The spoilers are the bare necessities, so don't discourage yourselves from reading.
An amazingly crafted episode that the storytellers weaved in several layers, and subjectively the best I've seen in "Fringe" so far. I certainly hope there's more like it to come as I continue with the series; newly invigorated by it.
To say it as broad as possible, this episode is so immensely good because some of the previous episodes (possibly the entire series so far) detracted from their own pace to give the characters their identity and gravitas to their involvement in the story. Everything that makes them who they are and everything in between was steadily rising to a Promethean boiling point, and at the end of season 2, at this 18th episode, it was used to perform a masterpiece.
This one stands neither in episodic nor thematic territory, or in both depending on your perspective. While if separated from either of the factors this episode would lose half its potency, I'll try my best to explain both its themes abated. Episodically it deals with the theme of time-travel and loss of a loved one. I know what you're thinking and its the very same thing I thought: ">sigh<, >sigh<, more >sigh<", possibly some yawns here and there. Yes, it is an overused theme, and it has been done so bad in some cases that it makes us readers and/or watchers figuratively puke our munch-mellows at mention, but this one is the best I've seen. I'm not saying this lightly! It keeps itself in check by adjusting the focus from the time-traveling stuff itself to the character's motivation to time travel, and alternates beautifully. Then comes the "Fringe" main plot line as the receiver, as one of the heavy hitters on the character line-up has had a heavy burden to carry and is figuring out how to disclose it to a loved one of his own.
The best thing about it: Both the character from the main story and the episodic character share the same motivation, only one has done the deed that they shouldn't and is facing the consequences, whilst the other is on a similar path, and as it seems, is oblivious to them. And lets leave it at this - both of them meet and converse the subject, easily my favorite moment of the episode. Do yourself a favor and watch this, and if you have - do it again sometime!
An amazingly crafted episode that the storytellers weaved in several layers, and subjectively the best I've seen in "Fringe" so far. I certainly hope there's more like it to come as I continue with the series; newly invigorated by it.
To say it as broad as possible, this episode is so immensely good because some of the previous episodes (possibly the entire series so far) detracted from their own pace to give the characters their identity and gravitas to their involvement in the story. Everything that makes them who they are and everything in between was steadily rising to a Promethean boiling point, and at the end of season 2, at this 18th episode, it was used to perform a masterpiece.
This one stands neither in episodic nor thematic territory, or in both depending on your perspective. While if separated from either of the factors this episode would lose half its potency, I'll try my best to explain both its themes abated. Episodically it deals with the theme of time-travel and loss of a loved one. I know what you're thinking and its the very same thing I thought: ">sigh<, >sigh<, more >sigh<", possibly some yawns here and there. Yes, it is an overused theme, and it has been done so bad in some cases that it makes us readers and/or watchers figuratively puke our munch-mellows at mention, but this one is the best I've seen. I'm not saying this lightly! It keeps itself in check by adjusting the focus from the time-traveling stuff itself to the character's motivation to time travel, and alternates beautifully. Then comes the "Fringe" main plot line as the receiver, as one of the heavy hitters on the character line-up has had a heavy burden to carry and is figuring out how to disclose it to a loved one of his own.
The best thing about it: Both the character from the main story and the episodic character share the same motivation, only one has done the deed that they shouldn't and is facing the consequences, whilst the other is on a similar path, and as it seems, is oblivious to them. And lets leave it at this - both of them meet and converse the subject, easily my favorite moment of the episode. Do yourself a favor and watch this, and if you have - do it again sometime!