I’ve had a difficult time thinking about this week’s Fringe episode “Reciprocity.” At first, I thought it was because I haven’t gotten a single good night’s sleep this week, but after some consideration, I think it is because it was painful. Not painful because it was a bad episode, but painful because of the difficulties and changes happening to the characters that we all love on Fringe.
Walter loves his son so much that he will do anything to protect Peter. William Bell removed part of Walter’s brain in order to prevent him from using it in a bad way. But, now Walter is willing to do anything — even sniffing Gorilla DNA – to get that part of his brain to regrow to better understand Walternate and save Peter.
And then there is Olivia, who is trying so hard to accept what happened between Peter and Fauxlivia (how cool was it to hear Walter use the name Fauxlivia). She reads Fauxlivia’s diary and is somehow able to get past what happened and break the code by realizing that she and Fauxlivia are really the “same” person.
Lastly, Peter. What has become of our Peter? It appears he is, in fact, the catalyst to starting the doomsday device. Not shocking of course, but his shift to a dark side of sorts – shocking. I was not surprised that Peter was the one killing the shapeshifters, but the unemotional and disconnected Peter that did it was surprising. It was heartbreaking to see. Has the device changed Peter? Or, was it Fauxlivia? Or, is it just that Peter is trying to take control of his life and needs to be pragmatic and unemotional to do it? I’m not sure where this is heading, but I am along for the ride – begrudgingly when it comes to this. I miss our Peter already.
It was agonizing to watch Walter’s reaction to Peter’s actions. And, to further watch as Peter did not share what he had done with Olivia. Will Walter be able to keep the secret? I’m not sure he has the restraint to do it. Walter is truly worried about Peter and I think and hope he will turn to Olivia with the truth to help Peter.
Was this episode difficult for you to watch unfold as well?
Clacked by Carla Day 
on Jan 29, 2011 @ 18:26 EST5EDT
OMG, these series is seriously competing with Supernatural as the best series on the air right now. I soooo feel for Peter and Olivia, it’s crazy how a tv show can make you feel so many things, great episode!!!
Great review Carla! John Noble is an excellent actor and brings a depth of emotions to Walter. As for Peter, my first thought is Fauxlivia has changed him.
I think its a mix of being exposed to the machine as well as some corruption on Fauxlivia’s end slightly. His anger over being duped by her can’t be the sole reason he has become so cold over killing off the shape shifters.
I preferred calling the other Olivia Altivia to Fauxivia. Wish Walter went with that one instead. Though I guess it does sound a little too much like that yogurt Jaime Lee Curtis sells to be used.
Why is she so upset over Peter being involved with Fauxlivia?? I just don’t understand it. They way she is reacting, it’s as if she’s been physically assaulted by someone. OMG, get over it. He thought Faux was YOU!