The "Heroes" Quiz

By: Michael Poteet
Image: Tailwind Productions, NBC Universal Television, Universal Media Studios

About This Quiz

Take the quiz, save the world! Or at least show off your knowledge of all things "Heroes".

What astronomical phenomenon is shown prominently in the pilot episode, “Genesis”?

Several of the show’s characters see a solar eclipse on October 1, 2006. Mohinder told Peter the eclipse was “a global event. Makes one appreciate just how small our planet really is. And we’re all quite small, aren't we?”

In the pilot episode “Genesis”, which special ability is the subject of the cassette tape Mohinder discovers in his father’s apartment?

Mohinder found a tape labeled “teleportation.” Hiro Nakamura teleports through not only space but also time. Rachel Mills, from the 2008 webisode “The Recruit,” is also a teleporter.

Which of these is a cover name used by "The Company"? A secret organization that locates and attempts to control people with powers?

The Company worked behind the false name of Primatech Paper Company. The Primatech warehouse was actually a secret research laboratory for studying evolved humans.

What was the title of the prophetic comic book Isaac Mendez wrote and illustrated?

Onscreen, Isaac painted the art for 9th Wonders! while in a trance-like state. In real life, renowned comic book artist Tim Sale (especially known for his Batman collaborations with Jeph Loeb, a "Heroes" co-executive producer in its early seasons) created the paintings, generally basing his work on scenes that had already been filmed.

In what type of car did Hiro and Ando drive from Los Angeles to New York in season one?

Hiro and Ando drive a Nissan Versa, one of the more blatant product placements in the show's first season. Filmmaker Morgan Spurlock chose the Rogue that Noah gives Claire in season two, however, as one of the most egregious examples of product placement he’s seen, claiming that scene alone inspired his documentary, "The Greatest Movie Ever Sold."

Which of Niki Sanders’ alter egos was the first to emerge?

Jessica is Niki’s first, super-strong alter ego. Tracy and Barbara are the names of Niki’s two sisters; the triplets were separated at birth after being given synthetic powers by Dr. Jonas Zimmerman.

In the first season episode “Collision,” which of these statements does Hiro from the future not say to Peter in a New York subway car?

Future Hiro will not tell Peter to “save the cheerleader, save the world” until the beginning of the next episode, “Hiros.”

Why do waitress Charlie Andrews’ nicknames include “Google” and “Wikipedia”?

Charlie possesses enhanced (or eidetic) memory, an ability which Sylar kills her in order to take for himself. In the alternate timeline Hiro creates in season four, however, he saves Charlie from Sylar, something he originally failed to do.

Who played the adult Mr. Linderman, mysterious Company chairman?

Malcolm McDowell—also known to science fiction audiences as Alex in "A Clockwork Orange" (1917), Dr. Soral in "Star Trek Generations" (1997) and Mr. Roarke in the reimagined "Fantasy Island" (1988-89)—played Daniel Linderman. A young Linderman, played by Casey Kringlen, appears in the third season episode “1961.”

Why did Matt Parkman have trouble passing the test to become a police detective?

Matt’s dyslexia makes it hard for him to pass the test. He finally becomes a detective for the NYPD in season two’s first episode, “Four Months Later…”

What actor who starred in another popular science fiction series played Claude, the invisible man?

Christopher Eccleston, who played the ninth incarnation of the Doctor in "Doctor Who," played Claude. “Claude Rains” was not his character’s true name (which was never revealed); it was an homage to actor Claude Rains, who starred in the 1933 movie, "The Invisible Man."

Which of the following is not one of the appearances of “the symbol”—the enigmatic glyph linked with evolved humans, said to mean “godsend”—in the "Heroes" universe?

We see the symbol many places and in many ways, but not on Sylar’s door. Other appearances include on the edge of Claire’s biology textbook, on the cover of the 9th Wonders comic book, and as tattoos on both Jessica and Peter.

George Takei, whose most famous role was Sulu on the original "Star Trek," played Hiro’s father, Kaito Nakamura. Which of these other "Star Trek" performers did not appear on Heroes?

Majel Barrett never appeared on Heroes, but Nichelle Nichols (Uhura) played Micah’s grandmother in season two; Dominic Keating (Malcom Reed) played the Irish criminal Will in season two; and Michael Dorn (Worf) played the President of the U.S. in the third season episode “Dual.”

What is Ted Sprague’s special ability?

Ted emits intense levels of radiation, as high as 1800 curies. He is also capable of emitting an electromagnetic pulse. Peter absorbed Ted’s ability in the first season, leading to his explosion (and apparent death) over New York City.

Where did the heroes’ final battle with Sylar in season one’s episode, “How to Stop an Exploding Man”, take place?

The battle took place at Kirby Plaza, named (in the real world) for legendary comic book artist Jack Kirby. Kirby’s co-creations include Captain America, the Fantastic Four, the Incredible Hulk and the New Gods.

From where did Gabriel Gray take the name "Sylar", which he gave to himself?

Gray takes the name “Sylar” from his watch. He is a maker and repairer of watches and his special ability is the discovery of exactly how anything—or anyone—works; thus, he can gain other evolved humans’ powers. He tells Suresh, “I wanted to change. A new name; a new life.”

Which of the following characters from season one did not return in all three subsequent seasons of "Heroes"?

D.L. appears only in the first two seasons. In the second season episode “Four Months Ago…” he is shot in a nightclub. The wound is apparently fatal—Niki and Micah visit his grave in “Kindred”—but fans continue to debate D.L.’s ultimate fate.

What was unique about Strain 138 of the Shanti Virus?

In an alternate 2008, the incurable Strain 138 infected normal as well as evolved humans, killing 93% of the world’s population.

What does Takezo Kensei’s name mean?

The name of the legendary 17th-century samurai whom Hiro meets (and impersonates when he travels back in time) means “sword saint.” Kensei is eventually revealed to be Adam Monroe, a near-immortal evolved human and Company member who planned a massive “cleansing” of humanity.

Who is the “Nightmare Man” who haunts Molly’s dreams in season two?

Maury Parkman, Matt Parkman’s father, is Molly’s “Nightmare Man.” Like Matt, Maury was a telepath; however, he used his ability to not only read people’s minds but also force himself into them.

Which character told Peter, “I'm 24 years old and I’ve never gone on a date. Never been on a roller coaster. Never been swimming and now you know everything there is to know about me.”

Elle gave this summary of her life to Peter in “Four Months Ago.” Elle was played by Kristen Bell, best known for her starring role in "Veronica Mars."

What does Mohinder derive from Maya’s blood at the beginning of the third season?

Mohinder creates a formula that gives anyone powers. When he tests it on himself, he acquires super strength and the ability to crawl walls; however, it also makes him increasingly hostile.

What evolved ability does Tracy Strauss possess?

Tracy can cause instantaneous freezing to anything, including people. After Danko shot her, she acquired the ability to change her body into liquid form to avoid being hurt.

Who does Angela assign as Noah Bennet’s partner in recapturing the evolved humans who break out of Level Five?

Angela teams Sylar with Noah. When Noah objects, “He’s a murderer!,” Angela responds, “Then you and he have more in common than you care to admit.”

What power does Claire Bennet’s biological mother possess?

Meredith Gordon, Claire’s biological mother, gained her ability to create and manipulate fire after Sylar injected her with adrenaline.

In “The Butterfly Effect,” what do Hiro and Ando steal from Daphne Millbrook’s apartment?

Hiro and Ando steal Daphne’s mother’s track medal—appropriate, since Daphne’s ability is super speed.

What does Sylar say when Claire asks him, in “The Second Coming,” if he is going to eat her brain?

Sylar says he finds the thought of eating Claire’s brain “disgusting.” Sylar did expose his victims’ brains by tracing a bloody line across their brows with his powers, and fans long speculated he ate them, but he need only touch the exposed brain to gain the powers it contains.

How does Sylar kill Arthur Petrelli?

Sylar uses telekinesis to project a bullet into Arthur’s brain. Like Sylar, Arthur was able to acquire powers from other evolved humans. Angela had poisoned her husband and masked his death as a suicide.

What is carnival ringleader Samuel Sullivan’s evolved ability?

Samuel has terrakinesis, or the ability to manipulate geological matter such as dirt and rocks. He is the only character seen to possess this ability, although Peter replicates it from him.

How does Claire reveal herself and, by extension, the existence of other evolved humans at the end of “Brave New World”?

Claire jumps off a Ferris wheel. She tells the people watching, in an echo of her first season jump from the tower in Odessa, “My name is Claire Bennet, and this is attempt number... I guess I've kind of lost count.”

Who is Claire Bennet’s biological father?

Nathan was Claire’s biological father; she was the result of a brief affair Nathan had with Claire’s mother, who says Nathan has “a weakness for blondes.”

Who is the Batman-like masked street vigilante who defends the defenseless of Los Angeles in "Heroes Reborn"?

El Vengador is the crime-fighting street hero. The original Vengador was Oscar Gutierrez. When Oscar died, his brother Carlos, a veteran of the Afghanistan War, assumed the Vengador identity and mission.

Who is the only character from the original run of "Heroes" to be portrayed by a different performer in "Heroes Reborn"?

Adair Tishler played young Molly in "Heroes." Francesca Eastwood played Molly as an adult in "Heroes Reborn."

Which of the following special abilities and powers did Peter Petrelli never display?

Peter never demonstrates alchemy, the ability to transmute forms of matter (as Bob Bishop can turn things into gold). Peter’s ability to absorb and replicate other evolved humans’ powers makes him the “maximum potential” of human evolution (according to Claude in “Unexpected”).

How did Claire Bennet die, as revealed in "Heroes Reborn"?

Claire died giving birth to her son, who is named Nathan (after Claire’s biological father). Because Nathan possessed the Petrelli ability to absorb powers, he took Claire’s healing power from her as he was born, which led to her death.

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