Occasionally I like to rummage through the tubes of the internet to take the temperature of fan response to various TV shows, particularly those I'm heavily invested in. And after removing the thermometer from the rears of several web-based Fringe fans, it seems like the core response temp of the Fox sci-fi drama is fluctuating wildly. I've seen some people say that Season 4 has gotten off to a boring start, and I've seen other people say the exact opposite. I suppose that when it comes to a show as deeply layered and open to interpretation (and great!) as Fringe, that's going to happen. It makes sense that people will gravitate toward certain aspects of the show, with each episode eliciting in a variety of opinions.
I, for one, think Fringe got off to fantastic start. Episode 1 introduced us to the Peter-free universe through Lincoln, who served as a surrogate for us viewers as we pieced things together. It also showed us how different Walter and Olivia are in Peter's absence. Episode 2 floated the possibility of how the two universes will play with each other, and further explored how Olivia (and Faux-livia) changed in a Peter-less universe. Episode 3 gave us a close-up look at Walter, and things are not going well for him, as evidenced by his attempt at a self-lobotomy. And Episode 4, "Subject 9," was all about Walter and Olivia working together to get Peter back.
So, back to what I was saying about vast differences in opinion among Fringe fans: I didn't think "Subject 9" was as great as other people did. There were some beautiful Walter-Olivia moments (root beer floats FTW), but for the most part, I got dizzy from running around in circles. We know Walter isn't well. We could see it in the Season 4 premiere, and last week's episode really hammered the idea into our brains when Walter hammered a spike into his own. At least there was something new in seeing Olivia deal with Walter's crumbling sanity, which was really sweet. She's a sweet girl, and when my brain turns to oatmeal, I hope she's there to hold my mind and learn my secret methods for getting the most out of fountain drinks.
Also making the room spin was the "case" of the blue energy and the question of why it was pestering Olivia. It came off as a red herring, as we were led to believe that one of Olivia's old Cortexiphan buddies, Mark Little/Cameron James, was behind it—but in the end, his importance to what was going on wasn't important at all. I might've reacted differently to all this if Fox's promos for "Subject 9" hadn't all but spelled out that the blue light was Peter; because of those promos, Olivia and Walter's search for Mark/Cameron had me waving my arms at my TV screen and screaming that they were on the wrong track. Perhaps Mark/Cameron (who also played a mean centerfield–baseball "joke") was right about Olivia "summoning" the blue energy, perhaps not. We don't know, and I'm not sure it will matter in the end. I just really, really wish the promos hadn't blown it for me, because I think I could have gotten a lot more out of the episode.
And that's especially true considering the fantastic finish: the return of a naked Peter skinny-dipping in Reiden Lake, the site of one Peter's drowning. How heartbreaking was it to see Olivia's face not register even a clue as to who Peter was? Ouch.
Who knows where Fringe is going to go from here, but I some folks are concerned about how the timelines and universes will merge or come together at some point in the future. I don't think that's the point. Fringe can survive and solve its mysteries within this timeline just fine. The information we gleaned from Seasons 1, 2, and 3 won't be forgotten just because Peter is with us. Besides, this show isn't about how the universes and their various iterations are connected, it's about how the characters are connected across the various universes.
Notes:
– As others have pointed out, Nina Sharp wore two gloves in this universe. She's like all machine! Or she's just extra stylish. I loved her line, "We create nanotechnology. How it is used is not our concern. We just own the patents."
– Don't give guest stars heavy monologues unless they can really handle them.
– Nina and Olivia are buddy-buddy in this timeline, but Walter and Nina aren't chummy at all. Also, I'm really getting a kick out of Astrid as a translator, though I'm not sure anything can top her request to look at a victim's anus.
– Was The Observer at Reiden Lake just observing, or was he making sure things were going according to plan? Or was he just perving out over a naked Joshua Jackson?
– Fringe has next Friday off, which is a shame because the next episode looks GREAT. (Assuming the promos aren't messing with my head again.)
Follow TV.com writer Tim Surette on Twitter: @TimAtTVDotCom
Actually, I didn't see the promos for this episode (I alwyays avoid them?), but I'm pretty sure we had the same experience because I could tell her 'cortexaphan buddy' was a red herring from the beginning, it was too coincidental. So maybe you didn't miss that much, although I don't blame you if you still feel slighted because knowing the promo ruined a twist for you always makes watching a bummer. Peter emerging as the blue energy seemed only a natural progression of the more frequent and stronger glimpses of Peter in the previous episodes.
.....That bit when Astrid informed the police officer she'd need to examine the anus was priceless!
I didn't see the promo, so this episode was awesome for me! (Sorry to rub it in...)
Do not watch promos! I know this is ultra difficult, but either lock yourself away in a St Claire's type facility, or find some werewolf and use their lockwood prison-come-keep-the-werewolf-away underground cave. It's just not worth it!
I agree that the promos basically spoiled this episode. I had a friend that would never watch promos, she would even plug her ears, close her eyes, and sing a song while others watched them, and I almost want to do the same. But I have a serious addiction. Shows like Fringe, Sons of Anarchy, and Breaking Bad, to name a few, are like crack to me. I'll watch the episodes while their on, but during the week have to get my fix by reading and watching EVERYTHING I can get my twitching hands on. Most of the time the promos are cryptic enough to just keep me interested, but others, the Fringe promo for example, leave me knowing what's to come. I understand the need to keep the audience in suspense, but we don't need to be told what's to come. Thanks for another great review.moreless
How is it that nobody seems to think that part of the reason everything the way this season has gone is to bring in new viewers? Alot of people have said that new viewers will be confused and not get anything out of it, hence the basic restating of everything that previous viewers already know. It also works as a way to remind old viewers of things as I am sure there are some who don't remember everything. And also people ratings have dropped steadily since season 2 started, NOT this season so blaming it on these past few episodes is wrong.
People are commenting this season, blaming the drop of rating this season and the rumors of cancellation "on these past few episodes" this season.
The drop in the ratings of past seasons has been commented in other blogs and forums in the past seasons.
Since ratings have dropped steadily since season 2 then one may consider that the ending of last season was a "suicide note". :)
I hadn't seen the promos, but still, it was pretty obvious that the blue energy thing was Peter! Still, I did NOT see that ending coming! OMG!
Now I'd really like to see where this is going :) I love this show
It's Fringe, ever since the pilot episode the blue light ALWAYS means something like this: it would only fit show's cannon (It's that flawless) that would be Peter
Don't hope too much. According to the synopsis it seems like we won't see Peter again until episode 8 (November the 18th)
I try to stay away from the "promos" for a reason and from the very start, specially when Olivia noticed the time differences I had feelings it is Peter. It wasn't very strong at first but it is just in gutts. First he was just a faded image, than he was reflection into mirror, than he gain voice so he was clearly growing strong to show he is there.
Well I am glad to see him back, things aren't going to familiar without him.
I for one really liked this episode. The surprise may have been spoiled by the promos, but all the character goodies going on totally made up for that (yay for Olivia/Walter moments!), and besides- I was just happy Peter came back (finally!). The fact that his return was so connected to Olivia made it all the better, given the shipper that I am :)
I for one want after the fall finale to go back to the timeline of seasons 1-3 to tell you the truth. Season 4 has been interesting, but it just doesn't hold the same "weight" with these "new" Peter-less characters. I miss the old team dynamic. It would be such a shame if the epic storylines and character developments of seasons 1-3 only ever lived on in Peter's memory.moreless
I must admit that I never watch any promos for exactly the reason stated above...and it's also the main reason I avoid commercials. This promo, however, was ridiculous. What's the point of putting in a plot twist if they're going to blab it before the show airs? (I know what the point is, but I enjoy surprises in my shows. They're so rare.)
Still, once I realized for certain what the blue radiation was, all I said was "ah, alright." Am I the only one that didn't miss Peter? I've never disliked him, even though i still call the actor 'Pacey,' but I guess I'm one of the few people who really only needs Walter, the cases, and the scheming masterminds. It's one thing to have X-Files with no Mulder, but Peter or Olivia just don't seem...irreplaceable, even though they must be.moreless
Good emotional episode. I think it was a bit too rushed in the last 20 minutes, but I'm glad to see Peter manifest in a slightly unexpected way.
I'm loving the start to this season, but I have to admit, it has been going a bit slow. I believe thing will start to pick up in the next episode (2 WEEKS!? WHY??!).
Loved Subject 9 but why 2 weeks until "Novation" not fair :(
This season looks great :)
It was indeed a shame that the promos said "THE BLUE LIGHT IS PETER" and "PETER IS BACK". Were it not for those 2 sentences, I would've not expected it. Why purposely spoil the entire episode that way?
Trying to bring back the viewers that they've.... LOST..... Maybe.
"One can fool some people all the time and one can fool all people sometimes but one cannot fool all people all the time."
Commissaire Biales ?
P. T. Barnum (of the world famous Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey Circus)/Bob Marley
For once, I'm happy I skip the promos. I thought this episode was wonderful and, even though I did expect the blue to be Peter, I wasn't expecting him to come back naked in the lake. I actually sat up straight and went "Yay!" What can I say, I get really into TV. Heh..
I try not to watch the promos because I find, as you did, that it ruins things for me. That being said I went (promo-less) into this episode and LOVED it. If you AREN'T aware of the Blue Light BEING Peter Bishop from the start, it begins more as a character relationship and information on how the cortexiphan trials went in this modified universe, which was interesting. And then it had me yelling at the TV screen (not an exaggeration) when I saw Peter appear in the blue light. Awesome.
Nina in this universe is hard core. And emotionally tied with Olivia? Interesting, possibly cool, wonder what that's about? I'm sure The Observer was just observing, or at least that's what he'll tell his buddies over a barrel of jalapeno peppers. He was probably just observing the results of his non-interference-interference in this timeline and will then judge how best to observe-interfere from there.moreless
It's just me... but the observer is just like a kid that throw a rock into a window, hide his hand and then he start to sing ''it wasn't me''? totaly agree with you, and if you ask me in this universe Olivia and Nina are something more than buddies... more like mom and daughter
So, glad i didnt see those promos...but then i was hoping beyond hope that blue energy field was Peter....
Needless to say..i loved this episode!..shame on whoever responsible for having us wait (such a long time!!) for the next episode!
This episode was fantastic! Exactly where I was waiting for. I left some negative comments on the first three episodes so I am happy that's not needed this week! The episode left em with questions and makes me want to watch next week! awesome!
There was so much awesome in this episode, I almost overdosed.
Good thing I haven't seen a single promo for the episode, so it wasn't spoiled for me, and I only could guess the blue light was Peter, but wasn't sure till the very end. So excited that Peter's back, and can't wait to see how all works out now. Peter-less universe (universes) were interesting to follow, but his presence was really missed.
I am really like Fringe on tv show. I am glad Peter is back. he is very good actor. he is my favorite actor. I am little disappointment about Fringe is almost low rating tv show because most they don't watch on tv friday night and hang out tonight. wrong time. I offer you Fringe can switch on Sunday or Monday night better than Friday night. you can do best it.
This is one of those times I'm glad I'm not in the US, because we DON'T get the promos, and I DID get a surprise at the end of the episode! :D
I'm very excited to see where this is going - I thought they'd hold out longer before bringing Peter, but having a few "Peter? Who the f*** is Peter?"-episodes will do nicely in stead.
Hoping we'll see more of the "cosmic connection" between them - as in Peter recognizes the real Olivia when she was stuck, hiding in her own mind, and they're meant for the machine together, etc, etc - so that they're relationship will survive this latest hurdle.
I so happy Peter is back :) not too soon and not too late. So far this season is great :)
I'm just glad Peter is back, i was going crazy, now he has to fix everything
If the show's ratings are going down, it's because... who does it appeal to? The show started by building up to "Fringe" phenomena and earning the viewers' suspension of belief. But for new viewers just coming in, hey, it's a given that there's weird stuff out there and people investigate it. Nothing is earning their buy-in into the concept. For old viewers, the differences between old/new realities isn't that extreme or interesting. The monsters-of-the-week aren't that interesting. Other than episode 2 this year, the whole two-worlds-side-by-side thing has been ignored, which WOULD be interesting. So it's a matter of just sitting back and waiting for Peter to be integrated back in. The episodes until that happens are just padding. Worse, they may all be eliminated when the timeline is reset, if it's reset. The reboot sounds good on paper, as a s.f. concept, but for the realities of network TV it's just not working.moreless
I will be surprised if the show comes back after the Holidays break. But, they could also decide to let Abrams finish the season.
What show are YOU watching? This show and Dexter are the best shows on TV, and both stories are evolving into what are sure to be epic seasons. If Fringe can't get the viewers on Friday night, it's not the writers' fault - it's Fox's fault (and a break for baseball doesn't help, either). If Fringe were to have a premature ending, let alone not be renewed, I will be done with Fox forever for taking the best sci-fi show in a long time and killing it.
I didn't decide that. I'm just checking the ratings going down. And it's not only the network. If major advertisers decide that they won't support the show because of the low ratings, the networks have no choice.
Don't blame me.
The proper phrase is "suspension of disbelief."
Your theory supposes that the fan-base can only be cultivated and maintained if every episode is an "extreme or interesting" supernatural procedural with "monsters-of-the-week " requiring " the viewers' suspension of belief." Seriously? The show appeals, in reality, to a pretty diverse and intelligent demographic if TV.com supporters are a representative sample.
Do you watch this show? If so, do you truly understand it, and what they are attempting to convey to the audience? I ask because there are some amazing characters portrayed by some brilliant actors on this show, with storylines and plot arcs that are imaginative, complex and intelligent, and I have this sense that you are missing that, and man, you are missing the whole beautiful thing.
The fringe science is interesting and thought provoking, but like most people, I tune in for Olivia, Walter and Peter. While character development on the level Fringe has achieved will not resonate with the entire audience, it is obvious from Tim's reviews and many of the comments from loyal fans over the last three years that, while the individual episode procedurals are entertaining, we the audience are invested and committed to the CHARACTERS and what happens to them in the context of the larger story (Tim: 'shipping Peter and Olivia, awww), because there is a larger story here that will begin to surface now that Peter is returned. Each of the episodes this season has been pertinent to the storyline development, so I cannot grasp how you deem them or any to follow to be "padding."
I grasp how it would be difficult to come into Fringe at this point in the story, but that would be true of many great shows. I am not the first commenter to encourage prospective viewers to tuck in with the first three seasons and catch up; it is totally worth it. If you are worried about the show's ratings performance, save the crack theories and start creating buzz to support the show, even if you predict the writers are taking it somewhere you do not think will work. Wouldn't it be great, in the end, to be disproved?moreless
"The development of the characters" I agree but they have messed that up haven't they. Everything that you explain is true but Abrams just decided to favor the "fringe" side and destroyed the characters. And that, I believe, is what caused the ratings to drop. I, for one, am forcing myself to watch it this year and I used to love that show because of the characters.
People got to know them, love them and now they're all changed. Nothing that people have followed and liked about the characters is relevant anymore. Walter and Olivia are two different people, now. Actually, the two Universe put aside, I am not sure if this would be the first season if it would catch people as it did when it began.
That might make more sense if the ratings weren't already dropping like they have since season 2 started. If you go look S1 had a steady 9-12 mil people per episode ratings and then for some reason we'll never know, probably because of some effing new reality show or maybe they saw something shiny, by the end of s3 it was down to 3-4 mi.l So even with the characters the way they were ratings have dropped steadily. I actually wish you are right but for some reason since S2 which is really when Fringe started to take off people have stopped watching, it's like attention spans are not nearly what they used to be.
I can understand your perspective. Thus far we have been introduced to 3 versions of nearly every character but for Peter, and it is a challenge to remain committed to the characters when they do not remain the characters we committed to. I can only hope that the audience will fall as in love with this new, more vulnerable Walter and the more patient, compassionate Olivia, and continue to tune in.
I guess you never have read a novel before. It is the journey that makes the destination so powerful in a carefully-crafted story. Everyone who thinks that Peter's "disappearance" from this universe is just a device by the writers to go in any direction they want is just being cynical. With the wonderful acting and skillful story-telling, why not just go along for the ride and not second-guess everything that they do? Fox does this - they get something unique, move it to Friday night, kill the ratings, then kill the show. I think that everything that has happened up to this point is still relevant, and we need to be patient. Unless, of course, Fox pulls out the rug from under the viewers once again, boxing the writers into a corner. At least with this story line, if necessary, the writers have a couple of directions they can go to stay true to the mythology they have already developed. Best show on network TV - hands down.moreless
The reality is that TV doesn't work like novels.
I still feel cheated. I want the time back I spent thinking about how Fauxlivias pregnancy would influence things, in addition to the hour I spent watching 'Bloodline'.
I don't necessarily feel cheated, but I do want that storyline back. I just want the OLD timeline back, to be truthful :) I'm a Peter/Olivia shipper through and through but I thought it was equally fascinating having Altlivia (aka Fauxlivia) get pregnant with Peter's child. There was so much potential drama in that storyline that it kind of sucks leaving it so unresolved. We got, what, two episodes worth of Baby Henry? Personally I hope the fall finale brings us back to the timeline, characters, and relationships of seasons 1-3 because I certainly want to know more!
No one said that timeline is gone. Didn't the producers say that Peter would meet his son at some point this season?
Do you recall where you heard that about the producers?
It would be a paradox to have the father back and not the son and Fringe doesn't do paradoxes: baby Dunham should be back too.
meh it was too soapy anyway hated that storyline , glad the kid is gone