This from a post about StarFest.

Zachary Quinto on Brain Munching.

Con Girl: Says somthing I don't remember but the gist of it is (quotes mine- for what I was thinking as she said it) "OMG! WHAT DOES HE DO WITH THE BRAINS?!?"

ZQ: *amused, sarcastic frustrated rant tone* WHAT IS IT WITH THE BRAIN EATING? I mean really this used to be a fun little theory awhile back but now it's like crazy over the top! This is the question that I get everywhere I go. Walking down the street, getting coffee... EVERYWHERE. *mocking other people tone of voice* 'What do you do with the brains?' 'Is Sylar a cannibal?' 'Does he eat brains?' 'Does he like brain-noodle soup?' ((99% sure that "Brain Noodle Soup" could be a hard quote)) And I don't have the answer to this question. I can tell you that when I play him, i work under a specific theory ((and here I can't remember his exact words and it's driving me crazy so I don't think he actually said theory the whole time but that was the rough impression)) and this theory hasn't been approved by either the director or the writer. ((basically - noone's told him, and there was further elaboration on it that that sounded like even the writers and director haven't really firmly decided what happens with the brain)) But my feeling is that if you'll wait a few months, you'll find out.


So how would Sylar be able to absorb powers and change his DNA without eating Brains?

My explanation would be since we saw that Sylar had endless books with brain images through his Intutitve Aptitude--his native ability--knowing how things work. Simply So by observing and studying the construction of his victim's brains allows him to change his own brain by imagining how his brain would look if he had the same power.

I can understand his frustration!

At least we only have to wait a few months to find out. Finally.

Don't bet on it. I don't think they have a grip on it yet themselves.


I think its either through his own self-imaging of his brain--which would imply a kind of ability to reformat his own brain, a kind of Candice permanent shape-shifting reconstruction that allows him to do it. But would mean Sylar has 2 native abilities or he's taking some sort of brain chemistry altering substance. Dude. Does a toke, then eats brain or shroom.

As discussed on many many other threads I'm still going with the brain-eating, or at least a bit of it, until proven otherwise. And if it is otherwise I'll want an explanation as to how so much different DNA got infused in him.

Maybe the writers just like all the arguments on here!

Hey, Rebel... If you want some theory's on how he acquires powers other than brain-eating, look into the "Sylar's power theft" thread. I haven't read the first half or so of it, but Wrath22, Creator, BruceAlmighty, prander, Necropath and I have all thrown out a lot of real-world science to debunk brain-eating and given our own conclusions (which seem similar to your own). MrsGoogly doesn't like our logic, so she just tossed it off as "putting real-world science into a comic book world" (which makes me laugh, as the writers have said before that they don't want the show to feel too comic-y, hence the lack of comic book-y showdown between Peter and Sylar).

Oh, and MrsGoogly, I have nothing but respect for you, so mentioning your dislike of our logic is completely in humour.

Then I hope you take this in good humour: you've completely misrepresented my stand on this.

I have said numerous times that I go by what I see in the show (I might have to make this my signature). It's got nothing to do with logic or science or any theory outside of the show. From what characters have said, and from what we've seen actually on the programme, I'm still leaning toward the brain eating theory until the show tells me otherwise.

All your theories are great - again, repeating myself ad nauseum, I have said so many times. But they take ideas outside of the show, never even mentioned on the show, and apply them to what has happened. That's fine. We're obviously coming at it from different angles.

Is this clearer?

Oh, I knew what you meant, which is why I made sure to say it was meant as humour.

I hadn't forgotten, and had completely understood, that you had acknowledged out theories as being viable.

I'd rather not turn this into a debate thread again, as I'm sure neither of us want to rehash our priorly-made points. I'll just end my part of it by saying that I think there's more in the show that points away from brain-eating than towards.

Incidentally, I hadn't even heard nor considered him eating brains until I came to 9th, and thought it was comedy and ridiculous from the get-go. Where did this whole brain-eating debacle start, if you'd be so inclined as to answer? I've asked a few other "9thers", and none of them know either (coincidentally, none of those I've asked think he eats them either. ).

I'm sorry for mis-stating your standpoint, and any offense I may've caused by such. And by the way, good morning.

Good morning!

I think I probably heard the theory here first. I definitely didn't just assume he ate brains!

But then I re-watched S1 numerous times and the clues are all there. Plus I've read a few interviews with writers and Zachary Quinto that have definitely stated that they thought Sylar ate brains. Whether they'll change this in te future, I don't know, but they will have to explain all of the pointers they've already given if that is the case!

Well, every time ZQ has said it, and at the beginning of this topic you noticed ZQ mentions it, how started as something of a joke. But people being people and wanting to know what Sylar was doing with the brains. And how he got his powers it at least sounded plausible. After all, we eat and our bodies grow or just expand.

But I'm sure there are other ways.

I'm going to bed now. I'll talk to you guys on the 'morrow, parting is such sweet sorrow.

(Let me just, completely disjointedly, throw in how much I love this forum and the way people interact with each other here. I've never seen this sort of mutual respect and interest on any other internet forum. It makes me giddy with joy.)

I agree with the notion that the writers themselves don't have, or at least didn't have for a long time, a fixed idea of what happened to the brains and what Sylar does with them. My take is that they've played with human fear of cannibalism, but that Sylar does not actually eat them. I hope they'll clear it up soon - and if it's only to give poor Zachary a break.

I know.

My previous forum experiences left quite a bit to be desired on that end, which resulted in my stay being very short. This is the first forum I've stayed on for more than a few weeks or a month tops, largely due to that.

Oh, guys! You should come over to the BBC TV boards. Not only do we now have our own Heroes boards there now (woohoo!), but we're all fairly friendly and nice!

Good morning everybody! Nice exchange...very forward moving.

Creator

Morning, all...

Now Back to Brain Munching. The topic.

As I indicated, it started as a joke, but it seemed to explain to Entertainment reporters, bloggers and board writers how Sylar is absorbing other SG's powers.

It made the character even more terrible and scary. And we all know how eating effects our bodies and how absorbing nutrients and fats changes the body. We also know that as we need proper nutrition to effect the proper functioning, growth and health of our brains.

However, since I keep saying that Sylar is a Power Junkie, maybe a drug is in involved. I don't know what but it would fit his nature and his change of character.

As many of us have seen when someone abuses themselves with alcohol or drugs.

Looks like you may be right. I am now on your band wagon lol. Seriously. Peace man

*SIGH* Of COURSE he doesn't eat the brains! *shakes fist*

I think that if this show were on a cable network like HBO or FX even, he would eat the brains. I don't think NBC wants a brain muncher on their network.

If not brain munching (which I think sounds better than brain eating), I'd say it would go nicely with his intuitive aptitude power if he was just able to "tap" into someones brain by holding it, and figuring it out.

My intuition tells me if I eat a bone it will pass through me, but eating the meat around it will be transformed into energy. Sylar's intuition tells him which part of the brain contains abilities and will be transformed into the same ability within him when consumed. So there. That settles it.

Sarcasm Detector activated..

^^^^ Lol

You've eaten a bone WHOLE?! and passed it?! Ouch!

Given ZQ's feelings on the matter they're likely to find a way for it NOT to be Brain Munching just to make him happy. I personally, don't care.

What I'm trying to get at, though, if there is a way for Sylar or another Power Hungry adult or power curious SG child, to get powers without killing continuously?

My thought is if, Sylar had put everything he had into killing Peter and grabbing his power or FINDING another ABSORBER, like Peter he wouldn't have to. But I think he enjoys the killing part, its part of his feeling powerful.

I think the character is sadistic enough to kill just to "eliminate the competition". He REALLY wants to be special. I mean, it IS an evolutionary imperative, after all.

I'm with whomever pointed out that if he didn't have to eat a watch to know how to fix them then...

Let me just say that I LOVE the brain-munching topic threads! Always a good read, although I try not to participate in the passionate discussions that seem to plague the brain-eating theories. Both sides of the argument have very good points, and I find myself straddling the line now and then. I won't argue my point of view until I'm entirely sure that I have one, and then I have to truly believe in that standpoint.

That said... I do think that Sylar, as a character, is a sadistic individual who would kill for the sake of being "special". As mentioned above, I can completely see him killing if only to eliminate his "competition" and secure his niche in the grand scheme of things. He's collecting powers that he finds useful, but he's also collecting to make himself more powerful, more unique. Essentially, more "special". He enjoys the killing as much as he enjoys the knowledge that he is collecting more abilities. He's learning, evolving, and becoming more than just Gabriel Gray, the watchmaker. (It's what mother always wanted, after all...)

And I love that Zachary Quinto seems to have such a great sense of humor about the brain-eating theories. ("Brain-noodle soup"... yummy. I'll remember that the next time I'm having chicken-meatball soup.) I truly believe that ZQ doesn't know the answer. I often believe that the writers, themselves, don't know the answer. I think The Powers That Be find it amusing to allow us to rant and argue the topic, if for no better reason than to keep the series going during its downtime -- and to keep us tuning into the show in hopes of finding an answer. Who knows? The debates that happen here and elsewhere on the Internet may very well lead the writers to their answer... and a killer plot twist! (No "brain-eating"/killing pun intended.)

So... Does Sylar eat brains? Only Sylar knows. And he's not sharing that secret with us, the writers, or the actor who portrays him.

But it is fun to speculate, isn't it?

Just to add:

That it is.

Okay. Forget Sylar for the moment.

If you wanted more powers is there anyway you could get it without killing?

Or can only do it if you are an absorber or kill and absorb the absorber's powers?

Rebel,

If Sylar must "examine" the power donor's brain in order to acquire the godsend, then it might conceivably be possible to take an MRI and use that to provide the necessary "key" information he needs.

This idea was suggested by someone just recently and, I thought it held much merit as a possible non-violent alternative solution for an IA to replicate powers. Sylar might still kill in order to be the most special.

Creator

I thank you for answering the question I posed, Creator.

Even though I can't imagine Sylar dragging someone along for an MRI.

I think he just gets off on killing and agree that he wants to be the most powerful of the SGs.

But what about another SG with IA would they be able to come up with an alternative to murder. Like a child wanting to learn skills so they could do good? Couldn't such a child possibly through observation of other's power having IA become powerful? For instance, a child sees how someone rides a bike, knows how its done. then through practice does it.

A child who knows how powers work in the brain, observes someone flying and does it themselves.

Peter is an example of an all powerful SG wanting to do the right thing.

"Correctamundo!, Check out the big brain on Brett!" But yeah, I feel ya. Like Mrs. Googly, I only go by the show, and they've set up Petey and Gabs as pretty much polar opposites. The young master Petrelli mimics by unconsious circumstance, whereas our favourite timepiece-restorer violently, permanently removes. It's hard to imagine a more obvious and permanent dichotomy than being close to a source and consuming/annhiliating a source of power.

Rebel,

I would never suggest that this aforementioned "MRI strategy" would be adopted by Sylar, only that it might be possible.

Interestingly, I have considered it a possibility that an IA whose power had not been distorted, ravished and twisted by fear, might be (or had been) able to develop a non-violent, benevolent strategy for replicating the observed powers of other specials. [NOTE: I've even suggested this as being a possibility with regards to Arthur P when discussing how his power may have evolved.]

And yes, because Peter is a loving being, he would (no matter how powerful he became) want to do the "right" thing.

Creator

MagnificoG,

Great post! It should be remembered that "consuming/annihilating" need not equate with "eating", but rather represents the violent, invasive and deadly methodology that Sylar chooses. Peter, by comparison, is just passing by, "smelling the flowers" with his EM and assimilating their lovely bouquet.

Creator

Oh, look, someone's watched Pulp Fiction.

Yes, Peter who's a nurse, the giver who has sympathy if not empathy and literally gains the strength and powers of others because of it. Peter the absorber.

And Sylar is the taker and destroyer. Sylar still has his native IA. He knows how things work.

But in the context of a similar metaphor you could have Jillian who knows how things work--has IA--becomes Jillian the Fixer who mends people and things and learns how to remake herself as necessary. For instance, burning building and someone trapped in fire rescues them because she can make herself impervious to fire. Maybe she saw a healer and knowing how the brain and power works learns to heal or be impervious. This with the same innate power as Sylar.

I'm asking people to go beyond what's shown on the show and imagine more, within the show's context.

Rebel,

Peter the "benevolent" absorber vs. Sylar the "snatching" destroyer, makes for an apt descriptive analogy for the stark difference represented by these "two sides of the same coin".

I agree that it is very possible that Gabriel could have developed very differently. And, even as a former watch-maker, with love in his heart he could have become "Sylar the "friendly" fixer (instead of the "snatching" destroyer), using his base-power (IA) for good and replicating through observation the gifts of others.

Creator

I don't think Sylar could "absorb" merely through observation. I think he needs to get more in depth than that, he needs to actually see the biological mechanisms and whatnot to be able to alter his own. I think his IA would allow for him to become familiar with and understand and whatnot others' powers merely be observing them, but I don't think he could "absorb" them, that way. That is, for example, a computer technician's understanding and whatnot can go only so far, no matter how intuitive s/he is when it comes to them, until s/he actually sees one more in depth (inside the physical computer). It's an "intuitive" understanding, not a "psychic" understanding. Intuition starts from external sensory stimuli and input (you have to feel, hear, see, etc. something specific before understanding and whatnot).

Though, perhaps, in time, assuming he doesn't need to eat them or anything, the character could be written that he may get to a point where he's so familiar with and understands and whatnot brains / powers so well, that he could make these changes to his own brain without observation (cutting heads open). That is, if he sees enough of them, he can "give" himself powers, just by knowing how to "change" his own brain based solely on his familiarity with and understanding and whatnot of how the brains / powers work. You know, if there's one area (or more) of the brain that allows for, for example, the Haitian's power, and it corresponds (closely enough) to, say, telepathy, which he's (hypothetically) stolen before, he may be able to "intuit" how to "change" his own to "give" himself the Haitian's power based on his familiarity with and understanding and whatnot of telepathy in regards to brains / powers.

Yeah, me too, like: EATING BRAINS.

Just wanted to toss my 2 cents and say that the original concept was for Sylar to eat brains (kring actually said this). This was the first plan, but got scrapped for several reasons, and they left it vague with a few hints to let us judge for ourselves. I judge that Sylar eats brains because of the "Hunger" and "sink my teeth in" lines the character was given, along with the obvious lack of brains in the victims, but if I was to suggest another theory, it would somehow have to involve the destruction of the brain, as in vaporization or atomization, unless you hold to the ziplock bag theory. Perhaps he "observes" the brain, but he would then have to not only remove the brain, but do somthing with it. That is the one aspect that keeps me from being a "brain observer" theory fan, because there is no sound theory that explains what happens to the brains. The missing brains were added for a reason, and it is just silly to disregard somthing to important to the character.

prander,

I'm imagining that you are responding to my last post. If so, here's my point. If Sylar held in his hand the brains of a targeted HEB wrapped in cellophane and could collect enough information based on his direct observation of that brain then it seems possible that detailed MRI photos 'might' provide him enough topological input to recreate the "key" information that he might normally obtain more invasively...more violently.

Now, I say 'might' because there could conceivably be some crucial information that might be compromised in the 'translation' provided by the MRI But, then again, sacrificing the tactile information a stolen trophy (brain) might represent, could result in a critical information lost, unless a 3D model were produced using advance computer modeling in conjunction with the MRI non-invasive investigation. So, I believe it conceivable that Sylar, equipped with his IA and the correct technology, 'might' have an alternative non-invasive, non-violent solution for power acquisition.

Creator

Imthehero,

Linda Tavara talks about her "thirst" but is clearly not drinking HEB blood by way of acquiring her stolen powers. Thus, the figurative explanations for "thirst" and "hunger" work just fine here. Also, we see a brain in Sylar's apartment along with his related textbooks. And, last but not least, he seems to have had no need to vaporize or atomize his first trophy brain...Brian Davis'. We certainly have no evidence of that. He obviously 'discarded' his corspe when he was finished with it, why not assume he did likewise with his brain when he was finished with it.

Creator

Zombies are so last year. Check out Marvel Zombies if you want super-powered beings eating each others brains.

Maybe it's not sound, but here's my theory - Sylar is a serial killer. One trait frequent among serial killers is the taking of trophies. Perhaps he simply keeps the brain, or maybe he pulls a Dahmer and likes to actually eat parts of his victims. All of this behavior could happen irregardless of how he achieves the victims' powers.

That's my impression.

I think there are lines like these that are clearly not literal, even if they were originally meant to be literal.

I tend to think that there very well could be some kind of other more "literal" mechanism to his absorption. Though, with quotes like the following, from Chandra Suresh's "Activating Evolution" intro, I also tend to think that "Heroes science" may not need this other mechanism. That is, if Sylar can directly change his neural pathways and whatnot, like the "brain observing" idea could accomplish, he doesn't need another way to change his genetics (via ingesting brain matter).


Yes and no. I kind of was, but I was kind of coming up with another thought inspired by that post (and a few others).

It was also a kind of reply to the original question, as to another way Sylar might be able to "absorb" powers without brain eating (or killing, more generally).

I Understand what you're saying.

Though, I'm not sure what I think about it, myself. It is interesting.

prander,

Thank you for being.

Creator

If Sylar ate the brains, wouldn't he have brainy mess all over his shirt? He'd have to be really careful to not get brain matter on his outfit and face.

I imagine that he'd be like those kids who get cake all over themselves on their 1st birthday, sitting in their high chair.

As someone said earlier Sylar is not going to drag his victim for an MRI, besides he gets a vicarious thrill from the murders. He takes the brain so he has time to study them.

But if he does eat them, that works, too.



What he said.

Ok then Rebel, you seem to hold to the ziplock bag theory, but where would this leave us when he has plenty of time to study the brain at his leisure, but still removes it/makes it disapear, like with isaac?

There are also times when he would have practicly zero time to observe it, as in the charlie case. My theory for charlie would be that he ate the chunk he needed and left, because he did not have the time to "do whatever he does", but if he is forced to remove brains for lengthy study, how would he gain the powers in the cases where he had little time, or little time was shown between killing/sylar being finished with his "eating".

There are too many gaps, or times where reasons must be made up to fill in the holes for me to hold that he doesn't eat brains. If the simplest explanation is that he eats the brains, why invent much more complex reasons simply because you don't like the thought of Zach Q eating Brain-O's? Aside from goofy stuff like "DNA would dissolve in stomach acid" yet "he can change his brain just by thinking about it" seems acceptable logic, I wouldnt mind the brain observer theory, but it just seems to be reaching a little too much for it to seem credible.

And as for dismissing the brain eatingesque quotes, you cant just assume they were figurative when there is an actual theory (and the original concept was actually that same theory) that is not only supported by them, but gains credability through their cannonological refrence. He has a hunger, and when it is at least 50% likely that he eats brains, him actually saying those things becomes significant.

What he did with it? How 'bout the garbage bin? Remember once Sylar read or ate Charlie's brain he could read or know a brain extremely fast besides he flees with it probably in his pocket.

In the GN, "Moonlight Serenade," Linda Tavara says "One night, I couldn't stand the gnawing thirst any longer." You take that to be literal?

Rebel,

My earlier response to your hypothetical was my honest attempt to answer what I saw as a sincere inquiry on your part. Was I wrong (as might be suggested by this, your response)? Have you come up with another reason that a 3D MRI mapping would not provide an answer "in theory" to your question other than it's obvious inconvenience?

Imthehero,

It's very obvious that Linda Tavara's reference to her "thirst" was meant figuratively, which I and now prander have pointed out (evidenced by the GN). Fast forward... now, just why wouldn't the references made by Sylar to his hunger, etc., not bare the same level of interpretation?

Creator

creator, prander,
The difference between Sylar and Linda was obvious to me, at least. Linda is supposed to be more the vampiresque hunter, while Sylar is more an Animalistic predator. Sure words like thirst could be added for dramatic effect, but there is no theory out there that suggests she drinks blood, which makes it different. If there was, perhaps thirst could be interpreted differently? When you have someone comparing himself to a savanah predator, and he mentions Hungering, and sinking his teeth in, I see those as more clues then simple descriptive words. I won't even argue about the words relevence though, because they are not so much means to an end, but clues.

and Rebel, dumping brains in the garbage is really a stretch, especially when one of the main themes with Sylars character is brain removal, and in order to get charlies power and enable him to "read brains quickly" (which wasnt even her power, she could simply rememeber stuff, not read super fast), he still would have had to "read her brain" in like 1-2 min., and if he can do it that quickly already, why take the brain ever? When one theory has a built in mechanism for brain disposal that does not involve the random brain removal for the sake of wierdness, i tend to lean towards it.

Brain eating, by its very name implies what happens to those missing brains, but you think the writers would put in somthing that important (brain removal), build the character around it, and then have it actually be him tossing the brains in the trash? Why remove them in the first place? if he is just observing them, then in every case where he had more then 2 min. alone with the victim afterward, they should have had their brains intact, and not removed, because Sylar was able to "read", and then escape, and would have no need to lug a brain in a ziplock around with him, although I'm sure his super cool coat had deep pockets.

But, see, that's just it. All we have are clues. There's just as much speculation that proves Sylar literally eats brains as there is that he doesn't.

While it may have been originally written that the character literally eats brains, it was obviously never shown.

The question is, then, why was it never shown? Was it because it was going to be changed? If so, why? I do remember that in interviews they said that it would look "silly" and "zombiesh". Since then, we've had other interviews that emphasized that they do NOT want the powers and whatnot to look "silly".

To me, that's suggestive that it's since been changed. As far as I'm concerned, all the "eating," "delicious," "sinking my teeth in," etc. references are not literal. I don't think there's any difference between Linda's "thirst" line and Sylar's "eating," "delicious," "sinking my teeth in," etc. lines.


Along the same lines, Molly's line: "He sees into your soul, and then he eats your brain." would appear to not be wholly literal, either. If all he does is literally eat brains, where does this "sees into your soul" part come from? Couldn't that be referencing the "studying" of the brain... and then the "eating" of the power?