1x18: Midnight

[wendelah1]

"Midnight" has one of the best teasers of the series. The sleazy cheater you assume is the predator turns out to be the prey. Just when you think you have it all figured out, you don't. This episode has plenty of surprisingly little twists, plus lots of Charlie Francis and another mad scientist story. Rachel's appearances get ever more annoying. Seriously, why do the writers think anyone cares about this character? Her divorce is boring and her friends are ridiculous. Go home to Chicago already. The ending is great. Finally, we get some real dirt on William Bell.


Writer: Andrew Kreisberg, J. H. Wyman
Director: Bobby Roth
Originally aired: 28 Apr 2009

Synopsis:
Two bodies have been found with their spinal columns exposed and drained of spinal fluid. The bite marks are human. The Fringe Team is called in to investigate. The perpetrator is the wife of a scientist who was working for ZFT. When he tries to leave their employ, to punish him they infected his wife with a strain of syphilis the scientist had engineered into a bio-weapon. Before the scientist dies of complications from his attempt to create an antidote to save her life, he records a video that ties William Bell to the activities of ZFT.

Most Memorable Quote:
PETER: Great, well, maybe we're looking for Dracula.
WALTER: (hardy laugh) Finally, son, you're opening your mind to new possibilities. But, no, there are no vampires, sadly. But it'll be something exciting, I'm sure.

Oh, how the Fringe writers loved The X-Files.

WALTER: If indeed there is a soul, we must consider then that there is still time for redemption. We're not being hauled off to be judged yet, Nicholas.

Links:
Transcript
Polite Dissent: "They almost made it for a complete episode without screwing up the science…almost."
Popular Mechanics: "Fringe Takes on Spinal Fluid: The Science Misses the Mark."

Fanfiction:
If you know of any good post-eps, let us know in comments. Special Request: I need an AU where Olivia gets to raise Ella. Maybe her parents both die in a murder-suicide?

EDIT: Here's that Rachel character study I wanted. It's set during "Unleashed," but I'm putting it here in light of all of the Rachel discussion.

Spiderwebs by rainer76.
I'd forgotten about it until casually_cruel mentioned it in comments, but I liked it enough to rec it at crack_van a few years back.

image from screencapped.net

Comments

[wikiaddicted723]

I would agree with Elf. I always enjoyed their interactions on screen, and mourned the fact that we didn't see her or Ella after season 2.

I always saw Rachel as the foil to Olivia's stoicism and professional demeanour. Between the two of them, Rachel would be the "normal" one. And with Rachel also comes Ella, with whom she has done a pretty good job as a mom (also something Olivia doesn't have). I think the "Two singles together" thing was meant to give insight into both the ideological differences between the sisters and Olivia's lack of a personal life beyond her job.

All of the close relationships that she has are somehow job related, which aside from not being the healthiest of things also highlights Olivia's solitude and difficulty establishing personal relationships. A couple of traits that we later see are a left over from the Cortexiphan trials, as evidences by all the other subjects for whom these difficulties also exist.

IMO, the relationship with Rachel also gives depth to Olivia's motivations as an investigator and a fringe agent, beyond her caring for people in general and wanting to first avenge John, and then make up for what she perceives to be his treason to their goals. She has a family to protect, something personal that she cherishes and that fuels her search for justice for the random and gruesome acts that make a part of the pattern.

[wendelah1]

Look, I don't mean to offend the Rachel lovers. I don't question her use as a story-telling device or a way to reveal more about Olivia.

In this episode, for example, I really hated the way she interrupted Olivia while she was at work--she doesn't stop to think--hey, my sister might have something important she's doing. I mean surely Olivia has given her the work phone number to use for an emergency. Being emotionally overwrought isn't an emergency. She's impulsive and self-centered. I just dislike the way the character is written.

I think she's supposed to be "the normal one," to contrast with Olivia's specialness. But she isn't shown to have a life outside of being Ella's mother and a soon-to-be ex-wife, and a reason for Olivia to be jealous--that she's friends with Peter. I mean, really? What would Peter see in her, other than the obvious? I think she could have been an interesting character in her own right. She just--isn't--not to me.

Eh. She needs a character study fix-it fic, complete with an interesting backstory. Then I'd probably like her better.

I think a better actor might have helped, too.

I love Ella. The little girl who plays her is wonderful in the role.

[wikiaddicted723]

Oh, I took no offence. I was simply explaining why I always liked Rachel as a character. You don't share those opinions, and that's fine. Characters can and will mean different things to different people.

I also wanted to point out that maybe you were a little harsh by making your opinion on Rachel's character a general thing, but these things can't really be 100% unbiased /o\

[wendelah1]

Oh good. I'm glad you aren't offended. I appreciate your willingness to debate the issue. Yes, I am way harsh toward the character. No question about it. My husband thinks she's just fine. He thinks Rachel seems like a normal, if somewhat unreflective person.

Maybe I really am the only person in the fandom to feel like this about her.