That's a nice thought, JJ - and I agree that not only would it be a little difficult to explain, but it would also be time consuming (which, IMO, is a more important factor) - thus, the possible reason for getting rid of the virus storyline.
Action Figure wrote:
again, i dont think he uses ntuitive aptitude EVERY time he eats a brain.
he already knows how the powers work, that its in the brain. I think he uses IA to figure out how to use the power.
I'm definitely with you on that, Action. However, when you say "he uses IA to figure out how to use the power," do you mean "USE" or "CONTROL"?
Regardless, there is a problem that is created if Sylar doesn't use IA in the process of acquiring an ability. If he doesn't use IA before eating a brain, then this means that ANYONE in the Heroes universe could open someone's head up and acquire a special's ability by eating the brain. It wouldn't mean that they could control said power, but they could possess it - again, that is to say only if Sylar doesn't use IA before munching. I don't think that the writers want to give us this impression, which is why I still think Sylar uses IA before and after eating the brain for the sole reason that if he didn't, a normal person could eat their way into becoming special
And yes, Molly was still able to use her clairvoyance in S1 while she was weakened by the virus.
Jormengrund wrote:
I agree Action. If you remember correctly, Molly used her power, even though it taxed her beyond what she was able to handle. Even though she was sick, and couldn't focus clearly, she gathered enough mental strength to be able to use her power to locate what was needed.
Thus, if Sylar were able to concentrate hard enough while he was under the effects from the virus, he could use the power he'd stolen, however, it would leave him quite drained and weak. (read nasty nosebleed, kind of like what Matt and Peter deal with when using their abilities beyond what they can "comfortably" reach normally).
Perhaps you're onto something, Jorm. However, I'd like to change your thought up a little bit. I don't think that Sylar would be able to use any other power aside from Intuitive Aptitude while possessing the virus, no matter how hard he tried. With Molly, she had the virus, and she was able to use HER power. With Sylar, he had the virus, and perhaps he was able to use only HIS power (which is IA). The other abilities came from other specials, and require his brain to tap into powers that were not originally his.
I suppose what I'm ultimately suggesting is that control for intuitive aptitude, and control for all of the other abilities he's acquired, are located in different parts of the brain, which is why he could acquire illusion but not use it.
What I will always question, however, is why Primatech doctors couldn't find any sign of any other ability aside from TK. Hmm...
If he doesn't use IA before eating a brain, then this means that ANYONE in the Heroes universe could open someone's head up and acquire a special's ability by eating the brain. It wouldn't mean that they could control said power, but they could possess it - again, that is to say only if Sylar doesn't use IA before munching. I don't think that the writers want to give us this impression, which is why I still think Sylar uses IA before and after eating the brain for the sole reason that if he didn't, a normal person could eat their way into becoming special
I have to disagree with one thing - that a normal person could become special in this way. That is because no normal person would eat someone's brain!!! You'd have to be a little sick, power-mad or very, very hungry to go that far.
That means that, if they choose to go this route, it won't be sweet innocent people simliar to Molly or Charlie who gain abilities in this way - but rather sickos like Hannibal Lecter who suddenly find themselves empowered with superhuman abilities. (Hopefully in that case it would just be something weak like super hearing, super smelling or super flavor enhancement.)
Actually PK, what I was thinking at that time was basically about their "original" ability or power. After all, Molly only has the one ability, same as Matt. Peter and Sylar both have multiple powers, but I could see Sylar desperately trying to use his IA, only to turn from his latest victim with a bloody nose after a few hours with no success. Peter, on the other hand, is one that could easily get himself into trouble, since his "primary" ability is the mimicry. Since there's no real way for him to "force extend" that ability, his danger would be in pressing the abilities that he's gotten beyond the limits that he's comfortable with. Like trying to TK open a vault door. Or try to read Matt's mind while Matt's shielded, et cetera.
Basically, Peter's going to be the one cog that doesn't quite fit the mold compared to everyone else. Why? Because that's the way he is.
But I like the direction of thought you were going in PK!
I swear to god that if I knew for sure that i would get telekinesis if i ate some guy's brain I'd do it.
So, I should probably stop moving your mouse with my mind then?
PK, I agree with you that it would be too time consuming for them to explain it. At least in such a way that would at least attempt to hold up to scrutiny. They'd have to get into a lot of detail about how powers work and manifest and I'd rather they kept focus (or resume focus post-strike as the case may be) on Volume 3, which looks promising.
I suppose we'll just have to accept whatever abilities they tell us he has...
I have to disagree with one thing - that a normal person could become special in this way. That is because no normal person would eat someone's brain!!! You'd have to be a little sick, power-mad or very, very hungry to go that far.
Hehe... well, I suppose I didn't mean "normal"...
Jorm, I think I get what your saying. And I do agree that Peter will never fit the mold compared to everyone else. This has been a question that has always intrigued me. I'm sure, as a Heroes fan, we've all been asked at least once" If you could have any power, what would you want?" My thought is that those who don't actually think about what's being asked tend to say "Peter's power!" But think about it, Peter's power would be absolutely useless in the real world - because there's NO ONE else with an ability to absorb!!
Sylar, on the other hand, is more like all of the other specials in the series. He has an original power that is actually useful in everyday life, and has even allowed him to excel at doing something (fixing watches). A side effect of this power, he's discovered, is that he can acquire powers. As 'different' as Sylar's ability may seem, I think he's definitely more like the other specials than Peter.
Action Figure wrote:
I swear to god that if I knew for sure that i would get telekinesis if i ate some guy's brain I'd do it.
Id start snacking on peoples brains if i thought i was suddenly going to start gaining incredible abilities. Honestly who wouldnt! i mean... chomp chomp now i can recover from nearly anything, or move things with my mind, etc.
I think that the reason why the Primatech docs could only find TK was that it was the ability that Sylar "had on" at that moment. It was said that he continually changes his DNA, so it is definitely possible. I originally thought that Sylar's IA power (even though I still insist that it needs a different name) had to be on for him to get a power, but now I'm not so sure . All the IA really does is increase Sylar's understanding of the brain, (purely a mental feat) and losing that power does not mean that Sylar forgot how to do it. It would be extremely difficult for a normal (meaning no powers) human to do this because it still involves an extremely deep knowledge of the brain, and, now that I think about it, would probably require the genetic marker for powers (that Sylar has).
Basically, to acquire powers in this way you need:
a. special genetic marker
b. extremely deep knowledge of an extremely complex brain (really only attainable by IA)
and P.S.
While eating special brain burgers would be very tempting, I would prefer to wait patiently for that person to die naturally (hoping they are elderly). Besides that, killing the person (who probably has an extremely high quality of life with the TK) would be very evil, and it would be extremely easy to do more evil things once no one could find out it was you (or stop you). That kind of temptation would be something to stay far away from (Brian Davis was actually on the right track, poor guy.)
Basically, to acquire powers in this way you need:
a. special genetic marker
b. extremely deep knowledge of an extremely complex brain (really only attainable by IA)
i agree that you would need the special genetic marker, but really anyone with a power could do it if sylar showed them how, in fact im betting thats the main reason Primatech wanted to study him rather than simply eliminate him. some of the people with powers that they encounter have dangerous powers that they decide to kill the person off to eliminate the risk involved in keeping them alive, well why let the power go to waste just because you think it might be used in a way you don't like when instead you can take it for yourself. I mean...your planning on killing the person off anyways right?
And Bluefyre, you wait around patiently all you want, you can aquire all of 1 power in a matter of 20 years after waiting for someone to die, meanwhile i aquire enough to make myself unstoppable in a matter of 2-3 years
Well, becoming unstoppable is kind of the problem. It would be very easy to become exactly like Sylar, and while he is a great villain, he is definitely not a great person. And you'd better stay far away from me when you have powers, cause you're not getting mine!
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. All the IA really does is increase Sylar's understanding of the brain, (purely a mental feat) and losing that power does not mean that Sylar forgot how to do it. It would be extremely difficult for a normal (meaning no powers) human to do this because it still involves an extremely deep knowledge of the brain, and, now that I think about it, would probably require the genetic marker for powers (that Sylar has).
