We've always been told Nathan was Arthur's favorite son, but now we found out that Arthur was resented with Nathan because he was born without an ability.

Tohts?

arthur favorite son nathan becuaes he edxperimant on nathan and make him guinae pig and likes pizza much and hamburger

I thought that was NE0 post when I read it lol

I'm getting that Arthur is a control freak and Nathan would be the least threat to him.

He sure is interesting in manipulating him via Maury using Linderman.

I think Nathan is his favorite. They have the same rings, they were both lawyers, both in the army. Nathan's hero was his dad and he tried to be like him. Poor Nathan, more ideas shattered.

Navy. Both rings are from Annapolis... Navy. Nathan and Aurther both trained in Combat. Nathan was a pilot.

OMG, how could I not say Naval! I should know that, opps. I mean I find the dress whites so hot.

I heard that Arthur wasn't born with his powers either or at least he didn't realize he had them until later in life. Maybe he was experimented on as well?

I agree with that! I think he saw Nathan as the least threatening to him because if you remember in the beginning of the series Nathan was kind of a follower. He was highly influenced by Linderman and his Mother.

I think that over the past 2 seasons Nathan has really started to come into his own and be his own person. Hopefully the writers will keep that trend going.

Maybe he didn't know he really had it. His abillity isn't that open like lightning or fire.

I agree. Is a power thief a power thief if there are no powers around. Also, Sylar and Peter manifested late in life (even Nathan, but he doesn't have it genetically from his dad), so whose to say Arthur didn't. there is a good argument on both sides of the asile.

But he did meet Linderman..

And touched him, but he may not have manifested or had the moment of adrenaline when touching him. He's not an empath. I think its a 50/50 shot. I see it as him being born as of Angela "you're lineage" to Nathan. Or she mean only her side of the family.

And the fact that all his sons born AFTER he started the Company had powers.

BUT it seems those who are related by blood have similar powers.

i think its nathan aswell, but does he know ab gabriel??

i kno that he wanted to recruit sylar so surely he knows that
its his son? or maybe he just wants to use and abuse him?

I think that as the story has evolved that Papa Petrelli has always been a manipulative, power hungry ******. He did not give Adam a chance to be with Pinehearst but just took his power away - I think that it was more revenge 'cause he could have just taken some of his blood.
Arthur uses people: Nathan - a fine follower that wanted to be just like Dad; Navy, politicing and Arthur could leverage him into doing what was necessary ala Linderman. Peter would have been low on the totem pole due to his emotional view of the world - he was determined to be a "care giver", that would be useless to Papa P. Now Sylar on the other hand - a mad man with a hunger - would be pricless in the Pinehearst Organization. Dady's boy to do what ever it took, and be "fed" at the same time by eliminating the opposition, quite a powerful ally, no?
So Papa P's favorite, now would be Sylar.

I used to think Nathan was Arthur's favorite because they were both Alpha Males and Peter just doesn't fit into that category. But now I think Nathan was his favorite because he was more maleable (sp?). Truly his little experiment. And who was the son who didn't join the military and who paid his own way through college? Peter. But I doubt Peter would have had the strength to do that if he wasn't also raised by Angela and had her for support.

As much of a "follower" as Nathan was, lets not forget the 6th months ago episode season 1, Nathan was gonna go after Linderman and his father, so he's always had a path of his own as well. I'd still say Nathan was Arthur's favorite though. When talking about favorite children it's hard to favor the one you don't raise, which is why I think Arthur may manipulate Sylar, but the fave title doesn't really stick. Nathan and his dad obviously had a bond, the whole Petrelli family talks about in the first two seasons.

Interesting comparisons between Nathan and Arthur... is this an indication that Arthur indeed has synth abilities?

Also, it has been confirmed in a recent BTE that Arthur is Peter and Gabriel's father, but not necessarily Nathan's. Thought I'd just throw that out there.

Peter and Gabriel's parentage has been confirmed in this weeks BTE but lets not forget the "War Buddies" Comics from first season. Arthur was drawn to look like Nathan, however that ends up laying out remains a question

I contend that Nathan does remain Arthur's favorite son--once he was altered to have powers, Nathan is the closest to Arthur in ambition and as a natural leader. So Arthur is likely to have favored Nathan, even over naturally powered Peter simply because he recognized Nathan being more like himself.

Many of our "Heroes" didn't develop any sign of abilities till their 30s unlike Micha or Molly so its not out of the question that Arthur didn't develop powers until later in life. His service in Vietnam was likely to be in his 20s.

But I'm willing also to accept that he and possibly Angela as after re-meeting Lindermann were desirous of powers as well and got them somehow through Lindermann. But I'm less enthusiastic about that idea or willing to believe it.

I think its still likely that both Arthur and Angela had powers naturally or Angela did. But if Arthur was desiring having of the powers he didn't have he may have may have been the reason the Formula was developed with or without Lindermann and Angela's help.

I haven't read or seen anything that suggests Nathan is NOT Arthur and Angela's son.

Gabriel is Arthur's most favored son because he (in my opinion) is most like Arthur himself. Gabriel is on a power acquisition path that most closely resembles Arthur's. And, Arthur can control his son, giving him love and purpose, just like Angela had. Gabriel stands with Arthur and Nathan and Peter stand with moms. That's my prediction. Unfortunately, at present, I see Gabriel as "the dark sun (son) rising".

Creator

Yes, it seems Gabe is the son Arthur has been waiting for. Still, Nathan was brought up in his father's image and with Maury/Linderman it seems he still wants him to be president.

In the Nathan/Peter dynamic Nathan is his favorite, but yes Gabe serves his purposes and I have a feeling he always knew that. I do however think Arthur will be shocked how more like his mother and Peter Nathan is when he choices the other side.

I still think Nathan was his favorite. I think for more real-life reasons too. Similar personalities, both lawyers, both military men, etc. Peter was a nurse and an emotional wreck (not that the second part has changed much...) and Gabriel became a psycho-killer, not exactly traits exhibited in favorites...

Nathan is totally is favorite.

I think Nathan is still Arthur's favorite despite what Nathan had planned to do.

Gabe will probably be a pawn/scapegoat for Arthur. Gabe is powerful and might want to overthrow Arthur if given the chance, but Nathan is a lot more easy to manipulate, even when he knows it. Arthur might view Gabe as an eventual threat and might want to nip that in the bud.

Peter wasn't an emotional wreck when Arthur "died" - on the contrary, on his own little scale, he was remarkably stable. What happened to him was what happens to all people who are too altruistic for their own good - they think they can change the world, and if they fail, it makes it even worse. And if you have superpowers, the realisation that you can't change the world is even harder to swallow.

But Peter was a disappointment for Arthur because I'm sure Arthur saw him as weak - he lacked the ruthlessness that the entire rest of the family possesses. I'm fairly certain that Nathan was Arthur's favourite. In the promos for the next episode, you constantly see him with Nathan, and Angela with Peter. On photos, on the wedding anniversary, it's always the same constellation. Peter and Arthur have nothing in common, and Arthur never really forgave him for that. He doesn't see Peter as a true Petrelli. He was quick to give up on Peter and turn to Sylar, one of whose main personal traits is the very ruthlessness he expects of his sons.

I can't wait to see how a meeting between Nathan and his dad goes. I think that might be the biggest disappointment for Arthur yet - when Nathan chooses his side with the "weak" part of the family.

Arthur and Gabriel have so much in common that I was convinced that Arthur's godsend was IA. It is reasonable to assume that had Gabriel been raised by Arthur that his life would have been very different. To me, unquestionably, Gabriel is most like his dad.

• Both are capable of ruthless deeds in pursuit of their goals.
• Both were delusional.
• Both sought power to the extreme, in an effort to be the most special (to have unsurpassed power!).
• Both are brilliant strategist. [NOTE: Given the opportunity, Gabriel would have most effortlessly followed in his Dad's footsteps (i.e., Annapolis, the military, trial attorney...)]

As a Petrelli, Gabriel was spared certain death at the hands of Noah. No doubt, the Haitian realized that he is Angela's son. He even stood guard over 'Sylar' after his capture. What a difficult position to be placed in. Angela may have realized that Gabriel would have been 'controlled' most naturally by Arthur. Certainly, Gabriel would have gravitated towards Arthur. Arthur would have been his hero. And, Arthur announces that he has been awaiting Gabriel's arrival...waiting for the dark son to appear.

No, I'll place my bets on Gabriel. For, out of the three, he's is most like his dad...capable of ruthless acts for the sake of gain...strategically brilliant...clever...seekers of ultimate power.

Angela has a hold over all three of her boys but, in time, I can see her losing her grip over Gabriel. Papa Petrelli is straight up smooth! This will be interesting...

Creator

Definitely true, and I'm sure that will all come into play. But let us not forget that the only reason Nathan finally decided he would go after his father and Linderman is because they paralyzed his wife and in a sense tried to almost take him out too. That would definitely put a rift in any relationship. There's no doubt Nathan and Arthur used to be close, so how it all plays out upon their meeting next week will be very interesting.

Yes and once he died Nathan's admiration turned back, so tp speak in retrospect. Still if Nathan got in Arthur's way It think he would have no problem getting rid of him in the "I'm sorry it had to come to this" - he see's it as a larger good and when your in the mob things must be done for the larger whole.

Nathan was the one he was with his entire life (unlike Sylar) and literally learned at his knee -followed him into Annapolis, the navy, the law and took his advice of sacrificing for a larger good - even if it wasn't taken in the way Arthur meant.

V27,

Linderman, under orders from Arthur, set out to kill Nathan (resulting in the paralyzing of Heidi Petrelli, Nathan's ex-wife). Arthur is ruthless. Peter, Nathan and Angela all realize this. Right now, all things considered, it seems that Arthur's favorite son would be the one that he's had the fewest "run-in's" with...Gabriel.

Creator

V27...to me my thoughts are just logical...all derive-able from information we've all have been provided. Sorry.

Creator:

Your thoughts are spoilers.

~V27

PS. ME:

V27,

Like G7 said, I'd have to spoiler tag most of what I post. We've been given information from which one can logically deduce certain conclusions. And, that's what I do.

We were all pretty certain that Linderman went after Nathan because Nathan was going after him. I also believed that Daniel went after Arthur, too. I had definitive no proof, just a hunch.

We now know that Arthur was the big boss, not Linderman. Linderman, it appears, succeeded Arthur.
The Company's succession plan seems to have been: Arthur-->Daniel-->Bob-->Angela...all Founders. [BTW, we can also assume that Sylar had parental protected him while he was in Company captivity...hindsight is 20/20.]

So, naturally one would assume that the 'thug-like' attack on Nathan came indirectly from Arthur (by way of Daniel).

We also know that Peter and Nathan had discussed going against their father who was defending Daniel against Nathan's wishes. So, they (Pete and Nathan) were on the outs with their dad just before his untimely 'death'.

And, last, we are now told that Gabriel is also the son of Arthur and Angela. Throwing him into the mix, knowing he was not raised with his brothers and by his real parents, we now know that Arthur has the most opportunity to create an immediately 'healthy' relationship with Gabriel. I believe that Arthur had sometime to do with the placement of Gabriel with the watchmaker (Grey). He probably thought that this would lead his son to unlocking a very useful aspect of his 'gift' once he manifested.

These are my best (educated) guesses. If I had confirmation that they were canon reality and not just my logical deductions, then I'd think that they would warrant spoiler tags.

Creator

Creator:

I never said your thoughts aren't logical. I just think Arthur can have Nathan has his favorite yet if he got in the way of his plans would have no qualms about doing away with him. I choose to not talk HERE with known facts and pretend the spoilers don't exist. I never was saying anything you've said isn't true or are valid, smart reasoning. I just choice to think it's hard to say a son you don't know is your favorite, that dosen't mean it can't change on a dime once he knows and see's what he is.

I wasn't talking or arguing if Arthur set up Sylar with the watchmaker on purpose.

What I was saying, prompted by your response is.

Based on the fact that Nathan followed so closely in his father's footsteps to the letter that in his life it was Nathan, which you said was disproved byArthur said he'd kill Nathan

My main thesis was "Nathan is his favorite but that doesn't mean he'd do away with him if he got in his way" Which I suspect he'd also do with Sylar.

`v27

V27,

At no time did I think or suggest that you found fault with my logic. What I'm saying is that if one can arrive at a logical conclusion based on previously provided canon information that I don't think that those conclusions warrant spoiler tags.

I then shared with you my thought process for arriving at the conclusion that you suggested should 'wear' spoiler tags. The premises (correctly/incorrectly interpreted) were all based on televised information. The logical concadination thereof lead me to the aforementioned conclusion. That's my point.

Arthur, I believe, 'knows' Gabriel better than Gabriel knows himself. Arthur has had a hand in crafting his development (his power...placing him with the watchmaker...and probably never being too far from his 'sheltered' son). And, at long last, his lost son has returned to him...his (Arthur's) long wait is over. And, I say he's a great candidate for his favorite. That's my opinion and I've given detailed reason for believing this.

Creator

[NOTE: Think about it, how did Chandra Suresh know to reach out to Gabriel as his "patient zero"? He tracked him genectically! He had to know his true heritage! Why, it's even reasonable to think that Dr. Suresh might have known that Arthur and Angela were Gabriel's true parents. Still, remains to be determined just how much he knew.]

Creator:

I feel like your just belaboring this. I don't know how many times I have to say "your conclusions are valid" I know you don't think that's what your doing, but why are you repeating your reasoning - over and over - I get it and I think they make perfect sense - both arguments are valid.

And you we're talking as if it was a fact and I think many people will be shocked by certain info tonight, I just do. So, I choose not to use it in my argument and I am very sensitive to people trying to keep spoiler free. This really shouldn't be an issue.




How he got Nathan's name and Claire's and everyone else. The human genmone project. Where else would he have gotten it?

I enjoy your debates and they are always really well thought out and I don't want to offend you, but I'm started to not want to debate you anymore, because I feel we've moved on from debate. I say this because I would hope we can debate more in the future. I honestly feel like no matter what I say you just repeat the same reasons over and over again. It's like deju vu all over again. :0

Like this:


I agree. I agree. I never didn't. I agreed the first four times you said it.




~V27

V27,

Hang in there! I was only defending my lack of use of spoiler tags. Sorry. [..he's just so sensitive... ]

Enjoy tonight's telecast!

Creator

.......gotcha! ......

Creator:



~V27

Re: DNA testing...
That raises another interesting point. Peter and Sylar's first confrontation in season 1 the FBI took blood samples from both Peter and also Sylar (bloody trail where he limped away from the fall). They determined that the blood at the first site where Peter had fallen matched Peter's but I'd imagine that they would eventually compare the samples and determine that they have (how many that says they are related)-alleles are in common to both Peter and their killer and that Agent Audrey Hanson would want to talk with Peter again (he must have known about or maybe even have been on his brother's activities--more logical conclusion for the fed's to draw then he saw it happen on a painting and they suspected Sylar had accomplices since you usually don't look for telekinesis at crime scenes).

Why haven't they talked to him sooner about this?
Now realistically it takes a while (a few months) to do DNA testing. Or maybe that information was lost. Maybe they're taking their time going after members of a powerful and influential family.
Then Peter was reported dead leading to a deadend in the investigation. However Peter was seen alive again when Nathan was about to make his public statement. I imagine the feds will want to talk to him and other members of the Petrelli family. (For that matter Claire was bleeding on the scene too...)
Maybe this will be addressed in Fugitives?

I don't think he has a favourite. In fact, I don't think he likes anyone. Maybe Linderman for a bit.. I tink he only has time for those that do what he says, and for now thats Sylar. To be honest I don't think he likes any of his sons, or any one person

Would the feds try to match the blood to the individual in custudy? Yes. But I don't think they would think to compare the two. That doesn't seem like standard procedure.

I guess I've just been spoiled by CSI.

So, after episode eight, I guess we have an answer to the question in this thread.

Arthur has no favourite son. To him, Peter was a disappointment whatever he did, and Nathan, striving so hard to meet his father's expectations, had become a dangerous rival.

Whew. All my fanfic has been rendered obsolete.

G7,

What about Gabriel? Does he not count. Hasn't Arthur proudly proclaimed him his son...the one he had been waiting for so long? Didn't Arthur calmly reassure his son that he was welcome to stand beside him?

To me, Gabriel is his favorite...for the reasons we have both cited.

Creator

I admit I never thought of Gabriel/Sylar in that particular equation, since I understood the question to mean "which of the sons he brought up". Sylar is a tool for Arthur to use, just like so many other people. He knew he couldn't use Peter, so he leeched his powers and then decided the recycle him as a test subject; it remains to be seen if he thinks Nathan could help him. It definitely seems he sees both Nathan and Sylar as the strong ones, who might deserve his efforts to turn them to his side. But I doubt he will succeed with either. I think Nathan has chosen his side. He might waver, again, as he has before, but only for a moment. (Or an episode at most.) Sylar will be Arthur's favourite son as long as he plays along in Arthur's game and never challenges him. Which Sylar will not do for long. He won't be second best, not even to a man like Arthur - particularly not once he learns that the "love" or "respect" he so hungers for is not there.

I can see Sylar and Arthur share a sort of wary respect... until the son challenges the father.

G7,

Arthur is well aware that he has three sons. The question, as presented, does not exclude Gabriel as a candidate for favored son. On the contrary, I believe it necessarily includes Gabriel in the mix. And since his tiff with Nathan resulted in his own near death experience at Angela's hands (which he's not about to reveal to Gabriel)..."This soup is delicious!"

Nathan "...once he sinks his teeth in, he never lets go" Petrelli will not waiver. And, Arthur knows this. Peter will stand by his brother Nathan's side. So, we are left with Gabriel, the one son who's "darkness" and need to belong may be exploitable.

I believe that Gabriel and Arthur will grow in respect...for now. As usual, good to hear from you, G7.

Creator

Yes, but ultimately, the clash has to come. Those two can't continue to work together indefinitely. Two headstrong villains*, neither of whom has ever been good at playing second fiddle. As we say - there's no room for two roosters on the same haystack.

*I say "two villains" because I think that, ultimately, that's where Sylar is headed once more.

Which is why I add "...for now.".

Creator

So, as we all thought, and according to last night's episode Nathan is Arthur's favorite son

I don't think Arthur has a favorite. In order to have a favorite you need to actually care about that person. All of Arthur's children are just pawns to him and right now Nathan is the one he needs the most. I agree that Nathan and Arthur have more in common, but at heart I think Nathan is more like Angela.

I agree. As of now it would seem he cares for Angela more than any of his sons, while Angela can't not choose the people who she gave birth too and grew inside of her for 9 months.