Officer Matt Parkman discovers his power when he stumbles upon a crime scene with the detective unit. While the FBI agents look for a young girl in which a vicious murder was committed, Parkman just keeps hearing, "don't hurt me." He follows the voice to a cabinet under the stairs, and the child is found and brought to safety.

Because of this ability, Parkman is put on a case to help find Sylar, a serial killer who has defied detectives with his lack of clues and motive. Although Parkman is happy to finally get some respect from his department, he still struggles with his newfound ability, and more importantly, with his marriage.

As Parkman works to restore his wife's faith in him, he finds out that she has cheated on him with his partner, and that she is expecting a baby.