Fringe Review 404: Subject 9

   Fringe was good, but I'm starting to have serious concerns about the pacing and writing. So far, the Peterless plotline has been inconsistent and contradictory. Last season, the plotline about the two Olivias was handled extremely well because it had sufficient time to fully develop. The problem this season is because Peter returned far too early. He, like Olivia, should've returned in the eighth episode; not the fourth.
   The biggest problem, the Peterless universe does not seem to be improved in any significant way. In fact, an argument could be made that this universe is actually worse. Over There is still decaying, Walter has lost the last thread of his sanity, Elizabeth still committed suicide, and the universes are still at war.
  Another thing, the internal chronology is completely screwed-up. If Walter's agoraphobia has left him unable to leave his lab for three years, how would he make it to Liberty Island a week before the premiere?
  Now to the episode itself:  John Noble. Holy crap, how is it possible that this man has not won every acting award in existence short of an Oscar. He kills it week in, week out. He should get a nomination next year, along with Breaking Bad's Giancarlo Esposito. I particularly look forward to the Peterless Walternate.
   Over the years, I've heard a lot of bad character names, but "Cameron James" is at the top of the list. What, was "Nolan Christopher" taken? It was especially egregious considering the influence of The Abyss.
   Cameron couldn't have been responsible for the blue cloud, because the Cortexiphan trials were discontinued. The original purpose was to "unlock the full potential of children"; but, as demonstrated in "Subject 13", they were also to find a way to send Peter back Over There without reopening the portal. Since Peter died, that was no longer necessary. Poor Cameron. He had a hard life.
   I trust Jeff Pinkner and J.H. Wyman more than any other showrunners, but I'm having a great deal of difficulty accepting the Peter thing. However, good news is on the horizon. Set photos have surfaced featuring Nadine Park (the translucent shape-shifter) and none other than David Robert Jones. Hopefully the Peter thing will be fully resolved before that.
   Theory Time: We will see Jones before the winter hiatus, we will see Henry (Peter and Altlivia's son) again, Walternate won't like Red Vines, and the ratings will go up next episode because of Peter.
   Overall, this episode was a good one. I have deep concerns about the direction of the show, but there is good news coming. Peter came back way too soon, but I'm glad he's back. Too bad the next episode is not for two weeks, baseball willing.

Fringe Review 403: Alone In The World

   This week's episode was excellent. I'd say it's the best episode of the season so far.

   I'm glad they provided a definite ruling on what happened to Peter, it played out exactly like the episode "Peter", except September didn't step in to save them. I thought something like that happened. But why September just couldn't have stopped himself from distracting Walternate, and avoided having to let anyone die, I don't know. Probably it's because Walter is responsible for creating September in the first place.

   John Noble hit another one out of the park. That man deserves every single acting award for this show. 

   I thought this was the episode where Dr. Sumner returned. It was odd to see the actor change his first name in the credits to "Bill Sadler". In all his other movies, it was "William". Sumner didn't really come across as a prick as much as he did in his season 1 episode.

   Lincoln is pretty much dead weight at this point. He was good in the premiere, but I wish they would have more of the other Lincoln. I liked that one much better. Nothing against Seth Gabel, but they really need the other Lincoln back.

   That part at the end just stunned me. Walter's done a lot of wacked-out stuff over the years, but attempting to lobotomize himself takes the cake. I don't know if anything like that has been shown on network television before. He was very lucky Olivia stepped in at the right time.

   Peter is really making his presence known. It was nice to see Olivia starting to remember him. I guess Astrid or Broyles will be the next ones to remember. The preview for next week looked like the way Peter's going to be reintroduced is something like Watchmen's Dr. Manhattan.
   Overall, I liked it.

House Review 801: Twenty Vicodin

    I've been a fan of House for just a short period of time. I really only started watching last season. Bad time, I guess, with the whole House-and-Cuddy thing. Still, I enjoyed it, even when others didn't. I was devastated when they broke up. And I was hoping they'd get back together. And then House drove his car into Cuddy's living room. It was hilarious at the time, but it definitely was not one of House's better decisions.
  And so, he went off to jail for a year. The story picks up at his parole hearing. I was glad they addressed some questions, such as "how did House know that everyone was out of the dining room before he drove in"? Alas, the Q&A was cut short.
  Anyway, it was a good start to what may be the final season.