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Ambience 327 · Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 3:09 pm Post subject:

Or could it be that these powers - while similar - don't work the same way?

Let's look at a few points:

* It is probably a safe bet that Ted actually generated the radiation that his power granted him control over. As already mentioned, Ted didn't seem to be suffering from radiation poisoning or cancers of any kind - so he was probably immune to the radiation he was generating.

* It is fairly obvious that Claire's real mother actually generated the fire that her power granted her control over. It is also implied that she may be immune to these flames - i.e. she survived the house fire.

* It is fairly obvious that Sylar needed water from a kitchen sprayer to create the snow he made for his mother's pleasure. If it was Mr. Walker whom Sylar gained this power from, it seems pretty apparent that he was not immune to being frozen solid.

* As mentioned previously, the "water vampire" character from the Graphic Novels was definately not immune to her own power - which seems rather odd considering that she "sucked" water out of individuals - she must not have acutally been absorbing it (or all of it) then, but merely causing it (or some of it) to evaporate - otherwise she would have been just fine as her power replenished all the water it took.

* The human body generates small amounts of electricity. It is quite possible that a special person could have the ability to generate excessive amounts of this electrical current and control it.

* Static electricity is ever-present, and easily generated by various means - generally anything that can cause electrons to move. It is quite possible that a special person could have the ability to manipulate electrons in the air, or any other substance, around them in order to externally generate electrical power.

So, firstly, we don't know for sure whether Elle actually generates electricity, or can simply manipulate it in the area around her. To me, it seems that manipulation may be more likely, as when she blasts the drink at poolside, there doesn't seem to be a visible spark. So perhaps her "sharpshooting" is simply precision control of where the elecricity is generated? That would mean that she usually just conjures it up nearby out of convenience (Bob implied that her "sharpshooting" required practice to be effecive and/or accurate at long ranges) and hurls it at people - simply because this is easier for her.

Secondly, it seems to me, as I have described above, that certain individuals exhibit immunities to their own powers, while others don't seem to. Elle certainly was effected by her shock - hurt quite a bit. And poor Dale Smither was certainly not immune to the headaches caused by her power - which may seem like a small detail, but it shows that not all aspects of these abilities are necessarily pleasent and beneficial for the user.

Alucard · Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 9:20 pm Post subject:

IMO that was tight that her own power hurt her. I mean, it DOES make sense. IMO. Just because she can produce electricity doesn't mean an outside source couldn't cause her power to hurt herself. I don't see why that's hard to believe. I mean yes, Ted was immune to his own power, but if you put him next to another bomb and he made that bomb explode, THAT bomb would probably kill him and his ability would be harmless to him. That makes sense right, his own explosion wouldn't hurt him, but the bomb he was next to when he exploded would. It just shows that yes they are immune to using their powers on something else, but not immune to their powers being used against them. I don't see a problem with this. And I thought it made HRG look like even more of a badass than he already is. He didn't even hesitate, he knew exactly what to do.

Now, no one possibly could accept the fact that elle was POSSIBLY manipulated to have the electricity power? Now I'm all for her manifesting at a young age and they tested her and everything. But truly, I have to admit I kinda like my own theory. The writers themselves have said that the heroes seem to get abilities when they need them or based on something they need. If this is true, everyone could be born with the marker, but the power that manifests is specific to that person and that situation, which activates their power, and chooses a power for them to have. If the writers have suggested this, then I'm definitely gonna be thinking that way. Why is it not possible that they made elle have electricity because they forced her into a situation where she had to develop THAT ability. HRG already said they don't GIVE abilities. So it's still NATURAL because they are born with the marker. They are born with the ability to have a power and 98% of the time the power manifests on its own and is something the person needs. Elle happens to be in the other 2% where either it was forced upon them by the company or something else.

sami · Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 9:45 pm Post subject:

Interesting concept... a way to provoke a specific power based on introducing a need at during the critical time of growth.

You'd have to analyze it for each character...
Maya - "needed" to injure/kill
Alajandro - "needed" to help sister
Sylar - to understand how things work
Hiro - need/want to affect time
DL - need/want to escape walls
Micah - worked with machines
Meridith - smoker = wanted to generate fire
Claire - how did she get into the whole maiming herself anyway? suicidal?
Matt - wanted an advantage in getting info from criminals
Eden - persuasion as survival to get out of trouble
Isacc - was looking for a better future?
West/Nathan - desire to escape/ fly away / from an environment
Dale - interest in hearing mechanical timing while repairing vehicles.
Peter - wanted to empathize with others to help them
Adam - needed to heal to live
Molly - probably hadn't manifested until Sylar came and she felt the need to know where he was?
Niki - found herself in a vulnerable position and needed to be strong for defense.

You could certainly make a case that environment picked the power.

Ambience 327 · Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 9:56 pm Post subject:

It is definately worth keeping in mind.

As far as Claire, if you remember during "Six Months Ago" she cut herself up pretty bad when her cheerleader friend was over. Maybe she "needed" to get better so she wouldn't miss cheerleading practice? Mr. Green

karinbouttheheroes · Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 10:09 pm Post subject:

I agree with you Korn, I think that the water (in a METAL bucket no less) worked as a loop, and just fed the electricity back into her body. It is kind of strange that it actually hurt her, when she can throw all kinds of electricity through her hands, and not phase her. But I definately am diggin the whole concept of Elle being just another "Pawn" in this whole thing. Now it's making sense, all of the interviews Kristen Bell did, saying that, "You're going to feel sorry for Elle". Yep...I feel bad for her, why couldn't she have a daddy that loved her?? cry

sami · Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 10:13 pm Post subject:

popkorn615 · Posted: Wed Nov 21, 2007 6:34 am Post subject:

Ambience, I think your post about the ability to generate electricity/fire/water etc., as opposed to only being able to control and manipulate it is a FANTASTIC one Smile

You bring up a great argument.

The only point I would go against is the situation with the dehydrator woman for the sole reason that we know a lot of the information in that story was fudged on Claude's part, as confirmed by the writers. I'm still thinking that the dehydrator is Angela.

It's very possible that Elle can only manipulate electricity, and I like that idea, based on the fact that she was harmed by her own ability. Kudos to you! Cool

popkorn615 · Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2007 1:12 am Post subject:

Just confirmed in episode 8 - Elle set her grandmother's house on fire when she was 6, not 4. If The Company did testing on her when she was younger than six (which is likely), then there's potential that they could have given her electrokinesis with all of the electricity that was shot through her brain. It's still possible that Elle could have either been accidentally, or purposely, given her ability.

To me, it just doesn't make sense that they would electrocute Elle's brain to make her ability manifest or become stronger.

KombatKoala · Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2007 7:36 am Post subject:

I really doubt they gave her her power. she had her power already and btw she set her grandmas house on fire and made the blackout before she ever went to the company according to her. shes been with the company since she was 9 i believe she said. and the elctrocuting her thing leads back to what Noah kept telling Claire in season 1, they will hurt you in ways that not even you can regenerate. basically they were testing how much electricity elles brain could take.

popkorn615 · Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2007 8:26 am Post subject:

I'm almost positive that Elle probably wasn't born with her ability. But again Komba, I just don't understand why they would need to see how much electricity Elle's brain could take. Claire's, yes, because that would strengthen Claire's ability to heal. As for Elle, all it would be doing is hurting her, not strengthening her power, IMO.

KombatKoala · Posted: Sat Nov 24, 2007 12:01 am Post subject:

popkorn615 · Posted: Sat Nov 24, 2007 3:15 am Post subject:

Eh... I think that testing the limits of Elle's power would mean to USE her ability the hardest, not to be harmed by it.

To test the limits of flight, West one day flew above the planes.

To test the limits of healing, Claire had herself run over by cars and jumped 10 stories from a construction unit.

Similarly, testing the limits of Elle's power should mean that she creates the biggest blasts that she can over and over again, not that her brain is shot with electricity over and over again.

Action Figure · Posted: Sat Nov 24, 2007 5:48 am Post subject:

Its completely ridiculous that her own electricity hurt her. if she doesnt generate it then why does it come out of her hands and lips? its touching her then, how come it doesnt hurt?

sloppy writing, thats why.

KombatKoala · Posted: Sat Nov 24, 2007 5:52 am Post subject:

popkorn615 · Posted: Sat Nov 24, 2007 9:42 am Post subject: