He keeps coming up but never shows himself in the show. It's clear that he plays an important part since he seems to be involved in just about everything.

Personally I was shocked that he had one of the paintings. What does he want with it? Somehow I doubt that he has it for the love of art.

Express your thoughts on this...

I think he's HRG's boss.

Yeah, he is going to have a much larger role. He somehow or another has ties to everyone.

My guess is he may have powers of his own (Uluru, however it is spelled) ... or else is involved with the heroes "program".

Way too coincidental for his name to get dropped so often.

HRG boss ... good possibility

This is just my opinion, but:

Everything shady needs a backer, right? HRG and the Haitian are definitely shady, so they need a backer. They know (as we can tell from the previews) who Isaac is, as well as Mohinder, Nathan, etc. and Linderman is probably the backer of whatever they are doing. He would obviously show an interest in Isaac's paintings, as well as Nathan's campaign, and even Nikki's debt. He seems to be a source of money right now, but I think he knows about the heroes.

I agree. Linderman will somehow relat to Uluru.

Lindermann = Sylar ?

Well it's true that every shady activity needs a backup but I have a feeling Linderman's more than that. HRG's boss is a very good possibility.

Knowing how Linderman works in blackmailing people, you never know if HRG might be in deep doo doo himself. Which would explain why he said about Claire "It breaks my heart"

Torn between his daughter and "work". Sounds like reality to me, and something to look in to?

What if HRG is also Linderman? He lives in a awfuly nice house to spend his days chasing down supermen.

Linderman probably has an ability, that makes him look freakish, ala The Thing. He never shows himself, and has everything done by subordinates.

He may be funding research into the 'heroes' hoping that a cure is possible? Or maybe just a way for him to control his ability and look normal again.

Just my theory of course.

I think HRG=Linderman...

makes sense to me...

Somehow I doubt that. Linderman can lend Nathan 2 million with ease. He could be in a bigger and better house.

I think Linderman is like the "Hidden Last Boss" of this whole story.

Okay, I'm new at this so bear with me if I make any mistakes. I have small children and read the posts late at night.

I think Linderman has his hand in way too many cookie jars not to be a bad guy. Think about it: Simone sold Isaac's painting to Linderman, Linderman is the man Nikki owes money to, Linderman is financing Nathan's campaign, Nathan gets the painting back from Linderman (we assume) so Peter can have it. He is involved with four of the heros so far, possibly five since Nikki's hubby knows him as well (forgot his initials). I think Linderman could be Sylar.

I don't think HRG is Sylar. The more I see of HRG, the more I think he is going to be a good guy. His actions in the earlier shows that made us think he is bad was just a red herring to throw us off track. He wants Isaac's help to obviously save his daughter in a coming ep. How are he and MBG connected? I'm not sure. Perhaps their actions are for a greater good. Is HRG connected to Sylar? Maybe, maybe not. We do not have enough info for that yet in my opinion.

I agree about the HRG not being Sylar... however I can't see Linderman being Sylar either. Why? Because he's a mob boss. (Episode 7 - the reporter quoted that)

Mob Bosses usually don't like to get their own hands dirty, Linderman particularly has too much money for that, so he'll use his minions instead.

Sylar seems like the type who would do this by himself.

Bravo, I like this theory. He has employed HRG who found Big Poppa Suresh and cataloging the Supers to find a cure

Maybe it's just because I am old, but Ricky Linderman was the name of Adam Baldwin's character in the movie "My Bodyguard." He was the big hulking guy (the Bodyguard) paid by Chris Makepeace's character, Clifford Peache, to protect him from Matt Dillon's mean Melvin Moody. Is this in any way related to Heroes? Probably not. But, every time I hear "Linderman" I think of that movie.

PS: This is my first post here, but I am also a member of Bluetights.net and visit Craig's other venture, Kryptonsite.

Its funny how he seems to be connected in one way or another with the majority of the major characters.

I do believe he plays a central role. He may be the main bad guy. They make reference to Theo being aka. Sylar when they pull the fingerprint off the dead doctor and run a cross check on the print. Why did they call him Sylar? Is Sylar not the main bad guy?

I'm new to this and I'm just stuck to this show, but here are my two cents.

The dark side and the light side have been revealed. I think HRG is working with the good guys, and Linderman is working for the bad guys. I assume this because of their actions. When HRG finds out the quarterback tried to take advantage of Claire, he only has the Haitian erase his mind and gives him a new start to life. Where I'm sure an average Father would have done otherwise. On the other hand, Linderman has Nikki setup Nathan to blackmail him. Not to mention he is a mobster who keeps sending bad guys to threaten Nikki. Two completely different characteristics (good and evil).

Please share your ideas.

I also agree with Linderman being a large part of the show later on. The whole painting this is suspicious, i dont see it as being a coincidence. IF i had any theory on linderman right now, is that he is going to be a bigger threat then sylar, but not necesarrily on a killing people way, but more in a way like kingpin off spiderman?

i really dont know

wouldn't Nathan recognize him them while HRG tried to obduct him?

Well Linderman in my view is connected to HRG for certain for the following reason. Since its a casino there are cameras everywhere and in this case a camera in the room to videotape Niki and Nathan. Also since Nathan was a valued asset to Linderman we know someone was keeping an eye on them.

Proof of this is when Niki left Nathan's hotel room the first time. One of Lindermans people where waiting for her in the elevator. With this info we know the room was being watched and as such there was no way for HRG and his mysterious friend to just get into the room pick the lock (unless they where given the key) and walk out with Nathan who was in pajamas outside the Hotel without anyone noticing (unless there is another power we dont know of)

Also the Asian woman who was filling in for Linderman and gave Niki her "assignment" while Linderman was not available mentioned in episode 5 to Nathan's bodyguard/Campaign Manager that he could review the security tapes if he wanted to.

Linderman = The Kingpin (Wilson Fisk)?

That was my thought too. Clearly spacey mom doesn't work so he's the sole provider.

My hubby & I think that Linderman hasn't been shown yet. He wanted the painting probably because he is in it. I think Claires dad is trying to save her as well. Other wise he would have just killed the guy who hurt her. I mean come on if you've already made up your mind to hurt and/or kill your daughter than what would the life of a slimeball mean to you?

Its obvious that HRG isnt Linderman, because like someone else said Nathan would have recognized him when HRG abducted him. I also doubt Linderman is Sylar because of obvious reasons like Sylar's name is Jon SYLAR, and not Linderman, and it just wouldnt make any sense, like the apartment that he had, if he was rich, he coulda found a much better place than that.

I like someones theory that Linderman is deformed due to the genetic mutation and is looking for a cure so he has HRG out looking for one.

But I think its more possible the other way around. That Linderman is filthy rich, has a myriad of underground and government pawns at his disposal and has probably caught wind of people with superpowers from one source or another. Maybe he has HRG going out and studying these people in the hopes that HRG will be able to eventually give Linderman the superpowers that he is probably craving because he is obviously a power freak. And he sees these Heroes as a threat to him if he doesnt get powers himself. So HRG is going around collecting data in an effort to make Linderman the Ultimate Super Villain.

This is a shot in the dark and I doubt its true. Maybe when the time for HRG to try and force a genetic mutation upon Linderman he transforms into something like Uluru? (since everybody seems convinced Uluru is gonna be in the show one way or another. this would take place in the season finale if anything, leaving them with a new supervillain to stop in season 2)

Any thoughts?

Nothing was mentioned about Nathan ever have met Linderman prior to his abduction.

HRG isnt Linderman since I figure someone with that kind of money would live somewhere else closer to work then where he is with Claire. Also his house should be bigger lol.

As for him being Sylar it would be a little ****** in my view and anti climactic. Sylar kills people but HRG seems to go out of his way not to kill people with special abilities but in any case it would be wrong to have him end up being Sylar

Could be wrong though

Actually, it's Paul Sylar. Other than that, I agree with your points.

Can't be.. Nathan has talked with Linderman and knows his voice, possibly his face. Nathan would have recognized him instantly if he was.

Here is my Theory:

Linderman is the backer or boss of HRG and his "research". Mohinder's father at one time was in business with Linderman, and that is how he knows about Mohinder's fathers research. Mohinder's father realizes that Linderman wants to find these "supers" to aquire them for his personal use.

Mohinder's father realizes this and disappears with his research, which is why we see HRG in Mohinder's fathers apartment looking for the research.

Sylar does not equal anyone we know on this show as of yet. He has yet to be truely revealed to everyone. Sylar is the first person Mohinder's father finds after leaving Linderman. Unfortunatly, Sylar is exactly the kind of person Linderman is, power hungry. Whatever Sylars power turns out to be, it will take a team effort to bring him down.

HRG will have aconflict of issues as to Claire. He has his job (possibly what Linderman wants him doing) but finding out that Claire might die has changed his perspective some. Now it's not all about finding out about these "supers", but finding out what they can do to "save" Claire.

Also, I think it will come down to Linderman being something that we have all been wanting to see. There is a reason he isn't seen. Maybe a transformation from using his power(s)..

Well from the comics it seems Sylar killed the father.

I also think Linderman has funded some of these studies for the doctor. What im curious is if the research can be used on a bigger scale.

The thing I wonder about is how/why did Linderman purchase Isaac's painting?

Does he know that Isaac predicts the future in his paintings?

If Linderman's motivation for buying the painting was to see the future, how did he know that Isaac was a precog?

Is Linderman really sending Isaac's painting to "The Gallery" or a different painting disguised as Isaac's painting (it's unclear if this is Simone's gallery or not)?

Or, is Linderman an art lover and just likes Isaac's work?

Those are the connections I'd like to see answered.

I wouldn't put it past Nathan to have gotten the painting from Linderman to hide it from everyone else (especially Peter). Nathan likes to be in control of information and what everyone believes and knows to protect his secret.

It seems that both Linderman and HRG were observing what was going on between Niki and Nathan in the room. There's a definite connection there.

I don't see Linderman as Sylar. Linderman seems to be more of a behind-the-scenes guy with minions and thugs at his disposal. HRG and his Haitian friend seem to go out to do the dirty work (either for Linderman or someone affiliated with Linderman).

Linderman is not a stranger to Nathan. Linderman has had connections to the Petrelli's for several years (he financed Peter and Nathan's father's career).

Nathan is Sylar. He kills people that don't support his politics or campaign. He will stop at nothing to get elected!...Just kidding.

Hmmmm sounds a lot like Sylar to me.
All I know is.. neither of them show their face in the show.
Seems fishy.

Linderman will most likely end up being the kingpin/lex luthor type of character. The human with lots of money super villain. Whereas Slyer will be a super villain with powers

I hope sylar works for Linderman

I hope not since if he isnt there are 2 villains where if he is there is a main villain and a henchman

I think HRG working for Linderman may be a stretch. Why buy ONE of Isaac's paintings when you could just confiscate them all, as HRG has done? Also, HRG's work seems to be about collecting info and observing the heroes, sorta like people who catch-and-tag animals before re-releasing them into the wild to track their movements. Afterall, he has two heroes working with him-MBG and Eden (who I assume is a hero based on HRG saying she could've tried harder to keep Mohinder in NYC).

For HRG saying she could've tried harder to keep Mohinder in NYC I think he was mainly talking about her having sexy time with him to keep him there.

With the talk that Sean Bean was going to be in some episodes, could Sean Bean be playing the role of Linderman?

Seems the info from IMDB is not correct. Would be a great actor for a great role but I dont thing Sean Bean will make the jump to a TV series just yet

Sean Bean's done heaps of TV in Sharpe.

The show seems to have a lot of interesting but not necessarily 'engineered' coincidences, like how Ando happens to be Niki's customer or Mohinder happens to pick up Peter in the cab.

Destiny and fate are often disguised as coincidence in storytelling. If Linderman is HRG's backer, then I have a feeling Linderman may not know or realise all of what's going on. He doesn't have to be actively or knowledgeably involved in everything at this point, just cause his name's mentioned.

I believe HRG inst a bad guy but a person with connections that is keeping tabs on all the heroes for a purpose that will be revealed in the future.

HRG, Linderman, and Sylar seem to not be connected to me.

Well from the last episode HRG mentioned trying to "help" someone with special powers 14 years ago and that person taking it thw wrong way.

I think that person may be Sylar

Well with today’s episode we now know Linderman was in contact and had many dealings with the Petrelli family especially Nathan and Peters father.

Seems he is more in line will all of the cast

Isaac-Painting was purchased by Linderman

Micah-School was paid for with Lindermans money

Hiro and Ando-They where in his casino gambling

Nathan and Peter-Connected originally via their father. Later Nathan gets money from him for his campaign and is blackmailed by him. Nathan’s wife is crippled by some of his goons. Also due to these goons Nathan first uses his powers.

Simone-Sold Isaacs painting to him

Niki Sanders-Barrowed money from him for sons school and bills. Killed a few of his men and later was used to blackmail Nathan

Jessica-Stole 2 million from him and framed D.L.

D.L.-Was going to steal 2 million from him until he found out whose money it was

I'm going to carry on discussing this episode for any UK fans who haven't gone spoiler crazy

I feel that HRG is independant to Linderman - I think he'll turn out to be on the "good" side, or at least neutral.

Someone else compared Linderman to Lex Luthor, who I also instantly thought of when I watched this ep last week.

What I thought was the most sinister character development this ep was actually Nathan. When he lied to Peter about not being able to get the painting - that had me stumped. Is he more interested in Pete's cause than he makes out - or is there a darker side to Nathan and he'll end up opposing Pete et al?

Nathan and Peter may end up being rivals in the series. Sylar may just be around to help the story this early in the show.

Nathan working for Linderman will probably end up making him face his own brother.

Also I still think as per my other post that the bomb will go off and Nathan will benefit from it with a seat in the Whitehouse

http://www.9thwonders.com/boards/index.php?showtopic=52451

I hope not, but then again it would be cool.

it would be.. hmmm... almost biblical..


lol

yep, I agree