Turns out that August has interfered with history by kidnapping a young woman who was meant to die in a plane crash (prime directive, anyone? And turns out that August has an emotional connection with the young woman (Christine), having watched her most of her life. But however important she is to him, she must die, as was her fate – unless, as Walter advises him, she is made to be important.
And August manages to do just that.
Small tangent about Christine: she’s from Allston, and I recently read an awesome post about the various associations Allston has with the plot. I will have to find it for you all and post a link to it in my next review. And you have to admit that the way she held herself together during the kidnapping and tried to get away was pretty awesome. Down with the stereotype of the helpless female victim!
We find out yet more about the lovable, eccentric, and now very devious Walter Bishop. We had an inkling that he knew more than he let on from what happened in previous episodes, but this one confirmed it. I have a feeling that Walter is increasingly going to use his reputation as eccentric to his own benefit; his trick to get rid of Astrid was simple yet extremely devious, using his recent obsession with figuring out a milkshake recipe as a decoy to head to a clandestine rendezvous with August.
A little note on the technology used by the Observers: first off, I found it a very nice touch that all their equipment looks from an era past while they actually contain technology from an era yet to come (at least for us common folks). Secondly, I can’t wait to see what is going to happen to the gun August gave Peter; I’m certain that, contrary to what Broyles’ team believes, the gun still works. I am also willing to bet that no one but Peter can shoot that gun; it has to be given to you willingly, and not taken, and that’s why the rogue observer was so adamant about putting it into his hand and pressing his hand into it.
But however great the episode was, there is one scene I found quite sloppy. Near the beginning, we follow Olivia to the Bishops’ place, where we find Walter in a tizzy, trying to figure out a milkshake recipe. Peter warns Olivia that Walter is in quite a state, and yet Olivia manages to snap him out of it without barely trying. It just didn’t work. Or Olivia had to raise her voice, or Peter could have quipped something (for example “If I had known all it took was a woman’s voice, I would have found myself a girlfriend a long time ago”) or, if the point was for us to see the weight of Olivia’s influence on Walter, then his reaction should have been different – a slight pause, a straightening of the back, him holding her gaze, no background noise for a few tense moments – and then the scene would have made more sense. I know, it’s a small thing, but we all know that the devil is in the details.
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Article comments
1 - Flo
I really liked this episode. I think it is one of the best of this season yet.
Somehow the fact that there are multiple Observers is not a surprise. Since I saw the first one in season one, I wondered if there was more and it totally makes sense.
Who or what are they exactly and to what purpose are they observing all those important events is still a mystery, but I find it logical to relate this to the “parallel world”.
I think it is possible that they make a list of all the important events and see how the worlds are different and in what way they are similar. Why? We don’t know but, for the first time, we saw an Observer actually act and not just watch. Interesting. They are able to connect and do something driven by this connection no matter how “stupid” this may be. In other words, they have a capacity to “be human”. Again interesting. I can’t wait to see and discover more of them.
Sahar, I like your paragraph about the time and the increasing important events since 1844. You make a good point.
“How come, after thousands and thousand of years, in a relatively very short time, we have been given so many tools to potentially achieve so much? And even more puzzling, how come now that we have everything it takes to make peace and prosperity for everyone a reality, we are at the brink of destroying ourselves? Perhaps this is the curious phenomenon The Observers are keen on watching.”
I agree. I think the Observers are definitely watching this. This is also a tale of human nature. Violence and destruction are inherent in human beings such as the will to constantly discover new things and evolve.
August discovers a new part of himself the same way that human beings discovered the atom if that makes sense.
I like the all “make someone important” thing. It was fascinating. What makes someone important to us? And to the world? What are the criteria? Can a person make another one important? Or is this just a matter-of-fact? In what extent can we participate in doing so?
The “relationship” between August and Christine was good. Beyond his lack of comprehension and her fear, they managed to connect and have an unspoken understanding of each other.
“I have a feeling that Walter is increasingly going to use his reputation as eccentric to his own benefit;”
Interesting thought. It is more and more difficult to see where he stands in all this.
“I am also willing to bet that no one but Peter can shoot that gun; it has to be given to you willingly, and not taken, and that’s why the rogue observer was so adamant about putting it into his hand and pressing his hand into it.”
Also interesting. You may be right. I also baulked at the way August put the gun in Peter’s hand. We’ll see.
Dark times ahead for Olivia, it seems. A little logical. We don’t know her very well and how she fits into the sheme either.
The scene with Olivia in the beginning didn’t bother me that but I take your point.
“How in the name of sci-fi am I going to keep track of them in the course of upcoming reviews? Dear God."
Yeah ! Good luck with that !
2 - NancyGail
I have to wonder if the "She looks so happy" refers to Olivia's niece what's her name. The Observers could easily be twelve in number, named for each of the months.
3 - Flo
NancyGail, I never thought of that...interesting. I remember the camera being more on Olivia than on Ella (I think that her name)when they made the comment but I could be wrong. Must see that part again.
Anyway with Olivia involvements in the storylines it would be logical the Observers were talking about her but you never know.
What makes you think of that exactly?
Interesting thought about the 12 months. You're right it very well could be.