3x04: Do Shapeshifters Dream Of Electric Sheep?

[kerithwyn]

Grrrrr, said an entire fandom. and ARRRRGH.





Writer: David Wilcox, Matthew Pitts
Director: Ken Fink
Originally aired: October 14, 2010

Synopsis:
Thomas Newton enlists a dormant shape-shifter to deal with the consequences of a recent accident involving a high-ranking politician. Walter and the team gather evidence and move the investigation to Massive Dynamic to deal with the revelations following the accident. Bolivia continues her espionage and subversion.

Most Memorable Quote:

PETER: I've been thinking about it. Maybe she did notice, and she just made excuses for herself not to have to deal with it.  Or she came up with ways to explain it to herself. Kind of like I've been doing with you.

BOLIVIA DUNHAM: With me?

PETER: Yeah. With all the little differences ever since you got back from the other side. And you did tell me that your experiences on the other side changed you, but since you got back, it's like... it's like you're a completely different person. You seem less burdened. You're more patient with Walter. Don't get me wrong, I like it. The change is good. But... it's different.

Links:
Episode transcript
AV Club
Polite Dissent
Pop Culture Nexus


Fanfiction:
Fic on AO3 that references this episode

Comments

[wendelah1]

Over and over, Fringe tells stories where lying to the people you love has tough, sometimes tragic consequences. And then it tops off two examples of those consequences with redverse Olivia lying to Peter about their relationship. Ouch.

She's not just lying to him, and not just about their personal relationship. Her entire presence in the Blueverse is an elaborate deception, so it's not hard to imagine her thinking this is the safest and easiest way to get to Peter. But just like the two shape-shifters, Duffy and Van Horn, AltLivia begins by imitating our Olivia's emotions, but ends up falling for Peter despite herself, which I think in her eyes makes it a far worse sin. The sex was just sex when it was a means to an end, but by falling for Peter, she's cheated on Frank emotionally.

Given how deception generally plays out in Fringe, it can only go from bad to worse. And does!

I agree that their interpersonal relationship begins as exploitation, but I don't think the plot line itself is exploitative. It takes her actions seriously and shows us the consequences.

[sprocket]

Her entire presence in the Blueverse is an elaborate deception, so it's not hard to imagine her thinking this is the safest and easiest way to get to Peter.

I'm not sure she does - look how hard Edison pushes her before she jumps into Peter's arms.

Given how deception generally plays out in Fringe, it can only go from bad to worse. And does!

Why yes it does. :-)

I agree that their interpersonal relationship begins as exploitation, but I don't think the plot line itself is exploitative. It takes her actions seriously and shows us the consequences.

Very mixed feelings about it: the plot arc had a lot of great moments, but the "Mata Hari" aspect is a very overused trope. Using it reinforces certain expectations for character types and behavior that aren't terrifically progressive. On the other hand, as you point out, the show plays the consequences out to some interesting conclusions, and it seems to be very aware of what it's doing. The MotW stories reflect that: Duffy and van Horn here, the twin-swap in "Amber 31422", the kidnapping plot in "The Abducted".