Nathan was there to get campaign contribution funds from Linderman...who happens to be the same boss that Niki borrowed money from. Essentially, he pulled a power play. Since they are willing to hold blackmail material, he must be valuable enough to control...so he upped his fee.

Mr Linderman (sigh bad joke get it...lender-man) is a high level criminal in Nevada he offered Nathan 2 million for his campaign as a ruse to draw him to Nevada, have Nikki seduce him, and then have blackmail on a US Senator. Currently I don't believe Linderman has been shown on the series, but he is a background badguy helping to develop the plot.

The most important thing about that scene was showing that not only did Nathan not roll over on the blackmail. He even demanded more money. Also he was quite willing to do whatever it takes to get what he wants(the senate seat). That kind of obsesive personality in a person with superpowers is never a good combination.

that convo about 2 and 4 million dollars with that asian lady at the hotel went right over my head.

who is linderman? and how does nathan know him?

Well, he knows he is going to win because Hiro told him.

So that is probably why he asked for 4 million over 2 million. He knows that the blackmail won't do anything, or it won't occur since he knows he will win.

He told her why he was "taking" 4 million instead of 2. With 2 he has a chance, but with 4 its in the bank so to speak. He knows he can get away with this because it is pointless to blackmail him if he doesn't get the seat. The blackmail is so that when Congressman Petrelli gets into office he can perform a few special favors for his good friend Mr Linderman. How much can you trust him since he is so quick to adapt and take the money knowing that Mr. Linderman is going to ask for something he knows Nathan wouldn't agree to without the blackmail.


"Nathan is running for Congress, not the Senate. Not sure what you mean by "good combination". Any character flaws in in our cast of heroes help make for interesting conflicts and dramatic storylines."-Remus


He is accepting a corrupt deal. Linderman wouldn't have blackmailed him if he just needed something legal. He is powerbrokering and selling his influence to the highest bidder. As a congressman he has shown he is willing to sell his morals, but will he be willing to sell his superpowers to obtain his goals in the future. XXXX blocks a bill that he has his reputation riding on. XXXX mysteriously dies in a plane crash or falling from his penthouse apartment. Weaknesses like this breed criminals not heros.

Nathan is running for Congress, not the Senate. Not sure what you mean by "good combination". Any character flaws in in our cast of heroes help make for interesting conflicts and dramatic storylines.

There's no guarantee that Nathan will do Linderman's bidding even with the threat of the sex tape. Not only that but going from taking a bribe to outright murder is a bit of a stretch. Nathan may have a sleazy personality but so far, the writers of this show haven't shown us anything that suggests he's a killer. In fact, quite the opposite, if the online comics are to be considered "canon".

He probably still thinks Hiro is crazy. I doubt he seriously believes Hiro can predict the future. However, Nathan does find out from Niki that Linderman is planning on blackmailing him. Rather than be intimidated by the turn of events, he decides to go on the offensive and surprise Linderman's lackey by telling her he knows about their scheme and is unconcerned about it. He seems secure in his ability to handle Linderman, video or no video. So he ups the ante and demands 4 million. Maybe he's only bluffing but his shark-like 100 megawatt smile helps sell his point. All in all, a brilliant counter-move against the mobster.

The bill for 1 night hotel stay was almost $8,000.00

"2 Million makes me a Candidate in your pocket. 4 Million, makes me a Congressman." - Nathan Petrelli, with that 20 Million dollar shark-smile.

In a sense, he robbed them of their element of supprise, turned the tables, and demanded more tribute from those who would try to control him.

Exactly. Go Nathan!

I'd vote for this guy for president, yes, he's a sleaze, but at least he is very up front about it


and that smile...

And think of all the savings if you could park Air Force One for the whole term!

Sooner or later Nathan's moral indiscressions will come back to bite him, but for now I really like his ability to spin any situation to his advantage. He's sleazy, but very capable.

but then it would mean that anyone who wants to kill the prez could just point their rifle up and wait

This was a clever twist. Niki alerted Nathan to the fact that Linderman would use the video to blackmail him. Nathan quickly surmised the situation and blackmailed the blackmailer for more cash. Clever AND just like a politician. (LOL) Perhaps, Linderman will admire that kind of thinking!

So far Nathan has been describing the race for Congress as being very close. Hiro tells him that he wins by a landslide.

I have a hunch that Lindherman fixes the race so his blackmail will be more valuable.

with powers tapes lying artound could disapear.using dl or hiros power u could easily sneak in and steal a tape

u know what would be great if this happens and they go and steal it and linderman attacks and is revealed to have powers. so comic book i love it

So that's what a shark looks like when it smiles.

I don't know how much faith he put in Hiro's little prediction. Nathan was looking at him like he was some kind of a loon, and asked him about the election as more of a novelty than anything else.

What Nathan was saying to the casino lady was essentially "give me 4 mill instead of 2, or I'm going to throw the election".