Geneticist Mohinder Suresh has always felt a bit unloved by his father, a professor who was always more engaged in his research than in his relationship with his son. But when Mohinder's father is murdered in far away New York City, Mohinder decides to travel there from India to solve the murder mystery and finish his father's research.

In New York City, Mohinder realizes that there are many people and perhaps a secret government agency after his father's research, which details the names of anyone who may have special abilities. Mohinder also learns that he had a sister who died when she was young. He doesn't remember her, but questions whether she had special powers and whether she is the reason his father began the research project.

When Mohinder decides to try to help the genetically improved species and warn them about Sylar a watchmaker who kills people with abilities and takes their powers, he becomes involved with the very person who may hurt him most.