The first three episodes of Fringe season 4 were absolutely delightful, but “Subject 9” was where the season really kicked into high gear, bringing us the long-awaited return of Peter Bishop with a resounding (and confusing) bang.
In undeniably the best outing of the season yet, Olivia and Walter investigated a mysterious electromagnetic presence that seemed to be haunting Olivia. As I’m sure most of us were able to guess the first time we saw the big glowing blue cloud, that field was actually Peter apparently struggling to regain corporeal form. Walter’s other theory, which centered on the titular Cortexiphan kid Cameron James, was ultimately a red herring, though it provided for some significant worldbuilding and character development. After all, we found there to be a strangely maternalistic relationship between Nina Sharp and Olivia Dunham. We also found out that events of episodes like “Bad Dreams” and “Olivia. In the Lab. With the Revolver,” didn’t happen in this Peter-less timeline.
Except it isn’t Peter-less anymore, is it? Peter returned to Fringe tonight, and none too soon. Seeing him surface from Reiden Lake was one of the most satisfying moments of television since Nikki and Paulo were buried alive on LOST. His return is a fantastic set-up, considering that no one else remembers him — but he remembers everything. When the show returns after the dreaded upcoming two week break (which will probably see a drop of even more viewers), we’ll probably get to see Peter seriously confusing our heroes as they try to determine who exactly he is (and then, of course, it’ll be fun to see them actually figure it out).
The only other question really left in my mind from this episode is fairly straightforward: who was listed as Broyles’ boss? While I’m fairly sure that it’s supposed to be the president, given Fringe Division’s increased importance following the creation of the bridge, why didn’t they just say “Barack Obama,” or even “the President.” I don’t to be a poster child for apophenia, but could there be something to that vagueness?
All in all, “Subject 9” was a great episode that, more than any other episode so far this season, reminded me just how brilliant of a show Fringe can — and will — be. A
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Peter's emergence from the water was an incredible moment–I whooped out loud and scared my dog! What a wonderful emotional payoff for those of us that have been missing him.
i agree. great episode! but i hope you're wrong about the viewers! i absolutely love fringe! and there's so much potential with how they've got things set up!
broyles boss was strange, maybe a new plot element/ story arc/ character comes into play. fringe loves to do that, drop sublte hints and then build upon them, even if they dont mention in for like 50000 episodes. Great episode! great season!
So far this has been the best and most all around satisfying season. Episodes 2-4 have been the best of the series.
Agreed. It felt like the FRINGE of old. This was the best episode thus far and the 1st time this season I didn't find myself wondering what else was on the other channels. I love how FRINGE gives us a taster of something such as Olivia's new relationship with Nina (which Pinkner said, was referring to Nina taking Olivia in as a child/teenager and also taking in Rachel, her sister) and leaves us wanting more. Anna Torv and John Noble are such amazing actors, they just blow the socks off anyone else on TV right now. Peter coming back to Reiden lake was perfect and Nina's delivery ''we just own the patents'' was brilliant. The humoros parts were perfect this week and Walter telling Nina to 'go…'' had me laugh out loud. The case was mildly entertaining but it served a purpose so I'll overlook it's weaknesses. The moment when Cameron recounts his date losing her fillings, well that was pretty cool! I find the pacing is still lacking however. There are moments when it's overtly slow as if they are giving a pregnant pause to John Noble just so we 'know' how good of an actor he is. We get it! We don't need long silences to demonstrate his feelings or lengthy monologues about whatever is going on in his mind. So, when some moments are rushed it makes me think 'why did they let X scene play out so long, when they could have given more time to Y scene?' I'm still not understanding new Olivia. In the 1st episode back and in the promos building up Season 4, it was all about a 'hole' in her life and being lonely, but she's the happiest we've seen her in 3 years. She's smiling and laughing at things that don't really invoke that kind of response so part of me thinks that perhaps it's Anna Torv's choice (having read interviews during the summer where she said she wanted Olivia to be lighter etc) rather than what is on the page. It's hard to pinpoint what exactly but It just doesn't feel right. Also, if Olivia doesn't think anything negative of Walter experimenting on her as a child, why then did she run away? I thought Peter's nonchalant 'Olivia thank God you're here' was so muted and down played, it was if he had only been gone 5 minutes. Considering how sad and desperate he sounded as he tried to reach out to Walter you would think finally seeing someone he knew would evoke a bit more excitement. The moment fell flat. But it was still the best episode so far, so looking forward to see how this plays out.
I assumed that Broyles' boss was simply something more along the lines of the Director of Homeland Security, rather than the President or a new plot point.