S01E01: 'Genesis'

University professor Mohinder Suresh returns from India to New York after learning that his father - a brilliant genetics researcher with some controversial theories - has died. As he sets about trying to determine what really happened in the run-up to his father's untimely demise, Mohinder becomes aware that he is being watched. But why?

Meanwhile, all around the world seemingly ordinary people are beginning to exhibit some extraordinary skills. 17-year-old cheerleader Claire Bennet can jump from 80ft bridges and run into fires without being killed or even injured, while Isaac Mendez is able to paint pictures of the future while high on heroin.

In Japan, Hiro Nakamura claims to have the ability to manipulate the space-time continuum, allowing him to teleport anywhere on the globe. Like most of these "heroes", however, those around them are unconvinced by their wild claims.

Vegas stripper Niki Sanders is in trouble. Her child prodigy son Micah has been thrown out of his expensive private school because she has failed to keep up with the tuition fees - but even worse, she has failed to keep up big money loan repayments to the mob. At the same time she begins to doubt her own sanity when she notices something strange looking back at her in the mirror.

Elsewhere, Peter Petrelli is being plagued by strange dreams in which he can fly. His brother Nathan - an aspiring politician - dismisses Peter's visions but how will he react when Peter prepares to jump from the top of a high-storey building?