A nerd before the birth of TOS Red Shirts, I share my thoughts on genre media be it books, movies, TV shows, etc

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Fringe Season 4 Episode 4 Review - 'Subject 9'

Effect before Cause

The story telling thrust of the season narrative could be palpably felt shifting into the next gear in, 'Subject 9.' Gone are the hand holding moments from the previous episodes for new viewers.

The net result?

A most excellent episode filled with several WOW(Wonderful Olivia & Walter) moments as Walter is driven to prove his worth by stepping out of the lab for the first time in three years.  This subplot was designed for character moments; all journey versus destination, its true intent never about being a source of story tension. Olivia's decision going for or against Walter was never in question.



A WOW Moment - Walter Teaching Olivia How To Properly Drink A Root Beer Float

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Fringe FBI Podcast Season 4 Episode 4

Frea, Jan, Lou, & Maximus get together after each Fringe episode in this temporarily constructed shared reality known as a podcast to discuss the Fourth Season of Fringe.

'Subject 9'

Agenda:
1) Intros
2) Episode Easter Eggs  
3) Quick Thoughts 
4) RoundTable 
5) Ep Rating - out of 10 Genes
 

Intro Music: 'Break On Through (to the other side)' - The Doors

Exit Music: 'The Lonely Man Theme' - Joe Harnell - Closing Credits for The Incredible Hulk TV series

Leave us feedback here or on Twitter:

Frea - @Frea_O
Lou - @olddarth
Maximus - @mxpw999

Jan's Subject 9Recap can be found at NiceGirlsTV

FBI Inc Podcast graphics designed by Frea_O

On the run all the time? A commuter? Listen to our portable version
via iTunes - Alternate Reality Version.

Media mentioned if you are interested in speculating on what the Observers are all about:
1) Original Star Trek - Season 3 - The Empath
2) Childhood's End by Arthur C. Clarke
3) The Dark Tower Series - The WasteLands - by Stephen King

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Fringe FBI Podcast Season 4 Episode 3

Frea, Jan, Lou, & Maximus get together after each Fringe episode in this temporarily constructed shared reality known as a podcast to discuss the Fourth Season of Fringe.

'Alone In The World'

Agenda:
1) Intros
2) Episode Easter Eggs  
3) Quick Thoughts 
4) RoundTable 
5) Ep Rating - out of 10 Genes
 


Intro Music: 'Breakdown' - I, Robot: The Alan Parsons Project

Exit Music: 'Olivia Theme' - Chris Tilton

Leave us feedback here or on Twitter:

Frea - @Frea_O
Lou - @olddarth
Maximus - @mxpw999

Jan's Fringe Recap can be found at NiceGirlsTV

FBI Inc Podcast graphics designed by Frea_O

On the run all the time? A commuter? Listen to our portable version
via iTunes - Alternate Reality Version.

Fringe Season 4 Episode 3 Review

Read Mind Vine Time



‘Alone In The World’


The show continues it’s exploration of what a world without Peter is like and its impact on those he left behind.  Till this episode that journey has been an interesting one with the success of the journey relying heavily on how interesting the case of the week is. In my books translucent shape shifters and serial killers trump killer fungus any day.
‘Gus’ was too flat a threat to get very excited about.
Pity too because John Noble acted the heck out of the episode. So did Anna Torv - when she could break away from the case of the week imposition.  Special marks for Jesika Nicole too.

Oddly enough on our last FBI - Fringe Benefits Inc podcast, (which you can find under the Podcast tab here at FringeTV), we remarked it was curious that Peter was only trying to contact Walter and not Olivia. The previous two episodes had a definite lack of Walter and we hoped for more of him. Both of these items were addressed in this episode.  

2 for 1 His 'N Hers Suit Sale?

One quite successfully.  The other not so.

FBI Podcast Season 4 Episode 2


Frea, Jan, Lou, & Maximus get together after each Fringe episode in this temporarily constructed shared reality known as a podcast to discuss the Fourth Season of Fringe.

'One Night In October'

Agenda:
1) Intros
2) Episode Easter Eggs  
3) Quick Thoughts 
4) RoundTable 
5) Ep Rating - out of 10 Genes
 


Intro Music: 'The Ghost In You' - Psychedelic Furs

Exit Music: 'Peter Theme' - Chris Tilton

Leave us feedback here or on Twitter:

Frea - @Frea_O
Lou - @olddarth
Maximus - @mxpw999

FBI Inc Podcast graphics designed by Frea_O
On the run all the time? A commuter? Listen to our portable version
via iTunes - Alternate Reality Version.

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Fringe Season 4 Episode 2: Review

Out of the Darkness Into The Light
  
'One Night In October'
  

The big question going into Season 4 was how the Fringe writers were going to utilize the new timeline for story telling possibilities.  The first episode of the season gave a universe load of exposition.  This time the episode cuts to the chase right from the get go.  A serial killer is on the rampage on the Other side and Our side is asked to help out by bringing his counter part over to work on the case.  A counterpart whom just happens to be an expert on serial killers.  

All set up within minutes of the episode start.
The story can take off so quickly because this new timeline has been used to strip back a lot of the continuity baggage both Olivias are carrying.  They have been reduced back to their basic qualities; both Olivias void of any impacts that Peter has made on them.  A concentrated distillation of their characteristics has been attained in Season 4.  This leanness of character is a deliberate decision by the Fringe show runners.  It allows them to highlight the similarities between the two Olivias.  And the differences.  It also streamlines story telling setup.




So close yet so different.

Fringe Season 4 Episode 1:Review

Rough-Edged Reset

'Neither Here, Nor There'

Fringe is back for a fourth season, stoked with a full head of story telling steam. Thanks to the mind breaking removal of Peter from not just a timeline, but existence itself, at the climatic end of Season 3.  Fox fanned those flames even higher with an excellent off season promotional campaign that peaked just before the Season 4 premiere creating a buzz with the slogan, ‘Where is Peter Bishop?’

And the Fringe showrunners continue to demonstrate they are not afraid to break with convention. We are treated to our initial glimpse of a Captain Kirk - Tholian Webbing style, Peter Bishop in the very first scene.



Don't You Forget About Me!