In the second episode of the fourth season of Fringe, Olivia must travel over There to assist in a case involving a serial killer, and she does so by bringing the killer’s version of himself in her world with her. Intrigued? Then it’s time for Mark to watch Fringe.
What would my like have been like if I had chosen to go to a university that would have sunk me into debt? What would have happened it I had never run away from home? Or if I’d never answered that Craigslist ad that got me the job at Buzznet? Or chosen that guy to be my first boyfriend? Or decided to write about Twilight?
I think it’s fairly common to think about altering our past. It’s not even really an issue of regret. In hindsight, it’s easier to see how a single decision drastically came to change a person’s life, and I often wonder what would have happened if I had chosen different. I do like where I am these days, but there are always small things I wish were different than they are. But it’s never something I’m obsessed with because I’m also aware that the slightest change could have pushed me off into such a different path that I could be….I don’t know, in prison right now.
The introduction of the concept of parallel universes in Fringe has not only heightened the sense of shit-getting-realness in the show, but it has allowed the various writers to explore the small (or massive) differences between lives that are composed of different choices and different environments. Like the role-switching did in season three, the timeline reset, due to the disappearance of Peter, has created another opportunity for this show to explore something no other show has. As we adjust to characters who have new backstories and, in the case of Fauxlivia, a new attitude/behavior, “One Night In October” manages to give us one of the strongest non-mythology stories of the entire show.
The story of Jon McClennan is disturbing, emotional, and provides us with a chilling parallel to the disappearance of Peter. We are learning more and more about a Peter-less world and the way the two universes operate in comparison to one another. I was very excited to return to over There this week, and I was not disappointed. The brief moments we got with Fauxlivia in “Neither Here Nor There” didn’t give us much of her new persona, but looking back, I can see how much more abrasive and intimidating she is. Seriously, Anna Torv deserves all the awards and then all the awards again. She is able to play Olivia in our world as one haunted by loneliness and abuse. (Oh god, fictional characters, why do I find so much to relate with in you.) The new Fauxlivia is almost arrogant in her self-confidence. She’s stubborn, brash, and almost seems like she wants to be the center of attention all of the time.
And given the discovery of a new shapeshifter device, Olivia has a whole lot that she distrusts about her alternate universe’s version of herself. Holy god, that must be so awkward, not being able to trust…yourself? I guess that term doesn’t even work in this case, but I think you get what I mean. She is staring at herself and not trusting her. THAT IS WEIRD.
But even if you strip away the dynamic between the Olivias, if you take away the stuff with Walter hearing his non-existent son, if you take away all of the subtext with Peter desperately trying to be remembered, I was so satisfied and pleasantly surprised by how strong the main plot was. The premise itself showed a lot of promise: Olivia takes her universe’s version of John McClennan, a forensic psychologist, to the other universe to investigate his double, who is A SERIAL KILLER. Holy irony, THIS IS SO CLEVER AND I LOVE IT. And the best part? The execution is just as good as the promise of the set-up.
This idea naturally sets itself up for a whole lot of tension, and from the moment they unload John in the parallel world and wheel him into his alternate’s house, I knew that there were way too many factors that might prevent this from being a smooth operation. They were smart enough to remove all photos of FauxJohn, but after John wakes up from his sedative and begins to do his job on trying to determine who the serial killer is (SPOILER: IT’S YOU. oh my god i love this show), every second was UNBEARABLE. There are too many things similar to his own life. He recognizes the chair in the office. A CHAIR PROVIDES TENSION IN THIS SHOW. And, of course, it all erupts into chaos when he finds a photo of his own father in the killer’s photo array.
There is not a show on the planet that has ever given us a moment like the one when John runs outside in anger to find another version of Olivia staring him in the face, a block of amber looming in the distance. Bless this show for it’s weirdness, and bless this show for how entertaining it is.
Actually…yes, it is quite entertaining. And I’m happy to be entertained by this show. But seriously. Seriously. That monologue that John gives on the couch? Where he tells Olivia about Margery and how he is now in the house of who he could have been had she not helped him? And then Olivia opens up to him by admitting she was abused by her step-father? And then in just five minutes this episode and season becomes painfully tragic and beautiful? And we are all reminded why we watch this show and why we are all attached to these characters, and why we never want this to end? Yeah. Yeah. Oh, Fringe, the things you do to me.
Even on that note, this episode fucks with our perception. I said before that there’s an obvious contrast between Fauxlivia and Olivia, but when the two are alone in that car and Olivia casually drops that she killed her abusive step-father. JESUS CHRIST. But it’s a sign that it’s not easy to categorize these two characters, even more so in the post-Peter storyline. We know almost nothing about how their histories have changed. We have no idea what the show’s history is either. How was the other universe disrupted in a way to require amber without Peter? Why was the bridge even built without Peter? THERE ARE SO MANY QUESTIONS THAT I HAVE THAT ARE NOT BEING ANSWERED.
But this episode is not really about those questions. The story of John McClennan is about someone who was abused, and the two paths his life took in each of the universes. In one world, his father beat him and out of revenge for his past, he literally steals happy memories from people. In the other, though, a woman named Margery took him in after he ran away, and she helped him “step into the light.” Again: young boy is abused by his parent, he runs away, and is taken in by a stranger who shows him that life isn’t meant to be like that. Seriously, HOW DOES MY LIFE END UP IN THIS SHOW. So sure, I’m a bit biased by this, but I think that even regardless of this, the fact that John McClennan eventually tries to steal HIS OWN HAPPY MEMORIES is one of the most tragic things this show has ever given us. Even worse, the story has another meaning, and it’s one that Broyles vocalizes to Olivia after the whole thing is over:
“At the risk of sounding sentimental…I’ve always though there were people who leave an indelible mark on your soul. An imprint that can never be erased.”
AHHHHHHHHHH WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO ME, BROYLES. It’s a touching statement all by itself, a way to explain how McClennan could still have memories of Margery, but it’s meant to hint towards why Peter is making more frequent appearances to his father. I am loving the fact that the writers have decided to have Peter to show up to his father first. I think the Peter/Olivia relationship is incredibly important, but I think he was always far more connected to Walter. More so than any other person, Walter has marks on his soul where Peter remains. Why else would September have focused on only Walter when building the device to fully erase Walter’s son from time?
“One Night in October” was a breathtaking example of how this show continues to impress us and make us feel for the people on screen, even if they’re merely side characters. I love the way they use these alternate universes to tell deeply touching stories, and I imagine it will only get better as the show eventually deals with the story of Peter. And judging by the final minutes of the episode, I don’t think we’ll have to wait long.
PS: Oh god, the Astrid/Walter scene in this episode. SO PERFECT.
There was a moment in this episode for me when Alt Broyles showed up. I was like, "Hey! WTF? How could the writers have forgotten that Alt Broyles died last season?!" And then it hit me like a ton of bricks. This is a whole different timeline. Alt Broyles didn't need to help Olivia go back. I don't know why but my mind was blown.
NO I KNOW. There are so many tiny differences and you know what I love? The writers drop all of them so casually and sometimes you don't even know it just happened. There's no DUN DUN DUN after them.
Yes. I love that too. The best moments for me are the ones that sneak up on you, and then time passes and something happens and you're like WAIT WAT and then your brain remembers. OH YEAH OMG.
I had the same "wtf moment!" when Fauxlivia talked about how she had talked to her own Broyles about bringing the professor over.
Also, OH MY GOD, assuming Peter gets brought back, does that mean Alt Broyles will be dead again? *WAIL* BREAK MY HEART SOME MORE, WHY DON'T YOU, FRINGE??
This episode? This is why I love science fiction. This is my genre and these are the stories I revel in.
I watched the first and third episode of Fringe as they aired, and I decided it wasn't my thing. Sometime in the middle of when season 2 was airing, I decided to give the show another chance because I had heard a lot of good things, and I had heard that they were doing parallel universes and I am such a sucker for that trope. I am so glad I'm watching Fringe and also that the show has evolved to give us these stories.
Fantastic episode.
100% back you on this. They took science fiction, kept it complicated, and made it emotionally resonant. I love it.
Olivia casually drops that she killed her abusive step-father. JESUS CHRIST. But it’s a sign that it’s not easy to categorize these two characters, even more so in the post-Peter storyline. We know almost nothing about how their histories have changed.
omg I don't know HOW I forgot that Peter basically saved Olivia from her step-father when they were kids. I think I need to rewatch seasons 1 & 2, that is unacceptable, brain.
I don't really have much to add to what you said because I sort of never comment on these even though I always read them. But I noticed something in this episode that I haven't seen anybody else point out.
When Olivia and Broyles were walking through the hospital after speaking to John, and Broyles is saying all that stuff, I noticed that there was some one behind them that didn't look like a doctor or a nurse, and I wasn't sure if it was anything or if it was just me seeing weird things where I expected weird things to be.
So I re-watched it again, and there is definitely somebody behind them. You can just catch a glimpse of them over Olivia's shoulder before it cuts to Walter. I can't tell if it's an Observer of Peter or who knows what. But they have a hat. And it's freaking me out. And I've already keysmashed all over Tumblr about it, but I wanted to share it here to in case anyone else noticed.
There's a link to a screencap of it here: http://www.fringefiles.com/gallery/displayimage.p… (because I fail at embedding things)
Oh yeah, that definitely looks ominous. I'd say observer – looking out for effects of Peter leaking through the people who loved him since he wasn't erased from time?
OH SHIT. Amazing catch!!!! I totally did not see that.
(BTW, Fringepedia confirms it is September. So BRAVO.)
I totally saw it. It's the FIRST TIME EVER that I've caught one on the first watch through. Yay me!
Marie is correct, it's the Observer. Only the Observers dress like that. 😀
I loved this episode so freaking much. The professor's monologue about Margery was so absolutely heartbreaking. Nominate that actor for an Emmy, srsly!
I thought he was incredible good too!
Sunnuva… this episode sounds like my thing right down to the core. I am so, so jealous of you for getting this show, Mark. It hasn't aired at all where I live and the DVD store isn't planning on getting it in. At all.
Bugger.
I don't know if its because its nighttime that I decided to catch up on this but that last scene with Walter FREAKED ME THE HELL OUT even though I know its Peter and not some creepy monster.
In any case, this episode was so good and I am so pleased that the writers are having as much fun with these crazy sci-fi devices as they are. I love this show!
Well, I loved this episode of Fringe more than I loved (rot13'd just in case) gur frnfba svanyr bs Qbpgbe Jub.
I think the best thing is knowing Colonel Broyles is still alive now. Except it is going to be super sad when Peter is brought back into reality somehow and because of that Broyles may die again. D:
I'm wondering what Kennedy was up to this entire episode. I'm fine with him not being brought with for this assignment, but I hope he's going to start playing a big role and have a positive impact on the Fringe team.
Seriously, Anna Torv deserves all the awards and then all the awards again.
I would like to present her with the award for Outstanding Achievement in Being Anna Torv.
<img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lkszp0kiey1qbemn3.gif" />
Basically.
I need to compose my thoughts on this episode when I haven't been drinking all day, but I want to share this bit from The Soup featuring last week's premiere.
[youtube CnRQsmiPqmk&feature=player_embedded http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnRQsmiPqmk&feature=player_embedded youtube]
I think it's necessary to point out that the point isn't just that Marjorie took an abused child in and showed him that life didn't have to be that way. The point is that Marjorie took a young, abused, SOCIOPATH in, and showed him that HE didn't have to be that way. THAT was the real miracle. That she was able to teach him to BE the light. The number of people in this world who are capable of that kind of all-encompassing acceptance of others is so small.
I also think that Broyles is 100% correct when he said that there are people who leave an indelible mark on our souls. I knew one such person during my first four years in college, and even though almost everything else about that time in my life was really bad, being in his presence always reminded me that I could affect the world around me, and that it didn't have to be the other way around. Because of him, even if I were given a choice to go back and do things differently, I wouldn't. Because doing anything differently would mean that I'd never met him.
I agree with your assessment of Marjorie and McClennan. McClennan admits that the bad thoughts originated in him and his father tried to beat them out of him. It was Marjorie who had a loving approach to ridding the child of the bad thoughts. That was the key. Granted, he was still an abused kid, but that exacerbated the problem, it did not create the innate problem. In our universe, nurture won out over nature. In the altuniverse, nurture compounded nature and they ended up with a serial killer.
The actor playing John was so familiar but I couldn't place him. Turns out he was in BSG and Caprica!
I recognized him from The X-Files!
I really enjoyed this one. Last week was more about settling in, and then this week my wishes about seeing more about how the characters are different without Peter started to be fulfilled. Like you, I love the exploration of cause and effect that they seem to be undertaking this season. I know I keep saying this, but I'm so excited to see where they go with this.
I also liked that the changes in Olivia were dealt with much more bluntly, and that she and Fauxlivia seem to be on equal footing now, whereas last season, Fauxlivia was a lot more dominant until Olivia got over her fear. I hope there's a lot more bridge-crossing, because I live for this:
<img src="http://29.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lsdfyzHOS61r21rs4o2_250.gif">
Broyles point at the end about people leaving indelible marks was really touching, as well as reassuring that the characters and their development over the past three seasons haven't been erased or completely changed. There are slight alterations without Peter being alive, and there are waves of repercussions from those changes, but the characters are for the most part intact.
And yeah, Astrid and Walter were amazing <3
Anna Torv for all the awards! The differences between Olivia and Fauxlivia are incredible. Just their standing pose shows such a difference in personality that the fact that it wasn't acknowledged at the Emmys only shows how stupid the Emmys are.
If there was ever anything that showed how just one person can make a difference, its this episode. Obviously you can apply this to Peter as well, but for McClennan choosing to run allowed him to push back all those horrible thoughts. Marjorie showed him how to feel empathy. But Killer!McClennan stayed and got beaten. How creepy that was, to steal his other self's memories. And then crying because now he feels the awfulness of his crimes… and then gets shot by Fauxlivia. I never liked Fauxlivia, but that smug "I got him" smile at the end made me want to punch her in the face.
I'm really excited for the rest of the season! I can't wait!
Wait…didn't the serial killer shoot himself? It happened very suddenly, but I'm pretty sure he shot himself in the head, having finally experienced the full range of guilt and grief from extracting his double's memories. Probably with the very gun that both McClennans mentioning their father kept nearby (it WAS a gun they were talking about, right? I had trouble hearing part of that conversation.)
He did shoot himself, it was not Olivia.
When Peter existed, Olivia's stepfather was still alive….so how would Peter not existing mean she'd killed him?i? THIS SHOW, I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS AND EMOTIONS!!!
May I point you to last season's Subject 13 episode? http://fringepedia.net/wiki/Subject_13
oh yes, how could I forget? thanks for reminding me!
This episode, much like Doctor Who's "Vincent and the Doctor," proves why Science Fiction is my preferred genre of television. Usually mocked by choruses of, "Lula only watches Lost and Buffy and Torchwood and Doctor Who and BSG and Fringe and…nerdy stuff like that!" from family and friends who believe I need far too much "escapism" in my life. (As if there's anything wrong with that!) "One Night In October" was touching, beautiful, terrifying, horrifying, and here I am, 3 days later, still thinking about it. That, my friends, is good storytelling. Does it matter if the story is told within the realm of science fiction? I think not. What saddens me is there seems to be a general consensus (amongst people who aren't cool, clearly) that this genre is naught but space ships and little green men from Mars. Tragic!
Also…
The talent of Anna Torv! The scenes with both Olivias were such a testimony to her acting that I actually forgot I was watching the same person portraying two different characters. Oh, look! It's Anna Torv and her twin sister, playing Olivia and Fauxlivia. Brilliant! (Also brilliant–Olivia and Fauxlivia's chemistry. Uh-huh.)
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