Factual error: In Season 2, Episode 3, Peter and the Irish family rob the bookmakers and the security guards shoot at them. In Ireland, even the police don't carry weapons. Let alone security guards.
Factual error: When Nathan goes to Cork to find his brother, he gets out of a black cab with a yellow license plate, both of which are characteristic of ENGLISH taxis, not Irish ones.
(Volume Two: Generations) Four Months Later... - S2-E1
Factual error: In the scene where Hiro is in ancient Japan posing as Takezo Kensei to rescue the girl, what looks like a Gatorade bottle can be seen in the grass as they ride away. (00:18:45)
Chosen answer: It's not been made 100% clear. It was originally assumed that he actually consumed part of the brain, but this has turned out not to be the case. Sylar has been shown all along to have an instinctive knowledge of how things work and how to fix them - this is his actual original power and the ability that made him an exceptional watchmaker and repairer. It appears that he uses a similar process when acquiring new powers - he exposes the brain of the target, allowing him to examine it and determine how their power functions. He can then apply that knowledge to his own brain, allowing him to replicate the ability in question.
Tailkinker ★