So Friday night's Fringe was brilliant. The episode focused on the alternate universe and we got to see fan favorite cab driver Henry. The writers managed to make Fauxlivia sympathetic, as she suffered through a pretty bizarre pregnancy. Oh, and by the way, this post is full of spoilers, so no reading if you haven't watched.
The episode begins with Fauxlivia getting tested for VPE, a viral form of ecclampsia. Sadly, ecclampsia is a real disease that does threaten the life of a pregnant woman. The only cure is delivery of the baby. Virally propagated ecclampsia is, as far as I can tell, a myth. (whew!)
In the car on the way home, along with lying about the father, Fauxlivia and her mother discuss her "options," although it's pretty clear Fauxlivia sees no options. I assume she is planning on an abortion if she carries the virus, an assumption bolstered by the doctor's later statement on scheduling the "procedure" later in the episode. This should present a significant dilemma for Fauxlivia. She is carrying Walternate's grandchild, probably on his orders, yet if she doesn't abort, she and the baby will die.
NOTE: at first, I wondered at Fauxlivia's stupidity: first she has unprotected sex with Peter, and then we find out she's basically someone who should never get pregnant?? But Walternate's actions suggest that she got pregnant on his orders. I would ask why she didn't object then, but if you recall the circumstances of the switch, I doubt she had time to think it through.
The glyphs spell out the word "FATED", and I think this episode took a roundabout way to look at the question of choice and pregnancy. Does Fauxlivia, in fact, have the freedom to choose? Turns out, NO. Walternate and Brandon take that choice away from her by kidnapping her and accelerating her pregnancy. The priority here is the child's life, not Fauxlivia's. Walternate and Brandon most likely know that she has VPE. The acceleration is for the child's sake, not hers (the doctor's statement demonstrates that). Why didn't they simply inform Fauxlivia that they had a possible way for her to carry the child without suffering VPE? Because they couldn't take the risk that she would choose to abort. Her choice was deliberately taken away because her life is less important than the life of the child. An interesting course for Walternate to choose, given his refusal to test Cortexiphan on kids. His morality is very selective: children are innocents, while adults are disposable. Fringe doesn't directly deal with the question of abortion, but it does get to the heart of the matter: a mother's choice.
The accelerated pregnancy is by far the event that makes me sympathetic towards Fauxlivia. I'm currently pregnant, and I can't imagine how awful it would be if the last 22 weeks had been compressed into 2 hours. The ligament pain and stretching skin pain, man oh man that hurts to think about! Realistically speaking, she should've died, the way the prostitute did in Season 1 Same Old Story. The uterus probably would've ruptured and caused serious internal damage. I'm willing to buy the idea, however, that with Other Side technology they were able to compensate for the accelerated growth.
The one issue I can't suspend belief on is the rapid growth of her son at all. You can't make matter from nothing - they would've had to give her a massive amount of nutrients somehow in order for the fetus to have raw material to form. But that's a minor glitch. After all, this is Fringe.
One burning question: will the acceleration of the pregnancy result in accelerated growth of Peter Junior? If the acceleration was purely for tactical advantage, then his childhood growth should be accelerated too. We can assume that once again, the Other Side's technology will compensate for the failures seen in Same Old Story.
LOVE Lincoln and his confession of love for Fauxlivia. I hope she turns to him for emotional support. Love watching Lincoln and Charlie start to question Walternate. And although most people seem to hate Alt-Brandon, I love him! It's like our Brandon is milk chocolate, and Alt-Brandon is dark chocolate. Unlike Walternate, Alt-Brandon's morality is unambiguous and clear: EVERY person, no matter the age, is disposable. Reprehensible, yes, but also refreshing.
And finally, hoorah for Henry! I really like how his character just pops up from time to time.
Showing posts with label Fringe. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fringe. Show all posts
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Friday, February 11, 2011
Fringe: Concentrate & Ask Again
My Tweet by tweet review, interspersed with in-depth thoughts.
Dr. Spock, bwahahaha!
Awesome death! Dale says: homeboy needs some Prolia
He's been using Brand X
(Also a quote from Dale)
I love love love that scene btwn Olivia and Nina!
The scene between Olivia and Nina is the best part of this episode. In fact, the crime in this episode really is the background story, a good device to bring out the relationship issues. I really enjoy how Olivia allows herself to trust Nina. It must be hard that something she would've kept very secret is public knowledge of everyone she works with. And of course, Olivia chooses to disregard Nina's advice, which is a shame.
Peter is doing well. Now, if only there weren't that little matter of killing 5 shapeshifters & lying to Olivia about it.
Olivia does ask Peter, as Nina advised. But it's more complicated than Peter just explaining his feelings. I don't think Peter is even clear on his own feelings. And Olivia knows that. Not to mention that when Olivia finds out about the shapeshifters, she's not going to be inclined to trust Peter again...
Walter's pee dance was great.
Simon's gonna fall in love with Olivia just cos he can't read her mind, haha.
I like where this is going, but who will the group target be?
This scene between Olivia and Simon is also a great scene. Portraying how difficult it is to have an ability like mind reading - great writing and acting. This is where the episode plot gets a little weak, however. We see three more people killed by the gas, presumably by another soldier whose dead child was named "Carla," and I'm wondering why there's going to be a fancy dress ball with multiple victims (as seen in the previews).
The scene at the hospital is very good. Can't imagine trying to read the mind of someone with brain damage! I can't help but think that Simon could learn to manage his ability, but he certainly closes the door on that in this episode. That doesn't mean we won't see him again, though.
The tall one is right.
Poor Simon, he needs some lessons in mental focus or something.
OK, as much as I love seeing everyone all dressed up (and wow, Olivia!), this murder scene doesn't make much sense. Why kill a bunch of civilians at a fundraiser for Thorn? It would be easier to kill Thorn, or to hold his family ransom.
Still wondering how the safe ties in.
Yes, nina, Sam is a first person...
Now we come to one of my favorite parts of any episode - the multiple scene denouement. I didn't know how the safe tied in at first, but now I see it's to bring in yet one more copy of the First People book. My favorite theory is that Sam is a First Person, but I'm satisfied with knowing that he wrote the book at all.
An aside - the unspoken apology between Walter and Simon was fantastic.
Yeah, in my last blog post I mentioned that Peter might love Fauxlivia...
Good episode. I like the plot point of Peter & Olivia's relationship. And Alt world next week!
The fact that Peter still has feelings for Fauxlivia isn't a huge problem (except for Olivia, of course). The thing that Peter must tease out is which Olivia he loves. Of course he's attracted to both of them - they are the same person. But they are also unique individuals, and he'll need to pick one.
Dr. Spock, bwahahaha!
Awesome death! Dale says: homeboy needs some Prolia
He's been using Brand X
(Also a quote from Dale)
I love love love that scene btwn Olivia and Nina!
The scene between Olivia and Nina is the best part of this episode. In fact, the crime in this episode really is the background story, a good device to bring out the relationship issues. I really enjoy how Olivia allows herself to trust Nina. It must be hard that something she would've kept very secret is public knowledge of everyone she works with. And of course, Olivia chooses to disregard Nina's advice, which is a shame.
Peter is doing well. Now, if only there weren't that little matter of killing 5 shapeshifters & lying to Olivia about it.
Olivia does ask Peter, as Nina advised. But it's more complicated than Peter just explaining his feelings. I don't think Peter is even clear on his own feelings. And Olivia knows that. Not to mention that when Olivia finds out about the shapeshifters, she's not going to be inclined to trust Peter again...
Walter's pee dance was great.
Simon's gonna fall in love with Olivia just cos he can't read her mind, haha.
I like where this is going, but who will the group target be?
This scene between Olivia and Simon is also a great scene. Portraying how difficult it is to have an ability like mind reading - great writing and acting. This is where the episode plot gets a little weak, however. We see three more people killed by the gas, presumably by another soldier whose dead child was named "Carla," and I'm wondering why there's going to be a fancy dress ball with multiple victims (as seen in the previews).
The scene at the hospital is very good. Can't imagine trying to read the mind of someone with brain damage! I can't help but think that Simon could learn to manage his ability, but he certainly closes the door on that in this episode. That doesn't mean we won't see him again, though.
The tall one is right.
Poor Simon, he needs some lessons in mental focus or something.
OK, as much as I love seeing everyone all dressed up (and wow, Olivia!), this murder scene doesn't make much sense. Why kill a bunch of civilians at a fundraiser for Thorn? It would be easier to kill Thorn, or to hold his family ransom.
Still wondering how the safe ties in.
Yes, nina, Sam is a first person...
Now we come to one of my favorite parts of any episode - the multiple scene denouement. I didn't know how the safe tied in at first, but now I see it's to bring in yet one more copy of the First People book. My favorite theory is that Sam is a First Person, but I'm satisfied with knowing that he wrote the book at all.
An aside - the unspoken apology between Walter and Simon was fantastic.
Yeah, in my last blog post I mentioned that Peter might love Fauxlivia...
Good episode. I like the plot point of Peter & Olivia's relationship. And Alt world next week!
The fact that Peter still has feelings for Fauxlivia isn't a huge problem (except for Olivia, of course). The thing that Peter must tease out is which Olivia he loves. Of course he's attracted to both of them - they are the same person. But they are also unique individuals, and he'll need to pick one.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Fringe: Reciprocity
First of all, a giant pat on my back that they are using MY name for Fake Olivia: Fauxlivia. Woohoo! Clearly, they read my tweets...
Lots going on in this episode - the main story is the link between Peter and the machine, while the sub-stories are the assassination of the shape-shifters and the relationship between Peter and Olivia. Peter and the machine interact in the very beginning of the episode - the machine changes position, and Peter gets a nosebleed. For a while, it appears that the nosebleed is the only impact to Peter, but of course, by the end of the episode we know that there has been a bigger change. There are hints all through. When Peter first sneaks home, right after the credits, we know that he's up to no good. Later we see him carefully eying Dr. Falcon, presumably because he already knows that Falcon is a shape-shifter. Then there's Peter's resistance to Olivia reading Fauxlivia's files. He says this is so Olivia won't think badly of him, but in reality, it's because he knows Olivia will crack the code. And then there is the obvious lie to Olivia, immediately after she offers him a relational olive branch. (Note to Peter: lying to the woman you love just after she forgives you is not a good strategy).
A few important repercussions of this main story. Walter and Peter are now holding a secret from the rest of the team. If Walter's theory is correct, then what will happen to Peter in the future? Will the weaponization continue? What else has Peter gleaned from Fauxlivia's file and how will he use it?
Sub-story of shape-shifters. I really enjoyed how this ties back to Peter's shady past. Naturally he would have access to guns with silencers, know how to break into houses, etc. He was basically a criminal before he hooked up with Fringe division. This episode is a nice reminder of all that. Then there's the question that Walter asks him: if what he's doing isn't wrong, then why does he keep it a secret? I think there are two answers to this. One is that Peter keeps it a secret because that's in his nature. Thinking of that book in the last episode, Peter wants to find his own answers - he acts independently. He knows that telling the others will delay the mission and possibly jeopardize its efficiency. The other possible answer is that Peter does feel shame over what he's doing. After all, he's deceiving people he loves. It can't be easy to watch Olivia's frustration over being just one step behind.
Sub-story of Peter and Olivia's relationship. I really like how they're handling this. It's very believable. Olivia has had time to get over the sting of Peter's failure to recognize her alternate, and now she's able to think about what it must have been like for Peter. Yet at the same time, Peter is now throwing complications into the situation. He's read Fauxlivia's notes, so he now has a better understanding of what she was really thinking. How does it affect him, to realize that she was truly starting to have feelings for him? Is he wondering which Olivia he cares about? In addition, he lies to Olivia and is keeping a pretty significant secret from her. He must know that this will be a pretty big problem for her. Is he intentionally keeping her at a distance while he sorts through his own emotions? This is a great way to maintain tension between them without getting all Rachel-Ross on us.
Loose ends:
Peter's heart raced during the test. Nerves because he knew Falcon was a shape-shifter? Or something else?
Broyles' near accident while driving to Alpert's house. Last time we saw that, Olivia went to the other universe.
How did Peter read those hard drives?
Funniest moments:
1. When Walter "shows dominance" at the lab.
2. When Brandon is held at gunpoint and asks if he can swallow.
Lots going on in this episode - the main story is the link between Peter and the machine, while the sub-stories are the assassination of the shape-shifters and the relationship between Peter and Olivia. Peter and the machine interact in the very beginning of the episode - the machine changes position, and Peter gets a nosebleed. For a while, it appears that the nosebleed is the only impact to Peter, but of course, by the end of the episode we know that there has been a bigger change. There are hints all through. When Peter first sneaks home, right after the credits, we know that he's up to no good. Later we see him carefully eying Dr. Falcon, presumably because he already knows that Falcon is a shape-shifter. Then there's Peter's resistance to Olivia reading Fauxlivia's files. He says this is so Olivia won't think badly of him, but in reality, it's because he knows Olivia will crack the code. And then there is the obvious lie to Olivia, immediately after she offers him a relational olive branch. (Note to Peter: lying to the woman you love just after she forgives you is not a good strategy).
A few important repercussions of this main story. Walter and Peter are now holding a secret from the rest of the team. If Walter's theory is correct, then what will happen to Peter in the future? Will the weaponization continue? What else has Peter gleaned from Fauxlivia's file and how will he use it?
Sub-story of shape-shifters. I really enjoyed how this ties back to Peter's shady past. Naturally he would have access to guns with silencers, know how to break into houses, etc. He was basically a criminal before he hooked up with Fringe division. This episode is a nice reminder of all that. Then there's the question that Walter asks him: if what he's doing isn't wrong, then why does he keep it a secret? I think there are two answers to this. One is that Peter keeps it a secret because that's in his nature. Thinking of that book in the last episode, Peter wants to find his own answers - he acts independently. He knows that telling the others will delay the mission and possibly jeopardize its efficiency. The other possible answer is that Peter does feel shame over what he's doing. After all, he's deceiving people he loves. It can't be easy to watch Olivia's frustration over being just one step behind.
Sub-story of Peter and Olivia's relationship. I really like how they're handling this. It's very believable. Olivia has had time to get over the sting of Peter's failure to recognize her alternate, and now she's able to think about what it must have been like for Peter. Yet at the same time, Peter is now throwing complications into the situation. He's read Fauxlivia's notes, so he now has a better understanding of what she was really thinking. How does it affect him, to realize that she was truly starting to have feelings for him? Is he wondering which Olivia he cares about? In addition, he lies to Olivia and is keeping a pretty significant secret from her. He must know that this will be a pretty big problem for her. Is he intentionally keeping her at a distance while he sorts through his own emotions? This is a great way to maintain tension between them without getting all Rachel-Ross on us.
Loose ends:
Peter's heart raced during the test. Nerves because he knew Falcon was a shape-shifter? Or something else?
Broyles' near accident while driving to Alpert's house. Last time we saw that, Olivia went to the other universe.
How did Peter read those hard drives?
Funniest moments:
1. When Walter "shows dominance" at the lab.
2. When Brandon is held at gunpoint and asks if he can swallow.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Response to Entrada!
How did I do in my predictions?
1. Alt-Broyles did way more than assist Olivia - he gave himself fully to her cause.
2. Fauxlivia did disappear at an opportune moment - I gave it a 20% chance.
3. Peter got in almost TWO hours of stomach-churning anguish, hurrah! And a little more at the hospital scene at the end.
Other thoughts about the episode. What will Fauxlivia and the Fringe division think of Alt-Broyles' disappearance? Surely Fauxlivia knows the truth, but what about the others? Will Fauxlivia change her mind about the other universe and try for peace? How will Walternate deal with Broyles' betrayal?
Does Fauxlivia really care for Peter? Nope. She may have sentimental feelings, given the keeping of the photos, but if she truly cared about him we would've seen it when she had the gun on him in her apartment.
Peter had yet another stupid moment, in Olivia's apartment, when Fauxlivia had the gun drawn on him. If he'd stopped to think just a bit, wouldn't he have realized that Fauxlivia was never going to kill him? He didn't have to just shoot himself up with the poison. That's my only criticism. Otherwise, I give this episode a standing ovation!
Next week promises to be just as good - I love how Olivia, freshly returned, will be working on a case about reanimation. What a great way to work multiple levels of the theme!
1. Alt-Broyles did way more than assist Olivia - he gave himself fully to her cause.
2. Fauxlivia did disappear at an opportune moment - I gave it a 20% chance.
3. Peter got in almost TWO hours of stomach-churning anguish, hurrah! And a little more at the hospital scene at the end.
Other thoughts about the episode. What will Fauxlivia and the Fringe division think of Alt-Broyles' disappearance? Surely Fauxlivia knows the truth, but what about the others? Will Fauxlivia change her mind about the other universe and try for peace? How will Walternate deal with Broyles' betrayal?
Does Fauxlivia really care for Peter? Nope. She may have sentimental feelings, given the keeping of the photos, but if she truly cared about him we would've seen it when she had the gun on him in her apartment.
Peter had yet another stupid moment, in Olivia's apartment, when Fauxlivia had the gun drawn on him. If he'd stopped to think just a bit, wouldn't he have realized that Fauxlivia was never going to kill him? He didn't have to just shoot himself up with the poison. That's my only criticism. Otherwise, I give this episode a standing ovation!
Next week promises to be just as good - I love how Olivia, freshly returned, will be working on a case about reanimation. What a great way to work multiple levels of the theme!
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Olivia is coming!
This is the season of Advent. A time of waiting for the celebration of Jesus' birth. And, this week, a time of waiting for Agent Dunham to come home from the parallel universe!
I'm very excited about tomorrow night's episode. It looks thrilling! How will Olivia get back? My money's on alt-Broyles assisting her. Will Fauxlivia return, die, or go into hiding? I suspect she'll go into hiding, because of course, that's the most thrilling option. I can't imagine how she would return, but maybe they've already planned for that - so I call a 20% chance that she'll vanish at the most climatic moment. Will Olivia discover what a dorkhead Peter's been with respect to Fauxlivia? Probably not in this episode. However, Peter will discover his mistake and I bet that's going to make for a lot of stomach churning anguish. (hooray! Who doesn't love seeing Peter go through stomach-churning anguish?) Once Olivia does discover, I suspect that will lead to big romantic complications. My vote? That the 2 of them move immediately into a post-relationship friendship, sort of Jerry-Elaine style. My prediction? The writers will have the 2 of them back together within 2011, this season or next. In other thoughts: I'm betting that Nina and Walter will not be shocked at Fauxlivia's exposure - there's a chance that Nina has already taken precautionary measure (I can only hope).
And of course, there's other concerns. Once they realize that Fauxlivia was setting them up, will our Fringe team continue to research and assemble the Machine? Will Sam help Olivia re-assimilate? Are there more Cortexiphan children for continued trips to the other side? Is Sam Weiss also the old man at the typewriter shop?
I'm very excited about tomorrow night's episode. It looks thrilling! How will Olivia get back? My money's on alt-Broyles assisting her. Will Fauxlivia return, die, or go into hiding? I suspect she'll go into hiding, because of course, that's the most thrilling option. I can't imagine how she would return, but maybe they've already planned for that - so I call a 20% chance that she'll vanish at the most climatic moment. Will Olivia discover what a dorkhead Peter's been with respect to Fauxlivia? Probably not in this episode. However, Peter will discover his mistake and I bet that's going to make for a lot of stomach churning anguish. (hooray! Who doesn't love seeing Peter go through stomach-churning anguish?) Once Olivia does discover, I suspect that will lead to big romantic complications. My vote? That the 2 of them move immediately into a post-relationship friendship, sort of Jerry-Elaine style. My prediction? The writers will have the 2 of them back together within 2011, this season or next. In other thoughts: I'm betting that Nina and Walter will not be shocked at Fauxlivia's exposure - there's a chance that Nina has already taken precautionary measure (I can only hope).
And of course, there's other concerns. Once they realize that Fauxlivia was setting them up, will our Fringe team continue to research and assemble the Machine? Will Sam help Olivia re-assimilate? Are there more Cortexiphan children for continued trips to the other side? Is Sam Weiss also the old man at the typewriter shop?
Monday, November 1, 2010
Meeting Expectations
I have a destructive story about myself, and I keep repeating it. There's lots of ways to describe it psychologically, but I'm a writer, so we'll go with a narrative. I'm narrating a story about me (think Stranger than Fiction), and in that story, I consistently fail to meet expectations. I am a failure.
I'm done with that story. And I'm done with striving to meet other people's expectations. As a Christian, there is only 1 thing that matters: that I meet God's expectations. Not in order to be saved, but in order to live a life that is full, a life that is restorative and loving and joy-filled.
So I'm seeking to discover God's concrete expectations for me. I know the big picture: love others, live justly, worship God. But what is the nitty gritty? How does that look in the daily routines of my life? As I seek the concrete expression of living a God-centered life, I will be fasting from all TV except for Fringe. That's potentially 15 hours a week that I just freed up. (Shocked? Yeah, I was too).
Keep me honest, y'all.
I'm done with that story. And I'm done with striving to meet other people's expectations. As a Christian, there is only 1 thing that matters: that I meet God's expectations. Not in order to be saved, but in order to live a life that is full, a life that is restorative and loving and joy-filled.
So I'm seeking to discover God's concrete expectations for me. I know the big picture: love others, live justly, worship God. But what is the nitty gritty? How does that look in the daily routines of my life? As I seek the concrete expression of living a God-centered life, I will be fasting from all TV except for Fringe. That's potentially 15 hours a week that I just freed up. (Shocked? Yeah, I was too).
Keep me honest, y'all.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Season 3, Ep 4 Observations
This episode focuses on boundaries and relationships. In the beginning, Peter observes that everyone draws their our moral boundaries. Then we see Fauxlivia experience a moment of angst in the bathroom. Clearly she is torn by the thought of being unfaithful to her boyfriend in the Alt-universe. Her emotional loyalty supersedes her loyalty to the mission.
Newton attacks Fauxlivia later on, saying she's not fully committed. Does he know that Peter and Olivia are attracted to each other? In other words, is he pressuring Fauxlivia to have sex with Peter, or just to commit herself more fully? Or is there a third possibility: the idea that men can be swayed by sexual bonds, and so if Fauxlivia simply has sex with Peter, she will be more successful. Newton is clearly pushing Fauxlivia to take some sort of action, probably sexual - no doubt justifying the immorality of her actions as required by the war. (Although to be clear, I doubt Newton has morals or ethics, as a shapeshifter).
On the flip side, we meet 2 shapeshifters, Ray and Senator Van Horn, who chose to engage in sexual relationships and developed true emotional ties. Ray is so attached to his family that he refuses to leave them, trying instead to find a way to fulfill his mission and keep his family intact. This is in high contrast to Fauxlivia, who is destroying her own relationship in order to fulfill her mission. The irony is, of course, that Ray is a machine and Fauxlivia is a human.
In an especially tender moment, we hear Ray give an explanation for why he is trying to alter his mission - when he tucks his (step)son into bed. He explains that sometimes monsters are "sweet and pure." Obviously he's referring to his (step) son - a human he was taught to believe is pure evil but has learned is nothing of the sort. There were hints of Fauxlivia noticing this in episode 2 - as those from the other side continue to interact with us, they learn that the propaganda of Walternate is false.
The episode wraps up with Newton killing Ray because of his loyalty and then getting caught and thrown in jail. In the final scene we see Fauxlivia draw a new moral boundary, after more of Newton's goading, and invite Peter over for sex. It's a good way to bring the episode full circle - the one who chooses mercy and emotional loyalty dies and the one who chooses the mission is temporarily safe. However, I'm not convinced that Peter and Fauxlivia definitely had sex. They were on their way, but this is Fringe. What better way to twist the plot than to pick up at that scene and have Peter finally wake up and confront Fauxlivia?
Newton attacks Fauxlivia later on, saying she's not fully committed. Does he know that Peter and Olivia are attracted to each other? In other words, is he pressuring Fauxlivia to have sex with Peter, or just to commit herself more fully? Or is there a third possibility: the idea that men can be swayed by sexual bonds, and so if Fauxlivia simply has sex with Peter, she will be more successful. Newton is clearly pushing Fauxlivia to take some sort of action, probably sexual - no doubt justifying the immorality of her actions as required by the war. (Although to be clear, I doubt Newton has morals or ethics, as a shapeshifter).
On the flip side, we meet 2 shapeshifters, Ray and Senator Van Horn, who chose to engage in sexual relationships and developed true emotional ties. Ray is so attached to his family that he refuses to leave them, trying instead to find a way to fulfill his mission and keep his family intact. This is in high contrast to Fauxlivia, who is destroying her own relationship in order to fulfill her mission. The irony is, of course, that Ray is a machine and Fauxlivia is a human.
In an especially tender moment, we hear Ray give an explanation for why he is trying to alter his mission - when he tucks his (step)son into bed. He explains that sometimes monsters are "sweet and pure." Obviously he's referring to his (step) son - a human he was taught to believe is pure evil but has learned is nothing of the sort. There were hints of Fauxlivia noticing this in episode 2 - as those from the other side continue to interact with us, they learn that the propaganda of Walternate is false.
The episode wraps up with Newton killing Ray because of his loyalty and then getting caught and thrown in jail. In the final scene we see Fauxlivia draw a new moral boundary, after more of Newton's goading, and invite Peter over for sex. It's a good way to bring the episode full circle - the one who chooses mercy and emotional loyalty dies and the one who chooses the mission is temporarily safe. However, I'm not convinced that Peter and Fauxlivia definitely had sex. They were on their way, but this is Fringe. What better way to twist the plot than to pick up at that scene and have Peter finally wake up and confront Fauxlivia?
Friday, October 15, 2010
Fringe Totally Looks Like
My husband, a Hell's Kitchen fan, observed last night that the Fringe character Newton looks alarmingly like Gordon Ramsay. After he said that, we both kept waiting for Newton to scream "It's RAW" at someone. Naturally, it didn't happen, although given that this is Fringe, it very well could have...
My husband (who really ought to be a TV critic or some such) also recommended a brilliant crossover between Fringe and Lie To Me. See, right now, the Olivia from the other side is impersonating our Olivia. And while, sadly, she is fooling everyone else, Dr. Lightman wouldn't buy it for a minute. When Fauxlivia heard that the ShapeShifter was alive, her face was frozen in fear. Dr. Lightman would've staggered over to her, bent down to look up at her, and said, "See that - right there. That's fear, that is. What 'ave you got to be afraid of, luv?"
A more in depth review of last night's excellent episode, Do Shape Shifters Dream of Electric Sheep, is on the way.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Fringe, Over There, II
I'm writing my own analysis of Fringe, although there are many who do it better (naddycat), I thought I would post some of my own thoughts and theories.
When our team crosses over, they find a world that answers many questions and brings up many more.
Bell reveals that all communications are monitored, musing that that must be the explanation for the Central Park ambush. The question that arises, then, is about Nina's messages to Walter. If they are being intercepted, that explains why he doesn't answer. But how is he not under suspicion for receiving messages from the other universe? On the other hand, Bell made the shape shifters. Perhaps he hides Nina's messages with the messages from the shapeshifters. Which begs the question of why he doesn't answer Nina.
We learn that they use quarantine amber to contain wormholes that cannot be stabilized. Bus scene from The Ghost Network, anyone? It's clear that the ZFT terrorists were using Walter's hit book ZFT, which is published on the Other Side. The ZFT book is connected with David Robert Jones, who called Olivia a soldier and tried to recruit her for the war. So ZFT was likely written after the Cortexiphan trials. Which brings up two questions: did they invent and use Cortexiphan on the Other Side? And was the war coming prior to Peter's kidnapping? If not, then why were Bell and Walter preparing the kids with Cortexiphan?
We see that Walternate is very cold and professional, even with Peter. There is no emotional embrace, no softness. Is this Walter's personality, or is it because Walternate is planning to use Peter and therefore doesn't allow himself to get close to him?
Walternate tells Fauxlivia that the people from our side are "monsters" under their skins. This ties in nicely with what Bell and Walter used to be: monsters who experimented on children and adults without informed consent. Indeed, while Walter regrets his actions, Bell is unrepentant and proud of their work on the Cortexiphan kids. Is Walternate as ruthless as Bell? Or Nina Sharp?
A few minor points. After the first half of The Other Side, I predicted that Fauxlivia dyes her hair. I don't believe Olivia would waste time dying her hair blonde constantly. I'm taking Olivia's quick location of the correct shade of hair dye as confirmation that I was right!
Originally, the return plan was for Olivia to open a crack, which obviously wouldn't have been possible once Fauxlivia switched places with her. But when they started their machine, Bell said a crack was opening. So the machine opened the crack, not Fauxlivia. Is that a continuity mistake?
When our team crosses over, they find a world that answers many questions and brings up many more.
Bell reveals that all communications are monitored, musing that that must be the explanation for the Central Park ambush. The question that arises, then, is about Nina's messages to Walter. If they are being intercepted, that explains why he doesn't answer. But how is he not under suspicion for receiving messages from the other universe? On the other hand, Bell made the shape shifters. Perhaps he hides Nina's messages with the messages from the shapeshifters. Which begs the question of why he doesn't answer Nina.
We learn that they use quarantine amber to contain wormholes that cannot be stabilized. Bus scene from The Ghost Network, anyone? It's clear that the ZFT terrorists were using Walter's hit book ZFT, which is published on the Other Side. The ZFT book is connected with David Robert Jones, who called Olivia a soldier and tried to recruit her for the war. So ZFT was likely written after the Cortexiphan trials. Which brings up two questions: did they invent and use Cortexiphan on the Other Side? And was the war coming prior to Peter's kidnapping? If not, then why were Bell and Walter preparing the kids with Cortexiphan?
We see that Walternate is very cold and professional, even with Peter. There is no emotional embrace, no softness. Is this Walter's personality, or is it because Walternate is planning to use Peter and therefore doesn't allow himself to get close to him?
Walternate tells Fauxlivia that the people from our side are "monsters" under their skins. This ties in nicely with what Bell and Walter used to be: monsters who experimented on children and adults without informed consent. Indeed, while Walter regrets his actions, Bell is unrepentant and proud of their work on the Cortexiphan kids. Is Walternate as ruthless as Bell? Or Nina Sharp?
A few minor points. After the first half of The Other Side, I predicted that Fauxlivia dyes her hair. I don't believe Olivia would waste time dying her hair blonde constantly. I'm taking Olivia's quick location of the correct shade of hair dye as confirmation that I was right!
Originally, the return plan was for Olivia to open a crack, which obviously wouldn't have been possible once Fauxlivia switched places with her. But when they started their machine, Bell said a crack was opening. So the machine opened the crack, not Fauxlivia. Is that a continuity mistake?
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Fringe tonight!
I'm looking forward to tonight's Fringe (duh). I suspect that the twitterati will again jump on any similarities to XFiles and I will happily rebut them tomorrow... After all, the shape-shifters are coming back, and while they do their thing with cool technology instead of by just being aliens, that is a similarity to XFiles. Hey, at least their blood doesn't come out in a toxic cloud!
Friday, April 16, 2010
Fringe and Xfiles are DIFFERENT
Last night I noticed several tweeters commenting that Fringe was just a rip off of the X Files episode Monday. This comment has been made many times before - because Fringe has covered many similar themes to X files episodes. I would like to point out, however, that both shows, while excellent sci-fi FBI shows, are really quite different in thematic content, explanations, and general story telling.
We'll start with White Tulip vs. Monday.
In White Tulip, we encounter a bad guy (Robocop, or as my husband likes to call him, Robert O. Kopp), who can time travel. The only drawback? Wherever he lands, he sucks up all the energy present, killing anything living around him as well as sucking all the energy out of phones, lights, batteries, etc. He appears on a train, killing several passengers, which brings the Fringe team in to investigate. It turns out that the bad guy, Dr. Peck, is on a mission. His fiance was killed 10 months earlier, and he plans to save her life. He even has a plan to avoid killing others - he will land in a field where there are no people present. The beginning of the episode plays off the time travel by having the train event happen twice. Then the story moves forward, as Walter confronts Dr. Peck and tries to convince him to abandon his plan, Dr. Peck goes ahead with his plan but with a twist, and Walter finds an unexpected miracle.
In Monday, we see Mulder wake up late because his water bed springs a leak which shorts out his alarm clock. He runs to work, but has to deposit his paycheck or else his rent check will bounce. When he gets to the bank, a robbery is in progress and Mulder is killed. Then the scene resets with Mulder waking up to a soggy bed. This chain of events happens over and over, with variations - sometimes Scully goes to the bank for him, sometimes he is accosted by a woman who tries to warn him. Finally the woman tells him that they are stuck in some kind of time warp - that she has tried to change the future a hundred times but it always ends with disaster at the bank robbery. In the end, the woman dies saving Mulder's life and ends the cycle.
Parallels: Events repeat themselves. The person aware of the time repeats ultimately dies.
Differences: in Monday, we have no idea why there is a time loop. In White Tulip, the time travel creates the repeated events and a scientist is doing it deliberately.
In Monday, Mulder and Scully try many different ways to resolve the problem and fail each time. Ultimately, the only person who can stop the event is the one who knows about it. In White Tulip, Walter tries to resolve the problem by sharing his own, similar experience, with Dr. Peck. It is most likely this conversation which changes Dr. Peck's intent and resolves the issue.
In Monday, there is no redemptive theme for any character. In White Tulip, Dr. Peck provides Walter with the one thing he is looking for: a symbol of forgiveness for what he did.
In Monday, almost the entire episode is dedicated to the repeated bank robbery. In White Tulip, only about the first 20 minutes shows repeated events - then the story moves forward.
In Monday, only 2 people (Pam & Mulder) believe that events are repeating. In White Tulip, the whole team is basically on board with Walter's idea about time travel.
Need I go on? Probably not, but I will. I'll be going back and comparing other Fringe and X Files episodes that people claim are the same. I will say this: X Files was on for 9 years. It was a great show that covered a lot of sci-fi ground. It's probably impossible to create a show like Fringe and not cover some of the same themes and ideas that X Files covered. BUT, there are still important differences. In X Files, the bad guys were the government, and the problems were mainly caused by aliens. In Fringe, the bad guys are big corporations and mad scientists, and the problems are mainly caused by experiments on non-consenting people. Big differences.
We'll start with White Tulip vs. Monday.
In White Tulip, we encounter a bad guy (Robocop, or as my husband likes to call him, Robert O. Kopp), who can time travel. The only drawback? Wherever he lands, he sucks up all the energy present, killing anything living around him as well as sucking all the energy out of phones, lights, batteries, etc. He appears on a train, killing several passengers, which brings the Fringe team in to investigate. It turns out that the bad guy, Dr. Peck, is on a mission. His fiance was killed 10 months earlier, and he plans to save her life. He even has a plan to avoid killing others - he will land in a field where there are no people present. The beginning of the episode plays off the time travel by having the train event happen twice. Then the story moves forward, as Walter confronts Dr. Peck and tries to convince him to abandon his plan, Dr. Peck goes ahead with his plan but with a twist, and Walter finds an unexpected miracle.
In Monday, we see Mulder wake up late because his water bed springs a leak which shorts out his alarm clock. He runs to work, but has to deposit his paycheck or else his rent check will bounce. When he gets to the bank, a robbery is in progress and Mulder is killed. Then the scene resets with Mulder waking up to a soggy bed. This chain of events happens over and over, with variations - sometimes Scully goes to the bank for him, sometimes he is accosted by a woman who tries to warn him. Finally the woman tells him that they are stuck in some kind of time warp - that she has tried to change the future a hundred times but it always ends with disaster at the bank robbery. In the end, the woman dies saving Mulder's life and ends the cycle.
Parallels: Events repeat themselves. The person aware of the time repeats ultimately dies.
Differences: in Monday, we have no idea why there is a time loop. In White Tulip, the time travel creates the repeated events and a scientist is doing it deliberately.
In Monday, Mulder and Scully try many different ways to resolve the problem and fail each time. Ultimately, the only person who can stop the event is the one who knows about it. In White Tulip, Walter tries to resolve the problem by sharing his own, similar experience, with Dr. Peck. It is most likely this conversation which changes Dr. Peck's intent and resolves the issue.
In Monday, there is no redemptive theme for any character. In White Tulip, Dr. Peck provides Walter with the one thing he is looking for: a symbol of forgiveness for what he did.
In Monday, almost the entire episode is dedicated to the repeated bank robbery. In White Tulip, only about the first 20 minutes shows repeated events - then the story moves forward.
In Monday, only 2 people (Pam & Mulder) believe that events are repeating. In White Tulip, the whole team is basically on board with Walter's idea about time travel.
Need I go on? Probably not, but I will. I'll be going back and comparing other Fringe and X Files episodes that people claim are the same. I will say this: X Files was on for 9 years. It was a great show that covered a lot of sci-fi ground. It's probably impossible to create a show like Fringe and not cover some of the same themes and ideas that X Files covered. BUT, there are still important differences. In X Files, the bad guys were the government, and the problems were mainly caused by aliens. In Fringe, the bad guys are big corporations and mad scientists, and the problems are mainly caused by experiments on non-consenting people. Big differences.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Fringe Winter Finale
Less questions than Lost, but just as mind-blowing.
The premise of the episode is that the bad guys are starting to play with smashing parallel universes, and in particular, the universe as a whole likes to be in balance. So, the bad guys transfer a NYC building, complete with occupants, into our reality. As a horrifying result, many people get glued together because they were occupying the same space in alternate realities. Not quite like what Nina Sharp demonstrated with the smashing snow globes. The worst part of this, according to Walter, is that now the universe is out of balance, and so within 35 hours (where did that # come from?), a building of equal mass in NYC will be transported back to the alternate world. We just don't know which one.
What are the implications for Peter? When Walter kidnapped Peter from the alternate reality, did some other kid get whooshed back as a result? My personal theory on this is that there was different technology in action. I believe that Walter used an earlier technology to get to Alt-Peter - the window that opens up where the 2 realities are close. This is the technology used by David Robert Jones, the technology that Peter and Walter had to close with the little ray-gun thing. This technology doesn't require equal mass transfers. The technology in this episode is not opening a window and moving things through it: it's actually moving things directly from one reality to the other. My alternate theory is that perhaps Walter did a body snatch and left dead-Peter in alt-Peter's bed, but I really don't like that idea.
On to the character development of this episode, which was excellent. Olivia agrees to be a human subject again for the noble cause of discerning which NYC building is about to pop away. She's always subjecting herself to ridiculous risks for the greater good - perhaps because of indoctrination by Bishop & Bell during the drug trials? But this time she gets angry. Confronted with her scared 3 year old self, she becomes infuriated at Bishop. We saw this fury directed at Bell last season, and to a lesser extent, to Bishop. But now it's all over. She is simmering and steaming and Walter finally realizes that this won't help - she has to be scared in able to use her power. But Olivia is never scared - yet another scarring from the early experiments. It's not until she's actually in NYC, facing the prospect of imminent failure and the loss of innocent lives, and the curiously inviting lips of Peter, that she gets scared. Voila, she is able to see the glimmering building and save the day.
But what was she scared of? I think she was scared of love. I have been opposed to a Peter-Olivia romance until this episode. But when they leaned towards each other and Peter moved in for the kiss, I was converted. Let it rock! However, I think the possibility of another romance is what really activated her fear - her fear of miseading the man again, her fear of being in another work relationship, her fear of getting close to anyone (she told John that she's "not good" at romance). Now, Dale disagrees: he thinks she was scared of failure. Maybe so, but I still think that the physical proximity of Peter and the kiss she suddenly realized was coming kicked that fear into high gear.
What do you think?
The premise of the episode is that the bad guys are starting to play with smashing parallel universes, and in particular, the universe as a whole likes to be in balance. So, the bad guys transfer a NYC building, complete with occupants, into our reality. As a horrifying result, many people get glued together because they were occupying the same space in alternate realities. Not quite like what Nina Sharp demonstrated with the smashing snow globes. The worst part of this, according to Walter, is that now the universe is out of balance, and so within 35 hours (where did that # come from?), a building of equal mass in NYC will be transported back to the alternate world. We just don't know which one.
What are the implications for Peter? When Walter kidnapped Peter from the alternate reality, did some other kid get whooshed back as a result? My personal theory on this is that there was different technology in action. I believe that Walter used an earlier technology to get to Alt-Peter - the window that opens up where the 2 realities are close. This is the technology used by David Robert Jones, the technology that Peter and Walter had to close with the little ray-gun thing. This technology doesn't require equal mass transfers. The technology in this episode is not opening a window and moving things through it: it's actually moving things directly from one reality to the other. My alternate theory is that perhaps Walter did a body snatch and left dead-Peter in alt-Peter's bed, but I really don't like that idea.
On to the character development of this episode, which was excellent. Olivia agrees to be a human subject again for the noble cause of discerning which NYC building is about to pop away. She's always subjecting herself to ridiculous risks for the greater good - perhaps because of indoctrination by Bishop & Bell during the drug trials? But this time she gets angry. Confronted with her scared 3 year old self, she becomes infuriated at Bishop. We saw this fury directed at Bell last season, and to a lesser extent, to Bishop. But now it's all over. She is simmering and steaming and Walter finally realizes that this won't help - she has to be scared in able to use her power. But Olivia is never scared - yet another scarring from the early experiments. It's not until she's actually in NYC, facing the prospect of imminent failure and the loss of innocent lives, and the curiously inviting lips of Peter, that she gets scared. Voila, she is able to see the glimmering building and save the day.
But what was she scared of? I think she was scared of love. I have been opposed to a Peter-Olivia romance until this episode. But when they leaned towards each other and Peter moved in for the kiss, I was converted. Let it rock! However, I think the possibility of another romance is what really activated her fear - her fear of miseading the man again, her fear of being in another work relationship, her fear of getting close to anyone (she told John that she's "not good" at romance). Now, Dale disagrees: he thinks she was scared of failure. Maybe so, but I still think that the physical proximity of Peter and the kiss she suddenly realized was coming kicked that fear into high gear.
What do you think?
Sunday, January 24, 2010
lazy weekend
It has been a very lazy weekend in the Bayless household. Yesterday Dale built a fire and we watched basketball. I must confess I fell asleep. Dale actually did some work, but I was a completely non productive couch potato. Today is not much more productive. Thus far we have made Belgian waffles (YUM), Dale has read and I have taken a nap, and now Dale is playing video games while I ponder flights to Italy in September (YAY).
Since we have no real news, I'll stick to 7 quick takes:
1. The eczema on my thumb has returned with a vengeange. I'll start steroid cream today.
2. Last night we watched the Princess Bride, which never gets old!
3. I'm in the mood to bake bread, but probably will end up taking another nap.
4. Pipsqueak and Duchess eagerly filled in my spot on the couch when I got up - Pip is snuggled in the crevice between cushions and Duchess is all snuggled into the nest of blankets.
5. My next book is "Everything is Illuminated" by Foer. I'm looking forward to it, but I don't think I have the energy to start it today!
6. My friend gave me a flying screaming monkey recently. The cats hate it. The other night I was running in my sleep (nightmare) and I accidently kicked it out of bed, which made it scream and woke me up. Maybe the cats have a point...
7. Fringe had a flying screaming woman in the excellent show Thursday night. Connection? I think so.
BONUS: An iphone app, Flixster, just emailed me a picture of myself, one taken many years ago which I have never posted online. I find this EXTREMELY creepy.
Since we have no real news, I'll stick to 7 quick takes:
1. The eczema on my thumb has returned with a vengeange. I'll start steroid cream today.
2. Last night we watched the Princess Bride, which never gets old!
3. I'm in the mood to bake bread, but probably will end up taking another nap.
4. Pipsqueak and Duchess eagerly filled in my spot on the couch when I got up - Pip is snuggled in the crevice between cushions and Duchess is all snuggled into the nest of blankets.
5. My next book is "Everything is Illuminated" by Foer. I'm looking forward to it, but I don't think I have the energy to start it today!
6. My friend gave me a flying screaming monkey recently. The cats hate it. The other night I was running in my sleep (nightmare) and I accidently kicked it out of bed, which made it scream and woke me up. Maybe the cats have a point...
7. Fringe had a flying screaming woman in the excellent show Thursday night. Connection? I think so.
BONUS: An iphone app, Flixster, just emailed me a picture of myself, one taken many years ago which I have never posted online. I find this EXTREMELY creepy.
Friday, January 15, 2010
xfiles vs fringe (spoiler alert)
Many Tweeters noted last night that Fringe seemed to be a rehash of X-Files episode Home. Several went on to make disparaging comparisons between Xfiles and Fringe. However, I would say they missed the point.
Sure, there was a similarity between Johari Window and Home, in that both dealt with hideously deformed people. But that is where the similarity ends.
In Home, the people were deformed due to generations of inbreeding, chosen by the family themselves. They were violent by choice and driven by their own choices into the horror of their lives. In Johari Window, the people were deformed due to secret government/military experiments, which affected all the living creatures within the town - victims of the choices of others rather than of their own choices, and not universally violent, especially as shown in the end when one victim chose truth over concealment (although she did use violence to achieve that end).
This gets to one of the primary differences between XFiles and Fringe. In XFiles, the monsters and the mythology were driven by the existence and intervention of aliens - monsters were weird hybrids or results of alien experimentation, and the government conspiracy related primarily to the existence of aliens and their coming invasion. People were made who they were by their choices, or driven by their biology. In Fringe, the monsters and mythology are driven by unethical experimentation on willing and unwilling subjects, which Walter himself participated in. The people are driven by the results of other people's choices for them - they are victims. Further, the conspiracy is not, so far, well connected between evil individuals (David Robert Jones), massive corporations (Massive Dynamic), and the government/military (Russian cosmonauts, Johari Window).
In the X Files, a big focus was on the truth: what is it and how do we find it and prove it. In Fringe, the big focus is on the coming inter-dimensional war, and what is ethical in the face of that. William Bell still clearly believes that human experimentation is justified by this war, while Walter is learning that it is not, and is trying to make atonement. Yet Walter has still not dealt with one of his most heinous crimes, one which may be responsible for the coming war: the kidnapping of his own alternate son.
So yeah, Fringe borrows themes and ideas from X-Files, but they are examined and developed very very differently.
Sure, there was a similarity between Johari Window and Home, in that both dealt with hideously deformed people. But that is where the similarity ends.
In Home, the people were deformed due to generations of inbreeding, chosen by the family themselves. They were violent by choice and driven by their own choices into the horror of their lives. In Johari Window, the people were deformed due to secret government/military experiments, which affected all the living creatures within the town - victims of the choices of others rather than of their own choices, and not universally violent, especially as shown in the end when one victim chose truth over concealment (although she did use violence to achieve that end).
This gets to one of the primary differences between XFiles and Fringe. In XFiles, the monsters and the mythology were driven by the existence and intervention of aliens - monsters were weird hybrids or results of alien experimentation, and the government conspiracy related primarily to the existence of aliens and their coming invasion. People were made who they were by their choices, or driven by their biology. In Fringe, the monsters and mythology are driven by unethical experimentation on willing and unwilling subjects, which Walter himself participated in. The people are driven by the results of other people's choices for them - they are victims. Further, the conspiracy is not, so far, well connected between evil individuals (David Robert Jones), massive corporations (Massive Dynamic), and the government/military (Russian cosmonauts, Johari Window).
In the X Files, a big focus was on the truth: what is it and how do we find it and prove it. In Fringe, the big focus is on the coming inter-dimensional war, and what is ethical in the face of that. William Bell still clearly believes that human experimentation is justified by this war, while Walter is learning that it is not, and is trying to make atonement. Yet Walter has still not dealt with one of his most heinous crimes, one which may be responsible for the coming war: the kidnapping of his own alternate son.
So yeah, Fringe borrows themes and ideas from X-Files, but they are examined and developed very very differently.
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