(S01E04) "It has arrived." - Bald guy wearing shades
Tonight's episode definitely got me intrigued about fringe science, and this is the first time I can really say I'm looking forward to the next episode. It's a combination of things, and of course, Walter's scattered ramblings about whatever strikes him at any particular moment.
The funniest line was at the beginning, when a frustrated Peter sat up in bed and said, "What formula are you rattling off at 3 o'clock in the morning?" Walter replied, "The formula for root beer. I thought I might make some in the lab tomorrow."
But what about the mysterious bald guy wearing shades and carrying a brief case? The guy who seemed to be keeping track of the glowing cylinder, and whom Agent Broyles called "The Observer." What do you think his story is?
The fact that he was present years ago at the precise time Walter needed him to save his and Peter's lives makes me wonder if he's not some sort of other-worldly entity. As Walter told Peter, "It was as if he knew my thoughts before I did. He made it clear that he would need me one day to return the favor, and this was it." Walter is talking about how he hid the cylinder for Bald Guy. So it makes me wonder what else Walter knows about the goings-on of all the experiments he's conducted over the years. What else is he hiding?
I loved the scene at the end, where, for the first time, Peter had an inkling of what Walter was going through, because HE had that same experience with Bald Guy reading his thoughts. At first I thought Bald Guy had installed some sort of device into Peter's brain, so he could hear his thoughts (and I think that was true initially), but when Peter saw him in the woods that night, and he was mimicking Peter's words, my son and I theorized that Bald Guy was indeed reading Peter's thoughts. Or ...do you think there's a device in Peter's brain now?
Any theories on the cylinders? Let's see ... they explode into the ground and then disappear. So perhaps they're carrying intel to beings inside the core of the planet. Or something. And didn't they say the cylinder arrived from under the ground?
And what about John Scott showing up at the end?! In the previews for the next episode, he said to Olivia, "You still think just because someone's dead, they're gone." What the heck is that about?!
I have lots of questions about tonight's episode, and I'm hoping you guys can help theorize about what's going on! Definitely looking forward to the next episode.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
10-01-2008 @ 11:41AM
belly said...
I'm not sure how engaged I am with Fringe yet, but I'm giving it another 3 episodes or so before I give up on the show. It's all right, but not great. It's a little too serious for a mystery that's not exactly blowing my socks off.
For this episode, I'm mostly annoyed at the part where they had the whole 'mimicing/talking at the same time/talking before you actually say it' bit with Pacey and that bald dude that's completely copied straight from Doctor Who.
And how shocked could I be at the ending, when we've known all along that what's his face is alive?
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10-01-2008 @ 12:09PM
Bryan said...
Still in a 'wait and see' mode with this show. I feel like I get 35 mins. of "ehhh", and 7 mins. of "WOW!, I have to see where this is going". Kind of the same way I feel about Heroes this year.
I'm not sure what to make of either show. All I end up saying to myself at the end of each Fringe episode is "Man, that could have been alot better, but I probably going to watch next week."
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10-01-2008 @ 12:13PM
eric f. said...
BAH! you can't quote next week's previews in the review! I purposely avoid those because they give too much away.
Loving Fringe, btw, and it's getting more "X Files" by the minute, aliens and all.
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10-01-2008 @ 12:27PM
scott said...
yeah please avoid the next week's previews stuff... I never watch any of that, and I'm glad to see I'm not alone. :)
10-03-2008 @ 12:17PM
Andrew said...
That happens in almost every review.
10-01-2008 @ 12:26PM
scott said...
I am LOVING this show... usually a death knell. :(
I think Noble's characterization of Walter Bishop is up there with Hugh Laurie's House.
When he told Peter he needed to rethink the way communication worked, i got the impression that he meant thoughts are really electrical waves that people can pick up on... the 'baddie' there from generation kill had to use that device to get them, the observer could do it naturally - a time traveler from the future, evolved already, trying to make sure we're on the right path? And if he saved Walter and Peter, well then, I guess you can't really just call him an observer.
Yep, it's totally X-files meets Alias, and I am so cool with that.
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10-01-2008 @ 12:28PM
Gina said...
I am not totally into this series yet. You say this week finally pulled you in, and this week actually pushed me away some. I found myself bored and waiting for it to be over.
http://celebritytoday.today.com/
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11-24-2008 @ 8:14PM
Rew34 said...
well, gina, all you had to was change the channel.
10-01-2008 @ 12:30PM
Gavin H said...
This ep really convinced me this show has a future in its own right. Sure there are comparions between this and X Files, but seriously, what Genre did X Files not touch in some way ?
Considering most of the show is based around 'fringe' science then no one has stated that theese are indeed aliens anyhow!
good work JJ!
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10-01-2008 @ 12:54PM
Ian said...
I hope this isn't another of those new series one "gets into" and it is then cancelled after one season and before one knows what the producers had in mind for the storyline.
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10-01-2008 @ 12:59PM
metz said...
I'm really liking it so far. However, it is a JJ Abrams show and he isn't exactly known for being able to carry anything toward a conclusion. In order for this show to succeed, they need to be able to resolve some mysteries as they introduce others. So far, they've only thrown a whole bunch of stuff out there.
The X files had a lot of self contained episodes that reached conclusions, while they also moved the conspiracy mythology forward. Fringe is going to need to do the same thing because the public will desert a serial that fails to show forward progress. We've all been burned too many times by the networks canceling shows to invest in them without hope for some payoff.
Walter carries this show.....
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10-01-2008 @ 1:01PM
Kris said...
I definitely think the bald guy is other-worldly. The way he put all of the spicy food on his burger was reminiscent of how the main characters in Roswell used to eat their food. It wouldn't surprise me if that was a clue.
Over all, I love this show and can't wait to see it each week.
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10-01-2008 @ 1:11PM
Tunneler said...
Walter is AMAZING. Peter is a WHINY bitch, and I am sick of it. I think he's going to get better now that all this happened but god I was ready to turn it off during the interrogation room scene.
I also think the blonde is super annoying. Literally if it wasn't for Walter this show would be put in the "suck-ass" file.
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10-01-2008 @ 1:41PM
vacelts said...
The mystery continues to expand on Fringe and I’m guessing that The Observer holds the key to understanding The Pattern or at least part of it.
http://vacelts.newsvine.com/_news/2008/09/30/1937797-does-the-observer-hold-the-key-to-the-pattern-on-fringe
I’m still banking on there being something “special” about Peter. Something more than his near death experience as a child. Is it coincidence that Peter unknowingly knew information Walter hadn’t shared? Is there something more to their relationship? Are they connected in a different way than most fathers and sons?
Peter’s mom was mentioned again, but only in the fact that Walter considered her small-minded and that she questioned Walter’s judgment (I can’t imagine why).
And who did Peter call when he was planning on bailing on Walter responsibilities?
Did anyone else think that Olivia’s reaction when she heard Henry Jacobson was a little weird? But when they met she acted like it was a pleasure to see him. And then he advises her to stay away from the cylinder. Was that because he was worried about her or was it a warning?
Favorite parts:
Walter reciting the formula for root beer at 3 a.m. because he might want to make some in the lab.
Walter sending Peter out in a hurry for aluminum because their lives depend on it and then asking him to stop off and pick him up a root beer float.
Walter likes to talk to Peter naked because he prefers the breeze.
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10-01-2008 @ 1:59PM
monitorman said...
I can't believe people are still undecided about this series when the alternative (if it gets cancelled) will be "America's Next Top Pirate", or something worse.
I think the pre-credit openings alone are worth the price of admission.
As far as theories, Walter said the first cylinder "appeared" when they started working on a subterranean weapon. I'm guessing their experiments caught the attention of an advanced, possibly underground civilization.
And "The Observer" is likely a nod to Marvel's "The Watcher". http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uatu
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10-01-2008 @ 3:27PM
Kim said...
I'm with you. There is so much crap on tv right now that even if I felt the series was mediocre (which I don't), I'd watch it anyway. I've come to the conclusion that some people are next to impossible to please. They expect perfection and are, therefore, doomed to disappointment as few series ever rise to this level.
10-01-2008 @ 2:19PM
Liz said...
After last week's plot inconsistencies I was hesitant to watch any more episodes, but I am glad I did because I think last night's episode was the best one so far. I hope they keep getting better.
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10-01-2008 @ 2:35PM
SassylilB said...
I have to admit I Love this Show!!
I was never an x-files fan, but I am a lost fan and a JJ Abrams fan! This episode pulled me in and I didn't change the channel once! I do admit that their are parts that need to be worked on but considering it the 3 epi. I am sure it will get the details ironed out in no time!
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10-01-2008 @ 2:49PM
eugene said...
more and more I like this show, but I have to say, if they decide to kill off Pacey and replaced him with a toaster, I wouldn't mind in the slightest.
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10-01-2008 @ 4:45PM
Brent said...
Throw me in the boat of loving this show, even with a lot of people still not digging it. I lied it from episode 1. And this week was as good or better than any of the others thus far, and it surprises me to hear some people saying they were bored. This hour was overflowing with interesting new concepts and characters and I was engaged from start to finish.
http://tinyurl.com/3sds2f
Walter is still my favorite character, and I love when he has those tantrums of his. I'm also liking Peter more and more. And Olivia...still not so much. She's the lead, but also the weakest link in the show's formula, I think. But Abrams is definitely creating a fascinating world and I agree: I can't wait for next week!
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