings Peter Petrelli,
Sylar

Senator Nathan Petrelli is the son of Arthur and Angela, older brother of Peter and biological father of Claire Bennet. He is an evolved human with the ability to fly.

About

Nathan, ambitious, pragmatic and an aspiring politician inspired by his father, seeks to one day help the world by occupying a high position in the government. Nathan made many questionable choices and did or supported many bad things during his long and painful struggle for power. In the end, Nathan, upon succeeding in becoming New York State Congressman, realized how much his efforts had cost him when his beloved, yet somewhat estranged, younger brother detonated above the city. Resigning from office, Nathan went through a long period of depression, steadily driving his friends and family away, though with time, coupled with Peter's return, did Nathan resolve to make things right. To this end, he attempted to reveal the existence of evolved humans to the world, only to suffer an assassination attempt. Miraculously recovering, Nathan attributes his healing to an act of God, and believes evolved humans to be God's servants to His will on Earth. To this end, Nathan has since accepted the position of Junior Senator of New York, with Tracy Strauss as his aide.

Character History

Season One

For an episode-by-episode summary, see Nathan Petrelli: Season One History.

Nathan is busy with his campaign when his brother claims he can fly. Peter resorts to jumping from a building, but Nathan flies, yet fails to catch him. The next day, Nathan is forced to admit that he can fly. He tells the public that Peter is suicidal to keep the reporters away. Mohinder pesters him on the streets, which he gets away from, and he meets with Niki, whom he sleeps with. During his sleep, he is kidnapped by Bennet and the Haitian, whom he escapes from. Landing at a diner, he meets Hiro, and is warned of a dark future, but is told he will win the election.

Back at New York, he has brunch with his family, and buys a painting from Linderman at his brother's request. He brings it to Isaac's loft, and, upon seeing it, splashes it with paint, leaving Simone with the mess. He then gets Peter from jail after the homecoming incident, and witnesses him fall unconscious, after claiming he is the bomb. Nathan stays at his side for two weeks.

He visits Isaac and Simone about the paintings, meeting with Hiro again. They talk, and agree to stop the exploding man. Nathan finds Mohinder, and they unsuccessfully try to calm Peter down in his apartment. Afterwards, he finds out that his daughter, Claire, is still alive from Meredith. He visits her, and gives her money for her to be silent. He resumes his quest to bring Linderman down - only for Peter to appear and tell him Simone is dead. Nathan goes to the Corinthian Casino regardless, and finds Hiro. Helping Hiro get his sword, Nathan forcefully takes Niki's gun, and meets Linderman. Linderman offers Nathan a "life of meaning", which he accepts - a life of meaning being a life in the White House. Nathan discovers that his brother has been killed, and goes to the Petrelli mansion, only to see Claire, who revives Peter.

Nathan, Peter and Claire talk about the explosion, and Claire tells Nathan about Ted. Nathan warns Linderman about Ted, and gets a visit from Thompson, who assures Nathan that Ted is not a problem. Finally, Angela convinces Nathan to take the role of President once the catastrophe has occurred. Linderman also helps, telling him that his father was "one of us". After, he receives a visit from D.L. and Jessica while he wins the election, and tells them where Linderman is. He gives his victory speech. He convinces his mother he is ready for his role, and meets with Peter and Claire - only to take Claire away from Peter. He confirms to Claire that he is involved, and Claire escapes by jumping through the window. Finally, before Peter can explode, Nathan flies in, grabs Peter, and flies away, allowing the explosion to occur above the city.

Season Two

For an episode-by-episode summary, see Nathan Petrelli: Season Two History.

Nathan walks in Peter's apartment and finds Angela looking at a photograph of her sons. She tells Nathan that it's time to accept Peter's death, but Nathan refuses to believe it. Angela realizes that Nathan is drunk and tells him that she is happy his father isn't here to see him like that. At a bar, he catches his reflection and sees a horribly disfigured, scarred visage looking back at him. Nathan's wife left him, taking the children, and he lost his job and Congressman status.

Nathan is greeted by Matt while waiting to pickup Angela from the police station. Angela is attacked mysteriously in the station, and Matt and Nathan help her. Later, Nathan comes to visit her in hospital, and talks with Matt about the murder of Kaito. Matt tells Nathan that his mother confessed the murder of Kaito Nakamura, but Matt says he knows Angela is innocent. Nathan asks how he knows this, and Matt reveals that he has the ability to read minds, and he also knows that Nathan can fly. Angela is arrested for the murder, and Nathan meets with Matt to give him some information about a familiar photo.

Nathan and Matt travel to Maury's apartment, and question Maury. Soon after, using telepathy, Maury manages to lock Nathan and Matt in their own personal nightmares. Nathan is on top of the Deveaux Building, watching helplessly as New York burns in the aftermath of the explosion. A fight ensues between him and his disfigured self, which ends when Matt inserts a thought in Nathan's head, as they realize they are not having two separate fights but are, in fact, fighting each other. They then find another photo marked with the Symbol, this time of Bob.

Nathan and Matt arrive at the Company's facility to warn Bob that Maury is after him. Bob shows Nathan videos of Peter and tells Nathan they last knew Peter was in Ireland when Niki begins punching holes into the door of Bob's office. Niki breaks in and grabs Nathan, and he and Bob try to bring her to her senses, only to have her inject herself with the virus.

Angela tells Nathan and Matt that the strain of virus they are seeking is in Odessa, Texas, also where Peter and Adam will most likely be. Nathan flies himself and Matt there, and they spot Hiro at an entryway, excited to see them both. A little time later, they make their way down to where Adam and Peter are and Matt goes in first to try and stop Peter. After some fighting, Nathan sees Peter. He tells Peter that he is glad to see him and also tells him of what Adam almost did with the virus and what he plans to do. After telling Peter that he loves him, Peter runs to the vault and is able to catch the vial of Strain 138 before it shatters on the ground. Nathan, Matt and Peter decide they need to destroy the virus, which Peter does with his ability of Ted's induced radiation. Nathan wants to go public with their abilities, and trusts Matt to arrange this and to allow everyone to believe him. The trio arrives at the Odessa Police Station where the conference is about to go underway. The arrangements have been made and Matt informs Nathan that everyone will listen to what he has to say. Nathan takes the stand and starts telling explaining about his experiences. He braces himself to announce his ability, and as he is about to tell the world what he can do, he is shot twice in the chest by an unknown assailant. Nathan staggers back and is caught by Peter, who tries to keep him conscious.

The Second Coming

After being shot by his brother from the future, Nathan is rushed to the hospital by paramedics and is labeled to be in critical condition. The doctors' efforts to save him fail however, and Nathan dies. As future Peter, under the guise of present-day Peter, stands by Nathan's bedside, Nathan suddenly comes back to life and jolts upright.

Later, Nathan is sleeping on a hospital bed. He wakes up, confused. He sees a suit hanging on the door. A newsman is outside the hospital talking about Nathan Petrelli's miraculous recovery just as Nathan walks by. The newsman spots him and follows him into a chapel. Future Peter enters the chapel as well. Nathan stands before the crucifix. He turns to a Hispanic woman and tells her that he saw God today, that he was dead but that he's been given another chance. He also tells her now he knows he's here to do great things, to do God's bidding. The newsman approaches him and asks him about the message he had planned to deliver at the press conference. Future Peter cocks his gun in the shadows. Nathan says God has a message and it's a simple one: We're all connected. We are not alone. We hold in our collective hearts one noble goal, to save ourselves, to save the world. He turns back to the altar and kneels. Satisfied, Future Peter walks up to Nathan and catches him as he collapses.

Nathan is sleeping in his hospital bed again. He wakes and asks Future Peter if he's still here. Future Peter holds up a newspaper headline about Nathan saying he was touched by God. Nathan thought he dreamed it but now believes God saved him. Future Peter says Nathan has seen what people like them can do. Nathan asks, who's to say it isn't the hand of God, all of them with the powers? He wonders if Peter ever considered that they're angels here to do God's bidding. Future Peter says, what happened to telling the world? Nathan says they couldn't be angels if everyone knew, which satisfies Future Peter. As Nathan falls back asleep, Future Peter says he doesn't expect Nathan to understand what he did to him but hopes one day he can forgive him and walks out. Linderman comes to Nathan's bedside. Nathan comments that Linderman is the one who healed him. Linderman doesn't acknowledge his statement, and just says they are both destined for great things.

The Butterfly Effect

Nathan prays near a window in his hospital room, and Tracy Strauss enters. Nathan believes this to be Niki, and is confused, even though Tracy assures him that she is not Niki Sanders. She offers him a Senate position, which he says he'll think about, and she leaves. Linderman also says that Tracy is definetely not Niki, but that Nathan should take her offer.

Later, Nathan is still in his room, when Future Peter, still under the guise of Present Peter teleports into the room. Nathan tells him about Tracy's offer, and wonders if he can handle the job. Future Peter drops his disguise and tells Nathan about the future and how evolved humans are hunted, all because Nathan told the world about his power, and that is why Future Peter shot him, to stop him from revealing his power. Nathan asks Peter if he should take the offer, to which Peter tells him to make the right choice, and teleports away. Nathan later calls Tracy to accept the Senate position.

That night, Nathan plays chess with Linderman, but when a nurse enters the room, she is unable to see Linderman. Linderman claims that only Nathan is able to do so.

One of Us, One of Them

In Washington, DC, Nathan Petrelli asks a staffer if Tracy has arrived yet, to which he replies that she isn't answering her phone. Nathan closes the doors of his office. Future Peter teleports into Nathan's office. Nathan asks Future Peter where Peter is. Future Peter answers back by saying he doesn't know and that he is looking for Peter too. He also says that Nathan called him. Nathan says that Peter called him last night and says that it wasn't Peter's voice. Nathan plays the message on his phone. Peter, in Jesse Murphy's body, says that he is trapped in a body of a guy. He says that he just broke out of Level 5 with criminals. Peter says that he's trying to get back and says that he's afraid the Level 5 escapees will hurt somebody. Nathan shows up at Tracy's place wondering why she missed his swearing-in ceremony as the junior senator from New York. She asks him about Niki and the sex video she obtained, but Nathan claims that she should already know about that since she is Niki. Tracy tells Nathan again that she isn't Niki, but needs to find her. Tracy continues that she has an address for Niki in New Orleans, and is going there

I Am Become Death

Soon after, Tracy tells Nathan that she's resigning from her position. Linderman informs him that it's his destiny to help her, which is why he arrives just in time to save Tracy from jumping off a bridge to her doom. As shocked as she is to see a man that can fly, it does help her open up and show him her ability to Nathan. The two then share a kiss. In the future, the two are married, making Tracy the First Lady.

Angels and Monsters

After having rescued Tracy they share an intimate night together. Nathan wakes up in the middle of the night and decided to drink some milk. Linderman appears to him and continues his speech about angels and monstors. He disappears when Tracy walks up to Nathan and asks him who he was talking too. The following morning when Nathan and Tracy get dressed he asks her what she was doing on that bridge. Tracy comes clean and tells him she killed a man. She also mentions Dr. Zimmerman. Later Nathan, along with Tracy go to the Hartsdale facility, to Level 5, where they meet Angela who is keeping Peter in a medically enduced coma. Nathan learns that his brother has taken Sylar's ability, not telling him Sylar is his younger brother. Later when asked about Dr. Zimmerman Angela tells Nathan his ability was given to him by the formula. He is angered by his mother's past deeds, and does not believe her when she tells him the world is in danger. He drops the files about him and Tracy and storms out of her office.

Dying of the Light

Nathan and Tracy arrive at Mohinder's lab to reveal that their abilities were given to them by Dr. Zimmerman. Mohinder injects Tracy and Nathan with a knock-out drug, then straps them to tables in his hive. Daphne discovers them while attempting to recruit Mohinder for the Pinehearst Company, and escapes the lab using her super speed. Tracy attempts to reason with Mohinder, then uses her freezing power to subdue Mohinder and escape from her bonds. She releases Nathan, and Mohinder recovers and uses his ability to prevent them from escaping.

Evolved Human Abilities

Nathan has the ability to fly. It is currently unknown how he propels himself or what speeds or altitudes he is capable of achieving, but judging by the sound of his flight when escaping from Mr. Bennet and The Haitian (Hiros), he is probably supersonic. His power, according to Angela Petrelli, is synthetic, and created by the same formula that gave abilities to Niki, Tracy and Barbara. (Angels and Monsters)

Memorable Quotes

"Most of what we are is what people expect us to be. I mean, if you take them away, nothing means anything."

- Nathan (to Peter) (.07%)


"Why does it matter anymore? Peter's dead. I'm not having this conversation."

-Nathan (to Angela) (.07%)


"Your father was weak."

"My father was my hero."

- Linderman, Nathan (Landslide)


"I love you, Nathan."

"I love you too."

- Peter, Nathan (How to Stop an Exploding Man)


"You saved the cheerleader, so we could save the world."

- Nathan (to Peter) (How to Stop an Exploding Man)


"I'm not a cargo jet, Parkman."

- Nathan (to Matt) (Fight or Flight)


"God is the only one with the message. It's a message of hope and urgency, because he's not gonna wait much longer. His message is a simple one -- We're all connected. Our hopes, our dreams, our children's future, reflecting back in each others eyes. We fight our own personal battles, but we know we're not alone. Because only together can we make our short time on this planet mean something. Only together can we be the stewards of our own destiny. And we hold in our collective hearts one noble goal -- Save ourselves, save the world."

- Nathan, referring to the "Spiritus Mundi" in Yeat's poem (The Second Coming)

Notes

  • An ad for Nathan's campaign airs on the television in Isaac's loft. It states that Nathan "served his country" in Bosnia, Serbia, and Rwanda (Genesis). votepetrelli.com further notes that these tours of duty were as a pilot in the US Navy.
  • According to Don't Look Back, Nathan was running to represent New York's 14th congressional district (an actual district in New York City). However, votepetrelli.com says Nathan was running in the 30th district (an obsolete seat since 2000). The site votepetrelli.com was then changed again stating that he was stepping down as the Junior Senator from New York, a position that he was never elected for.
  • In reality, the New York's 14th congressional district is held by Carolyn B. Maloney.
  • According to votepetrelli.com, Nathan served under the district attorney as a prosecutor.
  • Nathan tells Peter that his power will only be useful for rescuing cats from trees (Nothing to Hide). Of course, he's already put it to better use by rescuing a woman from a burning building (Trial by Fire).
  • Nathan took his first steps sometime before November 8, 1968 (War Buddies, Part 2). Children usually take their first steps around their first birthday, so Nathan would have been at least a year old at this time. Though his exact age is unknown, this would mean that as of the election on November 7, 2006, Nathan was roughly 39 years old.
  • Nathan is on the list.
  • In a possible future timeline, Nathan blamed Sylar for the explosion to protect Peter. Nathan subsequently became President, and was murdered by Sylar, who used Candice Willmer's power to impersonate him. (Five Years Gone)
  • In a deleted scene in Genesis, Nathan prosecutes D.L. Hawkins's case and wins, continuing a winning streak Nathan appears to have been enjoying.
  • In another possible future timeline, Nathan dies in the first outbreak of the Shanti virus. (Out of Time)
  • In reality, the current Junior Senator from New York is Hillary Rodham Clinton.
  • According to Angela, Nathan's ability is the result of receiving the formula rather than a naturally inherited ability. (Angels and Monsters)

Trivia

  • In an interview, Jason La Padura said that Peter and Nathan were originally written to be twins.
  • In the script for the unaired pilot, Nathan's name was originally "Harrison Cambell" and he was 34 years old.
  • According to Peter, Nathan was the "top of his class, valedictorian".
  • Nathan is the only other character to provide the opening narration other than Mohinder in Angels and Monsters.

External Links

See Also

Fan Theories

Please refer to Theory:Nathan Petrelli for fan-created theories and other speculation.

Template:Linderman

  Season Three Characters edit
Main

Claire BennetNoah BennetMaya HerreraAndo MasahashiHiro NakamuraMatt ParkmanAngela PetrelliNathan PetrelliPeter PetrelliTracy StraussMohinder SureshSylar

Recurring

AnalystLyle BennetSandra BennetElle BishopEmile DankoEric DoyleFlint Gordon, Jr.Future PeterMeredith GordonThe HaitianKnoxDaniel LindermanDr. LivitzDaphne MillbrookRachel MillsAdam MonroeMr. MugglesKaito NakamuraMatt Parkman, Jr.Maury ParkmanArthur PetrelliMark SpatneySWAT agentTurtleUsutu

See Also: Minor CharactersSeason One CharactersSeason Two CharactersSeason Four CharactersHeroes Reborn CharactersFuture CharactersAnimalsWebisodes Characters
Graphic Novel CharactersiStory CharactersEvolutions CharactersBook CharactersUnaired CharactersCast

pt:Nathan_Petrelli