Hello Fellow Fringe fans. Sorry it has taken me a while to post my review. This episode seemed to stay with me longer than usual and I have the glorious John Noble to thank. I feel that this has been one of the strongest, more emotional episodes to date. It is Jon Noble at his finest, there is not one scene in this entire episode where he let's me down, he keeps that emotional high throughout and that is the perfection of his craft.
Anna Torv was wonderful as usual in this episode as well, especially the scenes with Walter. They have a stronger bond this season then they did the last few, I suspect because Peter was their buffer. They are two lost souls who have joined together in their misery. Brilliant in every way.
The scene with Walter and Dr. Sumner (great to see Bill Sadler again) was great. I found it very interesting that Walter was half in shadow, you only see a part of him. It was telltale to me about how he was only showing half himself to Sumner, not fully admitting to what was happening. I loved his comment about modifying the medications he gave him...only Walter would do it and have the balls to admit it. From the first time we see Walter, his body language, his posture it speaks volumes as to his inner emotions, the turmoil that he is feeling. The conflict, the chaos...again John is brilliant. The very nature of his anxiety, even though he is sitting still he is not-his body is in motion, almost vibrating. Watching that made me awe John and all his glory. This man is not acting he is living. Living to the point where he resonates off the screen. You can feel him, feel his anxiety and paranoia as your own and you can understand it.
Anna Torv sitting at her desk drawing was sublime, her stillness, her concentration and how she immediately put it away once Lincoln approached and asked her about it. She could have shown him the picture, but she didn't she held it close. It made me think of the man in the LSD episode. The one that Olivia drew, but didn't know who it was, but knew he was going to kill her. She drew Peter, but has no reason why until later.
I like her scenes with Lincoln, they have a great chemistry. She is almost like how Charlie was with her. It just seems genuine and pure. No ulterior motives and no romantic notions (as far as I can tell).
Jasika Nicole is the ever lovely Astrid doing what she does best. The scene where she is relaying what Walter is saying to Broyles was classic, she being in the middle of both sane and insane. Always the trooper. So glad they are getting her out in the field more. I hope this continues for the rest of the season. Walter's rantings are brilliant, his Big Foot comment was in true Walter form.
Back to the brilliance that is John Noble, when Broyles went to check up on Walter and Peter's voice is heard, his demeanor changes. He becomes terrified again, but almost hides it, not quite. You can see the desperation to try and appear sane to him, the fear of returning to St. Claire, a constant threat.
I liked the little boy who played Aaron, he reminded me of Peter...especially when it was mentioned that his mother was absent and he had no father. The parallels were blaring. My favorite scenes in the whole episode were the ones between Aaron and Walter. It was like Walter had his Peter back and was making up for lost time. It was beautiful but heartbreaking at the same time.
"I certainly know what it feels like to have no where to go-no family-this is the only home I know" when Walter says it, it is almost matter-0f-fact, like he has almost comes to terms with it. Maybe still hoping that something will change. I love the scene when he tells Aaron about Peter and how he died and then about the alternate universe...Aaron's response is classic, definitely something a son would say to his father.
Food and Walter are ever present. The Popsicle comment was funny, as it always is when food and Walter are involved.
The part where Broyles says the threat needs to be eradicated and Walter becomes irate and says that it will kill Peter, that is a huge reveal. It's as if what Peter is doing is working. I also think that with Aaron around Walter, he is almost substituting him for Peter and thinking him as Peter.
The presence of Peter is definitely felt throughout the episode whether blatant or subtle he is always there. Felt in both the people he loves the most and never far behind. When Broyles says "We can't sacrifice countless lives to save one boy..." I was floored, again PETER with a capital P! There is no denying the power he has had over those he loves.
Now come the best part of the episode. The last 10 minutes are truly some of the most emotional work I have seen from John Noble. I watched the last 10 minutes with my mouth agape and my hand to it, I was mesmerized, numb, heartbroken, moved, stunned, floored and any other word you wish to use to describe my state of being. I know several friends who were moved to tears by the speech that Walter gave to Aaron. "I know how hard it is to make connections. I know what it is to be lonely. It takes great courage to take someone else's hand and trust that they won't leave you. I won't leave you Aaron, I am begging you not to leave me"...this speech was a revelation. It not only spoke to how Walter was feeling but how Olivia has been her whole life. Peter was that hand she sought after, he was the one that she had the courage to trust. It was one of the most gut wrenching scenes ever. I love that Jasika Nicole had tears in her eyes. John is truly a master. Watching that scene a second time, I was moved to tears, the full weight of the words and the emotional impact in full force.
This last scene also reminded me of the amazing chemistry and perfection that Josh & John have together when they are in these type of emotional scenes. Both of them are so real, so present and so perfect that words cannot describe.
I liked the switch of Lincoln and Olivia in the tunnel...it had a 'Bloodline' feel to it, not nearly as emotional, but good nonetheless.
The very last scene of Walter with the lobotomy needle broke me in two. How John Noble does what he does is mind boggling. How he can be so real and so broken at the same time is a true testament to his talent. It is a beautifully heartbreaking scene. His terror in his insanity is comforted by Olivia, his ONLY lifeline. They are partners in this loneliness. When he tells her about Peter and she pulled out the picture, the look on Walter's face was astonishing. John took my breath away...they both did. Anna Torv has the amazing ability to connect with her eyes. To convey the slightest change in emotion to perfection. She was speaking volumes without uttering a word. That scene was beautiful, two lost souls finding that connection "if he's real, we have to find him!" the last desperate plea.
Well, that is my review of this amazing episode. I find it ironic that the glyphs spelled out Reborn, but then again, everything in Fringe is done with a purpose. Thanks for reading! I am looking forward to the next episode...see you then!
