Fringe: Olivia
It's been a good four months since our last glimpse it the alternate universe(s) of Fringe, and the season premiere was bound to deliver the thrills. I knew that breaking the formula that we've lived with for the past two years could only help the show. It had begun to be a little bit repetitive, but with a new universe comes an entire new aspect to the show. The opening ten minutes of the episode are spectacular and set up for what we're about to see. Walternate is aggressively trying to make Olivia think she's Fauxlivia, and throughout the episode that factor goes from non-existent to a frightening truth. In other words, if your mind was completely blown away by this episode, you're not alone.
The ending to this episode was nearly as terrifying as the ending to last season. There's a lot that leads up to that, and across the entire episode you can see her go from being sure of who she is, to doubting her sanity entirely. However, you thought this episode would end, you were wrong. Walternate is just as intelligent as our Walter, except he keeps his reasons close to the chest, and his purposes are more nefarious. As we go along the path of the alternate universe, we see little jokes about how things are different, and one of the best things about this episode was Andre Royo's performance as Henry. In fact, this episode entirely caught me off guard and delivered one of the best hours this series has seen. Get ready for a more consistent chapter in the Fringe series.
A few questions for the next few episodes: What is Walternate's logic behind changing our Olivia's memory? How long until our Olivia begins to regain her sanity? How will Olivia respond to Frank, working "Over There", and how long before her new Fringe team starts noticing something's different. Finally, how long before we see cab driver Henry again? This week I've had to endure confusion (The Event), depression (Glee), and just plain disappointment (Raising Hope), but this is the first premiere to truly exceed expectations. What did you think of Olivia?
9.5 out of 10
Mad Men: The Beautiful Girls
This episode actually premiered five days ago, but I felt I could just review both of my favorite shows in one post. Mad Men took up my attention while Fringe was on break, but now it's back, and we have two fantastic shows fighting for my heart. I have to admit, this week offered us some unexpected twists, the most pressing of which is the untimely demise of Ida Blankenship. She got some brilliant one-liners over the course of the first half ("It's a business of Sadists and Masochists, and you know which one you are."), but I keep wondering if I'm a horrible person for finding Ida's death to be humorous.
Blankenship's death only adds more misfortune onto the fact that Sally is in Don Draper's office, having tried to run away. I'm glad we've gotten to see so much of her this season, and she really shines here in depicting a girl being torn apart by her parents' failed marriage. It really pushes Don's relationship with Faye further than they had hoped for. It'll be really awkward is Betthany shows up again and ruins everything, because I actually like this relationship. I have a creeping feeling that it won't work out, but I enjoy it as it happens. Also, Roger and Joan finally kiss. They're both in a weak place, and they find each other as a result of that. I hope that this actually goes somewhere.
The ending to this episode was nearly as terrifying as the ending to last season. There's a lot that leads up to that, and across the entire episode you can see her go from being sure of who she is, to doubting her sanity entirely. However, you thought this episode would end, you were wrong. Walternate is just as intelligent as our Walter, except he keeps his reasons close to the chest, and his purposes are more nefarious. As we go along the path of the alternate universe, we see little jokes about how things are different, and one of the best things about this episode was Andre Royo's performance as Henry. In fact, this episode entirely caught me off guard and delivered one of the best hours this series has seen. Get ready for a more consistent chapter in the Fringe series.
A few questions for the next few episodes: What is Walternate's logic behind changing our Olivia's memory? How long until our Olivia begins to regain her sanity? How will Olivia respond to Frank, working "Over There", and how long before her new Fringe team starts noticing something's different. Finally, how long before we see cab driver Henry again? This week I've had to endure confusion (The Event), depression (Glee), and just plain disappointment (Raising Hope), but this is the first premiere to truly exceed expectations. What did you think of Olivia?
9.5 out of 10
Mad Men: The Beautiful Girls
This episode actually premiered five days ago, but I felt I could just review both of my favorite shows in one post. Mad Men took up my attention while Fringe was on break, but now it's back, and we have two fantastic shows fighting for my heart. I have to admit, this week offered us some unexpected twists, the most pressing of which is the untimely demise of Ida Blankenship. She got some brilliant one-liners over the course of the first half ("It's a business of Sadists and Masochists, and you know which one you are."), but I keep wondering if I'm a horrible person for finding Ida's death to be humorous.
Blankenship's death only adds more misfortune onto the fact that Sally is in Don Draper's office, having tried to run away. I'm glad we've gotten to see so much of her this season, and she really shines here in depicting a girl being torn apart by her parents' failed marriage. It really pushes Don's relationship with Faye further than they had hoped for. It'll be really awkward is Betthany shows up again and ruins everything, because I actually like this relationship. I have a creeping feeling that it won't work out, but I enjoy it as it happens. Also, Roger and Joan finally kiss. They're both in a weak place, and they find each other as a result of that. I hope that this actually goes somewhere.
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