The second episode of Fringe‘s fourth season solidifies something that I suspected going into the first episode. The chief relationship in this season isn’t Olivia and Peter. It’s Olivia and Olivia.
The two characters, “our” Olivia and “their” Olivia, which I’ll call Ourlivia and Fauxlivia for short, are fascinating pieces of work. Anna Torv does something so basic and so effective as to make it 100% obvious which character is which, even when they’re dressed the same and not saying a single word (Sarah Michelle Gellar and Ringer, take note!).
The two Olivias are obviously still getting to know each other, figuring out the similarities and the differences in their own personal histories and lives. When Ourlivia mentions the fact that she was abused by her stepfather as a child and that it didn’t end until she’s killed him, Fauxlivia was visibly shaken. I’m beginning to wonder if the two won’t become friends at some point in the future or if something will happen that will set them against each other. I can’t even decide which of the alternatives I would prefer.
I understand that it confused many people to see Broyles (Lance Reddick) in this episode, seeing as how he died last season. I can only assume that this all changed now that Peter’s not in the picture any more.
John Pyper-Ferguson as John McClennan
The plot this time around centers around a serial killer (John Pyper-Ferguson) in the alternate universe. Fauxlivia wants to see “our” version of him come over to their universe to see if he can gather any interesting information or figure something out. In their universe, he’s a serial killer. In our universe, he’s a Ph.D with a doctorate in … in serial killers.
While the story is clever enough and well executed, I wonder if it isn’t a metaphor for other things going on in Fringe at the same time. Two identical people are entirely different – yet strangely the same – all because of a couple of different choices in their lives. This is exactly what we’re figuring out about Olivia and – to a lesser degree this season – Lincoln Lee (Seth Gabel).
The show ends with Walter (John Noble) falling apart at the seams more than ever. He’s covered all reflective surfaces in his lab as he goes to bed in a touching scene that had my heart breaking for him … Which is when he suddenly hears Peter (Joshua Jackson) asking him for his help. The voices come from all directions and Walter collapses in a puddle of his own fear.
Walter? Can you hear me? I’m right here. Walter, I’m right here! I’m here, Walter! Walter, I’m right here! I’m here, Walter, right here! Can you hear me? I’m right here! Help me, Walter! Please, help me!
How did you like Fringe – Season 4, Episode 2?