Let me start by saying that after several fantastic segments of Fringe, I wasn't the biggest fan of last week's episode, "6995 kHz." That mostly comes from the fact that I wasn't quite sure what to make of "The First People" and how that revelation hooks up with what we've come to know from our experiences with the show as a whole.
A similar question mark punctuated night's "Abducted," in which an old man dubbed "The Candyman" stole kids to suck the youth out of their pituitary glands like he was downing a Capri-Sun. Fringe has trained us to look beyond what we see on the screen for pieces of the bigger picture, but looking too hard can sometimes yield disappointing results.
"The Candyman" storyline didn't add a whole lot of punch to the ongoing mystery that's made Thursday-nights-at-9pm a "do not disturb" hour in my household. In fact, I'm not sure it added much at all (except for one thing—more on that later). Sometimes, a standalone storyline is just that. There's obviously come correlation to be extracted thematically, such as Olivia herself being the abductee in the other universe. But the thematic connection wasn't as strong as it was in previous episodes this season—think of the twin connection to the two Olivias in "Amber 31422," or the idea of hiding in plain daylight as a shapeshifter and Faux-livia pretending to be Olivia (in plain daylight) in "Do Shapeshifters Dream of Electric Sheep?"
What "The Candyman" storyline did—finally!—give us is a heftier plot point for Broyles (or alt-Broyles, as it were). He knows Olivia isn't Alt-livia, yet still has the utmost respect (and perhaps some pity) for her, since she helped save his son. That's going to pay off big time in future episodes, as it appears Alt-Broyles may become an ally in helping Olivia get to the other side. That is, if Walternate doesn't kill him first.
If the first 35 minutes of the episode didn't do it for you, then the last seven certainly should have. Olivia has made her breakthrough by requesting help from the other side, and the message got to Peter—who'd just boinked Olivia's stand-in. Something tells me Alt-livia isn't going to get breakfast in the morning, let alone cab fare (or was that Olivia's apartment?).
It's no wonder that Fox made a push to let the media preview last night's episode and next week's episode ahead of time, because the first minutes of next week's episode are going to be insane (I haven't seen it yet because I like to watch the show alongside you guys). What will Peter do when he rolls over and looks into the eyes of someone who has been lying to him? Will he treat Alt-livia similar to the way he treated Walter after Walter lied to him?
And what will Walternate do with his insubordinate Olivia? His face certainly revealed that he's none too pleased, and with Alt-livia's mission almost complete, what use will the other side have for our Olivia? Answer: There isn't one. And so the race to save Olivia from the other side begins.
Notes from the Other Side:
... I'm still enjoying the Alternate Universe more than our universe, but that could change knowing that Peter got the message.
... We still haven't gotten to see a The Wire reunion between Andre Royo (Mr. Cab Driver) and Lance Reddick (Philip Broyles), as they've yet to share a scene. We'll see if the show can make it happen down the line.
Follow TV.com writer Tim Surette on Twitter: @TimAtTVDotCom
Great show,top 5 on air now,but i am worried whats gonna happen with the storywhen two worlds collide and they will in this season,whats gonna happen next?Is there a next story after this season,maybe "The First People" straw.
I agree this was a pretty good Fringe ep, but imo Walter (and I won't settle for Walternate) is the key ingredient, and there's been so very little with him lately.
I dont know about this article BUT i know i want to see this weeks episode WOW
Fringe has been a favorite of mine since day one, but this season has taken it to a whole new level. Every week is just awesome. I didn't mind this stand-alone episode. Personally, I kind of miss those from early on before the alternate universe storyline came about. I like the other universe with Charlie, but I don't like that version of Astrid at all. Plus, Peter is key so this universe is definitely better.
The case might not have had much to do with the overall Fringe story...but watching kids get abducted is something that sickens me, so watching Olivia & Broyles get the chance to kill a couple of wack-a-doo religious ass monkeys was a real treat. Can't wait to see what Broyles does now, and how Peter and Alt-livia resolve their "relationship".
I love this season of Fringe. I can't wait on how Olivia will return to her true universe.
Also- Fellow Fringe Fans....Fringe is being moved to Friday, and COULD be facing cancellation!!Join the movement to SAVE FRINGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Save-Fringe/174981002528759
This episode was phenomenal. The case was thoroughly interesting(Not something always that is true- I am SO glad we are not seeing any more of the "Monsters, creatures, etc." kind of story lines!This episode had the setup more like the first and second seasons, putting the focus on the case, not the serialized arc. I prefer the serialized arc, but with this particular case, it worked. And THAT ending?!?! I am so thrilled to see how quickly things are moving! I cannot wait two weeks for a follow up!
i'm so excited to know what peter will do now that he knows that the olivia with him is the red-olivia. nyahaha! i was singing hallelujah when he got the phone call. :P
@ Taccado-It was to show us all of the characters- INCLUDING Walternate are good.Walternate was made the way he was because of what happened to his son. He shows compassion to Broyles, and has good intent for those children, and those on his side.
So I wonder if broyles has a son on our universe and if he was kidnapped too?
In my opinion this was, probably, the best episode this season. It might look kinda lost with all the (Candyman) situation, but it needed to happen, mainly for 2 reasons. First off, to show the character of Broyles - he knew she wasn't red Olivia but, as a reward for helping save is son ,he let her go; and Olivia - the most important thing for her was to escape, yet she returned when she find out the kid and his mother might be in danger. Second, and i agree with you on this, to create the bridge that will allow Broyles to help Olivia escape or, at least, keep her alive until the cavalry arrives. No show makes me want to see the next episode like Fringe does!
I enjoyed this episode. I jumped out of my seat screaming "Hell Yes, abt damn time!" LOL! It's so hard to have to wait 2 whole weeks for the other epsidoe! This is gettin excitin!!!
This episode was FANTASTIC and it ended with a freaking BOMB!!! I can't wait for next week!!!
I really enjoyed this episode (I like every Fringe episode, even ones that aren't as good as this one). I especially liked the character transformation of Broyles-over, how he went from bad-cop to good-cop (as related to Olivia) and became her ally for helping his family. I hope this show lasts and lasts.
It was an entertaining episodes with a BOMB at the end. Next week's episode should be a GOOOD one!
I think the episode was great. There is a reason why it at the moment has an average score of 9.8. I didn't mind the Candyman story. One has to realize these unrelated stories are meant to reveal information about the characters and the big picture. They are like a means to an end. The first 35 minutes were exactly about that. They showed us that Alt-Broyle is actually a good guy, and so are the others in the Alt-Fringe team. The only wan who is bad is the spider in the web: Walternate. The also showed that Olivia has the compassion (which Alt-Olivia might not have). That sets the two ladies apart. So that's why the first 35 minutes were important, the Candyman story was just a way to show us that. It is such a shame that so few watch this show! It is exiting, mysterious, and has a sci-fi content like Lost, but easy to understand unlike Lost. And the actors are great, like in the best TV shows.moreless
Why is FOX moving this to Friday nights come mid-season? It's one of the better shows they have.
amazing, nothing else to say but that, this show is by far the best out there now
It's funny, I treated Lost as a show about the mysteries and I'm treating Fringe as a show about characters . . . with mysteries. So, I enjoy the entertainment now after disappointment in puzzles elsewhere. As long as they advance the story and the characterization seems true, I'm enjoying the season. Whether a one and done, or an arching storyline, I rate the season highly . . . and the towards the end of Abducted, the twist had me enthused - especially the look on three main characters faces when presented with it.
loved it! i cant wait for a whole Peter facing fauxolivia!! ive been waiting for this moment and Our Olivia is the most awesome of both universes haha rock on!
I love the Alt-verse just a tad bit more mostly cause I like all of it's quirks. It's very interesting to find out what's different over there. Fringe is really blowing my mind with every episode this season. Best show, without a doubt, on TV right, followed closely by Supernatural of course.
It was olivia's apartment didn't you see her signature bed covers ? I don't know how I recognized them lol
i have no ideal what ur talking about a fan of fringe knows tis ways a good epsiode all the way through,its like u wanted it to get right to the point soon as it came on.the show was building suspens.that it for what it is tom just like justinjohnson9
Am I the only one who is starting to like Alt-Broyles more that Broyles? I'm such a traitor to my own universe. Anyhoo, loved the episode and especially loved the homage it paid to season 1: The Same Old Story. It makes the first season seem less episodic now that it uses past elements again in the new season.By the way. I heard the time slot for Fringe has been changed to friday starting January 28th. Hope this makes ratings better.
Tim, don't overanalyze the episode. Just enjoy it for what it is. This episode not only gave insight into Broyles, but also let us know about Olivia's impending future, now that Walternate knows she's changing back. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. This candyman character was freaking creepy, especially in the beginning. I'm a big fan of each case-of-the-week this show offers since I'm into science fiction. This episode, in my opinion, was a good one. I absolutely love how Fringe keeps us guessing, but doesn't give away too much, keeping the show fresh and exhilirating.
I really like Fringe, it just keeps getting better and better...
Fringe has really been the show to deliver big time this season, so far no weak episodes and the story just keeps one on the edge of the seat. I'm still holding judgement on the First People. I'm wondering if they were planned for all along or if they are a new idea to set the stages for a prolonging of the series. If it's the former, I'm putting fait in the writers, since so far they certainly have been able to deliver. If it's the latter I might have mor worries. Last thing I want is for Fringe to become a sensation-of-the-season show, kinda like X-Files ended up becoming. Without further parallels, I hope the writers have a general idea a la Lost, and have a set amount of seaons in mind.moreless
All I know is can Henry Huggins come to the other side with Olivia. That guy is awesome!!!
"That mostly comes from the fact that I wasn't quite sure what to make of "The First People" and how that revelation hooks up with what we've come to know from our experiences with the show as a whole." Explain what this means cuz I don't get it. Same goes for paragraph 2. Fringe has always been a fantastical show. Earlier this season, Pacey err... I mean Peter had a gun shot off near his ears so he could solve a case. Did anyone stop and complain about the long term repercussions to his hearing. No! cuz this is Fringe and it's crazy awesome. and we suspend our belief.
Tim, your bff Lincoln looked at Olivia funny when she mentioned the accelerated aging case (referenced in post below). She said she had a similar case before she was with Fringe division. I think he noticed something odd about that statement. Anyone else?
It also referenced "The Same Old Story", episode two of the entire show. That was the case, (the one with the woman giving birth to the accelerated aging baby that died a few hours later) that enabled Olivia to solve this one. Again, not necessarily moving the mythology forward, but rich storytelling and continuity.
The Candyman issue was simply to set up Olivia as a hero in the alternate world with someone on the inside willing to look the other way for her. It may not be the "main storyline" meat you whine about not having, but it did feed directly into it, and thus the ending was amazing thanks to it.
I'm glad we got to see more of bubbles. That phone call at the end was awesome too.