FringeBusters 208: August

For each episode of Fringe, Popular Mechanics asks experts to analyzes the science of Fringe, and separate the science fact from the science fiction.

For "August," PM consults etymologist Rex Curry about deciphering ancient codes and symbols to see how (and if) it can be done.

Fringe got its facts right: Language does require repetition, and cracking complex codes requires some sort of key that compares codes to another language. For now, it seems that Astrid and her Fringe compatriots are out of luck when it comes to unlocking the mysteries inside the Observer's notebook.

You can read the full article a Popular Mechanics: Fringe Is on the Right Track With Code-Cracking Science

You can read other "Fringebusters" posts here.

Fans on Fringe 1

As someone who spends a lot of time in the FringeTelevision chat room I've had the privilege of listening to a lot of theories and opinions. I've seen everything from predictions that "Peter is dead" to "Olivia was a test subject of William Bell" come true. Talking with some of the chat room participants after the episode this is what I was able to dig up:

Stoyline Pacing
When asked about the current pacing of the Fringe storyline, the feeling seems to be that it is progressing a little slowly. A lot of standalone episodes paired with only minor developments of the meta-plot are making fans chomp at the bit for more plot development. Last episode "August" was encouraging however, with the feeling that the dry spell may finally be over. To quote FrankSwanzo when asked about pacing: "For this season? Poorly, Ive felt that the first 4 episodes should have been sped up a little, and now with episode 8 we're finally getting some movement."

With the next episode "Snakehead" looking to be another standalone, I'm concerned that the tipping point and rush towards the finale that the fans are hoping for may not come until after Christmas holidays.

As a stark contrast, when asked about the pacing of "August" everyone responded positively: "t was fast! I mean I looked over at the clock and saw it was 9:40 and I was shocked. I wish the episodes were longer, but fast is good I guess... it means it keeps you on your seat and not bored," said Vinylfreak89. Continuing this trend, Jennifer (Observer101) said: "A lot better, filled with mythology and a very fast moving, action pace. The kinds of episodes I look forward to."

Character Development
Character development seems to be one of the strong points of the Fringe writers. Always revealing just enough to make the characters feel human and fully realized, they never spill the beans and leave us with nothing to spend the week questioning. Those fans I spoke to appear to really appreciate the new developments, even if they're wondering where the new Agent from episode 1 of this season went to.

"They're doing a great job of getting characters out of their shells that they were put in to last season. I was really glad to see Walter and Peter move this season, and I think that along with Astrid getting out of the lab are really big developments," commented Vinylfreak89. Frank Swanzo agreed, wanting to see Astrid and Broyles get more screen time.

Meanwhile, Olivia's abilities have not manifested since she reappeared in her normal reality. Observer101 says: "The writers' have done a great job with finding the balance of it but I do feel like they need to focus more on Olivia. We were left hanging about her abilities and I for one want to find out more."

Favorite Scene in episode "August"
One of the more popular scenes with those I chatted with concerning their favorite scene in August was Walter meeting with with Observer we're now calling August. Walter's fear of Peter being taken from him once again shows us actor John Noble's incredible ability to make such a wacky character (the shows obvious comic relief) also become one of its most human. You can't help but feel that Walter is really the soul of the show.

FrankSwanzo took a different tack, "Why the girl was important after all. Because she was involved with the Death of 'One of Us'".

When asked about their favorite scene in fringe to date, those I spoke with were all drawn to Olivia's meeting in the twin towers. For Vinylfreak89, just seeing the twin towers had impact, showing him just how different this other reality could be. For FrankSwanzo it was William's warning to Olivia about physics that took the cake, while to Observer101 the meeting was a hint about why Broyles chose Olivia to be part of the Fringe Division.

Observations of Observers
If you're like me, then finding the Observer in an episode reminds you of the frustrating "Where's Waldo?" books that haunted your childhood. A great many people are seen to pop in to the chat room after an episode just to ask "Did anyone spot the Observer?". For those I spoke to after August aired, one of the key values of the chat room is when someone points out the Observer having been found, allowing us to all hit the rewind button and see him for ourselves. For those without a DVR/PVR, you're in luck. Dennis always seems to find him and post him up on the Easter Eggs portion of this site.

Quoting Vinylfreak89: "I'm horribly unobservant. The chat room is nice and helpful though I sure spotted him this episode though. Several times!!"

Fringe Fan Theories:

1. Observer101: "My main theory is about why Broyles sent Olivia, out of every other agent back in the Pilot to the warehouse. I think that everyone except for Olivia and Peter are in the loop about Olivia and what she can do. Maybe Nina told Broyles of Olivia from what Bell told her. That's why he sent her to the warehouse."
   
   Corbin: "What do you think is really going on with Nina and Broyles?"
   
   Observer101: "That's a good question - I'll take a stab in the dark and say that maybe they have been placed there to help Olivia get ready. They are slowly feeding her answers to her questions without giving too much away at once."
2. fringeobsessed: Observer's seem to latch on to a specific "observee".
3. fringeobsessed: The Observer's gun only fires for special people like Peter.
4. Raytia: Observer's may be behind more of the Green Green Green Red events, as they appeared to use it as a code to speak to the assassin.
5. Knower: The Observers can see all of time in our universe...they see it as a complete unit, non linearly.

Fringe: Secrets and Recaps, Episode 8

FringeTelevision would like to welcome Fringe Secrets and Recaps to the Fringe Podcast Network. 


In this episode, Josh recaps August, and highlights all you need to know from the episode.


For more Fringe podcasts, head over to the  Fringe Podcast Network.

Fringe Files: August Photo Gallery

HD screenshots of Fringe episode 208: August are now available at FringeFiles.com.

These screen caps have all been hand selected to increase quality and reduce duplicates, but if there's something that might be missing, you can request a specific Fringe screenshot in the Fringe Easter Eggs section.

Historical Photos from the Fringe episode August

Here are the three historical photos shown in the Fringe episode August (They were also in the Fox press kit for August).

The first image is a photo of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife, which was taken just minutes before they were assassinated, which eventually led to the start of World War I.



The second image is a painting of Marie Antoinette being taken to her execution during the French Revolution.


The third image is an engraving by Paul Revere titled "The Bloody Massacre", which depicts the events of the Boston Massacre of 1770.


If you looked closely at the photos, you should be able to see the Observer in each one, implying that their observations have been going on for a very long time.

As a bonus, I researched these three photos and found the originals:

Fringe Preview 209: Snakehead

Here is the preview for the next Fringe episode - "Snakehead" - which airs in two weeks, on December 3rd on FOX.

Head over to the FringeTelevision YouTube channel to watch it in full HD.

Screenshots of the video are available at FringeFiles.com

Episode Review: August

After three standalone episodes, Fox promised a return to Fringe's core mythology this week with a much-hyped Observer-centric storyline. The episode itself was certainly thin on the "answers" and "revelations" promised by promos and press releases, but August proved to be one of the show's best outings ever, regardless.

Pinkner and Wyman gave our new Observer a great defining moment in this ep's teaser, when we see his reaction to the war veteran's gift. The emotion in his eyes was a stark contrast to what we're used to seeing from our old pal, September. And while we all knew from the promos that he was helping Christine Hollis instead of kidnapping her, it was still a great twist that August's motives were so personal. Which raises a few questions.

First, why are the Observers immune to emotion? September seemed concerned when August uttered the word "feeling". And further, what happened to August that transformed him into something more human? We know he witnessed Christine's parents' death, and that her noble suffering inspired compassion in August's cold Observer heart, but surely every Observer has witnessed a host of traumatic events without shedding a tear.

And while the narrative was certainly compelling--and while August and Christine certainly stole the show from our series regulars--we're really left with more questions than answers at the end of the night. The Massive Dynamic geek's Observer-talk was well-delivered, but didn't we already know that there was more than one Observer, that they show up for important events in history, and that their appearances have been increasing exponentially in recent months? The episode's reveals seemed more designed to fill in new viewers than anything else. Those of us following the show from Season 1 are still left wondering: why are they here? What are they looking for? Where do they fit in relation to Fringe's other mythological entities, like the shapeshifting hybrids, the alternate reality, the Last Great Storm, and William Bell?

I guess we'll have to wait a few more weeks for clues to those mysteries, since Snakehead looks like another standalone. At least the monster of the week looks like a Ceti eel!

Other Thoughts

-Would the Observers really need to speak out loud to each other?

-August's bullet-grab = awesome.
-Could the casting department have picked someone more threatening to play the Observer's hitman? Even Walter could outrun that guy. He reminded me of a segway cop.

-I loved that Christine Hollis was an MFA student like myself. The actress also did a great job conveying simultaneous fear and gratitude.

-How ridiculous was that Ford Taurus product placement?!

-Is the He-Saved-Us-From-Drowning story just Walter's cover for September's help in stealing Peter from the Alternate Reality?

Fringe Episode 208: August

When a peculiar abduction occurs in Boston, the Fringe team uncovers details of the mysterious man known as The Observer. While the bizarre case takes center stage, Walter, Peter and Astrid hit the lab to analyze unusual evidence and deal with Walter's insatiable appetite for a milkshake.

Discuss the episode here in the comments.

How would you rate "August"?

Tonight On Fringe: August

Happy Fringeday! It's time for another LIVE Fringe chat from 9:00 PM to 12:00 PM ET, if you want to talk with other Fringe fans during or after the show. We'll try to get there a little early if anyone has questions they want answered.

To join the chat, visit the Fringe chat room, enter your name or a nickname, and join the fun! (please don't use the default mib_xxxxx nickname!)

To discuss this or any other Fringe episode, head over to the Fringe Episodes section!

How would you rate "August"?

10 Things You Need To Know About Fringe

If you're new to the world of Fringe, this video will tell you what you need to know:

1. The pattern is a series of disturbing unexplained events happening around the world which is being investigated by the fringe division of the FBI.
2. The main fringe division consists of Phillip Broyles, Olivia Dunham, Peter Bishop, Dr. Walter Bishop and Astrid Farnsworth.
3. Walter spent seventeen years in a mental institution.
4. Walter's former lab partner, William Bell, founded Massive Dynamic: a multi-billion dollar global corporation and the military's largest contractor. Nina Sharp is the chief operating officer of massive dynamic.
5. The Observer is a mysterious figure who has been seen at events connected to the pattern throughout history.
6. The Observer saved Walter and Peter's life years ago when they were in a car accident.
7. Walter and William Bell have in the past opened a hole into an alternate universe, which may have inadvertently started the pattern.
8. Peter died when he was seven. He doesn't know this and Walter holds a secret as to whom Peter really is.
9. As a child, Olivia was tested on by Walter & Bell with a drug called Cortexiphan. Since then she has had special abilities that allow her to see into the other side.
10. Olivia was pulled into the alternate universe by William Bell, who is apparently stuck there. He warned that a war is coming between the two realities.

 For a more in-depth answers, check out our Season1 recap.

Anything you think is missing from the list?

Observer Sightings in New York

Here are some photos from today's Observer appearances in New York City. We've put them all into an album at FringeFiles.com, and we'll be adding more as they come streaming in, be sure to check back later as well.

If you have any photos or video, please send us an email. Thanks!

Observer on SYTYCD and Today Show

The Observer was spotted in the audience of So You Think You Can Dance last night, and in the crowd of the Today show this morning.