Fringe: Reciprocity

By Rhea Dee

So Team Fringe finally gave Bolivia her own special name: Fauxlivia.  I think I’ll stick with Bolivia, though.  It just rolls off the tongue.

Despite christening Bolivia with her own name, this episode was all about Peter and Walter.  I like how the Peter and Walter dynamic is constantly changing–it would’ve been really easy to continue with the melancholy tone their relationship had at the end of Season Two, but Fringe seems determined to challenge itself and shake up the dynamic between these characters at all times.

And this is probably one of the most intriguing changes yet.  I mean, Peter has an evil side now!  He’s cutting off fingers and rolling around town with a gun and shooting shapeshifters in the head mercilessly!  I wasn’t surprised when it was revealed that Peter was the one killing the shapeshifters–but I think that’s only because I thought there would be some grand explanation for his actions, like he was possessed by the machine, or that he was only doing it because he wanted to protect Team Fringe.  I also expected a full recovery from this killing spree madness.  Instead we see Peter at his most vicious; with only a simple statement from Walter that activating the doomsday machine is probably turning Peter into a ruthless weapon.  And there’s really nothing they can do about it, except hope it doesn’t get any worse.  Plus, Peter lied to Olivia (right when she was starting to open up to him again of course) and Walter, Super Dad, covered for him.  What else is Peter going to have to lie about?  What else is Walter going to have to cover for?

I found it interesting to see just how far Walter would go to protect his son.  But I have admit, I was a bit annoyed with Walter during this episode, listening to him go on and on during Peter’s tests about how he needs to protect his son and how he’s the only one who can do it.  Yes, Walter.  We know that.  That’s been your thing for three solid seasons now.  But I think Fringe took an interesting turn with this evil Peter thing.  Protecting Peter goes a long way–even if he’s done something bad.  It’s kind of touching (and creepy) to know that Walter would protect his son in an instance like this.

Last Thoughts: I must have some major Bolivia hate lately–I think it’s because of that pregnant thing I hallucinated in the last episode–because, wow, I was really irritated with Bolivia’s Dear Diary entries about how great Peter was.  I was SO happy when all that was revealed to be some sort of elaborate code.  Although the threat of Bolivia and her squishy feelings for Peter still looms in the air…

I also had a minor panic attack that Astrid was the mole.  I mean, Broyles trusted her with all those documents…I was worried there was going to be some major twist.  Which would’ve been doubly horrible because I’ve become even more attached to Astrid after finding Jasika Nicole’s tumblr. Can this actress get any more amazing?

Next Time on Fringe: A dude without bones…I have to admit, the first thing I thought of was that Family Guy episode where Peter wished he had no bones.  Although it looks much more horrific in Fringe, of course.

Rhea Dee is a Midwest nerd who spends her time collecting vintage junk, daydreaming about Eli Roth, and pondering the genius of John Carpenter soundtracks.

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