My only theory would be that in all classic super hero cases, there seems to be at least one person who knows the true identity of that hero. So far they all seem to have at least one person that knows...i.e Hiro (Ando), Isaac (Simone), Matt (FBI chick), Niki (her red haired friend), etc.

Simple question to discuss ...

Why is it important that the writers spent a considerable amount of time revealing to us that Lyle (Claire's brother) found out so dramatically about his sister's powers?

Why is is important (dramatically)? How many places can that go?

I have my own theories but it's clearly a large plot hook and relationship complication that can go in many different directions, agreed?

Her brother may have powers too. We don't know that he hasn't been "engineered" the way she was.

Either that, or the little brother helps some of the other heroes figure out that Claire is the cheerleader with power, not the one took the credit for the fire rescue.

Just a theory or two.

Sylar knows where Claire is located is directly related to Lyle knowing. Lyle tells someone, who tells someone, etc., or is tortured to tell, or some scenario like that.

Yes, but, her friend with the headphones already knows. You're right, though, there must be something important about it, because they didn't do it just to add tension (since her fear of him knowing is that her parents will find out, particularly her dad, and we know he already knows).

I think that he eventually tells someone and that word travels to through the grapevine to the wrong person, that is when Sylar starts to come after her.

I think it's stupid...very stupid to spend so much time on this scene. First of all they are both kids. If I were a parent, I'd never believe my kids if they told me their siblings had superhuman powers. Come on, kids make crap up all the time. Claire's mom would never believe him if he did tell him, and Mr. Bennett would play it off as well (even though he does know the truth).

I agree with you. Sylar finds out because Lyle spills the beans.

It could be that there needs to be a plot vehicle that drives the Cheerleader from her home to join the others, however it is that they become a unified force.

Of course, Mr. Bennet already knows, so it's not like it would be a big deal to him.

But the brother certainly could let it slip to his mom, or the kids at school, and that would be enough to drive her away to join the others, however.

Stupid, very stupid? You think so?
Obviously, it's not just about telling your parents. Lyle could tell anyone and although most people wouldn't believe it, rumors would start when coincidences pile up (and with Claire, they do).

How about this:
Lyle gets into a situation in which he believes that Claire can help him out, but she won't and it will end badly. Or she has to make a choice to save him or not.
Something like that.

But actually I think it is simply related to the title and the topic of this episode. They all deal with hiding something or not.
Should I rescue someone from a burning car when the cops are after me? Should I tell that my brother can fly or should I make up something? Should I admit that I had an affair or should I lie about it? Janice's affair. Claire's secret. DL/Micah vs. Niki.

The episode's title couldn't been more represented, I think.

Not if Claire and Lyle's parents came home and found Lyle sitting in a car with his sister and her friend Zach beating on the windows trying to get him out of the car.

He had the tape, remember? You think they'd just shrug off seeing their daughter jump off of some structure 16+ times, and getting hit by a car? The difference between what you're saying, and the written scenario, is that Lyle had video PROOF of her being superhuman, and if he sat in the car waiting for them to come home, he could've just shown them the tape.

Not true, it'd be easy to make them believe. Stab her in the hand and watch her heal, lol...

It wasn't a wasted scene or stupid at all.

We were shown how normal persons -- even family members -- might react negatively when finding out the person they've known...isn't really the person they know.

We were shown how someone can freak; how they might treat or begin to see their siblings or friends differently, and were given a two very good reasons why Claire just wants to be normal:

1. She doesn't want to lose the affection or trust of her adopted family
2. She doesn't want to be viewed as a "freak" or different at school

Really, only one person has had positive reactions to his power, and that's Matt. I think what's being illustrated here is that everyday people will react negatively and try to "lock them up and throw away the key" as Nathan put it.

Plus, it shows that family is thicker than (radioactive) water.

Right, I totally forgot about the fact that Lyle had the tape. Yet another argument why this scene was definitely not stupid.


You gotta be kidding...Matt is only surpassed in crappiness to his powers by Niki. Sure, he has some positive reactions, but Hiro got those as well.
I think it must be terrible to hear - and HAVE to hear, especially - other people's thoughts...no, I wouldn't want that. Sure, you might be popular with dates if you keep it subtle, but even that will backfire after a while.

Mindreading sucks, I say. Unless it's selective, maybe.

This whole scene also may relate to when Nathan is talking to Peter about how people would react if they knew about their abilities. Like Lyle reacted, Nathan believes it would not be good. Perhaps that was another underlying theme of the episode that will show up later?

the first thing that came to my mind was in X-Men 2 when Bobby's brother called the cops on bobby, rogue, wolvie...

Lyle is going to betray her. He thinks she's a freak. He just knew this girl his whole life and he'll sell her out..

As a little brother to two total 8!tch35 I can tell you that he will betray her if he can. My sisters were wretched to me growing up and I would have taken any advantage I had.

Agreed. Lyle wanted to put the tape on the Internet to make money. I think the seen was to show that Lyle was not on Claire's side.

It wouldn't surprise me if in a later episode Lyle blackmails Claire by threatening to go public with the information if Claire didn't do something for him.

Are you serious? I'd give my eye teeth to know if my boss was straight with me about the coming year plans and bonuses. I'd like to know if my mom's illnesses are more serious than she lets on or admits to her kids. I'd appreciate knowing the truth of many matters rather than trying to decipher people's attempts to lie and manipulate.

Would I like to fly? Sure. Would I like to stop time ... sure, but the temptation there to use that power for ill is too much for many people. Perhaps the mind reading is too ... but it's still a cool power. And we have yet to see how this group works together as opposed to single blips without the benefit of knowing there are others with powers out there.

I too was confused about the point to the whole scene. I basically came away with the feeling that it was to get to the bottom of Claire's greatest fear, losing her adopted parents. But hell, they could have given us a few more tidbits... like we don't even know if the brother was adopted too. From the scene I get the feeling he's not, but that's only my gut feeling. Oh and we still don't know her reasoning behind making the tape anyways "I have my reasons" was all she said thus.

Well... little brothers aren't the best at keeping secrets.

I think that the writers wouldn't have such an important scene there just to be as shallow as it shows something about Claire's character.
I think this is a major clue to something in the plot. My theory is that HRG knew about Claire when he adopted her. Is Lyle adopted? (I don't think he is) If he was adopted, I would say that it means he is definatly "gifted" as well, because why else would HRG have him?
But if he's not, which I think he is, maybe HRG is special and therefor can give his powers to his child? Or, maybe he knew Lyle was special when he was born, and then afterwards adopted Claire.
I dunno...just spectulating.

I think the whole reaction by Lyle was absurd. As a teenage boy he would have thought these powers were totally rad, dope, fresh, killer, kick a** or whatever term the kids are using nowadays. He wouldn't have acted like a little baby crying, wailing, running and screaming when he found out. He would have tried to get Claire to show him first hand what she is capable of.

"Hey Claire, can I stab you with this knife? C'mon!"

"Claire, let me push you down the stairs!"

"Hey blondie, can I burn you with the curling iron?!"

Then his infatuation with the subject would more then likely turn into some sort of blackmail within the family structure. "Claire, give me $20 or I'll tell mom and dad your secret!"

I do agree that it will probably be his loose tongue that alerts Sylar as to who and where Claire is living. Being a young teenage boy that is very impressed with his sister's power he would more then likely talk it up as much as possible.

I honestly believe that the writers whiffed on how a teenage boy would react to that type of situation.

I tend to agree with you MaloCS, but I can see that while the idea is very very cool in theory and concept, it might well scare the hell out of him when he sees it in reality. A few years younger and he'd think it totally cool, not realising the consequences, a few years older and he might be able to deal with it better. It's the awkward years where he's trying to make sense of the world where it totally throws everything he thought he understood out of the window. That could be very scary.

(Can you tell I have three kids and used to be a teacher yet? )

I think the scene is reminiscient of the scene between Bobby "Iceman" and his kid brother. only Lyle didn't call the cops on her. Lyle is probably scared to death, Is this really his "sis" or is this some "alien" from outer space going to kill him in his sleep, or what..? I mean come on, kids's what 12-14, who wouldn't be petrified.. geez.. I mean, from what little he did see on tape, looked pretty graphic to me.. Snuff films of your sister, who doesn't die?

Yes, that's all selective. But I think Matt's power is not voluntary. He's kind of a receiver for mind waves that penetrate his mind whether he wants or not. It's like hearing something and you are not fast enough to cover your ears.
I guess he might just need training, but maybe he will never be able to switch it off.

So, yes, mindreading when you want to do it is probably pretty nifty. I can agree on that. And still, I think I wouldn't want to know. Sometimes you might not be able to handle what you learn, even if you did it willingly.

Are we off topic or what?