Plot

Noah Bennett is stunned when Angela Petrelli assigns him a brainwashed Sylar as his new partner to track down the escapees from the notorious Level 5, as Peter, still trapped in the body of Jesse the Sonic Man, is forced to team up with a trio of deadly super villains who are on a murderous crime spree by holding up a local bank. Future Peter eventually releases Present Peter from his body-cell and shows him his dark future. In Africa, Matt learns more about his spiritual guide, Usutu, who also has the ability to paint the future. Meanwhile, Hiro and Ando track Speedster Daphne to Berlin to recover the mysterious formula, and find out that the rouge Haitian is behind it and working for another third party. In California, Claire asks her biological mother, Meredith Gordon, to teach her how to fight. Elsewhere, Micah Sanders, mourning the death of his mother is approached by the shadowy Tracy Strauss who asks him information about her past and why she and the late Niki Sanders are very identical looking, which leads to the mysterious Dr. Zimmerman, who may hold a clue.—Anonymous

Tracy Strauss is having difficulty coming to grips with her powers and what she has done. She travels to New Orleans and meets Micah who, using his own special powers, determines that his mother and Tracy were born on the same day and delivered by a Dr. Zimmerman. Nathan Petrelli starts his new job and meets the Peter Petrelli from the future. Present day Peter participates in an armed hold up with some of the others who have escaped from the Level 5 facility. Mrs. Petrelli teams HRG and Sylar and tasks them with tracking down the escapees. Claire's biological mother moves in with the family to protect Claire. Hiro and Ando teleport to Berlin as they try to track down the speedster who stole Hiro's half of the formula. There they see someone known to them. Matt Parkman continues his spirit walk in the African desert where he sees paintings depicting his past and his possible future.—garykmcd

"Heroes"-"One of Us.One of Them"-September 29, 2008

Previously On: Sylar stole Claire's powers of indestructability and made her numb; Daphne the speedster stole Hiro's half of the world destroying formula; Parkman woke up in Africa with a Britney Spears fan; Nathan decided to accept an offer from Not Niki to become a senator; The Greatest American Hero was frozen by Not Niki who threatened to expose her as Actually Niki; Claire's mom came back; HRG decided to go after the "villains" loosed from Level 5; Present Day Peter is trapped in the body of Francis Capra aka Jesse; and, finally, Sylar is Angela Petrelli's son! (And Peter and Nathan's brother and Claire's uncle)

We pick up where we left off with Angela saying she is Sylar's mum. Turns out she gave him up for adoption but promises to now take good care of him and creepily leans over and rubs his head and face. She tells him he needs to be strong for what's to come. She calls in Bridget, a hot chick in a mini-dress suit. Her power is touching an object and knowing its history, everywhere it's been. Sylar asks what she's going to do. Mama P says, creepily, "feed you." We see Mama P walk away as Bridget's screams ring through the halls.

Mohinder voices over about the ongoing search for self as we see "Tracy Strauss,Washington, D.C." on the screen. (That's Not Niki's new name, sorry I forgot) We watch as she freezes a rose with her finger.

Nathan is pacing in his new office, also, according to the screen, in Washington, D.C. Future Peter appears in Nathan's office and Nathan plays him the voice message from Present Day Peter/Jesse explaining about his new body and the breakout at level 5.

We see Present Day Peter looking like himself to us (but Jesse in the passenger side mirror) roll up in a car. The Level 5 posse of bad dudes gets out. The screen tells us they are in Poughkeepsie, NY. They're about to do some deed and PDP is scared, wishing they could do it at night when the place is empty. The guy who feeds off fear, feels it coming off PDP, who says he's fine. It's a bank. They rob it, using their powers for assistance. Telekinesis man shuts the blinds, fireball man scares people to the ground with his fireballs.

We see HRG walking into "Primatech Paper Facility, Level 5, Hartsdale, NY" Mama P says she expected him earlier. He says he's not here to re-enlist but to help put the psychopaths where they belong. He asks for his old partner. Mama P says the Haitian is unavailable. He says she knows how it works, one of us, one of them. She has the perfect "one of them" in mind and brings him to a cell and, duh, duh, duh, it's Sylar, washing Bridget's blood off his hands. HRG doesn't look psyched.

Back at the bank, patrons cower. Villains keep watch. One villain opens a safe with his powers. Another steals money the old-fashioned way stuffing it in a bag. Fireball guy terrorizes patrons. PDP/Jesse stops him.

Mrs. Bennet pours syrup on pancakes for Claire's baby-mama, who goes to light her smoke with her finger. Mrs. Bennett informs her they don't smoke. Lyle is all "so you're Claire's real mom?" Mrs. Bennet clarifies "biological.' Bio-mom says she's here to protect them while HRG is away. Claire comes down and announces she's quitting school. Her life is never going to be normal anyway, she reasons, and with her powers she feels she should be out fighting the good fight alongside HRG. Claire's whines that Mrs. Bennett can't understand. Bio-mom (Meredith) attempts to translate but Mrs. Bennett cuts her off saying she's glad they have her protection but she can talk to her daughter thanks. She tells Claire to get ready for school, now.

HRG is all, how can I work with this animal after what he did to Claire. Sylar petulantly points out that Claire can't die. He pulls a gun, Mama P stops him. She says Sylar is a perfect partner. HRG says he's a murderer. Mama P says he's just misunderstood. (Potato, po-tah-to). She says HRG is the perfect person to give Sylar structure. She says she's putting "Gabriel" in play no matter what, it's up to HRG if it will be under his supervision.

Hiro and Ando arrive at a theatre in Berlin, Germany. (Thanks screen!) Daphne pops up. She says she already sold Hiro's half of the formula and is here to intercept the other half. Hiro is surprised by his nemesis' overconfidence. She points out she's already bested him twice and calls him Pikachu. She goes to run off but she's slow. Her powers are not working. Neither are Hiro's. We found out why as the Haitian, blocker of powers, is departing the theatre with a silver briefcase. Hiro recognizes him from the future.

Claire goes to head off to school and finds Meredith leaning on her car. Meredith wonders why Claire wants to be a superhero. Claire's all "there's bad people!" Meredith wonders how Claire plans to learn to fight these people. Claire was hoping her mama would teach her. Meredith tells her to hop in the car, they're playing hooky today.

Nathan enters Tracy's apartment and wonders why she wasn't at his swearing in. She points out he called her Niki Sanders yesterday. She shows him the video of them in bed in Vegas. She wants to know who the woman is. He still thinks its Tracy. Tracy says it's not her and she's trying to find her and question her. All she knows is that she's supposed to be in New Orleans, so she's heading there.

Back at the bank the police are arriving as the villains are preparing to depart and they're confused. Fear feeder says he called them because it's not about money for him but revenge. The telekinetic German says it was about money for him so he's going to skedaddle before the Company goons show up. Fear feeder wants the Company to show up since he's feeling all powerful after soaking up the terror of the bank patrons. PDP wants to leave. Fear feeder feels that PDP is also scared. Lightning quick Fear feeder kills the German by punching through his chest. Apparently, he was going to ruin the plan. Fireball, who's a bit of a dumbass, wants to know what the plan is. Fear feeder says "stay put, raise hell, wait for the man the Company sends, and superpeople do bad things." He plans to beat HRG's HRGs "right into his skull."

In the African desert, Parkman is spirit walking with his new friend. Parkman, grumpy and grimy, wants to know how the spirit walk is going to last and how his new friend knows his name. Apparently, new friend has been painting pictures/having visions of Parkman since he was a boy. (Not a lot of pin-ups in Africa I guess.) Parkman looks up and see tons of paintings on rocks of various Parkman episodes from last season.

Sylar cleans up nice. He's wearing a suit and his hair is slicked back. Mama P likes it. He wants to know if she's really his mom. She is. He worries he's a monster. She says it's not his fault, it's his powers and the hunger they create. She's going to fix him. HRG enters with news of the villains on the news. He flicks on the TV. It shows the video. Mama P watches and immediately realizes that Peter is in Jesse's body. She doesn't believe he knows what Jesse's power is. HRG asks if Sylar is ready.

At the Berlin theatre the Haitian enters a cinema showing a Buster Keaton film. Hiro and Ando follow. Daphne follows them. She wants to know what they're looking at. Hiro calls dibs. Ando wants to know if Daphne actually wants the world to end. She claims ignorance, she's just a thief. Daphne bags on Ando calling him Robin to Hiro's Batman. Hiro says she's working villainy 101 by trying to divide them. Ando's says as BFFs he and Hiro never leave each other's side. He looks up and, of course, Hiro is gone. Ando follows him. The Haitian is on the move.

Parkman is wandering through the valley of paintings. He's freaked that this is his life. He sees one painting of him with a blond with a baby and surmises that this is his "future future." His new friend says "it was, but it's not anymore." Damn space time-continuum. He starts painting over this painting. Parkman wants to know what it's changed to. New friend doesn't answer, he just puts on a Walkman and starts painting. Parkman is all, tell me what's up. New friend swivels around and shows off the cloudy eyes like Isaac, season 1 painter, used to get.

In the bank Fireball is dragging dead people behind the counter. (Why bother?) PDP wonders, what if HRG doesn't show? Fear feeder says he will and he will exact his revenge. PDP says he doesn't want revenge anymore. Fear feeder is confused saying this is all Jesse used to talk about when they shared cell walls. Fear feeder thought he was an inspiration. He wonders what Jesse is afraid of. PDP says he doesn't want to go back and be trapped. In a classic move Fear feeder muses Jesse must be unable to wait to get back to his family and friends in Detroit. PDP immediately falls for it and smiles and agrees. Of course, Jesse's family is from Vegas. Fear feeder grabs Peter by the neck and tosses him. He wants to know who this impostor is.

HRG and Sylar roll up like FBI guys and HRG points out that Mama P is playing them. Sylar says maybe but he's curious to see how it plays out. They walk past the police. HRG says he's running the show and Sylar should keep his mouth shut. Deciding this is a one-sided partnership, Sylar busts into an FBI act ordering the cops around and asking for coffee. Decaf. HRG eyes him.

Under duress from the Fear feeder PDP explains the whole body switch. Fear feeder wonders why he didn't bail. PDP says he didn't want to let them hurt people. Fear feeder now knows he's full of it since no one's that heroic.

Behind the screen the Haitian is meeting with a woman with the formula who wonders why it's being moved now. The Haitian says Mama P thought it would be best given recent events. Hiro and Ando are sneaking up the step behind them, watching the hand-off. They spy usher costumes and formulate a plan.

At the bank HRG says Sylar is staying outside while he goes in. Sylar wants to help. HRG says to debrief the hostages and to stay away from the villains.

in New Orleans Tracy goes into an empty funeral home. A casket sits on a stand and she sees pictures of Niki and Micah. She opens the casket and sees Niki and turns away and runs into Micah. Who realizes Tracy is not Niki. They repair to Micah's room and Tracy looks at more pictures imagining that this must be strange for Micah. Tracy goes to leave and Micah stops her and asks if she's special too. Tracy doesn't fess up. Micah says it was hard for Niki too at first but that Tracy will get used to it. He explains how he can talk to machines. He offers to help her get answers and goes to work cross-referencing info on a computer. They find a match. Both Tracy and Niki were born on the same day in the same hospital in California and delivered by the same doctor. Dr. Zimmerman. Micah hugs Tracy goodbye.

The Haitian examines the formula as the woman departs. The Haitian calls Mama P and says he's got it. Hiro goes to him and grabs the briefcase, saying it's his. The Haitian says he's mistaken. Hiro calls for an usher. Ando whacks the Haitian on the head and knocks him out and down the stairs. Hiro says this was not the plan. But Ando argues that it worked and that he's tired of being Hiro's costumed sidekick. Hiro says he knew Daphne got to him. Daphne pops up and grabs the briefcase and is off in a flash. Hiro tries to freeze time but can't. He doesn't know why her power is working but his isn't. The Haitian grabs them both from behind.

At the bank the hostages scurry out. The Fear feeder grabs HRG and accuses him of stealing his life. HRG says he's a criminal. Fear feeder (Knox) claims criminals get trials and lawyers, not locked up in "super-Guantanamo." HRG cries him a river. Fear feeder says it's his turn to be judge, jury, and executioner. PDP tries to persuade him not to, gets angry, yells and the force of his yell sends bodies and objects flying. He's freaked out by this but stands and yells again throwing more debris. Time stops thanks to Future Peter. FP pushes PDP and reveals him. They yell at each other. PDP wonders why he should listen to FP about the future. FP says he'll shows him and flashes them away. As they go time unsticks and we see Jesse yelling again and coming back to himself. He spots HRG. HRG thanks Peter. Jesse says, "Peter's not here anymore" and grabs HRG.

Returning to take your daughter to work day, Meredith escorts Claire into a storage container. Meredith makes fire with her hand and says they'll start at the beginning. Meredith places her hot hands on the walls and Claire balks, saying that she's already mastered survival she needs to know how to fight. Meredith, making another hand of fire, says there are some things you can't fight.

Back at the bank Knox and Jesse are going in for the kill of HRG, who tells them to turn themselves in. Knox wants to know who HRG thinks he is. HRG thinks he's a guy with a partner standing behind them. Sylar stops Knox from punching HRG by freezing his hand. Jesse goes to yell and Sylar mimes choking him with his other hand and stops him. Fireball gets up and starts to aim, and HRG shoots him.

Meredith brings the fire to Claire's face. Claire says she's indestuctible. Meredith says the air is probably getting pretty thin and wants to know why Claire wants to stop bad guys. To help people. Meredith doesn't buy that and threatens her with waterboarding. Claire flashes back to her terror with Sylar and begins to gasp for air. Meredith knows this somehow and says Claire felt helpless with Sylar and wants to know why Claire wants to stop bad guys. Claire goes again with the helping people. Meredith doesn't believe. Claire finally admits it's to hurt Sylar for what he did to her. Meredith puts out the flame. Claire chokes and cries and sweats and leaves.

At the bank Sylar wonders what's next. HRG takes Fireball out to tell the cops these guys are federal prisoners and they'll take them back to Level 5. Once he's on the other side of the door Fear feeder takes off, Sylar lets him and sets his sights on Jesse and his power, pinning him against the wall, saying he is just a killer. HRG argues that Mama P was right and that he doesn't have to do this. Sylar slides Jesse up the wall. HRG tells Sylar he can fight it. Sylar says he can't. He cuts into Jesse's head.

In the Bennett kitchen Claire confronts Meredith, who says she tricked Claire for her own good. She tells her she has a good family and a nice home and that Claire needs to learn to save herself before she can save the world. Meredith says there's nothing wrong with being a 17-year-old girl for awhile. Claire nods, agrees, and hugs -- but we know she doesn't believe. She spies a Primatech file box on the floor.

In the desert new friend finishes a painting with Parkman carrying a pixie-haired blonde. (Daphne?) Parkman wonders what it means. New friend says it's Parkman's, future not his. (He also says Parkman like Pac-Man, it's funny). Parkman stares at the painting and says he can feel that this is what he was sent to see. He thinks seeing the painting will help him keep it from happening. New friend wonders if he really wants to know. Parkman says yes and new friend beckons for him to follow.

In the Bennett living room Mrs. Bennett questions Meredith about whether she knows why the school called saying Claire didn't show. Meredith apologizes and starts to say "I just thought..." and Mrs. B cuts her off again saying Meredith doesn't get to think about Claire since she, Mrs. B., is the one who's been taking care of her from the beginning. Meredith says smothering her will only drive her away and she did what she thought best to make Claire stay put, safe. The doorbell rings and Claire comes down. It's a friend. Claire claims she has a cheerleader sleepover retreat. Mrs. B lets her go. Claire smiles and departs.

The screen tells us we're in Reseda, CA. Tracy rings the bell of an older man, presumably the doctor who calls her by another name. She introduces herself. The doctor welcomes her in. She asks why he seems to know her. "Know you? I created you."

In the desert Parkman has paint on his face and he's eating spirit walk goo from a bowl, saying it's not working. New friend puts his Walkman on Parkman, who goes right into a white-eyed trance.

Mohinder voices over about the search for self as Nathan reads the bible; Micah looks at his mom's picture and casket; Claire drives with determination and the files beside her; Hiro and Ando cool their heels in a Level 5 cell; HRG and Sylar escort Fireball into another cell; Mama P shows up with inmate clothes for Sylar who says he guesses she was wrong about him. She says "we'll see"; the Haitian asks HRG if he's being replaced. HRG says only until he finds Sylar's weakness, and then he's going to kill him.