"Of Human Action" bits and pieces

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Episode 207 - "Of Human Action" - Behind the scene

A minute of behind the scene, clips and interview from the next episode called "Of Human Action".

On Fringe, Radiation ghoul is pure fiction

In this week's "Earthling," the Fringe team searches for an explanation behind a string of murders in which victims turn to ash without explanation—the handy work of a space ghoul who's going after the radiation stored in human cancer patients. PM talks to radiation expert Andrew Karam to discover the truth behind Fringe's cosmic radiation theory.

By Allie Townsend

Published on: November 6, 2009 

Go see the article quick, quick !

Review of episode 206, "Earthling"

After a pause of a few weeks and a victory for the Yankees in World Series Fringe we return with an episode that shows us a little more of the enigmatic Phillip Broyles (Lance Reddick), the boss of Olivia Dunham (Anna Torv) and the 'Fringe Division'. This episode written by J.H. Wyman & Jeff Vlaming, was directed by the recipient of an Emmy, Jon Cassar. It was an excellent mix of "monster of the week" and character development, essentially that of Mr. Broyles.

The mystery this week brings the 'Fringe Division' to trying to catch a penumbral parasite of a possible extraterrestrial origin which has unraveled during a spacewalk to attach itself to the body of a Russian cosmonaut. This has brought on earth while the cosmonaut was still in a deep coma and the parasite has started killing people in an effort to absorb their radiation. By this action it transforms its victims into dust. I will borrow the words of Walter saying that the victims are like logs that burn with a heat so intense that they have kept their original form, a little push and everything disintegrates. I must admit that the special effects for the dust was particuliary well execute.

Top: 'Earthling', Bottom:'The Walk'While the main story was a perfect mix of two 'X Files' episodes (108: 'Space' and 307: 'The Walk') [see image.], what I liked in this enquery is that was so personnal to Broyles. Lance Reddick has proved again that he is an exceptional actor and has raised a notch the quality of this production despite a scenario that lacked in originality.

We know that Broyles has or had an affair with Nina Sharp (Blair Brown). In the first half of the first season, we didnt know what to think about him (Is he good or bad?). However, now we know he is the one who holds the 'Fringe Division' under protection for several years and he is very passionate about his work. The shadow killer case is very personal for Broyles, not only because it was still an open one, but also because it played a large role in the "disintegration" of his marriage, his wife has left with their children four years ago.

Phillip Broyles is a man of heart that is desperate to support and protect his family. He proved it with his meeting with Senator Dennis Van Horn. I am glad that the authors did not use the cliche of making the ex-wife Broyles the last victim of the mysterious killer. Instead, they showed the determination of Broyles to cut short the intentions of the killer by taking a difficult decision.

The scene where we see Broyles finally tell his ex-wife that he has solved the case was both triumphant and bittersweet. He knows he has done what his conscience dictated, but at the same time we could see the agonizing feeling of loss that it caused him. The effect has not only deepen our appreciation of Broyles, but exposes him, as a tri-dimensional character with a tragic past and that his actions speak loudly about its commitment to the 'Fringe Division'.

Regarding Walter, we learned he calls the complex organic form a 'Sly Tempress'. We saw a very beautiful scene showing Walter highly concentrated at solving the formula of the chemical and listening to Pavarotti while writing on 5 chalkboards at the same time under the cheerful supervision of Peter (Joshua Jackson) and Astrid (Jasika Nicole).

Cultural References

• The name of the hospital is "Latchmere General Hospital". Latchmere House is a prison which is located in the south-west London, England, and is managed by the Prison Service of Her Majesty. During the First World War (1914-1918) Latchmere House was used as a hospital for treatment of officers suffering from post traumatic stress disorder.
• The 'Vasilyev brothers' are Russian filmmakers(not family related) who have created one of the most popular film of between-wars in 1934, "Chapaev" which was a nationnal and internationnal success. The first film in which they have used the term 'Vasilyev brothers' name was "The Sleeping Beauty".
• Kimba the white lion is seen on television in the motel with the blond girl.
• The extra-terrestrial and parasitic nature and color of the "monster of the week" is reminiscent of the similar origins of the villain of Spiderman, Venom, who is also a space symbiote.
• The restaurant scene with Broyles and the boy had similarities to a scene with Brody and his son at the dinner table in 'Jaws', a movie directed by Steven Spielberg.
• Was that just me or the blond girl in the motel in front of a snowy TV looks a lot like the girl in the film produced by Steven Spielberg, 'Poltergeist'?

Top: Red bouquet, Bottom: FanThe Observer is seen at the airport while Broyles spoke on the phone with agent Dunham. The secret word of the week is "DEJA VU" and it seems to be related to Agent Broyles when he sees the body of Randy Dancik in dust. I noted two inconsistencies, the bouquet of red flowers was first in the kitchen than placed by the husband in the lobby but magicly finds itself in the kitchen again without anyone moving it [see image A & B]. There is also the fan who dispersed the dust of one of the Vasiliev brothers in the evening ...miraculously disappeared in the day [see Image C & D].

Is it the end for William Bell ?

Is Leonard Nimoy's "Fringe" experiment coming to an end? Mr. Nimoy tells the L.A. Times that it may be the logical time to say farewell to acting for good. Especially since the Bell role hasn't been a compelling one for him. "I've done three appearances for them. I don't know if I will do a fourth...". His role need to develop a dramatic story for the character, he's waiting for a conversation about that.

It is very true that the first 2 appearances were expository one's. For an actor, to invest on a character they need to do something, to have some emotional stuff to play and not just text to read and be on a set. Mr. Nimoy is 78 now, I'm sure the autors can work something to get the best from this talented actor an give us some great TV time.

For the full article @L.A. Times by Geoff Boucher.