Monday, November 21, 2011

Fringe: The Season So Far…

So, here’s what I don’t like about Fringe being on Friday nights: it’s on Friday nights. And apparently I always seem to be busy/out/going away for the weekend and I never watch it on Friday night, but days later, sometimes weeks later, and therefore it’s not worth blogging about by the time I get to it. (Yet when I look back, I can’t name one place I’ve been to on a Friday night so I have no idea why I never seem to be in. Maybe I’m just going to sleep at 8 or something.)

But it’s really worth talking about, because Fringe has been truly fantastic this season. The best sci-fi is the stuff that has heart. You can have plots that revolve around fringe science or transporter beams or experiments gone awry and you can get as technical and scientific as you want, but if the show doesn’t contain real characters with real emotions, it’s not going to truly pull in the audience.

This season on Fringe, Peter was missing for the first part of it, since he’d been erased from the memories and lives of the characters we thought we knew. The writers cheated a bit, having the Observers say he never existed at the end of season 3 (leading to a unanimous chorus of “WHAAAAA?!” from the audience) and having them alter that at the beginning of season 4, saying instead that they don’t remember him having been there. In a poignant scene, Broyles comments that people can leave imprints on the souls of others, suggesting that the universe can try to remove Peter from everyone’s lives, but he’s made such an imprint on them they can never truly forget him. Olivia begins having dreams about him, and Walter covers every reflective surface in his house, convinced he is seeing a strange man who’s trying to talk to him. He’s part of them, and can’t completely disappear.

But now Peter’s back, and he’s convinced these aren’t actually the people he knew and loved. These aren’t just those people with different lives; this is an alternate universe. Going back to Hugh Everett III’s Many Worlds theory, in this case these people chose to live a life without Peter (or had that choice taken from them) and a new universe opened where they would live their lives without him, while the other one – the one Peter knows and remembers – was happening simultaneously. Peter is now trying to figure out a way to get over to THAT world and leave this broken one behind. In this world we’re starting to root for Lincoln and Olivia to get together. In this world Nina was a surrogate mom for Olivia (but seems to still be evil by the end of this week’s episode!) In this world Walter is an agoraphobic who never had Peter with him to bring him out of his shell.

In this world, they have a link to the other world. But even IT is different than the alternate world we know from the other timeline. In this world, Walternate hates Walter because he took his son and caused his death, not because he knows Walter has Peter out there somewhere. Alt-Olivia is still pretty much the same as the one we know, with the same swagger and attitude, but we’ve only seen her once or twice in the season. Most of the action’s been over on this side.

In this week’s episode, Peter smiles as Lincoln tells him what Olivia means to him. Peter is happy for them, not jealous that this woman doesn’t remember him, because he’s convinced this is a different woman than the one he knows. Is he right? Or is this the same world, where things ended up different? Does he have a place in any universe at the moment?

The weekly stories, too, have shown a lot of heart. I've been brought to tears several times this season, including this week's "Wallflower" episode. We see “Eugene” (named coldly after the unique genetic code he possessed, hence the u-gene moniker), a man who was born so sensitive to light that he was invisible, and who was raised in labs where scientists tried to harness what was wrong with him. (An invisible man?! Just THINK what the military would give for THIS technology!) But as he says to Olivia, “I’ve spent my life watching other people live theirs.” His life has been robbed, and all he wanted was so simple – to be seen. In a world where so many people hang their heads or put on sunglasses and hats and wear blacks and greys to blend in, this one man realized the importance of being seen, of being noticed (see Buffy S1 episode, “Out of Mind, Out of Sight”). He longed for the woman in the elevator to notice him, and was killing people just to get the pigmentation from them that would allow him to be seen for a few moments every morning, by her. When she finally turns around and tells him that she noticed him all along, and introduces herself to him, he calls it the most beautiful day. And then she leaves, and he dies. Happy.

The second episode of the season featured the two worlds, where a serial killer in one world was eluding the police, so they pulled in his alt-world counterpart, a professor who was fascinated with serial killers. They pulled him over to look at the man’s house, but when he saw one of his own childhood photos hanging there, he went completely mental. He eventually came face to face with his counterpart, and saw where a few different choices in his life could have led him. It was a terrific episode, and once again made us look into ourselves. What moments in our lives – possibly ones that seemed insignificant to us at the time – were the ones that truly shaped who we are? (See Doctor Who S4 episode, “Turn Left.”)

These characters have been through hell, have been used and abused, don’t know who to trust, and are trying to change a world that constantly seems against them. But they find joy in that world, and do the best they can with it, and look for the colour and beauty that’s out there. In previous seasons we’ve seen many sunny days, but this season tends to be dark and colourless, as if suggesting that without Peter, that’s what the world has become.

This season has seen superb performances from its cast. Joshua Jackson is as good as he’s ever been, and Seth Gabel is amazing. I’ve loved him since Dirty Sexy Money, and even I’m rooting for him and Olivia to get together. Jasika Nicole continues to be one of my favourite characters as the sweet-natured Astrid, putting up with Walter with a kind-hearted affection yet professionalism.

However, the true tour de force performances have been from John Noble and Anna Torv. As Walter, Noble has played him as a crazy genius with a penchant for sweets and an immense love for his son. As this season’s Walter, he still loves his sweets, still taunts Astrid (he doesn’t have the closeness to her that seasons 2 & 3 Walter did), but he’s afraid of the man claiming to be his son, and is forever haunted by the fact that he didn’t just lose one, but two Peters. He’s played Walternate as haughty and conniving, and he’s played him as utterly broken. Anna Torv has played Olivia, Alt-Olivia, Alt-Olivia pretending to be Olivia, Olivia pretending to be Alt-Olivia, Olivia channeling Leonard Nimoy, and now this universe’s Olivia (and even this universe’s Alt-Olivia, which had subtle differences from the other). She’s extraordinary, and I wish more people were watching the show just so they could see her.

Yes, Fringe is better than ever. Are you watching?

15 comments:

The Question Mark said...

I've been keeping up and I'm loving it. The serial killer plot in Episode 2 in particular was absolutely phenomenal! This new universe is reminding me very much of how disoriented we felt upon being thrust into the LOST sideways world. Can't wait to see how it all unfolds, and what the fate of this new timeline is going to be.

Stephanie said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Stephanie said...

I am watching! I just got season 2 and 3 on blu-ray so I've been watching those too! (Fringe marathons!) Anna Torv, in particular, is AMAZING IMO. I never realized how much talk/support/shipping there was/is of the Peter-Olivia relationship. As much as I wanted them to be together in theory, I didn't think they had much chemistry as a romantic couple once they (finally!!) did get together- mostly in the Olivia to Peter direction.. I have a hard time believing that it is Anna's fault because she is such a great actress- maybe it's that the character was still quite guarded even though she started opening up and becoming romantically involved with Peter last season. Or maybe I just want Josh/Peter all to myself, haha. Waiting until January is going to be torture!

Batcabbage said...

I'm watching, and I can't wait for it every week. I gotta agree with The Question Mark, episode 2 was the pick so far (and that's saying something for this season). It was just so refreshing to see, the guy had the same urges to kill, and mastered them. He had love, and that was the difference. So, so well done. Walter's home brain surgery attempt was just incredible. Just the fear in John Nobles' voice when he's assuring Olivia that everything was fine - damn, that's one fine Australian actor (OI! OI! OI! :) I hope there's no struggle for Fringe to get a 5th (and 6th, and 7th) season like there was last year. It's just so damn good. And as for the fate of the new timeline, TQM (if I may address you as such, good sir or madam as the case may be), do you think, like I do, that an albino suit-guy (I can't remember what we call them! Watchers? Reality Cops?) may be about to show up, now that Peter is working on the machine again? Oh, that reminds me, I loved in the latest episode Peter's gratitude to Lincoln for 'treating him like a human being'. It was a great moment, and reinforced the idea that Peter thinks he's in a different reality, when he says 'that's not my Olivia'. And Lincoln! He hasn't slept since he got there? What the hell??!! How is he even functioning? There is a VERY interesting story coming up about Lincoln, says I!

Christina B said...

I'm watching! I agree with you all that episode 2 was the best so far!

And John Nobel this season...WOW. HOW has he not gotten an Emmy nod yet?! Argh, frustrating!

I find myself questioning, like Peter, if we are indeed watching a third universe!
IS this another alternate world, where Peter died as a boy? Is this also not where he belongs? I just don't know!

And Nikki, I love that you refer to other shows in this post. I also compare many shows (Fringe especially) to others I've loved!

yourblindspot said...

So, so good this year. I think back on how indifferent I was about Olivia (and Anna Torv's portrayal thereof) after that first season, and I can scarcely believe it's the same show. Agreed that she & Noble in particular have been terrific. That scene from a few weeks back when she gently foils his lobotomy/suicide attempt was one of the most heartbreaking things I've ever seen on tv. No idea how they'll untangle the knot they've made, but I love to watch them work at it.

I have to go write about zombies now...

JavaChick said...

Ha! I never watch anything on the night it actually airs these days. PVR all the way!

But yes, Fringe is just fantastic this season. I was about to say I feel for Peter, having lost his world (or place in his world), but really I feel for all of them - Walter for having lost Peter, Olivia for having never known him. And I really like this Lincoln. Definitely good stuff so far this year.

Marebabe said...

I’m keeping up with Fringe and loving it! I agree with all of you who say that waiting until Fringe returns in January will be torture. And I would like to add my vote to the heaps of praise for John Noble and Anna Torv. They are both so brilliant! Ever seen Anna Torv do comedy? Well, you’re in for a treat. Check this out:

http://www.fringetelevision.com/2011/11/anna-torv-can-i-give-you-ticket.html

I have to go write about vampires and Slayers now...

Beachgirl5835 said...

It's a credit to the writers that the viewers feel so much empathy for characters who are only in one episode -- like Eugene.

Page48 said...

A lot of people are impatient with S4 (i.e. where's Peter, where's my universe, where's my timeline, let's kill OurLinc), but I don't have any objection to watching the story take the long and winding road home.

What I do take issue with is episodes like this week's standalone snoozefest (bracing for backlash now), which was like a little slice of Season One Hell for me. All that was missing this week was a giant centipede or killer tomatoes. The last scene with Nina and her thugs just barely pulled this one out of the dumpster, IMO.

I have to agree with Nikki with regards to Anna Torv. I knew I liked her the moment she told Broyles "I just want to go back to before". Girl says so much with just her facial expressions.

Bottom Line: I continue to enjoy "Fringe" and, based on its chronically sluggish ratings, it remains highly underviewed, possibly because of the wastage of S1 and the first part of S2 with those Monsters 'R' Us episodes. People who didn't stick with it just don't know what they're missing.

Quarks said...

I've had to only briefly read the post and the other comments for fear of spoilage, as I haven't yet seen the most recent episode, but I wanted to give my view on what I have seen so far.

I've loved the new season so far, and I love this 'new' universe and discovering what has happened differently than in the original one. I also have no idea how the writers are going to 'fit' the old and new universes together, or if they are going to do so, and I think that it's great that a show can keep me guessing.

I loved the serial killer episode, and the idea that one moment can change the direction of the entire course of someone's life. I also really liked the episode with the time jumps.

I don't think the writers really cheated with regards to Peter. In the universe we're currently in the Peter we knew never did exist; just like Olivia and Alt-Olivia aren't the same person because they have different memories and experiences, the Peter that died in the frozen lake in the current timeline isn't the same Peter that we know and love.

My only slight problem with this season is that when the two universes joined together at the end of last season I was hoping that this season we would get a bit more collaboration between them. We did get some in the serial killer episode, but other than that the Other Side haven't really made an appearance. I hope that we see more of it as the season progresses.

Overall, I have loved this season of 'Fringe' so far and I am sure that it will continue to get better. I pray that the television gods have the sense to keep this show on our screens for many more seasons.

Marebabe said...

I just read on TV Overmind that the January 13 episode, "Back to Where You've Never Been" is written by none other than David Fury!

Andy said...

Thank you for the post Nikki. It's been a great season. Too bad we have to wait till January before the rest unfolds.

Erin {pughs' news} said...

Yes, I'm watching! And I've totally been waiting for you to do a recap like this. I agree with everything you've said, Nikki. LOVE this season and can't wait to see where it takes us next...

HoH8 said...

Wow, i cant believe so many of you hated sea 1...to me season 1 was the BEST...so much action with a different monster every week...i loved it....

and to me the only man for Olivia was Mark Valley...not Peter...i hated when they killed Mark off and made Peter her love interest.. to me Mark is the HOTTEST....

IDK, i guess im different then all of you...ive watched every epi of every season even though i havent liked the seasons after the first one....there have been too much sci-fi in them....i liked the epi's that have the simple storylines, like the other week when Walter was eating those onion rings in the lab, that was the best part of the whole epi, lol....

i dont see Fringe lasting too much longer on Fridays, even that new show "Grimm" has been getting bigger ratings then Fringe at 9pm..

oh and btw, i just hate this Lincoln guy...i hated him in the other universe and i hate him even more this season mainly cause i have to watch him every week, im wishing by Peter putting a bullet in his head..that will give Olivia back to Peter...that i would love to see, lol.....