Welcome to Multiversity Comics’ Summer Binge of Fringe, a series that Parks and Recreation’s own Ben Wyatt once called “airtight.” The show’s fifteenth episode is a fine one, but it also firmly steps on the brakes after a propulsive installment last week.
1. Ugh
“Inner Child” is fine. It’s got a solid premise and the cast is good and there aren’t any offensively bad flaws. At the same time, it’s a fairly forgettable episode of Fringe and after such a big episode last week, pivoting into something like this was disappointing. The episode isn’t bad and if this were a normal procedural, one might even consider it very good. But this is a big show with big ideas and it’s way more interesting to see those ideas explored than it is to see solid procedural episodes. This isn’t an episode that inspires strong emotions or even not strong emotions- it just kinda happens.
2. TWO Mysteries
This week, Olivia deals with dual crises when a mysterious mute child appears just as a serial killer known as the Artist resurfaces. Both of these stories are alright, though neither of them is particularly engaging, especially given the standard that Fringe has set for itself. The Artist is sufficiently creepy even if he does feel like a bit of a stock serial killer character. Really, the Child (this is how he’s credited) is the weak point, mostly because his ability to gain vital information about the Artist’s victims and whereabouts is explained in a way that feels slim even by fake-science standards. Ultimately, it feels like by mixing the Child and Artist stories, each becomes less interesting than it might be. Maybe if the Artist were a serial killer with the classic weird science twist, his whole story would’ve been more intriguing. Maybe if solving the mystery of the Child had been central to the episode, we could’ve explored some of the more interesting big ideas that this show likes. Instead, we get a stock villain and and underserved mystery that intersect in mostly uninteresting ways.
3. What’s Up with Walter?
It feels like Walter’s been sidelined basically since his grip ho the mental hospital. Of course he’s one of the main characters of the series and he gets ample screen time but he’s mostly been a role player. He’s great for fake science explanations and comedic relief and occasional poignance but there hasn’t been a ton of meaty material for him lately. We do get one moment of greatness, though. When he puts on his record player and dances around its genuinely delightful. Walter’s silliness is something that we just accept- he’s a loony old man who says funny things in serious moments. With this kid, though, that silliness takes on meaning. It’s really just wonderful, shows us a new side of Walter, gives John Noble a chance to flex even more muscles, and is just plain funny.
4. At Least There’s This
Olivia’s sister and niece remain a bright spot in Fringe. Ari Graynor is a great actor and every time that she shows up as Rachel, it’s a treat. Ella, meanwhile, is mostly around to be adorable. Ella and Rachel aren’t such welcome presences because they feel like dynamic characters, but because they fill supporting roles perfectly. They’re memorable but their presence never outshines Olivia or anyone else. Better yet, they make Olivia a stronger character; they ground her an make her life more full which innately makes her more interesting. In the midst of a meh episode, having them around is nice.
5. Those Last Shots
At the very end of the episode, as the child is being driven, he spots the Observer on the sidewalk and they share some mysterious eye contact. Is this kid an Observer? He is hairless and seems to just know things and he appeared out of nowhere. Also, it would just be very cool. I’m hoping this is the show planting something for later because I’d love for this episode to have some greater significance in this series. Otherwise, I’m just waiting for our next big episode.
