fringe_rewatch | Oct. 7th, 2014

So. Great episode. Not My Favourite (TM) but great nonetheless. It does a really good job of advancing the story without loosing the momentum of that fantastic season opener. It also makes me want to throw things at my TV. And at Peter. And at Alt!Liv. Preferably a very large rock in the latter case.

<rant>

I love the person Alt!Liv was revealed to be as the season continued, and the leaps and bounds of her character development, but I think I'm going to be sore about her actions in our universe for a very long time. And it's not just about Peter either. The thing is that the Olivia we'd come to know and love would never have even considered damaging an entire universe of people just to save her own. She certainly would never have shot a disabled man point-blank just because it would have put her in a tough spot. And there is something...needy and superficial about her need of approval in Newton's eyes. She's so determined to be The One in Charge that the actions she commits to get there get worse and worse as the first half of the season goes on. And she's oh, so cold. That calculating stare she has throughout this episode is one of the most off-putting things I've seen. She's listened to Walternate reveal the lie that has shaped her entire life, reveal that he was the direct responsible for that breach of trust, and instead of questioning the chain of command, she's gone and swallowed the Kool-Aid. As fascinating and well written (and acted!) as it is, it feels like a betrayal.

The thing is that Alt!Liv is privileged, and selfish. She's an Olivia that has suffered loss, yes. She lives in a universe where her sister and niece are dead, a universe that is falling apart. She does care for people, because it's her job and anything she does, she'll do it well, and because Not Caring isn't something any version of Olivia does. But she hasn't felt the same pain Our!Olivia has. She hasn't been the victim of people determined to do her harm. She has her mother, and she never had a stepfather as far we know. For Alt!Liv, firing a gun is a sport, something she's good at. For Olivia, it's a necessity, a survival skill.

Like Walter, Alt!liv does not initially understand the ramifications of her decisions, the consequences of her actions.

</rant>

In other news, Peter shows his skills, Walter is Walter, Astrid continues to be a saint, Nina is weirded out by PDA, and NOBODY questions Olivia's choice of wardrobe. (FFS people, the woman has been wearing nothing but suits for TWO YEARS!!).

Also, what was Bell thinking when he decided it was a good idea to give Walter Bishop full control of the largest shady corporation on earth?

Writer: Josh Singer, Graham Roland

Director: Jeff Hunt

Originally aired: September 30, 2010

Synopsis

The team investigates a mystifying case of victims frozen in a trance-like state that was induced by a mysterious box. Bolivia works with Thomas Newton on their plan against this universe. Walter and Nina meet at Massive Dynamic for a reading of William Bell's Last Will.

Most Memorable Quote

BOLIVIA DUNHAM: So has anyone located what they were after?

BROYLES: We don't even know what they were after.

PETER: Beware of buried treasure, huh?

BROYLES: We're thinking there was a third thief who took whatever they dug up.

WALTER: Unless, of course, this buried treasure had legs of its own. Wouldn't that be delightful?

[yes, Walter, DELIGHTFUL. I love your sense of humour]

PETER: (steps over to the device) I'd like to take this back to the lab. We got the blueprints. Maybe I can figure it out.

BROYLES: Okay. (as Peter signs the receipt for the container and its' contents)

BOLIVIA DUNHAM: (runs into Peter as he prepares to leave the subway platform with the container) I guess you've got other plans for tonight.

PETER: Yeah. Do you mind? (apologetic)

BOLIVIA DUNHAM: (earnest) Of course not.