There hasn't been much viewing options this past week, but it's hard to quibble after having my mind completely blown away once again by the writers and producers behind Fringe. The show has taken so many brilliantly unfortunate twists and turns across the past nine episodes, and we're just starting to see the complication and repercussions of Olivia's stay over there and Fauxlivia deception over here. I can't say that this was the start of the next chapter of Fringe. It's a standalone adventure with huge mythological importance to what this series is about, and what is to come for our melancholy heroes. This episode was another look into the world of the Observers, most specifically September. He's the one assigned to our group, and we saw a side of the character that we've never seen before. For the first time, the bald man in black took action to influence the course of events, all for the purpose of delivering a simple message, as well as confirming a precarious theory.
It started when September brought
former-musician Roscoe Joyce's son several years into the future to see his father. This brings our team around to Joyce, and after Walter has been kept on the sidelines over the first part of this season, the visit from his lifelong idol was especially important for him. I always want to head back to watch a Fringe episode over again, but it's kind of a requirement for this episode. All of the intricate plotting and maneuvers orchestrated by September build towards an emotional climax. September was testing Walter emotionally and psychologically, seeing if he would eventually be willing to finally let go of the most important person in his life: Peter. Walter was hell bent on fixing his memory so he might stop Walternate's insidious plans, and all the potential consequences Walter faced were made apparent from the onset. Walter has become obsessed with saving his son, even if it means the destruction of the universe. We saw huge progress in that respect this week, be it in an ominous fashion. Peter and Olivia got their own little moment to shine. The subplot about If You Meet The Buddha On The Road, Kill Him! was a welcome addition to the chemistry between the two. It has been made clear that Olivia doesn't want to be with Peter anymore, and he knows that. This was more about tearing down the emotional barriers between the two of them. For the moment, it won't mend their relationship entirely, and I expect something horrible will happen next week to balance things out considerably. For every cure there must be an injury, and vice versa. For the supporting roles they played, it was rather sweet and emotional. Not to saw that this episode didn't have a few faults, such as the slightly over-explanatory dialogue that took place, not to mention the experimental and transitional nature of it all, but it was wonderfully soulful, symbolic, somehow epic, and emotional.
This episode really belonged to Walter, September, and Roscoe Joyce. Christopher Lloyd gave a wonderful guest appearance as the man whose past links directly with Walter's infamous rape of the universe. It was at the same emotional level as Peter Weller's time-traveling scientist last season, and if he ever enters the fold again, I'll be pleased as peach. As previously mentioned, September showed a wider variety of emotion than he ever has before. We could see the fear in his eyes during his conversation with Walter. It's the fear that envelopes the devastating coming events that are on a collision course with our group. The key phrase that should be remembered from tonight's Fringe came from September as he confronted Peter. More than the simple test, there was a message he meant to convey to the boy who crossed universes, and though it may just be a metaphor to some, I see the terrifying and emotional implications of it.
"It must be difficult, being a father."
9.0 out of 10
No comments:
Post a Comment