Don't you hate it when you get a shapeshifter only to see it become obsolete the very next season by a newer, better model? Fringe explored that consumer annoyance in its own way tonight, giving us an up-close look at one of the new shapeshifters that makes the old ones look like your 8GB iPod. But "Novation" did more than just that. It answered several lingering questions about the differences between our old universes and the new universes, brought some guy named Peter back into the mix, and may have started an inter-universal war that will destroy everything as we know it. In other words, it was just another week for Fringe.
Peter's back and blah blah, we'll get to that later. First, I'd like to discuss the Shapeshifters, of which I'll be the first to admit that I'm no expert on. So bear with me. "Novation" gave us the specs on a new breed of shapeshifter, the ones we've seen since the beginning of this season. They're the shiniest new model of the shapeshifters, able to retain the ability to turn into their previous forms (we saw a bit of that last episode, at least I think it was last episode, it's been so long), they can shift at greater speeds thanks to quad-core shifting processors, and they have super Wi-fi enabled typewriters. Finally! Heck, I wouldn't be surprised if you could push their belly button and ask for directions to the nearest dog groomer, like Siri. Finally, Peter believes that except for some hardware inside of them, they'd be virtually indistinguishable from whoever they bodyjacked. In other words, these shifters are badass and if for some reason someone sent a ton of them to our universe for some sort of war, we'd be pretty screwed. Foreshadowing alert!
What it also means is that Fringe is about to get some serious Battlestar Galactica stuff going on, with shifters able to slip into our midst with ease just like Cylons will in the future. Yes, this shifter might be the model worth standing in line for on release date. It's that good. And it's all fixed and healed thanks to Dr. Malcolm Truss, a former employee of Massive Dynamic that worked on cellular regeneration. He's kidnapped by one of these shapeshifters, Nadine, who old him she needs his help to get fixed because his research was used to help her regenerate skin as a cancer patient. She left out the bit about being a shapeshifter from another universe, though. Later, she's caught shapeshifting into Truss' wife so she played the "Be objective, you're a scientist!" card to get him to keep scientisting, and Truss whipped up a potion that fixed her. Oh Malcolm, you killed us all, you moron. Fringe's A-Team knocked down the door, but Nadine was able to escape thanks to ridonkulous parkour skills. At a bus station, she whipped out her Shifter Typewriter 4S and she did the tappy tappy thing on the keyboard to say she's got the formula. Remember this typewriter is Wi-fi so she doesn't have to be in the back room of an antiques store, and the response came back fast: UNDERSTOOD. BEGIN PREPARATIONS. WE'RE SENDING THE OTHERS.
Are they sending them all over so they can get the magical healing elixir? Are they sending them all over because it's time for war? Is there some sort of Groupon on inter-universe travel? I don't know. But if I had to guess, I'd say it's both A and B, and we're all going to die. Nice knowing you.
What I'm also not sure of is exactly who is the big boss of these shapeshifters. We're supposed to believe it's Walternate from these two universes, but is that for certain? Please discuss in the comments, because honestly, I don't remember if we found out. Even Walter early in the episode said it's reasonable to believe that there's a third universe out there, so why couldn't it be possible that these shapeshifters aren't from the Walternate universe? Perhaps they came here because they needed to get fixed up by our version of Dr. Truss, who is the only version of him left. I don't know what I'm talking about, I'm just throwin' stuff out there. And maybe these red and blue universes team up to fight the other universe! Okay, I'm really getting ridiculous.
Now we can talk about Peter. The best part about Peter coming back is that finally we have someone who knows everything we know, because unlike everyone else, he's the same guy we've hung out with the previous three seasons. It's like finding the only other person at a party who doesn't know anyone else there. Because as much as Walter, Olivia, Astrid, Broyles and others look like the ones we grew up knowing, they're not. Apparently some people are having a problem with this and can't emotionally connect with these new sets of Fringe characters. Technically, I can't blame them, but don't find it an issue. I see them as the essences of the characters we knew and a possibility of what they could be, and it also kicks in my paternal instinct to root for them to find their path and my internal philosopher to enjoy seeing how one small difference can have such a profound impact on their development. Sure, I miss the old Walter. But if I look really hard at the new Walter, I can see the old guy in there somewhere. That's something else to discuss: do you hate having to hang out with these new versions of characters we all loved?
But back to Peter. He's here, and he's remarkably together (and super confident!) for someone who should be banging his head off a wall of a universe where no one remembers him. But his return is a little underwhelming, and for some reason, I ain't complaining. We didn't learn much about where he's been, we didn't learn much about why he's here, and we get just a tad about why he left in the first place (Peter thinks he became a paradox when he should have died in both universes). We're not going to find this out right away, people. In fact, get ready to wait a long time to learn that and just enjoy it. No need to open your Christmas presents early.
It's clear Peter's return is not doing good things to Walter's head. It's so bad, that Walter's injecting all kinds of awesome stuff into himself to calm himself down because, well, he can. We know this Walter has lost two Peters, and the difference between this one and the one we know is pretty big. But there's a glimmer of hope at the end when Walter is able to look into Peter's eyes and see his son. Even though he claims Peter's return is his punishment, we get the sense that he may come around down the line.
There were also lots of lingering questions resolved. We found out that Nina practically (or literally?) adopted Olivia and her sister after Olivia's mom died. That's why they were so chummy a few episodes back. We also got intel on Walter's hatred of Nina; turns out he blames, or blamed, her for Peter's death as she told him not to cross the line. We also got confirmation that William Bell is dead (perhaps we already knew? Again, there's too much information in this show for a simpleton like me to keep track of).
[UPDATE] I forgot to add a bit about Olivia's deja vu, of which we've seen something similar before in the last episode. I think it's a "time slip," which was teased in the "next on Fringe." If you're unclear about those, you're not alone. I'm expecting next episode to be about that. [/UPDATE]
What made "Novation" such an enjoyable episode was that Fringe has been off for two weeks and it's been way too long. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. But seriously, what made it so entertaining was how evenly the episode was distributed: we got a few questions answered about the relationships between these "new" characters, we got the thrill of having Peter back, and some new awesome shifters with super Wi-fi typewriters just declared war on us. Solid, solid episode.
Notes From the Other Side:
– I know I shouldn't really like any scenes without any of the familiar Fringe characters in it so much, but I thoroughly enjoyed the Nadine-Truss storyline. Plus Arye Gross! Remember him? Soul Man?
– This universe doesn't know anything about the Observers. Finally! Someone on my level!
– Did Olivia ask Lincoln out? I know some people are thinking that, but I didn't see it that way. I think she noticed Lincoln was acting a little down and just wanted to help him out.
– Yo! Was Dr. Truss' dog Vincent from Lost?
Follow TV.com writer Tim Surette on Twitter: @TimAtTVDotCom
You're definitely spot on with your third-universe theories. Perhaps you're privy to some intel on the debacle because of your job, or perhaps you really underestimate your sci-fi intuition, but these Shapeshifters 3.0 have got to be from a third universe, or as I'd like to submit, 'Another There.' Okay, that probably won't become a thing--who comes up with this terminology anyway?--but I wouldnt be surprised if the mastermind behind this impending war was even more sinister than Walternate and ultimately results in a concerted effort on the part of the red and blue universes to defeat this alternate.
I'd also like to clarify: in Walter's monologue, he mentioned Nina being there that fateful night to warn him that he was crossing the line, but I don't think he said blamed her all those for what she said, but rather that she was there in the first place, contributing to the lake's ice's instability. Or maybe it was a mix of both. He hated her for the former and blamed her for the latter.
....I agree with your take on hanging out with these Peter-deprived characters; they're still Olivia, Walter, and Astrid at they're core, only less put together. Moreover, I think their current states reveal more about their characters and their relationships with each other. I have no problem connecting.
....Olivia totally asked Lee out. She's LONELY remember? And he's got that dapper, sensitive nerd thing going for him. Why wouldn't she be interested.moreless
I have to admit, getting Peter back was a breath of fresh air, as you said he is the only person on the show that knows everything we know! I don't mind the different version of these characters, it's interesting how a few turn of events can change someone's outlook and personality, I just hope that now with Peter back in the mix Walter and Olivia and everyone else will slowly start to evolve into something new! That is what is awesome about tv, watching characters slowly evolve (i.e. Breaking Bad &SOA).
Also, many have been frustrated by this season saying its going slow. You all are silly. Fringe is at its best when it is slowly peeling itself back like an onion layer by layer. There is NOTHING wrong in with getting a few questions answered, watching character relationships develop and leaving an overall big question (How/Why did Peter come back?) unanswered in the same episode. Indulge in the uncertainty and the fact that you are watching a show that Makes you think. As you said Tim, Don't open your Christmas presents early:Pmoreless
I love this show because at the beginning of the season, it always shows just how far these characters have to go to make things "right", and then at the end of the season we usually get a huge pay off because of that. Right now I'm thinking that we've got a hell of a long way to go to get all these characters back in synch.
I'm hoping for some event that brings back a rush of memories like they did in LOST. Oh Joshua Jackson, how we missed you, you Canadian Dreamboat!
Apparently they're gearing up for some awesomeness that we can't foresee as yet. We all have to know that all our favorite characters are one dimensional and superfluous at this point, and a bit boring. I have to trust they will make it right as they always have - perhaps Olivia's cab driver will save the day. Tim, your assessment of the situation is right on the money. How can they not follow Peter, he's they only "real" character in the show right now...
Well, I'm starting to get a bit annoyed by that massive amnesia thing. But things seem to go forward as Peter showed how useful he can be. The paradox is that I wouldn't like that things got back to normal because that would have mean that all those s4 episodes are just useless. So I just want the story to go forward. And it looks like it will.
I'm not really a fan of the shapeshifters storyline because it doesn't seems fesh anymore. I mean, the typewriter, the mean shapeshifters : that's deja vu. Ok, they are supposed to be better because near to perfection (in the shapeshifter excellence-meter) but the old ones were cooler when they were eating thermometers.
The time slip though is intriguing.
Can't wait for next week to see where all of this is going.
Btw : the opening credits thing is intriguing. Nice catch. That definitely means something greater than we've seen so far is coming and that's just what I need !
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Yay, Peter's back!
I feel like I'm on the same level as the characters. We all don't know anything :P
I buy super-confident Peter because of who he started out as, and who he became over the last three seasons.
Peter, when we first met him, was a super intelligent con-man who faked his way into a teaching position at MIT, I think, and into million dollar deals with Middle Eastern businessmen.
On top of that, he's spent three years facing and fighting the weirdest, most bad-ass craziness you can possibly imagine, all while learning that he comes from another Universe and finding the love of his life (and losing her, and winning her back).
At the very end of last season we saw him come into his own as a man who knew what he wanted, yet was willing to put his life on the line for the sake of the world (and his loved ones, of course).
I just don't see "becoming a deleted paradox that suddenly pops back into existence without anyone remembering him" fazing him much - give him a week, and he'll set things right. :D
Yay for BAMF!Peter! :Dmoreless
boring
Glad to have my man Peter back!
really liked the return of peter
I didn' t feel "Olivia was asking Lincoln out" I felt it more like very a shy attempt to bond with Lincoln; make friends as somebody else mentioned. But I do think Olivia has a slight attraction for him... and by the way this version of Lincoln is soooo shy and reserved! Wouldn' t it be funny if this Lincoln were gay? Not the fact that he might be gay but that Olivia might feel a bit bummed about it when finding out and that maybe that would open the doors for the other Lincoln (earring Lincoln) to make his move LOL!
I do think that Peter is acting way too cool. I mean after finding out he's something of a paradox and that maybe he should have died: He didn't even look sad... he was supposed to be in love with Olivia right? Mmm now that I remember: he was sort of in love with both of them, right? So is this his "once bitten twice shy" reaction with Olivia? Something like: "Let's figure this out before handing out my heart again" ?moreless
Well Peter is basically amazing, so he can take anything in his stride, but I think he's generally just realising what has happened, and trying not to freak everyone out. P.S. Lincoln's 'earring' is the phone things they have on the other side.
Yeah I know the "earring" is the equivalent of the "free hands blue tooth" thingy communicator LOL! It is just that I saw an interview with Seth Gabel where he refers to the 2 characters he plays as: "earring Lincoln" & "glasses Lincoln"
Side-note: I want Charlie back! NOW!
I think Olivia asking Lincoln for a drink is because of "Peter". You know she is lonely, she knows there is a void in her life..so maybe Peter's "appearance" just nudged her to act on fixing it.
The red universe's Lincoln got a thing for both Olivias... I love him but i hate that!...
This Episode was the best of this season...
Nah, that's good - because Peter belongs to "our" Olivia, Fauxlivia is going to need someone to console her! ;)
The best episode of the season so far.. Point !
Is it possible that the new shapeshifter are some how connected with the ZFT and Jones?
Cylons are from the past, not the future, you should know that you dumb editor. "with shifters able to slip into our midst with ease just like Cylons will in the future"
That's what he wrote:
"with shifters able to slip into our midst with ease just like Cylons will in the future"
Just like Cylons will (slip) in the future (from the past).
OR
With the same ease as Cylons will (slip) in the future (from the past).
Cylons slip in the future (from the past), shifters slip in our mist.
Everyone else understood.
But since you resort to insults that definitely means that YOU are the one who is right.
Of course, adherents to the original version know that Cylons have been at war with the colonies for over a thousand years, that the Galactica reached the 13th colony in 1980... and that Cylons aren't slipping into our midst because they are shiny, awkward, and have one red eye that bounces back and forth for no reason.
Eric has a point, and it's valid, if rudely presented. Cylons slip into our midst in the past. It's TERMINATORS that slip into our midst in the future... and in the past (crud. this is harder than I thought). No wait. It's definitely REPLICANTS that slip into our midst in the future.
I also think this was the best episode so far. I am glad to see that the show does not jump to integrating Peter back. Fringe is indeed a delicious meal that we have to enjoy bite after bite :) I agree that if Peter is back, it is because another paradox exists and that the two worlds are imbalanced, I cannot wait to find out what will happen next! And good point for the Observers, I am sure they will appear soon and Peter's knowledge will help him getting Walter's trust after all. Finally, I think it would be great if Olivia and Lincoln would date. It will only force Olivia to question her unexplainable attraction to Peter.
Ok...so Peter said he needed Walter to help him figure out why he is back. This is a good point. He was erased from existence so how come the sudden reappearance? I believe that the Observers overlooked something when they took Peter away. His absence created an unforeseen variable which did not exist before in either the intended timeline or the actual one but is now present in the current timeline. Peter is back because an imbalance still exists. There is another paradox just like him.
At first I couldnt understand Walters 'unscientific' reaction to Peter's presence then in the last scene and the scene with Nina I began to see it was joy...and fear and love(from previous seasons, I dont think anyone can doubt the love Walter has for his son). Walter destroyed 2 universe for his son,imagine what he'll do if he embraces the new Peter and tries to 'help' him! Oh boy :)
I thought this episode was the best of the season. Good to have Peter back, and glad he used that shapershifter knowledge he gained from hunting down and killing the old models. Even though that didn't happen. But hey, it's good to have an almost-invincible bad guy around that you love to hate, and the team is back together!
I'm coming into this too late to provide anything productive to the discussion, so I'll just say this. Loved this episode, can't wait for more. Don't mind hanging out with these new characters, looking forward to their development. As far as keeping things straight, we'll get all the info eventually, so not keeping every detail intact just adds to the ability of this show to be able to surprise us. I'm okay with that. Good acting all around, love the Observer mentions, and heck if I know about the dog. Oh, and Olivia should love Peter (my romantic side coming out there).
I swear I almost started to hate MLB ... however, in my opinion this is the same universe from which Peter disappeared, and not a new third world. Peter is the anomaly that the observers had to fix, and now we are simply seeing a world where Peter didn't existed. But since Peter is back (and was not supposed to happen) this world (the world were Peter never existed) is collapsing or even better is integreting with the world were Peter existed. This can be explaind with the ''vision''that had Olivia in the end of the episode.
Who are the new shapeshifters 2.0 with the new WiFi typewriter? and who the hell knows ... Now I don't remember if they even explained who they were and who sent the model 1.0 are we sure that was Walternate?moreless
yes, Walternate was responsible for the original shapeshifters.
William Bell was forced to design them.
Remember how Newton was assisting Alt-livia in her infiltration?
I believe her name is Faux-livia!
Tnx I remember now.... By the way where is Newton? i dont't think he's death.
boring
Fringe got a reboot with season 4. The chemistry between the main actors, which made the first three seasons so watchable, is gone and I don't have a clue, how the writers will fix it. The unscientific technobabble is the lamest part of Fringe, especially since the former story arc is destroyed as well. I'll keep watching anyway.
So true. Torv doesn't have any range she is just painfully boring, the interaction of the other characters made it watchable.
Anna Torv has NO range? We can't possibly be watching the same show, clearly you've never seen her Alternate Olivia impression..
Why do people always have such bad judgement....
I think Uma meant "In her new role". Actually The new Olivia has no range and, yes, kinda boring, this season.
About Anna Torv's range:
And what about her William Bell impression?
Really?! alternate Olivia? I think Anna Torv's personality is naturally reserved. Alternate Olivia is a slightly less bland Olivia with red hair.
we know from many other stories, lost in particular, that finding out or getting an explanation for something even something important isn't just going to happen. so good advice. no need to get all over something that may not happen...
It only happened with Lost.
I fear that it is going to happen with Fringe also. The viewers will be dropped like garbage or we'll get some stupid explanation like:
"the Fringe division never existed, there is no two-universes, everything was imagine by Walter from his psychiatric ward."
Carter had the decency to make a movie after the X-files series to tie the looses end for the fans.
Everything in Lost definitely happened other than the side-flashes in Season Six! This is not the same thing in any way.