Sometimes less is more on a show like "Fringe," and the latest episode, "Subject 9," was a fine example. Yes we got some action, a few chases, some strange eerie glowing, but we also got a lot of character moments for Olivia, Walter, and even Astrid and Nina (yes!). And then at the end we got Peter back!
The plight of Subject 9 himself was obviously meant to be moving and indeed was at times, mostly due to a strong guest turn by Chadwick Boseman. But it was the relations between the Fringe Team in this Peter-less universe that were so fascinating. With many of the events we have witnessed in the series having not occurred here, we are treated to a lot of fine acting and characterization from a set of people that, dare I say it, seem a bit more complete and less guarded than in the original universe (or whatever we are calling it…Where We Came In?).
This is certainly true of Olivia. Anna Torv does a great job of portraying the Olivia in this universe as having a softer edge, mainly due to the fact that she has made her peace with what Walter did to her as a child. This is likely due to her role as being his primary caretaker. This is not my favorite of all the different versions of Olivia, but it is a fascinating one.
Walter (John Noble) is different as well. He is still weird and insane at times, and still fearful of going back to the mental hospital, but freed from the constant obsession of worrying about Peter. He is, in fact, far more effective as a team member and sometimes leader in this universe, as the scenes where he is able to coordinate field action from behind a camera shows. He also seems to accept the reckonings of the past better. When Astrid learns of his experiments on kids, and when Cameron James confronts him directly, he seems shaken and hurt, but his recovery time is quicker than normal and he doesn't dwell on it. This Walter seems less into regret and more into moving on to fix what he can.
The best moments of the episode come between Olivia and Walter after his fit in the motel room, and when they talk about Olivia's mental evaluation of him. It is so interesting to see her being the one bringing Walter back to reality and dealing with his insanity instead of Peter. And it has obviously softened her edges.
Other great character moments come from Astrid (Jasika Nicole), as her banter with Walter is even better and more sassy here. She gets the episode's best line when Walter calls her a name that doesn't even begin with A. Really, we are in Season 4 "Fringe" show-runners, it is time for our totally Astrid-centered show, don't you think?
Along the way to Peter's return, we also get some short but intriguing development from Nina Sharp (Blair Brown), giving us the juxtaposition of her addressing the Massive Dynamic staff in a brutal, frank style about ignoring ethics, and then sharing a frankly maternal moment with Olivia. It is so discordant that I hope it was not just a throwaway but will be brought up again.
Finally Peter (Joshua Jackson) resurfaces, literally, as he springs back to life up from the lake where the young Peter of this universe died. The return is handled well, and is a great springboard into the rest of the season.
There was no real mystery this week, as it was pretty obvious that the energy effects came from Peter. But there was lots of solid character development, good acting and well-written lines. Overall, probably the strongest "Fringe" of the season so far.
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