The Firefly

Season 3, Episode 10, Aired
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Episode Summary

The Observer reunites musician Roscoe Joyce with his dead son, setting off a series of events that culminate in a life-or-death test for Walter. Meanwhile, Olivia deals with the repercussions of her absence from This Side, and Walter bonds with Joyce, one of his musical heroes.
9.4
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EPISODE RATING: Superb
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Fan Episode Reviews (14)

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  • The Observers

    9.0
    "Superb"
    By dreamgoat, Feb 01, 2012 Report Abuse
    This was a great episode, haven't seen the observers in action for awhile. I don't know if the observers are on the other world too. If they are I must of missed that explanation, I'm not shocked why they were setting up a chain of events for Walter but it was exciting to watch the rush on whats going on and whats going to happen. This whole mystery that Peter has to die better start giving some answers, they don't even call him special or unique, unlike Olivia but Peter has to die? It's usually the lead character it happens too.moreless

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    0 0

  • The Observer tests Walter; Peter risks his life; Olivia tries to make herself all right by pretending everything is all right; Walter is forced to see what he's done over and over again.moreless

    10
    "Perfect"
    By opalemeraldcat, Oct 07, 2011 Report Abuse
    There are a few points of this episode I would love to address. Firstly, the Walter-Joyce connection. I realize it was strange to have this wonderful old man grow on us just to have him be a lesson--not even grow on us like victims do in their first three minutes before horrific deaths, but really grow on us--but Joyce and Walter had a real relationship, and I'd love to see them together again. Of course, that's not going to happen, but in my head I will picture the two old men together, chuckling about the eighties and far before.

    The Observers. I've always been fascinated with the human obsession of dissecting the logic vs. emotions relationship. The Observers are a real treat, although I wish they were almost more neutral; it increasingly feels like they have a specific agenda far beyond keeping things in balance. Of course, that isn't to say I'm not curious as to what that is... And I haven't been able to get the Observers out of my head since the love story of one in season 2. Gosh, that was a while ago.

    Speaking of love; Peter and Olivia. You know, I really want them to be perfect for each other--I mean, I REALLY do--but other than the "I'm sorry," Peter hasn't been very good in his response to Olivia's trauma. He stares a lot, though... She, on the other hand, is being tough as always, and is more "intense" than ever. I hope the tension ramps up a little, honestly, I know I might be a spoiled fan for asking for more, but sometimes their relationship's a little too platonic for me! Grr. It's not even so much what they do as how they do it, and the two aren't giving me that lump-in-the-throat feeling. Once again, I remind you that I still love them as a couple and will still be listening to the song Olivia sang to Peter on repeat.

    Finally, Walter and Peter. I agree with a previous reviewer in that, for a long time, fear of losing Peter was the prominent feature of Walter. It's great how the character changes, or at least torturously reveals the change, in this episode. I loved every second of it--except for, and keep in mind it was only a second, when Walter let Peter go. And, you know, those couple of close calls with Peter--I'm talking the truck, the gun, etc.--were well crafted. Bravo, writers.

    Overall, I loved this episode, and I'm only knitpicking here because that's what reviewers do. Can't wait for the next.moreless

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    1 0

  • Back to December!

    10
    "Perfect"
    By ionee24, Jun 01, 2011 Report Abuse
    After a VERY disturbing Marionette the show comes back to its usual tone in a story about fatherhood, Observers and meddling with timelines as only Fringe could do: with a subtle homage to Back to the Future in the form of Christopher Loyd!

    An old couple inspires Olivia to take a look in a whole new direction regarding her situation with Peter, while Peter himself starts sharing with her what he shared with her alter-ego but, just as Peter and Olivia are course-correcting their own relationship, the Observers start course-correcting the mistake they made years ago ...when they let Walter keep Peter.

    It must be difficult being a father, like Peter himself has experienced as the parentalized child of a deranged Dr. Bishop, but its also difficult on Walter for instinct kicks-in whenever Peter is in danger. See, a father can't let his child die even at the risk to lose his own life, forgetting said child its as unbearable as to actually lose him ...and yet, it's that very instinct what the Observers undermine during this episode, the trigger that kicks-in whenever Walter sees Peter in mortal danger and, because he learnt to let him die, Walter is now ready to do so again.moreless

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    10 0

  • A success by all measure

    9.0
    "Superb"
    By entil2001, Jun 01, 2011 Report Abuse
    The decision to move "Fringe" to Friday nights was sounded criticized by many of its fans and critics alike. There's a certain irony in the fact that the two heirs apparent to the "X-Files" legacy, "Fringe" and "Supernatural", now find themselves in direct competition in the original timeslot of their creative ancestor. Yet, against all odds, "Fringe" has managed to match its Thursday ratings (at least for this episode), and therefore improve on the Friday night average for FOX.

    One can only hope this is evidence of good things to come for the series, because creatively, it is hitting all cylinders. This particular episode makes good on the promise of the fall cliffhanger by focusing on the machinations of The Observer. Much of this episode is an elaborate test, designed to determine whether or not Walter would be willing to let Peter risk his life. This suggests that Peter's life may hang in the balance as season arc progresses.

    It's not a minor point, however. If The Observers are some kind of inter-dimensional monitors, tasked with maintaining watch over the Multiverse, then the current war between Fringe Prime and Alt-Fringe would be a matter of great concern. More to the point, if they are working behind the scenes to repair the damage Walter caused, they would have to ensure that Walter himself would not compound the problem.

    With the story now firmly rooted in its own mythology, following the grand J.J. Abrams traditions from "Alias" and "Lost", there is some hope that the origins and role of The Observers will be fleshed out this season. I can't help but wonder if they are connected somehow to the ancient civilization that appears to have created the Vacuum in the first place, in both universes. What if The Observers are the evolved spawn of that ancient culture? The "Fringe" mythology has been relatively tight and well-contained up to this point, so it would make sense.

    The Observer, in this case, designs a psychologically crushing test for Walter in this episode. The notion that he was responsible, however indirectly, for the devastation in the life of someone he so admired is devastating. It was all the more powerful because it was so delicately constructed over the course of the story. One could tell that connections and consequences were impending, but the revelatory scene was chilling in its impact.

    The writers also continue to explore the fallout of the Olivia/Peter mess, as they try to figure out where they stand with one another after the damage Fauxlivia has done. I expect Olivia to relent eventually, as Peter's role in the coming crisis becomes clear, and just in time for Fauxlivia's inevitable return to the stage.

    "Fringe" has gotten to the point where the writers know what the show is meant to be, the boundaries of the story have been fairly well-defined, and it's just a matter of letting everyone execute to the best of their ability. With the season approaching its midpoint with the next episode, the current complications within the story should continue to escalate, and I can't wait to see where the writers take us next.moreless

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    9 0

  • 310

    8.0
    "Great"
    By thefanof, Apr 01, 2011 Report Abuse
    Fringe is back after a brief hiatus and it is finally right back on track. To the shock of no one, an episode heavily featuring the observer turns out to be one of the best of the season. We had a very good storyline involving "time travel" and the ramifications of what Walter did all those yearsago, coming full circle here tonight. Plus, Doccctttttooorrrr Brooooowwwwwwnnn from Back to the Future, so that was a nice surprise.

    This is what Fringe needs to be: a little bit of action, a little bit of creepy sci-fi goodness, and a little bit of discussion about strawberry milkshakes. Great episode for the show's Friday night debut.moreless

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    3 6
 

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