Welcome to Multiversity Comics’ Summer Binge of Fringe, a series that Parks and Recreation’s own Ben Wyatt once called “airtight.” Readers, we’ve made it to the finale which means summer is officially over.
1. An All-Timer Episode
After the thrill ride that was the nineteenth episode, Fringe’s first season finale certainly does not disappoint. Where last week saw a lot of rumination on the mysteries and personal arcs of the season, “There’s More than One of Everything” is first and foremost about action. To a certain extent, that means the episode is more straightforward than one might expect. It leans more into some of the procedural elements of the series but to great effect. Because the episode is so structurally normal, its stronger (and cooler) elements really stand out. As the episode moves from beat to beat, it lulls you into a sense of security then certain moments just blow you away. The whole thing is anchored by a very strong Anna Torv who gives a performance that isn’t flashy at all which means that it doesn’t always get as much attention as it should. To hold down the fort in a show as weird as this the way that she does, though, is a real achievement and I wanted to give some recognition right at the top.
2. Davy Jones Strikes Back
David Robert Jones is back and this time…it’s personal. DRJ is the obvious opponent for the Fringe team to face as the first season comes to a close; he’s been the most consistent antagonistic figure of the season and the driving force behind the most major plot movements. Here, he’s far from the put together, powerful man we’ve seen in episodes past. This is a haggard, desperate dude wrapped in bandages and dying because of side effects from teleportation. We also learn more about his motivations as a scorned former protege of William Bell seeking to prove something to his old mentor. The particulars of Jone’s presence are honestly not particularly fascinating- he wants to get to the alternate Earth so he can reach Bell before he dies. Then, he happens to die a very gruesome death as he passes through the portal. As far as villains go, David Robert Jones was an interesting one thanks in large part to a great performance by Jared Harris. His end is a fitting one, though he will be sorely missed in the future.
3. Father and Son
Probably the most consistently explored aspect of this show (outside of y’know, the season arc) is Walter and Peter’s relationship. For a while, though, we hadn’t really seen real depths in it. With “There’s More than One of Everything,” we get back to the real emotional core of their relationship and it’s quite beautiful. Walter wanders mysteriously with the Observer who “isn’t supposed to interfere” and finds himself in search of a device that he can’t remember in his old home. Peter goes there to find him and the reminiscing and bonding that happens in genuinely touching. For most of the season, Peter has been Walter’s handler, there mostly to translate his ramblings, crack wise, and keep him out of trouble. The emotional arc of their relationship has mostly been one of Peter coming to resent Walter less and care for him some. In the finale, they come to feel like a real, loving son and father and it’s a welcome development. Joshua Jackson and John Noble are as great together as they’ve ever been and they bring a tenderness here that’s rarely, if ever, been seen between them before.
4. A Quick Review of the Sidelines
This being the finale, the supporting cast stays firmly out of the spotlight but that doesn’t mean they don’t deserve some attention from your trusty Multiversity Comics reviewer. So, a very quick recap:
- Nina Sharp is still mysterious but actively helps with the investigation into David Robert Jones after quickly getting over a bullet to the robotic arm. She’s good as per usual but also uninspiring.
- Astrid gets a whole scene without playing second fiddle to a white guy but unfortunately she’s still mostly there to help other characters out. Justice for Jasika Nicole. Continued below
- Charlie wears a silly newsies cap and does his Charlie thing of being a sounding board. It’s what it is but Kirk Acevedo is great!
The one and only Phillip Broyles is as great as ever. Still leading the Fringe division with gusto and having the weirdest adversarial friendship with Olivia you could imagine. Lance Reddick was born to play a role like this and it’s bound to grow in future seasons which I’m excited to see.
5. What a Cliffhanger
My lord, the promise of that cliffhanger. I remember the first time I watched Fringe and the shock that I felt when that camera pulled back to reveal that William Bell and Olivia were standing in the South Tower of the World Trade Center. It’s the kind of twist that makes the potential that the series has feels boundless. There are the initial hints with the alternate quarter and immediately before the reveal with the newspaper headline about the Obamas moving into the “new White House.” But after all the talk of alternate universes and the coming war, actually seeing it is breathtaking. The moments leading up to it were so exciting for me that I actually felt my heart beating faster and when the big moment came, I felt it in my chest it was so all-consuming in its quality. With that shot, the show displayed that it was ready to walk the walk even more in the coming years. And Leonard Nimoy is there! There is a more ominous cliffhanger in the same moments- Peter’s grave. Peter is, of course, alive and kicking, but this tombstone is for an 8 year old boy with his name and Walter is awfully somber looking at it. This, too, spoke to the potential the show starts living up to in the episode albeit in a way that’s sure to lead to some heartbreak rather than creating a real sense of discovery. But man oh man is it all a blast to see. And it’s been a blast rewatching the first season of Fringe with all of you! Whether you’re a longtime Fringe fan or a first time watcher, I hope you got something as much out of these as I did. See ya when I see ya.
