Fringe brings in an episode that seems to successfully combine the running plot along with a unique and fun mystery that has a rather shocking twist. As Walter continues to come to terms with telling Peter about his origins, this week’s mystery had the perfect blend of sci-fi fun and gore. An episode of Fringe that can entertain the novice and long-time fan.
Walter struggles to figure out a way to reveal Peter’s origins without having his son hate him. At the same time the group discovers a train filled with people who are seemingly drained of life with no known cause. Through their investigation they learn about Alastair Peck (Peter Weller), an astrophysicist who has learned the art of time travel.
Hands down one of the best guest appearances this season is RoboCop star Peter Weller as Alastair Peck. The grossest bits of the episode come courtesy of Weller’s character having to cut machine parts into his body, the episode also has a really gruesome close-up of Peck implanting a cog into his chest. The makeup effects on this were great considering they were highly insane and hard to imagine. Peck and Walter end up having the best dialogue exchanges of the episode as they learn they have a lot in common. Both characters have made attempts to save past loved-ones and are forced to discover they can’t play God. Walter also is quick to confide in Peck, detailing the sign he hopes God will bring down to let him know he’s forgiven for saving Peter. The ending with Peck will also be pretty shocking in the context of the conversation he ends up having with Walter, same with the final scene of the episode which came off as bittersweet.
Honestly this episode could have been entitled the Walter and Alastair show because everyone else seems to pale in comparison. Peter and Walter did have a few father/son bonding moments but anytime Walter has such good material it makes Olivia seems pointless. She just seemed to fade into the background and spouted off bits of exposition. It wasn’t so bad considering one is entertained by Walter and Peck, but having the star of the series seem pretty moot comes off as uneven.
White Tulip is a great episode that continues to show Walter and Peter has become the true stars of Fringe. Here’s hoping there’s a possibility Peter Weller will return as he lent such an interesting side story to the series.
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