I just realized something: The writers had hinted at West's existence and his powers, and that Claire would like him, since Season 1:

In "The Hard Part"... Peter and Claire was talking to Nathan about the explosion, and Peter brought up that Nathan could fly...

Claire: *awe face* you could fly?

Nathan: *shrugs*

Claire: It's cool... *dreamy little smile while staring down, slightly embarrassed for being so awed*

That was one of the small scenes that struck me as slightly odd when I first saw it... This reminds me of that Nathan's & Hiro's "Villian" scene in Isaac's Loft, we thought it was just an odd, but fun tidbit until we saw how it played out episodes later...

So how was it hinted at?

I think fARSIGHT is implying that they were foreshadowing West. I thought it was just a coincidence though, I don't think they thought that far ahead to suggest that she'd meet another boy who could fly.

I liked that scene because it showed that Claire was a still a teenager - "You can fly? Cool!", but I don't think it was hinting at West.

It could be said Claire predicted how uncool West would become. Being able to fly didn't automatically make him as cool or popular as Nathan, did it?

Speaking of Nicholas D'Agosto, is he related to the Wilson brothers or something? I'd never noticed until the fourth episode how much he looks and sounds like them sometimes. It's really noticeable during the Hollywood sign scene.

I understand what fARSIGHT was implying, but Claire just thought her Dad's ability to fly was cool.

It didn't hint at anything.

I would hate if it were, that's like one of my most favourite little moments from season one. I am still wondering about the significance of giving West flight like Nathan, because surely there is something to it ? If he is working for the company, perhaps he was chosen because of his ability and how it would remind Claire of her father, thus making it much easier for her to trust him.

West is actually Nathan's OTHER illegitimate child and Claire has been snogging on with her half-brother. They go on to have a mutant baby that eats West like he deserves.

:-) Ok, maybe not, but it is weird that Claire's boyfriend has the same ability as her biological father. Kind of Freudian and stuff...

Studies have indicated that women are statistically likely to marry men who resemble their fathers, particularly when they have positive relationships with their fathers. Claire didn't have a very positive relationship with Nathan for most of the brief time period they knew each other in season one, but the events of the finale would certainly have changed her outlook, and her calling him for solace in the first episode of season two suggests she now views him in a strongly positive light. West does bear a slight resemblance to Nathan (about the same height, also has dark hair and eyes) and has the same power, which does seem like it's probably a psychological influence on their relationship.