As usual the cycle continues: Set up, Set up, PAYOFF, Set up, Set up, PAYOFF. “Company Man” was definitely a payoff, so “Parasite” by nature has to be a set up. But as things are wrapping up, it’s time for the final lap so to speak so this set up has a little more of a kick to it.

Simone dies, and Isaac is pissed. He starts shooting at Peter again, who disappears and runs to Nathan in despair. Nathan tells Peter he is going to anonymously call the police and that Peter should seek help from Mohinder. Peter quickly leaves.

We don’t waste too much time before going to the aftermath of “Company Man”. Thompson questions Bennet about what he remembers, which is driving Sandra home from the hospital. Thompson seems to believe him, but as he walks out we see him and Candice Wilmer sitting with Parkman who tells him that he’s telling the truth as far as he can tell so Bennet is at least temporarily back on the job.

The police arrive at Isaacs questioning him about Simone when suddenly Simone walks through the door to Isaac’s shock. It fools the police, and as they leave Bennet shows up and Simone turns into Candace. They’ve covered Simone’s trail and tell Isaac to stay put. Isaac though is devastated and turns back to heroin, painting pictures of himself Sylared. It’s pretty obvious by now that Isaac is not long for this world or the show.

Claire gets more and more testy as a teen in her situation is wrought to do. She tries to get the Haitian to tell her more, but he just tells her that they have to leave the country. She tries anything, including mentioning Peter Petrelli, but it’s no good. So impetuous as she is, she takes matters into her own hand. She steals the Haitian’s passport and is able to escape him. She makes it to the Petrelli residence where she is greeted by Angela, who introduces herself as her grandmother. The Haitian is behind her and we realize who is higher than Mr. Bennet.

We learn that part of Bennet’s plan going forward, was to tell his wife everything, and write a note telling himself not to look for Claire.

Unfortunately, after returning from New York, Bennet goes to Sandra again reaffirming his desire to destroy the Company. But this time it’s Candace in disguise and she lets Thompson and company know that “he’s going to be trouble”.

Hiro makes it back to Linderman’s hotel, and finds Nathan who is wearing a wire as the feds are trying to take down Linderman, gets him past the guards and into the vault of Linderman’s collection. He is able to get the curator out of the room temporarily while he finds where the sword is held. Unfortunately the curator finds him and attempts to call security, until a WWE style return by Ando, knocking the curator out and giving them just enough time to bar the door. When the guards do get through, Hiro concentrates and teleports into the future where we see a wasteland of a New York. Hiro is saddened. They have failed.

As Jessica continues to play Niki, DL is getting suspicious as Niki is trying to break through, by leaving clues, such as Nathan’s picture on DL’s pillow. Jessica talks him down, but he doesn’t truly buy it.

Jessica kills both the agents that are watching Nathan, but Niki is able to temporarily come back when Nathan comes back to his room. She removes the wire from Nathan and warns him that his life is in danger. She tells him he needs to either accept Linderman’s deal or run.

Nathan takes choice #3. He brings a gun in to take out Linderman. We finally meet the elusive Mr. Linderman, played ever so smugly by Malcolm McDowell. McDowell doesn’t even take Nathan’s threat seriously. He points out that if he pulls the trigger he’d be dead within seconds. He also pontificates on what he knows which seems to be just about everything, from their powers, to Claire, and beyond. He also promises that if everything goes as planned, Nathan won’t just win the election, but he’ll be the president.

We return to Mohinder’s apartment and see him offer a cup of tea to Sylar. After he drinks, Mohinder reveals that he knows that Zane has been dead for weeks, and point out a news article on the internet. Sylar realizes his beverage was drugged and he falls to the floor. Mohinder hooks him up to an inhibitor of sort that would cause paralysis to the nerve endings making it impossible for Sylar to use his powers.

Unfortunately it’s not done quite well enough as Mohinder discovers when he shoots Sylar, and Sylar is able to stop the bullets. He has been stopping the IV and now Mohinder will pay with his life.

Peter makes it to Mohinders and finds Mohinder pinned to the ceiling, muttering Sylar. Peter turns and Sylar knocks him up against the wall. He realises that Peter’s powers are similar to his and he’s hungry. And we’re set for the battle we’ve been getting set up for the whole season.

But as it’s nowhere near the last episode of the season, the viewer knows it’s going to be a tease, but it works.

Overall, a decent episode as it moves every story forward and not in small fashion. A good followup to a payoff episode.

B+

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