FRINGE Analysis/Review 5.01 -- Hope Can Be Found in the Smallest of Cracks. ~ Fringe Television - Fan Site for the FOX TV Series Fringe

FRINGE Analysis/Review 5.01 -- Hope Can Be Found in the Smallest of Cracks.

      Email Post       9/29/2012 11:19:00 PM      



I am elated to be able to write some thoughts about this episode. This show has 12 more to tell an epic saga, and so far, so very good.


A Beautiful Dream Inside of a Horrible Nightmare

As the Fringe family of Olivia, Peter and their young daughter, Etta, enjoyed what Peter might call, “the perfect day,” I could not help but to smile. These precious moments of a happy family are few and far between on the show. However, there was also a conflicting dread, as I witnessed father and mother enjoying their precious toddler’s joy in her discovery of the effect that blowing air against a mature dandelion has on the flower.  Fringe fans everywhere probably felt the same, as we know when Peter and Olivia are happy, something's gotta go wrong. And the wrong that came has got to be the most gut-wrenching imaginable.



When the Observers arrived out of the blue, at the park, people were scattered in every direction, much like the blown seeds of the fragile flower. That flower at this point, is a symbol of a fractured, scattered family.

Peter awakened from this replay of one of the most traumatic events to occur in his life; and we later learn the outcome of this event.  In Season Four, Peter dreamed of happiness, and that meant a home with the people he loves, and who love him. We witnessed pancake breakfasts with Walter and Olivia, and another day in the park with Olivia, one in which she questions him, a manifestation of Peter’s greatest fear; inadequacy.

Peter once told Olivia about his mantra to prevent nightmares. Seems he needs it in this future. Sadly, even when he wakes up he cannot escape the fact that his dreams are reality.

Peter’s first instinct was to check on Etta. I can speak for any parent of an adult child, that this is very real. A parent never stops being a parent. Even Walter checked up on Peter. “He even checks to make sure that I’m still breathing. Which is a little creepy.”  And I’m still getting used to Peter being called, “Dad.”
Speaking of dad, Walter was certainly not in the mood for Peter’s gentle reminder about his lack of pants. Peter looked fairly surprised at Walter’s indigence.

I used to joke that there is no way that I could live in the RedVerse because my veins flow with coffee. Or that my alt would be a coffee smuggler, using contacts to bring contraband across the bridge.  But things are even worse in this “miserable future” Tea and eggsticks. Nom. The loss of tasty food is the least of Walter’s worries as man cannot live by bread alone, and the Observers have restricted another of Walter’s greatest joys in life.

Walter revealed the plan that he and September were working on, and that Olivia needed to retrieve a part—a transilience thought unifier—in order to complete the necessary device.  But they had to amber themselves without seeing Olivia again. Peter tried to instill confidence in Etta that her mother would be found. Peter had always been one to keep trying until there was no hope. Sadly, we later saw that this normally positive tendency would cause a rift between him and Olivia, and also between him and Walter.

The Observers may be keeping Natives alive, but at a minimum level, and it’s even worse to discover that they use machines to alter the composition of the air. They need more carbon monoxide; oxygen rich air cannot sustain them. Immediately, this brought thoughts of the pale, hairless, empathic boy in “Inner Child.” Even more proof that this boy was an Observer. Maybe that kid will be revealed as someone we know. And if he was an Observer child, did he have a mother? We have yet to see female Observers.

Dealing with the Natives

Although I found the concept of “Amber Gypsies” laughable, the black-market scene was very dystopian, very much a nod to “Blade Runner,” starring Harrison Ford. (I was in Vancouver when these scenes were filmed and although we couldn’t really see the action inside, we did see the Geisha and the extras, along with Josh, John, Jasika, and Georgina coming and going.)  Just looking at the small details and the music chosen for the scene gave it a very underground feel. I had to grin when Peter was amused with his daughter telling him how not to get conned. “If they tell you different; they’re trying to rip you off.”  Oh, and if it ever came to a handful of walnuts being worth $3,000, then I hope I still have my trees… 

Walter’s heart-to-heart with his now adult granddaughter, was something I had hoped for in a way. Many fans wanted to see a grandpa Walter. This is not exactly what we had in mind, but it really struck home to hear Walter speak of a child that in the blink of an eye is a survivor of a woman. “To me, you will forever be… a little girl.” It is here, where the first tears fell. More to come…



I mentioned Harrison Ford previously because he was also Star Wars’ Han Solo, a character that was imprisoned in carbonite and placed on display by Jabba the Hut. Sadly Olivia “Han” (remember her nickname at school was Han, because she was a loner, or Solo) Dunham met a similar fate—amber encasement and was being used as a coffee table by none other than everyone’s favorite “purveyor of rare manuscripts” and “ladies' man,” Edward Markham.  I had to laugh because in another time, Markham once told Peter, “I don't want your money. I want protection. What if someone comes to erase my memories?” Oh Fringe, I love your subtle, enjoyable callbacks for us obsessive fans. The scene though went from hilariously ironic, to sad in a blink, as Peter’s eyes fell across the amber slab containing Olivia. Then an overwhelming feeling of creepy washed over me due to Markham’s profession of love for her and because of his messed up fairy tale delusions. Then right back to realizing the magnitude of Etta looking at her mother for the first time in 20 years, her hope and perseverance paid off, just like her father said.

The cost of this retrieval was high as the Observers captured Walter.  Etta traded Simon for Peter and now they traded Walter for Olivia.

The Bullet that Killed a Mother?

Most fans assume that the bullet around Etta’s neck is the same that was extracted from her mother’s brain, after Walter had shot and killed her in “Brave New World: Part 2” But after discussions with some others, there is now a consensus that this may not be true. After all, Etta was separated from her parents. They did not give her away for safekeeping. So it’s not like Olivia or Peter had the opportunity to give Etta the necklace. Plus, why would they?  She just vanished. Or did someone—possibly September—take her? Maybe the necklace is a Fringe team artifact of sorts. Etta did mention that they were heroes in “Letters of Transit.” Edward Markham knew exactly who they were. So relics from the team may exist and this bullet necklace is one. But knowing Joel Wyman, this assumed sentimental touch may actually be revealed as something else altogether.



Family Reunion Minus One

I let go a huge sigh of relief when Olivia was so elated to see Peter, and that she cupped his face close to her.  There had been hints that their relationship was broken because of what happened to Etta, but many wondered to just what extent that would be.  Torv’s immediate recognition and look of relief was quite noticeable, as was Jackson’s very concerned face, as Peter hoped that Olivia would be alright. His no-bones explanation was right to the point. “Hey look, we’re in the future… “ It didn’t take long for Olivia’s eyes to focus on the other person in the room, and those eyes said so much. The recognition was there, but so was the utter disbelief. Torv’s expressions all spoke, “I want this to be true, but I’m afraid.” Peter’s eyes bored right into hers, grounding her as he explained, that yes, this was their daughter. The simple line, “Kiddo. Come meet your mom,” is now pretty close to one of my favorites of the series, along with, “You were three years. One month. And five days.”  The reunion between mother and daughter, long awaited, was worth it.



As Peter looked on, he was fumbling with something that hung around his neck: A wedding ring, perhaps? (I couldn’t help but notice the butterflies in the background of this scene.)



Olivia, now reunited with part of her family, noticed someone was missing…

Dark Matters

Walter sat in a dark, dank room and was bound to a chair. This scene was very reminiscent of season two’s “Grey Matters, “ as Newton tried to use images to stimulate Walter’s brain so that certain memories would be induced. Newton and crew used a device quite similar to the function of a Transilience Thought Unifier Model-11. In “Grey Matters,” there were physical pieces of “media”—brain—taken from Walter, and they were to be reinserted in order to be read. In this episode, we learned that September had scrambled the memories concerning their plot to defeat the Observers.

Observer Fascist-in-Chief, Windmark, set out to interrogate Walter. He realized that Walter was thinking of a song in order to deal with the unpleasant, seemingly hopeless situation.  The emotionless bald one asked Walter if he missed it. This reminded me of a certain scene in “The Arrival.” While enjoying a root beer float at a diner, Walter remarked to September about how wonderful it tasted, as he had not had one for seventeen years. September replied, “That's a long time to go without something you love.” This is a layer of Fringe that I have always enjoyed. Humans may have food, air, light, etc. But is that living? This show has constantly reminded us that people need love, recognition, and cultural aspects that inspire.  Our art and music is responsible for giving many of us the drive to live and to make sense of our lives and the world around us. They are as necessary as air, and I personally appreciate the message in a world that is hostile to those that study the arts, and to art education for children. I love listening to and playing music, and can honestly say it kept me alive during tough times. 

As torturous as it was to see Walter go through the painful attempts at memory extraction, this has to be one of the finest performance John Noble has ever given; it is later outdone. I’m proud of Walter’s perseverance and resistance.  Especially after getting a glimpse of the brain splatters on the wall behind him… He knew all too well what was at stake.  Sadly, his memories of a certain little girl could be read, and Mr. Shiny Top was able to put two-and-two together about who helped the Fringe team.



Luckily, contrary to Windbag’s declaration of no hope, the Bishop clan hatched a plan to rescue Walter from the bowels of the Observer stronghold where he was being held. As I watched this scene, I had to have a chuckle at Peter having to deal with thoughts of his daughter making shady deals with shady guys. The apple doesn’t fall far, Pete. But the thoughts he had about what happened to his relationship with Olivia in the aftermath of Etta’s disappearance, were weighty. 

Reconnecting

I love that he talks with Olivia on a bridge; yet another one to add to the list of bridges on Fringe. Of course, being our heroine, she was concerned that all of their sacrifices were for nothing. “We didn’t save the world.” Peter replied, “Not even by half,” but once again, his hopeful streak showed when he said that Etta was still trying. This was Joshua Jackson’s time to shine. The relief on his face as he said, “I never thought I’d see you again, Olivia,” but his expression was one also containing a hint of pain. It seemed the wrecked couple was feeling their way around each other, trying to find a footing of where they stood with one another. I wasn’t worried that Joel Wyman would give us angry, pissed-off soapy reactions. Often, people who love each other just can’t be. But sometimes they grow back together, stronger than ever. I once compared the relationship to metal forged in flames; repeatedly thrown into the white-hot heat only to come out unbreakable.



Olivia and Peter felt very real to me; like two people that had finally been worn down by what the world had thrown at them. They had survived so much, but the loss of a child, was unbearable. Olivia had heard Walter’s tearful, “You can't imagine what it's like to lose a child” (“Peter”). September once told Peter that it must be difficult being a father (“The Firefly). At this moment, those lines came home to roost. People can love one another, but grow apart, and Peter revealed that this is what happened. He was paralyzed by the loss of his little girl, and he refused to move on, while Walter and Olivia went to New York to try and implement September’s plan.  Peter’s pain was out there in rare form and real—stunningly heartbreaking. Why save the world when your world—your child—is gone? Walter was willing to break universes for his son. Peter was willing to let a world die because of his daughter.


“I was not willing to give up searching… for this perfect soul… that we made.”

One little touch I found endearing was when Peter wiped the tears from his eyes and put on a smile when Etta asked them to come with her and the resistance friends. Dad still has to be strong for her.

As they arrived at Walter's place of imprisonment, did anyone else notice poor Etta having to use the equivalent of a vagenda in order to put the Loyalist guard at ease? I also stopped to consider a comparison between her and Fauxlivia. Both kill in order to accomplish the mission. And the mission is accomplished in guns-a-blazing “Maverick” style.  Best comedic line so far this season goes to “It’s always the red wire…. Unless it’s the white wire.”

The reveal that Simon and William Bell were taken by the Observers ought to have interesting ramifications this season. Will either Henry Ian Cusick or Leonard Nimoy return?

With Walter back where he belonged, all looked to be back on schedule. But being Fringe, it’s never that easy. Mr. Breathless pretty much played a game of “if I can’t have it, than no one can,” and Walter fought back so valiantly that the memories were corrupted, and he could recall none of the plan. Though as the final, hopeful scene shows, music may save the day. There are many powerful scenes in Fringe and this one won a place in my most admired. Walter’s sheer joy in the synth beats and simple, yearning, vocals of Yazoo’s “Only You,” will always remain with me. Combine that with the lone dandelion, emerging in defiance from a crack in the sidewalk,  and it equals storytelling perfection. The mark of a good story is that it is memorable. For as long as I see a dandelion or hear this song, I will always think of this scene. Always.  John Noble, get this scene out to Emmy peers now.



(Check the seahorse hanging in the windshield)

Nothing grows in scorched Earth? Oh Windmark, dandelions “cannot be eliminated, much like the human spirit” (Joel Wyman). Very much like Fringe fans as well. Thanks to everyone that fought for this show. This beautiful episode would not exist without us all.

Like dandelions, we know how to find the crack.



My Unified Thoughts

In my eyes, this blew last year’s premiere out of the water. I was engaged for the entire episode, not wanting to miss any detail of this new-to-us world, and also the snippets that clued us in to what happened in 2015. To me, Fringe has always been about the weird family unit of Walter, Peter and Olivia. Adding a child this season is a natural extension of a family saga, about people trying to learn from the past to build a better world. If only the Observers took better notes…

Next week’s “In Absentia” looks even better, and it will be a treat to match scenes with places that I saw when the episode was filmed in Vancouver.

The Importance of Music in Fringe

Music has always played an important background role on Fringe. And sometimes it comes a bit more out into the light. Here are some examples.

The ear-pleasing, emotional soundtrack composed by Chris Tilton

Peter playing the piano for Olivia and Walter in “The Cure.”

One of the first things Peter does for Walter is fix his turntable, and he also offers to digitize his old records because they mean so much to him.

“The Equation” was about a small part of musical score.

“Brown Betty” was a musical—and a huge treasure trove of foreshadowing.

Walter’s favorite band—Violet Sedan Chair—was specially created for the show, and  they even have their own real album, “Seven Suns.”

In “Northwest Passage,” Christa makes Mix CDs for her customers. She made one for Peter. (Mix CDs were hanging in the trees at the end of “Transilience Thought Unifier Model-11.”

In “The Firefly,” Walter tried to evoke Violet Sedan Chair member Roscoe Joyce’s memories by having him play one of their songs—“Last Man in Space”—on piano.

Fauxlivia ruined U2 for all of us.

The episode “6B” was full of music used to set a mood. First, Walter played a record of “Feelings,” when he made breakfast in an attempt to have Olivia and Peter reconcile. Peter and Olivia listened to the Jukebox at a pub while they shared a kiss, and then they listened to “Pale Blue Eyes,” before taking their trip up the stairs at the Bishop house.

Fringe inspired me to create my own Spotify playlist earlier this week with dystopia/resistance songs and songs that mean hope to me.

Executive Producer/writer Joel Wyman regularly shares his fave music with fans on Twitter. What a wonderful way to connect. Music is a bridge in so many ways.




Follow me on Twitter @aimeeinchains, and also follow the team @Fringenuity. 






26 Comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Aimee,
Lovely review of a very lovely episode. I especially liked your musical coda at the end. By any chance would you be willing to share the titles of some of your dystopian song mixes? I'd like to listen to some Fringe-inspired apocalypse/hope music as well...

Unknown said...

Hi, thank you. I gave a Spotify playlist

<a href="http://open.spotify.com/user/collectivesoul/playlist/7wvA1DGqi3BDTfr9LpY5kT</a>

My music is all over the place, but these fit for me. Music is so varied and so open to interpretation. Love it. Some songs:

2 + 2 = 5 Radiohead /21 Century Man - ELO /2112 - Rush/All you Facists - Wilco / Are You Interested - Cog /Another One Bite's the Dust - Queen / Authority Song - John Mellencamp / Beds are Burning - Midnight Oil / Big Brother - David Bowie / Black Hole Sun - SoundGarden / Bled For Days - Static- X /Bodies - Drowning Pool / Bombshell - Powerman 5000 / Brave New World - Iron Maiden / Bring Me to Life - Evanescence / Bullet With Butterfly Wings - Smashing Pumpkins / Bulls on Parade - Rage Against the Machine / Cult of Personality - Living Colour / Descent - Fear Factory / Devour - Shinedown / Die Trying - Art of Dying /Disappear - INXS /Down in the Park - Gary Numan /Draconian Countdown - Rasputinia / Drive - Incubus/ Dystopia - KMFDM / Far Cry - Rush / Free Will - Rush /Ghost of Days Gone By - Alter Bridge / Guerilla Radio - Rage Against the Machine / Head Like a Hole - NIN/ Hero - Skillet / Heroes - David Bowie / I Won't Back Down - Tom Petty / Invisible Sun - The Police / Know Your Enemy - Green Day / Leader of Men - Nickleback /Live to Rise - Soundgarden / Master Passion Greed - Nightwish / Megalomaniac - Incubus / Mind Control -Tantric / Ordinary World - Duran Duran/ Pet - A Perfect Circle / Plowed - Sponge / Pride (In the Name of Love) - U2 / Reach For the Sky - Social Distortion / Rebels in Kontrol - KMFDM / Refuse/Resist - Sepultura / Resistance - Muse / Revolution Calling - Queensryche / Riot - Three Days Grace /Superman's Dead - Our Lady Peace / Symphony of Destruction - Megadeth / Ten Thousand Fists - Disturbed / The Beginning of the End - NIN / The Hand That Feeds - NIN / The Show Must Go On - Queen / the Universal - Blur / The World I Know - Collective Soul / These Hard Times - Matchbox 20 / This Is not - Static-X / Unity - shinedown / Waiting for the End - Linkin Park / Uprising - Muse / We Die Young - Alice in Chains













GodsGirl said...

WOW- I am about as blown away from this review as I was the premier!!! Great Review Aimee!! I LOVE all the heart and detail that you put into it as in my opinion last night's episode was one of the best episodes of Fringe so far!!!

Roneo said...

Just reading your excelent review a thought came to my mind, regarding Etta's bullet. Its shape seems to me the same that Olivia's. But it's true that it may not be a very suitable present to a child.
Then, we have Walter's memories during the torture, of the little Etta. We all know he has not always clear boundaries regarding science and people. What if he prepared Etta when she was a child, if she has something in her (it could be her ADN, but also something inside that bullet) like the safe-fail also her mother once was? And why could not have being September who delivered it to the girl?. Never mind, rambling thoughts.

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful review. You articulated my feelings about this episode beautifully which I found to be excellent introduction to this world and our heroes on so many levels.

I look forward to reading your reviews this season. Sad that it's so short, but if 501 is an indication of the season, then I can deal.

Thank you.

Unknown said...

What a phenomenal review Aimee... All I can say is WOW! Didn't realize you posted on here as well as morethanoneofeverything.net

Zepp said...

I liked very much, that its revision, Aimee Long. I thought the content of your text very complete, opinionated and rich in details, which helped me to understand, rambling and foreshadow what is to come in now chaotic and hopeless at this world of Fringe now, and the relationships that will become, if not difficult, at least be complicated, between the main characters. Thank you for this excellent post. And related to that first episode, I place, too, some considerations and thoughts of mine, below.


This great episode, 501, starts, I think, what we might call "in search of hope." That last scene, Walter, poorly dressed, sitting in a yellow taxi, listening to music, amid a desolate and deserted street, was very significant for me. In 2036 the hopelessness and despondency reign, and the Observers are lords of a population of survivors, who lives precariously, and has no power to make their own free will and discernment of life. It seems to me now that everything in the world of Fringe is like part of a great paradox, as appears to be a major social and environmental chaos, consisting of these streets and destroyed, with a population living in fear and hiding, that is, strictly controlled and regulated by the Observers fascists, who live in a new world with high-tech of privileges under total control of them. 2036 is a large controlled chaos and no hope, where the human race, the others who have survived some catastrophe, is rapidly declining social.

The “old” Fringe team, now with the addition of Etta, is only acting under the stimulus of, first, the pursuit of Olivia, and then the rescue of Walter. And in this first episode, I felt clearly that the command, initiative and leadership shares this "new-old" Fringe team, is in the hands of a father (Peter) and his daughter (Etta), followed by the other, Olivia, Walter, Astrid ... I was already familiar with the leading Olivia, I see that now, in 2036, at least in the beginning, the command is with Etta and her father, Peter, I think. Olivia after being removed from the amber, which was maintained and monitored by the collector of books, "passionate", Edward Markham, seems to me, that still did not wake. She is listless and without its own initiative, the way it was before, something happened, something changed with the attitudes of Olivia, I think it should be repercussions from the past, before she takes refuge in the amber, I think. Definitely, for me, Olivia is, or is acting like it was someone else in 2036.

I was also wondering, who are these people, who live marginality, which remove people trapped in amber, for freedom, which are called "gypsies of amber," who are they? How they live, act and who lead them?

Does this Fringe team will defeat the Observers, liberate the oppressed, and ultimately save the world, once and for all? I do not know, but this "fall of the Bastille ', surely we as losers as winners and the oppressors, the people partying in the streets next to" our "Team Fringe, taking the side, too, the hungry and the destitute, called" gypsies amber ", which are the resistance that lives in dark underground cities devastated. This" new "Fringe, for me, is an odyssey in search of the hope and individual freedom lost, I see.



Mariló García said...

Pregunta: ¿la pistola con la que mata Etta al Observer es la misma que "inventó" Bell?

Simon + Etta + Bell = Peter + Olivia + Walter

[ Mi review: http://bit.ly/QA7ztN ]

Anonymous said...

Etta is a poor copy of pilot Olivia.

Olivia was open, happy, emotional, angry,

After Scotts death she closed off, and the years on the Fringe team took their toll, with on top that the use by Bell and Walter and final straw losing her daughter.

To little Olivia in this episode, but it seems from her deep emotion and ready to be back with Peter, and her grief so deep , when she saw Etta, and the talk with Peter, and in other moments, that she is in pain, and going back to work was her way of dealing with the pain.
Saving the world, thinking more of others than herself, as Olivia does.

I do not like the idea that Etta gets to play the active role, and Olivia sidelined.

Walter gets to much storylines, and I thought that Olivia and Peter also would get their own arc.

Best scene : Olivia seeing Etta, and her embrace, with all the raw pain and grief on her face as she told her that she thought of her evert single day.

Unknown said...

There are other characters on this show. I know some are upset that Olivia was not so active, but come on, that isn't going to be the case forever.Those who like Peter have had to see him sidelined an awful lot, and I'm glad he gets to be more active. Also, Etta is a focus right now only because Joel needs to give background to this character. Why would you introduce a character and then not give her a life? And I think that we're going to see that she may be a blend of her parents, but she will have her own rules that will not mirror either of them.

I loved the reunion scene. But it was one of many excellent scenes for ALL of the great characters on this show. This isn't the Olivia Dunham show. It is a show about a family fighting to hold on to each other, and it's beautiful.

Unknown said...

Did people really expect Olivia to take command after she was removed from amber, reunited with her estranged husband and long=lost daughter, and immersed in the world that she could not save? Mark my words, Olivia will not be quiet for long.

fringeobsessed said...

Nicely done, Aimee.
I agree that the Amber Gypsy sales area scene screamed of "Blade Runner," one of our showrunner's favorite movies, and that Liv looked just like Solo in carbonite, and that Markham sadly, is truly creepy in this timeline.

When I read your section entitled "The Bullet That Killed A Mother," I keep thinking of Walter repeating September's words to Peter in "The Firefly:

Give him the keys, and save the girl.

I initially thought the girl was Olivia, but when we first saw the graffiti wall in the background in "The Firefly" with the lone girl to Peter's right, I started to wonder exactly WHICH GIRL September meant!
I still think September meant Olivia, as it parallels the whole of Arlette/Peck in "White Tulip" so nicely, but, I could be wrong.

There are many beautiful scenes in this episode and it is more bountiful than the Season 4 premiere was.

Just 1 more thought. Yes, I believe William Bell will return, as the character is hugely important to the series. If you watch just the season finales back-to-back as I did a few weeks ago, William Bell is in 3 out of 4 of them!

And Simon has to return soon, doesn't he? Maybe someone will give him the keys, and he will save his girl, Etta?

Anonymous said...

I miss when Olivia was driving the plot, the third season until firefly was the best period of fringe and Olivia still is the best season premiere of Fringe.

Unknown said...

I, and many others disagree, but everyone is entitled to their opinion. (For instance, I couldn't wait for Olivia to get back home in S3, and I actually liked this premiere and S2 premiere best.) This show amazes because of its talented ensemble cast.

Anonymous said...

I liked this episode, I like Etta and love walter, i just think fringe lost its luster with the mistakes of the plot, as baby Henry, love triangle Peter / Olivia / Bolivia, and a premiere season focused on a strange character,Lincoln Lee as a fourth season very boring and there is no denying that character Olivia was reduced starting from of second half of third season

Anonymous said...

lol

panda said...

What a wonderful review. Thank you so much.

Anonymous said...

I would agree that the season 4 premiere was probably the weakest. With that said, other than way too much time being spent on the Lincoln Lee character, I enjoyed it.

The season 5 premiere, I thought excellent. It did a lot to establish the current state of the key relationships -- Peter's estrangment from both Walter and Olivia. I did feel Olivia's role was muted, but that can be attributed to her just coming out of the amber. However, I love Peter's new role. I agree that he has been on the sidelines for most of the series, even when it focused on him--i.e., his return in season 4.

John Noble and Anna Torv are just incredible actors. Josh Jackson is also terrific as was Georgina Heig (Sp ???). I hope to see Astrid a little more active and not just relagated to being Walter's keeper again. I'd like to see her in action as well.

Great review!

Anonymous said...

Find the crack - throwback to Northwest Passage?

Unknown said...

I think so. Light can find its way through the cracks, and symbolizes hope. :)

Thanks everyone for an interesting discussion.

LittleWing said...

@Aimee. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I too am surprised to read that some people were disappointed with Olivia not taking charge. She was JUST released from amber into a world that she knows nothing about. How could she take control? At least Peter, Walter and Astrid had a night with Etta to catch up and get some sleep.

I also think Olivia may have been more passive just from the shock of having failed so terribly after she tried so hard to save the world on top of reuniting with her husband and long-lost daughter. Peter, on the other hand, may have felt re-energized because the one thing he did focus on - finding Etta actually came true.

To me, their various reactions throughout the episode made perfect sense to me, except for Walter. I don't understand his lack of compassion for Peter. He of all people should have understood. I look forward to seeing how that plays out.

After being very worried that they were going to reset the Peter/Olivia relationship, I found this first episode truly satisfying and I have no doubts that Wyman and crew are going to make this 5th season the best ever.

Unknown said...

@LittleWing Walter's treatment of Peter has me a bit perplexed as well, but I blame it on the removed-brain-solution that Simon administered to Walter. He's all wibbly wobbly going from a sweet grandpa to a cantankerous old man. He's truly messed up. They all are in different ways.

People have to stop and consider how real people would react to such a crazy situation. Being stuck on one character is a real detriment to the story. Olivia will be her bad ass self again. The Fighting Bishops has a nice ring to it, eh?

As for me, #InWymanITrust.

Anonymous said...

Surprised that noone has made this connection;

"A Daisy Through Concrete"


Wake up the dying
Don't wake up the dead
Change what you're saying
Don't change what you said
Now that it's time that
I got out of bed

When i walk myself down sycamore street
The sun beats down
No shoes on my feet
And i stumble on a daisy through concrete

Pink and brown babies in pink stroller cars
Know that it's good
They don't care where they are
They know that home doesn't feel very far

When i walk myself down sycamore street
The sun beats down
No shoes on my feet
And i stumble on a daisy through concrete

Airplane is flying up in the sky
Making a pattern with the white lines
Looks like a heart
Or maybe a pie

Anonymous said...

Sorry about that. First of all, meant "no one", second of all, the tune is from The Eels release "Daisies of the Galaxy"

Anonymous said...

one Eggstick short of a vomilette... say you young skywalker. - yoda

watching this last season is futile - 7 of 11

cortexifan said...

@Aimee,
that was an awesome review. I completely missed the bridge reference. It's cool that we all have different opinions but somehow it all comes down to the same thing: Fringe is awesome!
Looking forward to reading more from you.

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