This Week in Fringe - 2/4/11

This week's episode diverges from the main story arc, and goes back to the classic "case of the week" style, however, there are still a few important tidbits to gain. Sorry for the delay!

Episode 12 - "Concentrate and Ask Again"

Zach says: The bulk of the story deals with revenge by ex-military men who want to murder people who approved a deadly weapons project which resulted in their inability to have children. Not too incredible in itself, but the weapon was some chemical compound which caused people's bones to disintegrate, so that's pretty cool. Fortunately, Olivia was able to squash the main attack, with the help of a Cortexiphan study patient, like herself. However, this man was able to read people's minds, so thusly, could identify the attackers. Fun.

The story here itself was decent enough, and relatively entertaining, but nothing too special. While all of this was going on, Olivia was still struggling with how Peter and Folivia were together, and whether or not Peter loved her, etc. Also, Nina was doing some research on "The First People" and discovered who the author might be.

As it turns out, it's that bowling alley guy, Sam Weiss; the one who helped Olivia after that bizarre car accident in Season Two. Yeah, that doesn't make a whole lot of sense, but sure, why not. This Sam fellow seems to know a lot, and says that Peter will decide on which universe is saved and destroyed, based on which Olivia he choices. You would think, like everyone else, that the real Olivia is the obvious choice, but Peter still thinks about Fauxlivia, according to the man who can read minds....
Zach's Score: 7.7/10

JDW says: While I was a bit bothered at first that after a good string of main-plot based episodes we were suddenly back in "case of the week" mode, overall I was pleased with this episode. It's a bit formulaic, not just in the case format, but the fact that this isn't the first time we've been introduced to a new Cortexiphan who ultimately is the only way to solve the case, and just so happens to come across the Fringe division at the most convenient time. Granted the last time we had Cortexiphan patients help out the Fringe crew they came aboard like the Super Friends and then all died in the Season Two finale... so, lt's just say this probably isn't the last we'll see of the mind reader.

But all in all the case was cool, the presentation of showing the guy's struggle with mind reading and hearing voices what pretty neat, and it was nice to see them actually have an interesting plan to catching the criminals as opposed to the normal, shoot guy and have Walter look at his body method.... though some of that was still there. Also, if Sam Weiss was such a big player in this whole scheme, why is it that we haven't even see him until 12 episodes into this season, despite seeing him all of last season?
JDW's Score: 8/10

Overall Score: 7.8/10

Missed the episode? Watch it on Hulu