Fringe, Season 5 (first half-ish)

[cahn]

Okay, um, I am up to 5x08 ("The Human Kind", mostly just started) and my principal feeling is one of bafflement. Who are these people? Who is this Walter who is a "different person"? (In 5x06, when he started expressing his sadness as to putting science over people, I was like… but Walter… whenever I've seen you on-screen that's what you do! With, like, one exception?) Who is this William Bell who sold out Fringe for profit? No! I loved the plot twist in S4 because it makes perfect sense for cortiphexan!Bell to be completely megalomaniac, but for him to just be pettily venal… no, that's not how his personality fractures! Who is this Olivia who just kind of stands around and occasionally goes to collect a plot coupon? Who, in fact, are the Observers, who used to, like, know what was going on in the future because of being time travelers and stuff, and who appear to currently be letting Fringe walk all over them without predicting their every movement? I DON'T KNOW THESE PEOPLE. WHEN DID I START WATCHING A DIFFERENT SHOW.

(Okay, a Bishop who reacts really badly at a loved one's death, I know him. And Blair Brown is sufficiently awesome that I still really enjoy watching Nina.)

Also, the plot coupon plot is just terribly boring.

Also, as I commented on fringe_rewatch, I thought Etta's death was a great plot twist (which I did not see coming at all and which devastated me in the best way), but I feel like as a long-term season move it came too soon and without character support; we have no visceral character connection with dystopia!world anymore. (Broyles or Sharp could have provided this, but they weren't given the proper screen time or writing support.)

Comments

[cahn]

I honestly didn't care in the moment because BLAIR BROWN CAN SELL ANYTHING TO ME OKAY. But I was also very confused, because what with all of season 4 and the number of alt-characters and alt-plotlines I was like, is this good Nina or bad Nina?? Is this Nina who is upset at Olivia or Nina who isn't? WHO KNOWS ANYMORE. Maybe we are back in one of the alt universes!

(Nina could have been given the role of saboteur instead of Bell -- would have made a lot more sense. And waaaay more emotional resonance than Olivia/what-reaction-am-I-supposed-to-have-to-this-Nina-again and Doomed Bell/Sharp which, whatever.)

[seekingferret]

Is this Nina who is upset at Olivia or Nina who isn't? WHO KNOWS ANYMORE.

Sometimes it is better to pretend this is just Season 5 AU Fanfic Nina.