Claire, back home in California, begins attending college, but is having difficulty adjusting when a mysterious death of a student during the orientation puts her back in the spotlight. In Japan, Hiro and Ando continue their quest to help people with abilities and go so much as to advertise themselves. Meanwhile, Angela fears Nathan/Syler will discover his true identity. Matt tries to settle down back in Los Angeles and raise his son and not worry about unexpected visitors. Elsewhere, Peter is using his ability for good when a mysterious carnival clan, led by Samuel Sullivan, arrives in town which could spell trouble for him and everyone else.

Claire and her new friend Gretchen investigate the death of Claire's roommate Annie, while Noah comes to Peter for assistance. Samuel and Edgar recover the compass, Hiro realizes his new destiny, and Matt is tormented with mental images from a dangerous foe.

Peter faces unexpected consequences for his heroic acts and encounters a reluctant new hero. As Claire continues to adjust to college life, she must figure out how to deal with her ability having been revealed. Meanwhile, Samuel moves heaven and earth to recapture the memories of his late brother Joseph. Elsewhere, Matt struggles with his internal demons as Sylar mysteriously resurfaces.

As "Nathan" starts displaying new powers, he has visions of an incident from his past involving a young girl and decides to investigate. Hiro tries to save a co-worker and learns a truth about himself. Tracy tries to regain her old life and job.

Samuel prepares for new additions to his family, while Lydia warns him of the consequences. Claire discovers that her roommate Gretchen may have a hidden agenda. Meanwhile, Peter finds an unexpected way to connect with Emma, who would prefer to stay distant. Elsewhere, a different side of Sylar emerges as he desperately tries to remember the person he used to be.

Under Samuel’s guidance, Sylar starts on a path to rediscover his true identity. Hiro helps Emma accept and understand the great possibilities that go along with having an ability. Meanwhile, Peter enlists HRG to help him find a healer who can save Hiro’s life.

Matt goes to extreme measures to extinguish Sylar , who continues to torment him. Elsewhere, HRG calls in a favor from Tracy to save a troubled young boy whose misfortunes resemble her own. While Claire and Gretchen are being hazed by their new sorority sisters, they realize pledging might not be their biggest problem.

When Hiro travels three years into the past, he has a second chance to save Charlie from the hands of Sylar. However, Samuel’s presence serves to complicate Hiro’s mission even further. Elsewhere, H.R.G.’s past with his Primatech partner is revealed.

Samuel learns just how powerful he can become and takes dangerous measures to reach his full potential. Meanwhile, as Tracy begins to lose control of her ability, one of her own comes in harms way. Elsewhere, Sylar continues his battle with Matt.

H.R.G. hosts an untraditional Thanksgiving dinner. Elsewhere, the Petrelli family gets a surprise guest at their table. Meanwhile, Samuel continues to hold Hiro hostage, as Lydia goes in search for the truth.

Unexpected visitors greet H.R.G.; Samuel's plan starts to come to fruition; struggling to accept the truth, Peter takes extreme measures to get what he wants; Claire's journey leads her to an unexpected destination.

As Claire becomes immersed into the world of the Carnival, she becomes increasingly suspicious of Samuel's motives. Hiro is on a mission to rescue one of his own, but has difficulty communicating his intentions to Ando.

Sylar returns to the Carnival in search of answers, H.R.G. tries to forge an alliance with Edgar and Peter continues to struggle with the loss of his brother.

H.R.G. recruits Matt to help him take down Samuel, as they use his long-lost love, Vanessa, to lure him to them, but Samuel has his own plans for Vanessa in the works. Meanwhile, Hiro and Ando go to extreme lengths to save Dr. Suresh. Elsewhere, Peter's introduction of Emma to his mother brings forth visions of a very grim future.

Hiros life hangs in the balance as his brain tumor worsens, prompting him to subconsciously deal with some of his past decisions. Meanwhile, Sylar pays Claire an unexpected visit to get answers as to why he isn't quite himself. Elsewhere, Samuels plan to impress his long-lost love, Vanessa, takes a terrifying turn.

H.R.G. enacts his plan to take down the Carnival with the help of Lauren and Suresh. Sylar visits Matt looking to understand his desire to make a human connection, but Matt has a plan of his own. Meanwhile, Peter warns Emma of Samuel's intentions after his grim vision of the future.

Fueled by his vision of Emma in grave danger, Peter attempts to rescue Sylar from his worst nightmare. At the carnival, Samuel reveals H.R.G.s secret past in order to bring Claire to his side. Meanwhile, Lauren makes a bold move to put a stop to Samuel.

Everyone bands together to try to stop Samuel from taking the lives of thousands. Peter joins forces with his most unexpected ally to save Emma. Meanwhile, H.R.G.'s life hangs in the balance as he and Claire find themselves trapped underground with oxygen quickly running out. Elsewhere, Hiro starts to come to grips with the decisions he has made and is called into action to help stop a disaster.