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Fringe Season 2 Episode 3

Fracture

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AIRED: Oct 01, 2009

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8.9

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EPISODE REVIEWS
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Episode Summary

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Peter, Olivia, and Walter race against time to investigate the bombing of a train station. Walter discovers something unusual about the human remains.

FAN RECAP

Fan Episode Reviews (14)

Fracture

6.5

By arkanitoo, Jul 16, 2012

The first was very good. The second was very bad. We exaggerate and thus create these two poles, these two brothers who gave the tone for this season. The third is then expected response. The certainty that the balance hung on one side or the other.

While there have been slight improvements, this was more a case "turns the hard and plays the same." Almost could do a copy / paste from my earlier critique, changing only the names and locations. It's hopeless. We have their hands tied and we can only spit out questions like this: even when we have to put up cases of the week, besides not having mystery, do not provide any new data to the main plot, still seem repetitions of old cases? And so we come to a policeman that crystallizes and explodes in the middle of a train station. Really? People to explode? They can not invent anything else?

We soon realized that there is a colonel to send his former soldiers to certain death. The history goes back to military experiments and for such a project "Tin-Man." The trip to Iraq brought some freshness in terms of environments, but the intrigue of a vaccine that goes wrong is already more than tired. Exhausted. Thus, they were welded to cure in the form of a curse and become true human pumps.

Used to fight the enemy in the words of a mad colonel. Or one man are not known. It is certain that he was using these people to eliminate foreign messengers that carry strange folders. He then tells Broyles (Lance Reddick) there is a war, they are already here, they are looking at our weaknesses and when we realize it's too late. After this, we see The Observer to open one of these folders and pick up photos of Walter (John Noble). And here comes a node with two questions (and a slight headache): first, Broyles has already hinted that he knows more than us all and that, along with Nina Sharp (Blair Brown), will have a very broad view of this conflict . But here in this dialogue, it seemed that he knew nothing or was not noticing anything. Anyway? Secondly, when I took The Observer as a neutral character, a sort of Switzerland and noted that only means, not an integral part of the opposing faction, we want to study and evil. And for what Walter see pictures of the two if they already know? So, what are we?

In addition, the new character is still not appear. Which makes sense, since it is a new character. It is an addition to the cast, does not appear immediately. On the other hand, Dr. House Olivia (Anna Torv) can tie the laces and walk normally. Is recovered and possibly ready to remember the long-awaited meeting.

We're more than ready, more than ready to move forward and get out of here!moreless
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Moving Forward

9.0

By dreamgoat, Jan 26, 2012

This was another great episode I'm liking season 2 more than season 1. I like the great team work that is involve, seems like their getting more stuff done that way getting to the bigger fish. Now we know a little about the observer and what him and his kind are doing. At the end he opens a brief case to find pictures of Walter, wonder whats that all about. I love the story and it was exciting to see them rush to stop the bombings, true to traditions in this show there is always something more than whats going on and we found out.moreless
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A solid core mythology episode initially disguised as an independent plotline

10

By Lyta_499, Dec 13, 2010

After the break of the previous episode we get back to the core mythology with this one, following many threads simultaneously. Olivia experiencing the effects of what looks more and more like a subsequent transformation, regaining her memory in painful fragments (the scene with the sudden flashbacks while she was heading for the toilet was simply masterful, I totally loved it). Peter assuming a more active part, adding much needed depth to his character. While in the first episode he contributes to saving the Fringe division, as well as Olivia's life, in this episode we get to see the full effect of his experience in the division. He has turned from a seemingly callous, cold-hearted person taking care of his own interests alone, to someone who values human life, human relationships and is able to devote himself to a cause, stepping up to defend it with his life if needed. He understands his father more, wishes to establish a father-son communication with him and he is now in Fringe not as Walter's babysitter or someone who stands to gain something, but as an equal and valuable partner. That is a pleasant change in Peter's character and I'm glad to finally see his potential taken advantage of. Peter's emancipation in the team has been partly triggered by Olivia's temporary weakness, which was also a wise addition to her character. She is dynamic, strong, intelligent and devoted and I love all those things about her, but in the final episodes of Season 1 so many things had happened to her that would've shaken the foundations of anyone's logic, and she didn't seem to present some kind of long-lasting reaction. That has been fixed and with good sense. Now we can identify with the characters and observe their interaction without worrying that at times they might appear somewhat unrealistic. In regard to the case, I liked the opposition between Iraq and the US. A terrorist operation which is usually presented as something originating from the Arabs, is the product of a US paramilitary group. The Arabs not only bear no responsibility for it, but they actually aid Olivia and Peter to discover the real culprit. That said, our initial loathing for the action and hostility towards its mastermind is dissolved at the end of the episode, when the case is revealed to be part of the "bigger picture". What seemed like mindless terrorism at first is now a desperate attempt to ensure the survival of our universe. Does the end really justify the means? Fringe continues to pose that question to us. Obviously Walter plays a key part in the collision between the two worlds, and we are left with many questions as to the how, where and why. All in all a very exciting, well made episode, that keeps me wondering for the next one.moreless
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Olivia learns that her lackadaisical version of "Yoda" may indeed hold the secret to her regaining some real sense of normalcy. And Peter emphatically declares that he has grown tired of seeing his father naked.moreless

5.0

By SourceEnergy, Dec 13, 2010

....And we learn that there's more to Astrid besides looking cute while cleaning up what must be one of the filthiest and smelliest laboratories on the planet. C'mon, people – we're talking cow excrement and dead bodies! Definitely, not the place where I'd even think about eating a cheeseburger!

After last season's finely executed season cliff-hanger, I was looking forward to fully immersing myself into a second season of the not-so-alternative television universe known as Fringe. I was even starting to really forgive the lack of substantial eye-candy and the complete void of any romantic/sexual tension between ANY of the characters-and the blatant similarities to the X-Files. After all, Fringe, I suspected was trying to introduce its audience to a fantastic world that would take us on a weekly journey that would leave all of us in a permanent state of wonderment. Well, so much for that idea.

I am disappointed. And I suspect Fringe's loyal fan base is starting to fracture. No longer do I face strong push back regarding my criticisms of the show from those in my office who at one time argued that Fringe was the most amazing television series ever conceived. Well, folks, the bloom is definitely off the rose.

The writers were trying to cover way too much material in this particular episode while completely ignoring the richness of all the plot elements that have long since been introduced. For example, wouldn't it be a great idea to explore how Charlie's wife is now responding to her husband now that he's been subsumed by aliens; and what's going on with Olivia and her sister now that Olivia is experiencing bionic hearing, etc.? I mean, their relationship was once so important that she took a call from her sister while en route to a federal raid. And didn't it just ring a little more than stupid and unlikely that Olivia's accompaniment of Peter into some sort of men-only Baghdad bar/saloon did not cause a major problem? And wasn't it just a little too convenient that Olivia just happened to look beneath the sink in the bathroom and find a clue vital to this episode's entire plot? I have to confess that this episode is a difficult one for me to review because so much of what took place mattered very little. I mean, how much longer can the writers get away with teasing about some huge oncoming threat when monsters are already eating people in the street, folks are exploding in the street, and let's not forget the woman who was eating people she met on the street? The so-called war is already underway, so why not cut to the chase, quit with the lazy and sloppy storytelling and start showing us what J.J. Abrams set out to do in the first place. Me thinks J.J. may have too much on his plate; and like every overworked parent will soon learn (and usually too late via the hard way), that it's always the children who end up suffering.

Peace Out.moreless
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Peter, Olivia, and Walter race against time to investigate the bombing of a train station. Walter discovers something unusual about the human remains.

9.5

By NightDawg77, Nov 27, 2010

Another show of mine doing very well! Fringe continues to do a good job pushing the mystery and keeping me on the edge. I'm truly perplexed as to what is taking place in the Fringe world and I hope it continues!

Of course good acting on all ends; I tell you John Noble does such an outstanding job getting into his character and truly getting you to feel what he feels in each scenario! The plot of course was great and the ending just had me begging for more. The pace is going smoothly..not too much too fast but just enough to keep you pondering!

I'm glad to see this new show in its sophomore season do so well. I believe this is a keeper and will continue to outdo the rehash shows popping up all over network tv.moreless
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Cast & Crew: STARS

EDIT

Anna Torv	Olivia Dunham
Joshua Jackson	Peter Bishop
Lance Reddick	Phillip Broyles
Jasika Nicole	Astrid Farnsworth
John Noble	Dr. Walter Bishop

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Cast & Crew: RECURRING AND GUESTS

EDIT

Stephen McHattie	Colonel Raymond Gordon	Guest Star
Navid Negahban	Dr. Malik Yusef	Guest Star
Claudette Mink	Captain Diane Burgess	Guest Star
Michael Cerveris	The Observer	Recurring Role
Kevin Corrigan	Sam Weiss	Recurring Role

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Episode Photos

The team (Joshua Jackson, Anna Torv and ...

© 2009 Fox Broadcasting Company
Walter (John Noble) surveys a crime scen...

© 2009 Fox Broadcasting Company
Broyles (Lance Reddick) briefs the team ...

© 2009 Fox Broadcasting Company
Peter (Joshua Jackson) collects evidence...

© 2009 Fox Broadcasting Company

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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TRIVIA (3)
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- Broyles says that they are "still waiting for Gordon to activate the VHF signal." Walter also describes it as a "VHF signal." However, the signal is described to be 331.6 MHz, which is a UHF signal, not a VHF signal.
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- Trivia: Right after Diane Burgess exits her cab, the symbol drawn for Olivia by William Bell is visible on a stone fence post on the right. This is a clue towards the next episode, "Momentum Deferred."
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- Trivia: The glyph code for this episode is BURIAL.
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QUOTES (6)
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- Peter: I need my own bedroom. I woke up this morning to him singing an aria from Pagliacci.
  Astrid: Your father has a wonderful voice.
  Peter: Not when he's doing jumping jacks. And did I mention he was naked?
  Walter: A good morning sets the tone for the day.
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- Walter: Farnsworth, get my portable chemistry set. This means bodies
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- Peter: Yes, I do remember. Melissa was a playmate. Miss July, right. Putting together a jigsaw of a nude centerfold was Walter's idea of how to explain, what was it, human reproduction to his ten-year-old son.
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- Peter: Four words that should never show up in a sentence: "classified experimental military project."
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- Olivia: Maybe I should wait outside.
  Peter: Then what would I do? You're the one with a gun.
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- Astrid: Dr. Bishop, what did I tell you about experimenting with fruit? I just cleaned this lab up yesterday.
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NOTES (3)
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- International Airdates:
  UK: October 18, 2009 on Sky1/Sky1 HD
  Latin America: November 10, 2009 on WB
  Sweden: December 3, 2009 on Kanal 5
  Australia: January 6, 2010 on GO!
  Germany: March 22, 2010 on ProSieben
  Poland: September 23, 2010 on TVN
  Finland: October 6, 2010 on MTV3
  Czech Republic: December 17, 2010 on Nova Cinema
  Slovakia: March 26, 2012 on Markiza
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- Kirk Acevedo and Blair Brown are credited but don't appear.
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- Music: Blue Bayou (Roy Orbison), Jazz Me Blues (Les Paul), The Air That I Breathe (The Hollies), Can't You See? (The Marshall Tucker Band)
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ALLUSIONS (1)
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- Olivia: Can you just cut the Yoda crap and tell me what's happening to me?
  Referencing Yoda in the Star Wars movies. Yoda is a small green Jedi Knight, over 900 years old, who typically speaks in oblique riddles to pass on his knowledge.
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