One thought that crossed my mind concerns the level of anger within the Alter-Fringe team, whose reality has been sorely distorted by Walternate to believe amongst others, that Walter is to blame for Altivia’s breakdown. Lincoln Lee (Seth Gabel) and Scarlie (Kirk Acevedo) are extremely capable soldiers whose anger you do not want directed at yourself. The implications for future episodes and introspections are huge.
It needs to be pointed out that Walternate is only dangerous in the context that there are people who listen to him blindly. If individuals practiced the concept of independent investigation of the truth, there would be many loopholes in his story that would one pause and reflect on its veracity. Unfortunately, there are people that believe him blindly. And so, I’d say that, after Walternate, the most dangerous person right now is Lincoln Lee, who is armed, capable, and who seems to believe almost blindly in what he has been told: “The treatment can be worse than the disease, but we just want you to get better”.
Even in a military state like the alter-universe, it is possible for people to know that there are things wrong. The demonstrations being held in front of The Orpheum are a sign that despite the potential dangers, there are always some people willing to stand up for what they believe in. This also happens in real life, as demonstrations and resistance movements in many military dictatorships show. In this particular case, people were protesting for the release of those who have been ambered. It gives a gruesome twist to a practice we had seen up to now as only being a protective one, as asking for a ‘release’ implies that those caught are still alive.
Olivia’s escape was the episode’s first action sequence – and what an interesting one it was. Did anyone else notice that she used her preferred method of pretending vulnerability as in the Season 1 episode “Bound” (episode 11)? And did anyone notice the similarity of her running through the woods outside the facility with her running through the woods in her vision in Season 2's “Jacksonville” (episode 15)? It also had a bit of a Count of Monte-Cristo feel: anything for freedom.
One person whose opinion on that matter has already starting changing and is bound to change even more throughout the season – if the writers are, of course, planning to keep him around – is Henry (Andre Royo). When he first meets Olivia, it is obvious he deems her insane; but after listening to her and, more importantly, watching her trying to work her way through what was happening to her, he comes to realize that she isn't as insane as she might have initially seemed. Henry has, in my opinion, the potential of becoming one of the seasons’ most interesting characters, one that will bring forth a slew of interesting and thought-provoking questions.
Article comments
1 - NancyGail
You do realize there has been another episode which aired in "here" with Fauxlivia? I thought that one was even better.
2 - Sahar
Hey Nancy! Which one are you referring to, "The Box"? If so, the review has been submitted to the BC editors and should pop up anytime soon! And it was a pretty amazing episode, you're right. I finally got my hands on 3x03 which I am about to watch - can't wait to see what's going to happen!
3 - Flo
Hi, okay, sorry for being so late to comment.
I quite liked the episode. I found it very interesting. The family and the origin of things are really two major themes of the show therefore it was logical to see that Olivia's last step in her transformation to "Atlivia" taking place with her "Altmother".
I like the exploration of the altuniverse. I also agree that, as military dictatorial as it is, the revolution is clearly brewing. The people demonstrating and Henry showed that they don't like to be taken for dumbasses and in the Fringe Division also there are some dissension (?).
It is interesting to see that not everyone agrees with Walternate method. His way of dealing with issues and treating people is not unanimous.
This could be an interesting parallel to the infiltration that the Fringe division of our universe is currently subjected to.
I like Henry and I agree that he could become a great character and a great counterpoint (and at the same time ally) to Olivia.
The only thing I didn't like and don't in general, is the Olivia/Peter thing. It's too easy and seriously came totally out of the blue (I don't mean in that epi). I don't buy it. I find it uninteresting.
All in all, good episode. Good review as well, thank you for that.
4 - Sahar
Flo! Always nice to read your comments :) Are you happy with the newer Fringe episodes? And it seems that Henry might be returning sooner rather than later, yay!