(Season 1, Episode 8 – “The Equation”)
Well, after eight episodes I can say I’m officially hooked. While things started off a little slow on this show, I can now see why FOX was willing to throw out that full season pick-up in early October. They’d probably already seen at least scripts or early screenings for some of these episodes, and we’re finally starting to get somewhere with the Pattern. Oh, we don’t have any idea what the hell it is, what it’s about, and what they’re trying to accomplish, but at least we’re touching on it.
The “Find the Observer” contest from last week went down as planned, and commenter Jay won. The Observer was in the airport when Olivia got there. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to hook up in time for him to write this intro so you’re stuck with me. Sorry about that, Jay. We’ll get something worked out to get you your day in the sun very soon.
Another week, another person with a cryptic name. This time it’s the Attendant, and she’s trying to get a formula completed. And this is one hardcore bitch, too. Trotting out Ben’s mom only to have her die right in front of him when he proves unable to complete the musical composition (it’s also the formula, don’t ya know!). And it’s not the first time she’s used such ruthless psychological tricks to try and finish. But we still don’t know how Ben (the boy musician) suddenly learned to play and got hooked on that composition, or how Bishop’s friend Dashiell got obsessed with the formula so many years before.
John Noble was absolutely stellar in this episode. With facial expressions alone he was able to express such a breadth of emotion during his impromptu incarceration. I’ve read online in a few places that some people aren’t sure about the casting of Joshua Jackson on this show. Everyone seems to agree that John Noble is turning in masterful work, but I think Jackson is doing a wonderful job of playing his foil. He has just that blend of sarcasm and heart to make it work.
And while we’re at it, let’s give Anna Torv some credit, too. Not once did she pull me from the story or action with bad acting or awkwardness. In fact, she was downright effective in her role. It looks like Torv may have finally figured out her character. She was intelligent, commanding and a little bit Jodie Foster in The Silence of the Lambs when tracking the Attendant. Too bad that damn green-green-green-red is so effective or she would have had her.
In the end, though, I guess it doesn’t matter because the people behind the Pattern are as ruthless as they are elusive, and the Attendant had outlived her usefulness now that she’d completed the formula. Should we just call them “The Others.?” Maybe we’ll find out that they’re behind the island on Lost, too. Abrams could be building his Abrams-verse and we don’t even know it.
As for the Observer, I think this episode was a bit too personal because I couldn’t find him. If you saw him give me a holler. The contest is still live, first person to identify an Observer sighting gets to write the intro to the next review.
Clacked by Jason Hughes 
on Nov 19, 2008 @ 09:52 EST5EDT
Did anyone see The Observer in this episode? I didn’t. Or at least I didn’t see him as we usually do. I think – now this is just a theory – that the second Walter we saw was actually The Observer in disguise. Not sure yet if it was a great disguise or if The Observer actually metamorphosized his looks. But if I’m right, our weird game of Where’s Waldo just got harder.
And I think there’s a lot more to Walter, then anyone of us realize and I think he’s saner than we thought.
My favorite Walterism of the night was his thought process for remembering Dashiell’s name. Green and red lights to Christmas to Jingle Bells to Dashing through the now to Dashiell. Great!
I loved that we got to see Olivia smile again. She’s much more likeable when we see a little emotion.
Back to my theory about what Walter did to Peter as a child, did anyone find it odd that Walter was surprised that Ben’s musical talent was “light years” ahead of where Peter was at that age?
The Observer was in the scene with Olivia speaking to Peter on the cell phone when Peter was leaving the nuthouse with his father.
He was in a black trenchcoat with a briefcase in the crowd (left side) behind Olivia. Peter then told Olivia about the Red Castle. Olvia saw the red building in front of her. The when the camera went back to show Olivia the observer was gone from the background.
You are so totally right! I went back and watched it again and there he is…so obscure I can’t believe you noticed it.
Up until now I haven’t been sure if I really like this show or not, but this episode was great. Walter especially gave a really heartfelt performance.
Does anyone else think that the head of the mental hospital has something to do with the Pattern? He seems bent on getting Walter back in the hospital and not for the reasons he says.
hmm. now the question is who copied whom? this answer is the same, word for word, of eric’s response on the tvsquad review
yes, i read both, to get more points of view
I admit, i copied his answer.. just wanted my moment of fame. apologies to eric, whereever he is, but to be fair- I did see him after i read that response, i went back and checked.. so…
Nice coverage of an intriguing show. I was not aware of the (Character? Feature?)called The Observer. Now, when I actually remember to watch the show, I’ll try to look for this guy. I’ve been reading about the Easter eggs embedded in various scenes, and during the commercial breaks – it makes a person wonder, how do folks hold down full-time jobs? (Unless of courses, Fringe following IS their full-time job, in that case Mazel Tov!)