How much you enjoyed this week’s Fringe depended on how much you’re enjoying watching Anna Torv do her Leonard Nimoy impersonation. Me, I think her act is aces, very wry and amusing. But you may feel as Peter did when the William Bell inside Olivia said he might be using her body as a host for weeks. “Weeks!” yelped Peter. “Not a chance!”
Josh Jackson did a fine job of conveying — through averted glances and various facial expressions of distaste — how creepy it is that his true love’s body has been taken over by the consciousness of a wizened male genius.
The Fringe Division case involved a woman (Paula Malcolmson, from Deadwood, Caprica, and Sons of Anarchy) who seemingly could not die, even as she desperately wanted to do so. All around her, deaths were occurring while she remained unscathed. The investigation brought in the Lincoln Lee of our universe: Seth Gabel as a horn-rimmed FBI nerd.
It was a night for novel pairings: Peter and Lincoln working together on the case, enjoying each other’s theories; Walter thoroughly enjoying the time he was spending with the Bellivia mash-up, as they shared a joint and competed to solve word puzzles.
It’s become increasingly clear that one of the things that will distinguish Fringe in the annals of first-rate sci-fi TV is that, unlike every such show, from The Twilight Zone to The X-Files, every single one of its “cases” will prove to have been related: They all end up being examples of the our-universe-is-unraveling theme. Thus once again this week, when Malcolmson’s Dana Gray told Peter, “I’m stuck here,” and Peter told her, hey, believe me, I know what you mean — it wasn’t a metaphor for Peter’s dual citizenship in the universes; she was a variation on the magnetism theory currently running through the show. In this case, her magnetized molecules (hit by lightning twice and survived) were super-bonded, sealing in her life force.
And it would be a mistake to separate out the talk of the life-force that held the woman’s body together from the philosophical jaw-boning Peter and Bellivia engaged in about fate, destiny, and synchronicity. “She needed to be here to save those people,” it was said of Dana. Just so, perhaps, Peter needs to be where he is to save the universe(s?), his dilemma called to our attention when Bellivia spotted the doomsday machine drawing in Walter’s lab. And both Dana Gray and Bellivia are, in Lincoln Lee’s phrase, “soul vampires,” albeit in different ways.
At the end, church bells rang and for a second, Olivia reentered — er, herself. But only for a second; the mini-cliffhanger was when Bell quickly re-gained control of Dunham’s body and said this finding-a-new-host thing was going to take longer than he’d thought.
Fringe benefits:
• Broyles’ authoritative bark was used for rare comic effect when he said to the Bell inhabiting Dunham: “I want you out of my agent!”
• It was Gene the cow’s biggest episode ever, as Bellivia contemplated transferring himself into a bovine host… in the horny hope that Astrid would milk him. Icky ha-ha.
What did you think of this week’s episode, titled “Stowaway”? Are you enjoying the Olivia/Bell meld, or do you feel, with Peter, “Weeks? Not a chance!”?
Twitter: @kentucker
Another great episode. Fox, please renew this show….we need a 4th season!
Favorite moment: when Astrid buttoned up her blouse in response to the creepiness of Bellivia!
Emmy nominations for Anna Torv and John Noble please!
The Bellivia gimmick was stale after the first 20 minutes.
I can’t believe they’re dragging it into next week.
You’re an idiot
And a troll based on your later comments
you know, I thought it worked — which I hadn’t expected. because it shouldnt have. And it probably helped that we hadn’t actually seen a hell of a lot of Bell previously. I expect Nimoy to act like Spock, but Torv really fleshed out Bell. And it helped that everyone except Walter was troubled by the takeover — there wasn’t any “bell’s alive — it’s a miracle! we’re saved!” Thankfully. Lee and Amanda Grayson helped ground it all too.
Why can’t people disagree without name-calling? I’m sick of it. I come to these comment sections to read what others think of shows I like, not to see people insult those who don’t agree with them. I have really been enjoying this season of “Fringe” and John Noble is so overdue for an Emmy. Anna Torv has been having fun with her Bell/Nimoy character…loved the raised eyebrow in last night’s episode.
It worked because John Noble is such a good actor, he so believed that was Bell, WE did.
@Gwen–From what I can see, JL had read further down and saw that “Truthteller” had inserted a negative opinion where ever she could. If you look at the time stamp on a few of these posts, JL began by just responding to her negativity, but I’m guessing he/she got frustrated and it resulted in the idiot/troll comment. Read further down and see what I’m talking about.
@Gwen — Agree and yeah I loved the raised eyebrow too!
I want to be inside Anna Torv too. But not in her brain, mind you….
I think I speak for everyone when I say that the world will be a better place when this crap is yanked from the air. Luckily we won’t have to wait long for this to happen.
Speak for yourself.
Wow, if something is stale for you after 20 minutes you must have the attention span of cabbage!
It isn’t a “gimmick.” Fringe, thank God, doesn’t go for gimmicks.
Ha,ha, my favorite moment in otherwise outstanding episode. Anna Torv for Emmy win! I just loved the chemistry between Bellivia and walter, Bellivia`s flirting with Astrid, Peter`s face-palm reactions and nerdy Lincoln. I hope Lincoln joins the regular cast. Love his alt version and love his nerdy FBI agent too. Just all around great stuff.
My favorite moment was when Bellivia asked Peter “What do you want me to do – stay here and sit on my hands?” (like Belly wasn’t going to toke up with Walter and try THAT anyway!!)
This is a public discussion board, and if someone wants to post a negative comment, that’s why this exists. Get over it.
I don’t have to “get over it” when it comes to this subject. I don’t mind when someone posts a negative comment or disagrees with someone else’s point. I do mind it when it apparently can’t be done without cursing or name-calling. See, Jake, you and I can post comments on opposite sides without calling each other names. Why can’t everyone? That’s my point, and I don’t feel I have to apologize for making it, any more than you should have to apologize for telling me to “get over it” for expressing my opinion.
There’s discussion and there’s trolling. Discussion is: I didn’t like this episode and let me explain why. Trolling is: I didn’t like this episode and everyone that did is just a moronic poopy-head. Yes, the poster can choose either track, but track is engenders an exchange of ideas, the other simply exists simply so the poster can poke sharp sticks at others for reaction. It IS possible to offer an differing opinion without being smug and insulting.
Astrid buttoning up her blouse ilustrated why I use closed captioning. I was laughing so loud that I couldn’t hear the next bigs of dialogue.
BITS
I agree, the buttoning up of Astrid’s blouse was hilarious. And was that Miles Davis in the background?
Dave Brubeck’s “Take Five”
It was Dave Brubeck-Take Five.
Something is just fantastically awesome that whilst they do their science thing they listen to Jazz…WB is tops
Best part!
I really like this new turn of events with Belliva. And if you knew how much I used to hate Anna Torv you would be surprised at how much I am loving her this season. Her acting is beyond belief amazing! From Altivia to now Belivia.
I love Walter and Bellivia’s interaction. Walter is just so happy!!! And Astrid’s reaction to Bellivia brings the comedic element to a season that is going to be turning very dark.
I know there are a lot of people not happy with the direction of the show. But I think we just need to enjoy what the writers are giving us because who knows what will happen of the show! I hope the powers at be realise that they owe us after canceling Firefly way too soon, and just give us our Fringe!!!
I love this show, please keep it going! It’s the only interesting recap of the week anymore. My X-files/Lost/Alias show. Please?! Fox?!!!!
I laughed out loud when Astrid buttoned her blouse. WoW. She really believed that Bell was alive and well in Olivia’s body,
This show has officially jumped the shark (in the Walternate universe, that’s still a cool expression for a good show gone bad).
If the move to Friday didn’t kill it, this plot device did.
I know there will be a divide on Bellivia, but I actually enjoyed Torv’s portrayal. It’s just so Fringe; revealing things in unexpected ways. But, I also hope that it doesn’t last weeks, because I like Olivia better.
Seconded on all counts. Astrid was hilarious today.
Again, the standard Wow! Loved the episode. As for next week..no way would someone remove Fuaxlivia’s baby and implant it into Bellivia..would they?
Whoa! What if Olivia’s consciousness transferred into the OtherLivia’s body, thus she has her baby? Or the baby itself; was that the baby moving around in her belly, Olivia? Or Bell, moving around in the belly? Belly? Belly moving around in the belly? Okay, I need to lay down.
Interesting idea – William Bell transferring into Altlivia’s baby….
That just blew my mind. Awesome (yet creepy) theory. Wow, wow, wow.
That was the thought in our group, that Bell’s energy takes over the Fauxlivia baby.
arg, SPOILER ALERT!!! some people don’t watch the previews!
I know there will be a divide on Bellivia, but I enjoyed Torv’s portrayal. But, I also hope that it won’t last weeks, because I like Olivia better.
The cast is great and the show must go on. Lord live the “Fringe”. Of course Noble should win an Emmy but the jerks in Hollywood think not. How rude!!
Loved it! Didn’t even know the hour was up til the credits rolled! Torv is AMAZING.
I especially loved the wide-shot scene of Walter’s lab with “Take Five” playing in the background. It’s moments like that when I realize how much I heart Fringe.
I agree – I loved Take Five, and I loved Lincoln’s double take when he noticed Jean the cow. Genius.
I agree, the credits started rolling and I’m thinking, the end, already? Torv, Noble, Jackson all amazing
I hope this Bell-inhabiting-Olivia’s body doesn’t last long, but according to the producers, its gonna b around for a couple of episodes.
I loved how Peter was obviously disgusted by Bell inhabiting Olivia’s body……wat i didn’t like was how oblivious Walter was about Peter’s feelings about it!
The Preview for the next episode freaks me out to day the least!
What i dont get is how the other Lincoln recognized Olivia when she crossed over last season…..there’s a Lincoln on this side….so how does he know our Olivia???
Because that Lincoln worked with Fauxlivia in Fringe so he’d know her. Our universe’s Lincoln had never crossed paths with our Olivia
Alt-Lincoln recognized our Nick. That’s what I’d like to know.
No divide here… I loved Bell in Olivia’s body. She captured the essence of Bell, and Nimoy, perfectly. Well done! I too LOVED everything Astrid tonight, particularly her buttoning her shirt a bit. Great episode all around.
Chris
I’ve always heard the show was good, but I’ve been waiting to see if it was goign to be renewed before buying the blurays and catching up before I really watched any episodes. Watched tonight’s, it was great. I was able to catch what was going on with the “possession” and laughed when the woman got creeped out and buttoned up her shirt. Will keep watching
Excellent, stick around; we need you! Particularly if you are a Nielsen household, but even if you’re not, welcome! =)
Makes you wonder how many people are out there like RyanC. Fringe is one of those either your all in our your not shows…. is it really that simple, that not enough people know about it?
I suspect posters like RyanC are actually long-time Fringe fans pretending to watch Fringe for the first time and claiming to get hooked, in hopes that such comments will persuade Fox to renew Fringe.
Why do I suspect so? He is trying too hard. The comment hit all the points too neatly – how he plans to buy Fringe on Blu-Ray, how he could catch what was going on, how he will continue watching, etc. Real viewers won’t bother explaining all that.
Oh man….Fringe just keeps on getting better and better. And i would have thought that was impossible to do because this show has been OUTSTANDING right from episode one season one.
I absolutely LOVED tonights episode ‘Stowaway’. Anna Torv is simply AMAZING! Her channeling of William Bell was just BRILLIANT. She is one of the most underrated actresses on tv at the moment. She deserves to be nominated and given every tv AWARD available. I absolutely loved the moments between Walter and Bell …. they are so funny together. And Astrid was hilarious in all her discomfort at being oggled by Bellie. It is nice to see Fringe episodes like this as it gives all the actors a chance to really stretch themselves. I enjoyed seeing Lincoln Lee in OUR UNIVERSE as i dont like him in the OVER THERE episodes (not sure why that is). And Peter just being assertive and really cheesed off at whats happening to his girlfriend was great to see too. All, in all, a great episode. I bow down at the feet of the writers, actors and showrunners of Fringe. They are truely WONDERFUL and CREATIVE people.
Hyperbole.
Look it up.
Total B***H–Look that one up. Keep your trolling and negativity to yourself.
Hyperbole is the best thing ever!
How do you not like Lincoln in the other universe? He’s awesome, especially when he’s with Charlie.
Yea those guys, plus fauxlivia, have such rocking chemistry. How many shows how characters thrown together that just don’t jive after seasons…these guys picked it up in their first scene
WOW!!! I LOVED this episode! Kudos Anna! I TOTALLY bought her possession, the inflections and mannerisms so Nimoy-precise. I wonder how HE felt watching it?
More than that, watching Walter & Belly working together for the first time was a complete hoot! And dare I say this collaboration of brilliance bodes well for the futures of both dimensions?
Anyway, I thought this was wonderful!
agreed! Anna Torv FTW!
Anna Torv is brilliant!
That said, Bell is turning out to be a bit creepy, so the sooner he leaves, the happier I’ll be.
An antagonist can have a conscience and feel guilt on Fringe, it’s so much better than the comic-book sensibility that plagues so much sci-fi. I’m glad I saw Bellivia! Anna is so cool. I miss Olivia, too, but she’ll be back for the rest of the season… and then all next season! I watched it live, how about you?
I started like eight minutes late, but it was basically live.
I was kind of disappointed in it, to be honest. I thought we’d pick up off last week and have some hilarious interaction with everyone finding out about Bell inhabiting Olivia’s body. I was hoping to see “he/she” at Massive Dynamic with Nina Sharp. I wanted some heart to heart conversations between Bell and Walter. I thought it was kind of “soul-less” in the emotions department.
I’m in the middle about her Nimoy impersonation. It wasn’t helped by bad writing (I can’t picture Nimoy delivering half those lines, particularly the creepy ones.) My best friend is raving about it. I… just didn’t totally buy it. Didn’t hate it, but I was a tad incredulous over it.
WELL SAID. They relied on the Bellivia gimmick too much to the detriment of the episode.
Ok, Jennifer, we get it. You didn’t like gimmick.
WRONG Mikey.
I liked the gimmick. The gimmick was clever and fun.
The problem is that they OVERUSED it, Sparky.
It just like if you hear the same joke 10 times; it becomes progressively less and less funny.
Chump.
So what? Bell was supposed to come on for 20 minutes and then just be gone? Then what sense would it make to bring him back in the first place. Get over yourself.
Woa Jennifer, “Sparkey”? “Chump”? Someone’s menopausal, huh?
I don’t know — is it bad writing? You can’t see Nimoy saying those lines, but she’s playing William Bell and we’ve really not seen much of him before this. But, yeah, I’ll admit that previously, we didn’t see the pervey parts, or a sense of humour, or, arguably, anything that would differentiate the guy from Nimoy himself. But, we have seen some of that in the stories Walter told about the guy.
All of Nimoy’s episodes were very plot-driven. There wasn’t really time to stand back and observe him interacting with the other characters. Although I agree that this characterisation of Bell (writing-wise) did seem a bit of a departure from the previous one, it was fun enough that I didn’t mind too much.
I agree. Maybe there wasn’t enough time, but I would expect a little more serious, urgent discussion with Bell knowing he may only have 48 hours to remain.
Loved the episode and all the nice interconnections and subtle references that make you pay attention and rewind a scene if you didn’t hear what was said.
Fringe deserves a season 4 and more!
They didn’t say Belly only had 48 hours to find another host or the soul-magnets would stop working. Bellivia said it would last for weeks. The 48-hour time limit was for Broyles and Peter.
Agree with you Charity….