1x06: The Cure

[wikiaddicted723]

The first season of any show is bound to waver in matters of quality and storytelling, and Fringe is no different in that department: the events of the first few episodes are disjointed, linked together only because of the underlying themes of science pushed too far that classify these cases as part of the pattern, and by Walter's involvement. As it is to be expected, some of these episodes ring truer that others, manage to touch us, and it has been my experience that these episodes are often those that focus on the characters instead of the plot--it just seems more natural to me, to be allowed to get to know the people we're meant to follow and root for, before we're asked to invest in anything else. It is easier to ignore the fallacies of logic, and the fake science and the sometimes contrived plots if the men and women on screen are people we feel for, people whose burdens we understand. 

After the pilot episode, Olivia seemed to fade into the background. Unable to ignore the growing doubts in her mind about her competence, her willingness to be blind in the face of her  lover's betrayal, she armoured herself in the lonely figure of the determined investigator while quietly trying to cope with the losses of innocence and life. This episode brings her back to the forefront, allows us to understand her thinking, her motivations, the experiences that have driven her to where she now finds herself at. 

It is the first we see of Olivia fighting the urge to hide behind her anger and let herself be vulnerable for the sake of connecting with someone else, if only because she understands the importance of inspiring trust in the people who depend on you, and on whom you may one day depend upon. We also learn the reasons (or at least the plot-related ones) for that anger. 

If there is one thing I will always be thankful for in regards to Olivia's characterization, especially in season one, is that they let her be harsh and angry and uncompromising, and they never attempted to make her seem less worthy for it. 

Also see: Exploding, Googly-eyed Papayas. 

 

 

 

Writer: Felicia D. Henderson (hey, female writer!)
            Brad Caleb Kane
Director: Bill Eagles.
Originally Aired: October 21, 2008

Synopsis:
When a young woman explodes inside a diner, the team works to determine the cause. They learn of a second woman who has been turned into a human weapon by an unscrupulous drug company executive and rush to save her before she can be shipped to "the client". Agent Dunham discloses critical information about her childhood to Peter Bishop.

Most Memorable Quote:
OLIVIA: (To Broyles) I understand that you think I acted too emotionally. And putting aside the fact that men always say that about women they work with, I’ll get straight to the point. I am emotional. I do bring it into my work. It’s what motivates me. It helps me to get into the headspace of our victims… See what they’ve seen. Even if I don’t want to, even if it horrifies me. And I think it makes me a better agent. If you have a problem with that, sorry. You can fire me. But I hope you don’t.

Links

Fringe Television Summer Rewatch
IGN 
Polite Dissent

Fanfiction:

I'm pretty sure there is some out there, but I can't seem to remember where. Or what it was called. Drop by the comments if you happen to remember.

 

Comments

[kerithwyn]

in Fringe, most of the crimes are done by scientists. It's creepy.

True, but I always feel that the show is clear that science (or !SKIENCE!, as I like to call this show's version) will save us, too. Or at least, science tempered by human empathy.

[wendelah1]

!SKIENCE!

Heh.

True, but I always feel that the show is clear that science (or !SKIENCE!, as I like to call this show's version) will save us, too. Or at least, science tempered by human empathy.

Does it though? Everything goes back to scientists making terrible choices. All of Walter's unprincipled experimentation. Crossing over to save Peter. Even the changes in the human genome that led to the Observers. It's all science--all bad--all the time. Olivia wouldn't keep having to save the world if the scientists didn't keep fucking up.

This quote from the pilot is what I think is the theme of the series:
"...suffice to say that we reached the point where science and technology have advanced at such an exponential rate for so long, it may be way beyond our ability to regulate and control them. You should know what you're getting into Agent Dunham. I would say this to my own daughter - be careful and good luck" - Nina Sharp

My husband thinks it's a battle between good and evil with science as the battlefield. He thinks Walter's mistakes were a result of hubris.