Painting The Future: Santiago Cabrera as Isaac Mendez Character Discussion

[phoenixflight]

Discuss ALL things about Santiago's character!

 

[phoenixflight]

a 28-year-old junkie who has the ability to paint images of the future.

 

[Aximlli]

Why in the world would he cut off his hand? That has to be the biggest fear/sarcrifice for any artist. And yes, I'm speaking as one myself.

 

[AlteredEgo]

because his paintings predict disaster and that can be pretty damn devestating.

 

[imdaly]

can't he just paint...nice pictures?

I mean, I'm sure it'll be explained in the show, but this is my top question right now.

If you knew that whatever you drew would come true, why not just stop drawing pictures of bad things happening?

Heck I'd draw a nice picture involving me, Jessica Alba, Natalie Portman, and Maggie Grace


Perhaps he goes into some wierd subconcious mode where he automatically draws the pictures, and can't help himself. Like Nadia in Rambaldi-mode on "Alias". And the only way he knows to stop himself from drawing them is to cut off his own hand?

 

[The Question]

I doubt that he alters reality. I think he just predicts the future.

 

[chesslover]

Maybe he's subconsciously channeling Nostradamus.

 

[Crev-3]

Here is a pseudoscientific explanation for how Isaac's precognitive ability might work:

In the laws of physics, there are four known fundamental forces. The four forces are: the electromagnetic force, the weak nuclear force, the strong nuclear force, and gravity. The strong nuclear force holds together positively charged protons and neutral neutrons in the nuclei of atoms. The weak nuclear force controls the radioactive decay of atoms. The other two forces can operate on larger scales. Electromagnetism attracts negatively charged electrons and positively charged protons to each other, creating atoms and molecules and all matter. Gravity governs all matter, drawing it together, creating the structure of every star system and the universe.

There also exist a fifth force, a quantum potential force field that pervades all space. This force acts on us at all times. It acts on every particle in every atom in our bodies. And on every particle in every atom in everything else in the universe. It surrounds us and penetrates us; it binds the universe together.

The odd effects of quantum mechanics arise because each particle is accompanied and governed by a wave in this quantum potential field. This quantum potential wave is part of a physical force field, like a gravitational field, that affects the course of particles.

This force does not decrease with distance, unlike other forces. A single quantum potential wave controls the two entangled particles, no matter how far apart they go. Measuring a property, such as the spin of one particle, instantaneously alters the shape of the wave, affecting the other particle under its control. So the quantum potential force violates both locality and independence. The quantum potential field conveys any change instantaneously over all of space because it carries information about the whole universe.

Simply put, the quantum potential field is a continuous field throughout the universe that acts instantaneously throughout the universe. It is not created by or concentrated around matter, unlike other forces. Although the quantum potential force guides particles, it is not generated by them.

Because the quantum potential force permeates all space and is not affected by distance, it in essence entangles or interconnects all particles. The universe is not a collection of objects, but a web of vibrating interconnected patterns governed by this quantum potential force. Unlike the other forces, the quantum potential has no known physical source and the quantum potential force violates locality.

Just as space and time are interconnected as part of a space-time continuum, everything is connected as part of a single continuum. The entire universe is one single, complex entity. The whole universe is enfolded in everything and each thing is enfolded in the whole; and it is the quantum potential force that controls and connects all things.

As human consciousness is one piece of the unified universe, Isaac can subconsciously "see" through the seemingly chaotic physical universe to the true order and nature enfolded in the universe. On a subconscious level, he observes this order and is a part of it. He is connected to all things and is unconsciously aware of the position and velocity of every particle in the universe at any given moment, enabling his subconscious mind to accurately predict their probable interactions. In layman's terms, because Isaac has information about literally everything in the universe his subconscious can logically deduce actions that are nearly 100 percent certain to happen. This means his subconscious can determine the future history of the world for weeks to come. His mind can store this much information because the emergent property of human consciousness is more than the sum of neuroelectrical activity, the subconscious mind works on a quantum level as well; it extends beyond the mere organic.

Just as various things in our subconscious are picked up by our conscious mind, some predictions that are especially notable to Isaac's psyche are picked up by his conscious mind in a subtle manner, i.e. he can visualize some predictions while painting.

Although the Heisenberg uncertainty principle accerts that it is impossible to look at a sub-atomic particle and know both where it is and where it's going at the same time with exactly 100 percent accuracy, Isaac's subconscious still calculates probabilities to a 99.999 percent level of likelihood. The 0.001 probability is only actualized by something that prevents the 99.999 probability as a result of Isaac's interference because of his vision. This means that unless Isaac tries to prevent one of his visions or makes others aware of it, the chances become 100 percent the prediction will happen.

 

[The Question]

Another possibility for how his power might work that may be tied to your theory is thus: Chaos theory. Basically, the idea of chaos theory is that the universe has underlying patterns on a micro and macro level. Everything works is a clockwork order and is simply going about the motions. Thus, it is theoretically possible to have a mathematical equasuion to predict every possible outcome in a given situation. Essentially, and equasion that can predict the future. It's possble that Isaac has a superhumanly inteligent sub conscious mind that is capable of understanding and calculating the chaos theory equasion.

 

[body_crumbles]

Maybe the drugs have a big impact on his predicting the future? *Shrugs* He seems to only be drawing disasters when he's high.

 

[AllThingsComic]

When did he cut off his hand, did I miss that part?

 

[sc12een17am3]

it be interesting to see him develop his powers to be stronger. at the moment it seems he can only have visions when high. hopefuly once he tries to clean his addiction he'll be able to control them and not rely on drugs to get them.

 

[blah]

No, no...I think he needs a stronger drug! A kind a government spook will provide in exchange...well, his power!

 

[phoenixflight]

A really good friend of mine just pointed out that Isaac saw the future beyond his death. What's going on?? Is his murder "out of time"?? Could it be Patient Zero??? Syler???

 

[Mixairian]

A really good friend of mine just pointed out that Isaac saw the future beyond his death. What's going on?? Is his murder "out of time"?? Could it be Patient Zero??? Syler???

Time doesn't stop when a person dies. If anything, this show is embracing the idea that people can change their fate.

 

[Holly Goodhead]

If he's dead then why do one of the future episodes talk about him.

 

[Mixairian]

If he's dead then why do one of the future episodes talk about him.

>_<

Round 2...

Most of the previews don't show a lot of things for the next episodes... Last weeks preview showed more than was actually in this weeks episodes.

If you mean storyline wise. Hiro went

Spoiler

5 weeks into the future and more or less went directly to Isaac.

Every other storyline we saw was

Spoiler

5 weeks before Hiro's

.

 

[The Question]

If he's dead then why do one of the future episodes talk about him.

Hiro was over a month in the future when he found Isaac's body. Isaac's alive in the present. At some point in the near future, Syler's going to kill him. Since Syler seems to enjoy watching things die, he may kill Isaac to keep him from preventing New York's destruction.

 

[Mixairian]

Hiro was over a month in the future when he found Isaac's body. Isaac's alive in the present. At some point in the near future, Syler's going to kill him. Since Syler seems to enjoy watching things die, he may kill Isaac to keep him from preventing New York's destruction.

Also, someone else knows the future. Hiro was set us up the bomb.

 

[Cobblepot]

I've never seen the show, but he reminds me a bit of Nostradamus.
Nostradamus used opium to "enhance" his future visions...

 

[Gilpesh]

He was the man.

 

[04nbod]

he was hot!!! damn simone was a lucky woman until she was unlucky and accidentally shot

 

[Raiden]

Issac was a cool character, but right now both Peter and Sylar have his ability to paint the future, so we still get to see his power at work (like how Peter painted Montreal).

 

[Sawyer]

One of the names on the picture of the twelve last night was Carlos Mendez. I'm betting that its Isaac's dad.

 

[Raiden]

There are two paintings by Issac that did not come true. One is the painting depicting the nuking of NYC, and another is Nathan as Prez in the WH. Are there any more?