So does anyone know what the deal is with the cockroaches? I remember seeing one when Sylar was stabbed during the season finale. And now there is the cockroach where Dereck is dead. Is it Sylar's new calling card or what?

There has been several scenes with Sylar and roaches. There was also one with Matt while he was being held at Primatech. You're guess is as good as mine.

I think it's Candice. Maybe Sylar only killed an illusion.

The roach was in the cell when Sylar was held captive by Primatech/HRG as well as hanging around the manhole cover when we see Sylar's blood trail. Now on the brick. Either has something to do with his can't-kill-me nature, or is a little visual calling card.

Whatever it is, it's gross. blech!

I was about to post the same thing, whats the deal with them? I remember it was posted earlier in season 1 but its been so long? Can anyone refresh me and there importance? If I remember correctly I think the symbolism with them was they might as well be gods creature since they can survive radiation and live without there heads or something like that..I dont know though

Yeah, I remember someone posting something to that effect.

Roaches have been here since who knows when. I think they symbolize something that can't be killed. Roaches CAN survive days with their heads cut off. The roaches in the cell where they kept Sylar probably meant he was going to get out of there. The roaches on the manhole cover meant that Sylar wasn't dead, and maybe the one on the brick meant that Sylar was there or something.

Roaches=Sylar related.

I have no idea, all I know is that way to many instances are occurring for this to be by chance.

Though screaming "COCKROACH!" at the television was rather entertaining.

I think it's supposed to be like a visual metaphor.
In the pilot they had Mohinder saying something about how roaches have perfected evolution because they can survive like, everything (or something like that? I think they cut that speech out shorter in the official pilot episode that aired, though? My memory's a bit rusty lol ).

I think the bug is used for symbolism..much like the helix course that has a much deeper meaning in the show that goes far beyond simple symbolism.

I thought symbolism the 1st season but its happening way too often and all that good stuff.
I think there is a real point to the roach... not a clue as to what but there is more to it haha

I too yelled ROACH at my TV hahaha my hubby (who doesn't watch heroes but i love him anyway) ran into the living room saying, "where? where?"

I could see it maybe being someone watching Sylar's progress.

The roach can survive a long time without food or it's head. They can also survive radiation. However why isn't anyone bringing Matt into the topic with the roaches as seen in season 1. Now we know that Matt's father is the one who is worst then Sylar(maybe). Can Sylar and Matt have more in common then we know?

I think it might be Candace too, there was a cockroach after he was stabbed too and remember that Candace had told Sylar that she was the one that pulled him from Kirby Plaza. So maybe Candace is following him around making herself look like a cockroach...or I could just not be getting enough sleep.

Oh dear. It's just a cockroach. It's just symbolism associated with Sylar. Don't read too much into this.

I too think there could be something to this theory. I thought the first person was joking but the more I think about it the more it makes sense. It would be cool but I doubt there is any way it will be Candace.

Yeah, I'm thinking the same thing... Sylar's a bit of a roach... He's an unwanted pest in society and he's difficult to get rid of - he just keeps on tickin. lol

Cockroaches?, Who did the killing?

Who killed the Rogue stealing car thief, when he went inside to phone the police? All we see is his dead body on the ground and a cockroach crawling around. If Sylar lost his powers, then who was able to do this? Sylar was in the car the whole time talking to the twins in the car?

Any insight?

Sylar did the killing. We see him pick up the brick, that you saw the cockroach crawling on, and then follow Dereck to the pay phone of which he just directed him to. Sylar killed Dereck the same way he incapacitated Michelle/Candice. With a quick smack to the head with a heavy blunt object.

I would like to know why the cockroach was there though?

Wow, I must've totally missed that part . . . need to re-watch . . . I didn't even realize that the cockroach was on a brick . . . thanks for the explanation.

When they showed the guy's dead body,a bug was crawling next to him. Remember how he got his powers recharged in the season finale? I found it a strange coincidence,you know?

Where's the Orkin man when you need him? Sylar just attracts roaches

isnt the roach to do with that dude Kane?
Roaches are gonna play apart in the series, opening few lines of the entire series was about roaches, and roaches keep on poppin up in the show!

Take a bath,Sylar.

Wow you must be right. I think Roach Man is going to end up being the secret leader of the company. Stupid me, I thought this whole time it was just symbolism.

Hmmm..that opens up an interesting possibility.

I reckon the cockroaches are a sign of how Sylar's power is progressing. While he was in the cell he worked out how to force himself to a near-death state and wake up from it. This time I think it's a sign of how his powers are starting to re-emerge.

Can anyone think of other times cockroaches have been around and Sylar's powers have manifested?

Qwijibo

http://heroeswiki.com/Roach

roaches were originally one of the running symbols of the show, and appeared on the show long before Sylar himself did. their being associated with Sylar (if they indeed are) is a later development

I agree. I think someone, maybe one of the 12 and maybe not, is manipulating or watching Mutants. Also, even though they tried to not dwell on it TOO long, when Kensai (Kensei?) was back in the past with Hiro and he was drunk, insects were buzzing around him. It wasnt comedic as in 'look at the drunk and the fly buzzing around him' it was more 'bizzare' as in 'Why are these insects swarming close to me'. I think they tried to focus on it only briefly so as to not give it away. But you dont put something in a scene for no reason. Kensai was actually confused by it to the point that he mentioned it ... then Hiro walks up and the scene becomes something else.

So I think there are other things with this bug stuff going on, and maybe "Bug Man" has been around for 1000 years or so, watching Kensai, watching the 12, watching everyone, and maybe masterminding some kind of evil.

Lewis

The roach was put there so the viewers would know Derek was killed by Sylar in case they hadn't already figured that out.

It's pretty simple, although I like everyone's ideas, especially those holding on to Candace and wanting her to still be alive

Is it possible that there is another power at work? Someone that maybe controls bugs (including cockroaches)?

I find it hard to believe that it is purely symbolic

For some reason I thought this was either showing Sylar on his road to getting his powers back, he's getting stronger

OR

That whomever it is that controls the bugs is keeping an eye on Sylar

both could be wrong but that's my .02$

the cockroach is a big significance. It just hurts my head when I think about it...

If the writers are going somewhere with this roaches, then it is intended to be a surprise and take the viewers off-notice when it is revealed. For now, it's nothing more than a symbolism of Sylar/evolution.

As a viewer who loves Alias-like twists and surprises, I don't advise speculating and looking too much into it, just give the writers the oppurtunity to pull the rug under our feet if that is their intention

I know this is a bit of speculation, but I would not be surprised if Alejandro did not cure whatever was hindering Sylar's powers when he "cured" him.

Since the roach has always symbolized survival on the show, it fit there. Sylar was doing what it took to survive and to further his goal to be special. It could also be a marker that this act put him on the road to recovery. We'll have to wait and see.

So ingtar, you think that Alejandro cured Sylar and now Sylar can use his own powers again?

I think it's a symbol for evolution, survival of the fittest. The roach was there saying "another one bites the dust"

Once again I didn't notice the roach (first time Parasite).

Its not just strictly related to Sylar, there was a cockroach when Matt was in the cell at the "Paper Factory", why do some people selectively ignore this? :/

Again the Roach isn't specifically related to Sylar, one appeared in Matt's cell in the Paper Factory.

threads merged (that's why it looks like some double-posting)

I'd say this cockroach is spying.. (LOL) i dont see the connection with sylar > < cockroach.. and has Kane/Kensei got anything to do with it?

Yeah, its just a metaphor. The modern cockroach is extremely formidible and can survive despite harsh conditions. It is the "Hero" among other bugs, lol.

I doubt cockroaches have a significant role in the actual plot.

Yeah but that still doesn't answer the question of why the roach appears whenever Sylar is around. Like in his cell the first time The Company had him, when he was dragged into the sewer,and then when we see Dereck's dead body. The writers obviously want a message put across. I guess maybe we haven't gotten the full message yet.

Same reason why the helix spontaneously appears on everything that a special has been around with... from shattered glass in the Bennetts' living room to the noodles in the pool in the Walkers' backyard... Methinks...

I think its both a metaphor and something involving the plot. The cockroaches aren't related to Sylar, but I think someone is controlling and watching through them, someone who works for the Company. Which is why they are always seen around Sylar, becacuse he is of specific interest to them, and they obviously don't want him dead (or even really seem to mind him roaming free.) The same goes with Parkman, etc etc. Considering the types of powers that exist in the show, I dont think being able to control insects is that stupid. Or animals in general really.

once upon a time there was a spoiler that said there was to be this man named Kane who was a cockroach man

It ended up being a red herring if I'm not mistaken, and now I'm done thinking about sylar and his stupid cockroaches after being dragged along by that one.

The roach goes back to before there was even a show. I refrence the very first draft of season ones script:
Season 1 Heroes script. PDF format.
And one of 6 illustrations accompanying that script.

Syslay mimicd the roach, his organs were not where Hiro expected them to be, hence, Hiro did not kill him.

I agree ... I also believe that that's what Tim K. alluded to in a previous interview ...

Unless I missed them, I don't think these were posted...