"Monsters aren't real."
Unless you live in Boston, the new nexus of All Things Weird. Last week's griffin tattoo hinted at Unleashed's villain: a real-life manticore. Taking a closer look at the image above, you can really see a cornucopia of species. The bat-like head, the reptilian scales, the lionesque paws, the octopus tail with its rattlesnake terminus.
Kudos to director Brad Anderson for keeping the "Walticore" hidden until the episode's climax, a la Cloverfield. There were a few times earlier where the effects didn't quite create a tangible presence for me, not even a hidden one (in the woods, etc.), and I wanted a more distinctive sound effect, but the final reveal blew me away. Best visual effects I've ever seen on television.
Kudos to director Brad Anderson for keeping the "Walticore" hidden until the episode's climax, a la Cloverfield. There were a few times earlier where the effects didn't quite create a tangible presence for me, not even a hidden one (in the woods, etc.), and I wanted a more distinctive sound effect, but the final reveal blew me away. Best visual effects I've ever seen on television.
"Are you trying to tell me I'm pregnant?"
I was ecstatic to see Charlie's character further developed in this episode. The scenes between Kirk Acevedo and his real-life wife, Kiersten Warren, were touching and authentic, thanks to some excellent performances and brilliant casting. Charlie's more than just a great voice - Kirk's a luminous actor, and I'm glad the writers gave him a real chance to shine. Now, let's do the same for Peter, Broyles, and Astrid!
"You were brave today."
Peter and Walter's relationship also took center stage tonight, taking one step back as they argued over Walter's culpability, and then two steps forward when Peter recognizes Walter's re-emerging humanity. Walter's selfless heroism in the sewer, combined with Peter's unchecked fear for his father, was a wonderfully moving moment. Even more incredible that the writers managed to squeeze it into such a fun, outlandish storyline about a genetically-engineered monster.
What did you think? Unleashed is now my favorite "standalone" episode of Season 1.
Stray Thoughts
What did you think? Unleashed is now my favorite "standalone" episode of Season 1.
Stray Thoughts
- Best Line of the Night: "I need to tinkle. Could either of you direct me to the facilities?" (Could be my favorite of the season).
- Runner-up: "Apparently you're looking for a lion-snake named Harriet."
- 2nd Runner-up: "I haven't felt any rhinos lately."
- While Charlie was infected, I kept thinking, all the man needs is a BOX of TISSUES.
- Is the cadaver-splitting larvae hatching the grossest Fringe moment yet? I put it right up there with Bound's slug vomiting and the Pilot's Captain Yawny-Face.
- Giacchino's score was particularly riveting tonight.
- John Noble was at his most delectable, too. Give the man an Emmy!
- Anyone think there's more to Walter's "thinking out loud" in this ep? Like, maybe he's speaking with someone through the Ghost Network? Belly himself?
- According to J.R. Orci, one of Unleashed's writers, the Monster is named Rufus II.
12 Comments:
I haven't seen it yet, but will be watching it tonight. Your 'box of TISSUES' thing makes me laugh every time :D
Rufus II ---- excellent excellent!
This episode was so fantastic! Walter makes me fall in love with hi in every episode haha! And it was so nice to finally have Charlie taking on a bigger part because Kirk Acevedo is such a talented actor. Nice to see him flex his acting muscles there. Speaking of which, they finally gave Peter something more to do! What a relief! Although I'm sure what brought on his drop-of-a-hat moodiness at the beginning. You'd think a little midnight chat with Rachel would cheer a man up. Sheesh! But I really hope the writers stop this Peter/Rachel business soon. I know this was the first time it was blatant and obvious, but it kinda made me cringe.
It was really a FANTASTIC episode! In the vein of chiller movies from the past! I loved how everything just kept creeping and creeping and creeping up!!!
The ultrasound at the end was obviously improperly researched. He was practically waving the probe over the entire abdomen, all with no change in the ultrasound image.
I was wondering about that, Anon.
Unleashed is now my favourite episode of anything, ever, along with Bound. Seriously, it was amazing.
Haha Anon! I noticed that too, Walter's jiggling the heck out of it and the image remains stationary. X-D
Great episode!
Adam Morgan,
Thank you for an excellent review of "Unleashed." Rufus II was wonderfully gross, and not cheesy- looking at all as I had feared.
I thought Walter was THE stand-alone in this one. The most lucid and sober we've ever seen him. And compared to his outlandishness in episode 2 it was like he was his own doppelganger. I also agree that Peter's unmitigated fear for Walter was a brilliant moment.
A manticore? I was at the "Myths and Legends" exhibit in Boston a few weeks ago, and I sure wish I had been paying more attention! The chupacabra there bore an uncanny resemblance to Marshall Bowman's creature, but I can barely remember the manticore!
I highly recommend that exhibit if it comes to Chicago. JR Orci and company would absolutely love it too if it traveled to LA. They'd fill up many notebooks with all of the creatures presented there.
Yes, John Noble most certainly must get an Emmy. He was simply riveting last night
I loved this episode. However, my husband and I both saw similarities to this episode and the Flukeworm episode from the X-files. I love the X-Files. I think this show keeps getting better, I just hope they don't copy too much from X-files.
I finally was able to watch Unleashed tonight, and I loved it. I agree with your comment about how Fringe's stand-alone episodes have gotten amazing. Both Inner Child and Unleashed were wonderful episodes, even though they were very different.
Also, I think that in your "Stray Thoughts" section from here on out, you should post the solution to the code for the episode. That way, we can each confirm it and then work together to see if it fits a sentence.
Andrew,
Solutions to the Glyph code, and other interesting finds are posted in the screencaps / Easter eggs section.
You can also see a list of all the glyph codes together at Fringepedia.net.
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