Interview: Heroes
Malcolm McDowell, Adrian Pasdar, Cristina Rose discuss season finale
Is Mr. Linderman Nathan Petrelli's father? Can New York be saved?
After Monday’s night episode of Heroes, it became evident to viewers that an “axis of evil” is controlling the fate of New York and its citizens. The group is headed by Mr. Linderman (Malcolm McDowell), a Las Vegas businessman who has convinced politician Nathan Petrelli (Adrian Pasdar) and his mother Angela (Cristina Rose) that blowing up New York City will benefit the entire country. But the actors who portray the so-called evil characters paint a very different picture.
“I never really get into that definition of characters [as evil or misguided],” McDowell said during a phone interview from London, England this morning. “I suppose you could make a case for Hitler being misunderstood couldn’t you really? The fact is that Linderman is such a fabulous part for an actor to do, that I had to do really no acting at all.”
“I don’t think we’re evil. I really think we’re out to save the world, just a little misguided,” Rose said, adding, “It’s terribly exciting to find out that I’m in fact in league with Linderman!”
Pasdar points out that, in Nathan Petrelli, writers have created a character who can sit on both sides of the fence and still serve his ultimate goal. “Just when you’ve had your suspicions confirmed…you think he’s bad, he does something heroic.” Pasdar said his character isn’t based on any particular politician. “He’s a mix of the most morally liquid characters that I’ve run across.”
Perhaps the actors were protesting too much. Petrelli is willing to see New York City burn because Petrelli has told him he’ll go on to become the President. (If you watched Monday’s episode, you’ll know that it’s Sylar disguised as Petrelli who becomes Commander-in-Chief.)
At one point in the conversation, Pasdar was at pains to point out that although he loves to promote the series, he’s been warned not to talk about the season finale. He joked that he’ll be unemployed if he does. Here’s what Pasdar, McDowell, and Rose were able to share.
Question: Malcolm, you said you hardly need to act at all playing Linderman. So, is there a villain inside of you, say a little guy with a dagger?
Malcolm McDowell: Any part that you play there’s always a little bit of you
Adrian Pasdar (interrupts): I just want to say that I have seen Malcolm’s left buttock and he does have that tattoo of a little villain with a dagger.
MM: You said that would be a secret between us and I’m shocked…
Cristine Rose: Malcolm, you showed me too.
MM: I am very proud of that tattoo and thank you for bringing that up. The truth is, of course, one has a bit of devil in one, doesn’t everyone. It’s just that they pay me to have fun with it.
Q: What’s Nathan’s role in the season finale?
AP: I have a big part in the final decision making in the last few moments of the finale, which all those questions that are posited in the pilot are answered almost to a T.
Q: There’s been talk that Nathan might not be in a position of power next season… What will he be like?
AP: I think that’s going to be the journey. There will be a story of redemption [and] having to pay for the sins, not just of the father, but the pseudo-father and of the choices he’s aligned himself with. I think you’ll find that it’s a completely unexpected place that Nathan will end up after the choices he makes in the last three minutes of the finale.
Q: Is Nathan Linderman’s son?
AP: [In the graphic novels online] it’s been posited that Malcolm sired Nathan.
MM: I think we need a blood test on this one.
CR: My theory, actually, wish fulfillment. I like to think Linderman and Angela met at Woodstock and conceived Nathan. You might not remember because we were in a daze of drug-filled joy.
MM: I do vaguely remember something about that. I think Joe Cocker was on the stage at the time. It was a pretty nice moment.
CR: No, it lasted a little longer than that. [They all laugh]
