A Poll on Memory re Heroes, The Company Man

[heidi]

[Poll #936444]

In case you want to see, the online comic book is here.

And related to the above issues, since Matt also know that Bennet knows Claire can heal, how are they going to deal with that? Is he going to actually have testable amnesia and will that be enough for the Higher Ups?

And will the Hatian remove memories of Claude (and/or Peter) in NY to keep them safe?

ETA: Fic Rec of the Afternoon: Road Trips, a post-Company Man fic by trollprincess.

Comments

[ignipes.livejournal.com]

So, there are two ideas behind having his memories erased, right? One is to make it so nobody can read his mind and find out that the Haitian (who needs a NAME, damn it, shall be call him Bob?) took Claire somewhere, and the other is to make it so his shady boss is convinced that the Haitian was responsible for all the trouble. So it seems like a minimal memory removal would be the best plan -- after all, Mr. Bennet doesn't want to be made useless, he just wants to cease to be a danger to his daughter.

But maybe I'm just saying that because if all his memories of Claire are gone I will CRY AND CRY FOREVER. That would be too heart-breaking to stand.

Hmmmm.

I think I need Heroes icons.

[ginsu.livejournal.com]

I find the Bennet situation peculiar. The idea of retconning Mr. Bennet into a sympathetic figure, in particular, seems a little doubtful to me; they've spent too much time portraying him as a thoroughly evil bastard.

Also, I'm not sure the Haitian would be able to affect Peter or Claire's memories, since memory is physical -- which is why alcohol, trauma, Alzheimer's, etc., affect it -- and Claire's power instantly heals all physical damage. I have never understood the scene in which the Haitian said he was sparing her, when he plainly had no ability to affect her.

Peter might be different, though. You could make the case that Peter has to concentrate to use Claire's power, unlike Claire, so he could be caught off guard or asleep.

[sandy-phoenix.livejournal.com]

I'm thinking that only the plans to escape were removed from Bennett's memory. Of course, all his memories of the work he's been doing might have been removed. I would think it would be an all or nothing deal. Either the Haitian will leave him with enough memories to carry on as a plausible member of "The Company" which would mean he'd be going along with an active search for Claire or all the memories would be removed in order to take Bennett entirely out of the picture. This would also have the effect of keeping Claude and Peter safe which would be a nice benefit.

[jsmitty-o.livejournal.com]

Ack, I can't decide! But I tend to agree with ignipes about the purpose. I think the Haitian and Bennet want to make sure that Boss Man still thinks that Bennet is totally on board and is *not* a traitor in any way. And yes, the Haitian and Bennet are making the Haitian be the fall guy so that the two of them can still collaborate... on something. That's the real question right now. Does Mr. Bennet only care about protecting Claire still, or will he now somewhat sympathize with Parkman, Ted, Claude, and the others? Will he now try to stop the bomb/Peter/Ted from exploding in NYC?

So, the Haitian has to remove enough memories to make Mr. Bennet seem plausible to Boss Man.

[(Anonymous)]

Also, I'm not sure the Haitian would be able to affect Peter or Claire's memories, since memory is physical -- which is why alcohol, trauma, Alzheimer's, etc., affect it -- and Claire's power instantly heals all physical damage.

Very true, but keep in mind that this is science fiction. It does touch on some science theories, but Ted should've been electrocuted by fire, and I think in reality, Claire wouldn't have managed to reconstruct her body and go back to normal.

[zorb]

I think it would have to be just the escape plans. HRG's knowledge of Claire's powers is far too entwined with other people and events. The Haitian would have to screw around with a lot of memories to make a larger erase work long-term, and they could never be sure he'd gotten them all. Plus, there'd be no need to do the whole drive-out-to-nowhere-and-shoot routine.

[smilie117.livejournal.com]

*changes mind* This is more of what I had in mind and so *agrees with zorb*

[graycie23.livejournal.com]

That's exactly what I was about to say

[violet_quill]

Ooooh, thanks for the link to the comic book, I didn't think to look for a new one. :-D

As for Bennet's memories... it seems like it would either have to be A) only powers/escape plans, or B) a clean wipe. Because if it's A then Bennet's superiors (and Bennet) won't know that his memory's been tampered with at all. If it's B then they'll assume the Haitian was just doing it to hurt him or to cover up something he'd done or whatever... but I don't know what they would think about the Haitian erasing all his memories of Claire, it might seem suspicious.

[ginsu.livejournal.com]

keep in mind that this is science fiction

You mean "don't look too closely or you won't be able to suspend disbelief" -- ? That's certainly true. I would even scratch out "science fiction" and write in "a televisual comic book."

I think in reality, Claire wouldn't have managed to reconstruct her body

I daresay. =)

[heidi8.livejournal.com]

You know, that's a brilliant explanation-behind-the-theory! You win the old school gameboy award!

[ant-power.livejournal.com]

I think the Haitian took all of Mr Bennet's memories of Claire, because he said 'go deep, take everything' or whatever the line was. And it was such an emotional scene, it seemed as though Mr Bennet was aware he was losing Claire forever, not just her presence but his entire knowledge of her. Also, if the Haitian had to shoot Mr Bennet to make it seem as though they'd escaped, then it wouldn't make any difference if the Company knew he'd had his memory altered as well.

But does that mean that Mrs Bennet and Claire's brother will still remember Claire but Mr Bennet won't? The Haitian guy didn't have time to wipe their brains before he skedaddled.

I don't think the Haitian will remove memories in NY, it seems as though he'd become rather reluctant to do it at all and was only working on the Company's request, so I think he will be more hesitant to use his power from now on.

[wickedelf.livejournal.com]

That's what I was going to say. I *want* to say he just removed the escape plans, but the "go deep" comment and the emotional aspect hinted at much more. It very much seemed to me that he was losing his daughter for good there, which made the scene heart-wrenching to me (can you imagine when she runs into him again and if he doesn't even remember her period?).

Also, since that theory adds more angst and tv seems to feel that the more angst, the better... I'm leaning in that direction.

Of course there is also the idea that he intended the Haitian to do a full wipe, but instead he only does a partial.

[megaloo13.livejournal.com]

But maybe I'm just saying that because if all his memories of Claire are gone I will CRY AND CRY FOREVER.

Uh, WORD. That was heart breaking enough and their messed up yet still loving relationships has developed into one of my favorite aspects of the show.