3x04 "Do Shapeshifters Dream of Electric Sheep ?" - Episode Discussion

*waves back*

In order to maybe flush out some more opinions, I'll post a bit of what I've been haranguing Cathy about, and shouting on tumblr. I'm sure I've said some of it before, discussing Olivia, but now it seems very pertinent to discuss how Olivia, and women in general, are treated on Fringe. I'm off to get a cup of coffee, the sun came up finally but went in, and it's about 22F, and if I'm to type any more, the house has to be above 60F. I'll drop that discussion in here, when I'm a tad warmer.

You're already below freezing?? My goodness, I was glad to get below the mid-80's, but I really would like to be in a cold area. I hope you get warm!

I know that's a little off-topic, sorry! My coworker asked why Newton never had trouble degrading. I scratched my head, remembering that Charlie kept falling apart over here, but his device was gone, right?

I'll miss Newton, what interposed scenes with Newton dying and Peter and Bolivia, *cough, cough, cough!*

He didn't have to shift, no, and that was never explained. They really goofed disabling him there. I hope they bring him back, for all kinds of reasons.

I didn't watch the en flagrante delicto part, so---I just have read that Newton had a smile on his face at the very end. If so, if it was a real smile, maybe he left a safety deposit box, and files? I think he hated Fauxlivia, and would have had physical evidence, besides whatever the senator, his mole, left behind.

His part was just FINALLY getting some explication, doing more than being enigmatic, and they killed him off? Even for Fringe, that's too enigmatic, that's a waste of a popular resource. It's like they don't want us to understand anything.

Via tv.com:
Stephanie Lee on Fringe: Why I Hate Faux-Livia

Ah-ha! The show I was trying to remember for Cathy! This person feels the same way! I couldn't bear the switching stuff, and stopped watching, even forgot what it was called. And I agree with the disingenuosness of our geniuses being so stoooopid...

Quote :

Question: I know that you and many others are loving this season of Fringe with the alt-world, Doublivia high jinks but I am a bit more, shall we say, off-put. One of my problems is that I'm getting a very Charmed vibe about the whole thing.
Allow me to explain. I was a devoted Charmed fan (until the unfortunate last season), but one of the staples of that show which always bothered me were the possession/body-swap type episodes. One of the sisters would be overtaken or possessed or swapped out or what have you and the other sisters would take forever and a day to noodle it out. No matter how strangely or out of character they acted, they would sense nothing was amiss until the whole thing blew up in their faces. With Fauxlivia in the mix on our side, I'm getting that familiar feeling of "Really? Come on!" when it comes to the continued obliviousness of the rest of the cast. When she didn't call Peter before going to search the apartment bit would be one example. At least with Charmed, it would resolve itself within the hour, not so in this case as they will be ping-ponging back and forth, from what I understand, all season. Charmed, obviously, is a very different animal and the comparison is limited.

But I don't particularly like this whole back and forth business in general. I find the other universe more entertaining in small doses, and the fact that the audience knows information that the so-called geniuses on the show don't (but should be able to deduce) creates a disingenuous tone to me. I know I may be in the minority on this, and I will continue to watch as long as Fringe is on the air, but I am not loving this season as much as the previous ones. Just wondering if you can see my perspective. — Jill

(The answer she got was not at all satisfactory, just the same "But the alt u is COOL and AWESOME and ABRAMS!!!", so I'm not linking to it. Y'all have teh google....)

This episode was... weird. I feel more and more uncomfortable with AltLivia. She seems so cold. The last scene seems to me very artificial... I don't really like this way that the writers have chosen. It sounds wrong, it sounds too much.
I'm sad about the Newton's death. This character was very interesting !
Fortunately, the next episode seems promising. The remembrance of Peter, in her head, could help her to realize the real situation. I hope.

For all they are saying they want us to like the other side, they are making Fakelivia completely unlikeable. And yes, that last scene was worthy of the Iron Claw Award, clumsy and I truly believe, added in order to boost ratings only. And even that didn't work.

That 'visitation' from Peter was so cool, especially while she was talking to the very distracting Frank. Frank may be hot, but Peter is compelling and they have a history, she just can't remember it.

I was a little sorry AltLiv's seduction distracted Peter, but at the risk of angering any of the male fans here, wouldn't that work with just about any guy who thought she was the one Peter cared about? I know he hasn't come out and said, "I love you", but Peter definitely has some feelings for her. So, with Peter's mouth busy entertaining AltLivs mouth, he's not going to have time to think, What's wrong with this picture........

I'll miss Newton, too. Time for another charismatic villain........

I'm still getting used to the idea of Walter inheriting Massive Dynamic. It was a big mistake when Angel inherited Wolfram & Hart. I'm hoping the writers can come up with some cool stuff, or at least the War will start escalating now that Walter has MD at his disposal. And 'our' Brandon will be back, that should provide some chuckles.

I've watched some "Charmed", mostly in the mornings getting ready for work. I agree, it's time to pare back on the Doubles.

Cathy do you mean, any man would be distracted enough by offered sex that his brain would completely stop working?

I know it is so for many, but I also know it isn't true for all, not every man is seduceable (not every man cheats/has random sex every time it is offered, any more than every woman does)------------ so, is that what you meant?

And, I repeat, I think the sex scene was distraction dialed up to try desperately to get visitors; they could have had him be distracted with making out, or-------god forbid, dancing or other things people do with their clothes on--- but to get those 18-49 yr old males to watch......... gah. BR need to grow a pair and believe in the romance they were writing, Peter and Olivia. Or not to have engendered it at all.

Did anybody say, was Roche' needed elsewhere, or is he mentioned in IMDB as in future eps, or ??? Cause I want him back, that story was NOT FINISHED.

Our Brush with Fame on the Set of FRINGE