“Do you want to talk about it?” (Lincoln Lee)

The two previous episodes established the new world in which Fringe’s fourth season enrolls perfectly. We got a grip on the characters – how Peter’s removal from existence changed them versus what essentially stayed the same. The only character I could not quite grasp was Walter. Had Saint Claire’s made him even crazier? Was it really that simple? Turns out it wasn’t: in Alone in the World, Fringe dives into an old man’s broken heart.

The case of the week revolved around mold. Well, that was surely something we didn’t have yet. Telepathic mold that looks like a brain – it’s almost as absurd as the premise of a Stephen King novel. I didn’t really buy into this case, but that was okay: as we have seen more often in the last two seasons, Fringe uses the case as a vehicle to make a strong emotional case for the characters. And that’s how it shines.

So we finally found out more about Walter. What a poor man. I think that, of all characters currently on TV, he’s the one to evoke the widest range of emotions inside of me. I’m scared of him. I pity him. I like him. I admire him. All at the same time. He’s wonderfully written – which this episode once again proved – and John Noble’s performance puts the most delightful cherry on top of this already unbelievable cake. I believe Walter’s pain when he actually starts to lobotomize himself. I believe his pain and I understand.

Thoughts and things

• “Do you want to talk about it” was very, very cute. I guess they’ll go to Lincoln-Olivia road a bit before they bring back Peter? I don’t mind, they’re cute together.
• I wonder how long they’re going to drag the Peter thing out? I currently have no objections, I’m just curious. Overall, I have the feeling we’re in good hands, so why worry?
• I loved the central scene between Walter and the boy. One of the hardest things Fringe has been doing (with varying success) is delivering information about what exactly changed after Peter’s removal. This scene worked perfectly – once again because when the boy commented on him being crazy, he was the voice of the audience.

In All…

Another outstanding episode. We got spoonfed some rational mythology while at the same time being shown that, no matter how you look at things, the real Fringe science is the science of emotions. Part of me wants this to go on forever. But the other part of me – the one that wants to be a writer – hopes that this is the final season. Go out with a bang, boys.