Unlike the previous poster, I enjoyed Brown Betty immensely, as a diversion and bit of levity in an increasingly grim Fringe universe. It was fascinating to see the other talents of the cast, and its message was sweet and poignant. I view it like those "holodeck" adventures that occurred throughout the Star Trek series, just a bit of fun. I am working my way through the series, and have only viewed through Northwest Passage, so please don't respond with spoilers,but in a series that has killed off two main characters so far, I worry for those left, whom I have grown to enjoy. Also, this episode allowed the music team that works on this show to really show off their chops, and brings to the forefront the background music that often goes under-appreciated. (Although, after one episode, I had a several-days-long ear-worm of "Dear Mr. Fantasy".....)
23 Reviews
I liked this episode
raven-26217 July 2016
Warning: Spoilers
I am binge watching this series, and I like it rather a lot. One of my favourite characters is Walter, who seems to be able to combine childlike wonder and naivety with brilliance and much if not all encompassing understanding of science. Another favourite is Olivia who is convincing in her role as a hard-nosed utterly capable special agent.
This episode 'Brown Betty' is imo a piece of fluff, a chance for all actors -and all others involved probably- to let loose with abandon in (over)acting, hamming it up in a Dick Tracy or Sam Spade way. As was popular in the 50's I believe. With singing of course like Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra were wont to do. It's not my cup of tea, the singing particularly, but it was well done.
All in all I could really appreciate the fun the actors must have found in doing this as a really welcome diversion in the regular vein of the series. What was really surprising for me was the intense delicate singing fro Anna Torv, which I think deserves special mention.
It was a fun and different episode, but I can imagine that people who are following this series on a weekly basis were a little disappointed.
But I liked it. Only don't do it again :)
This episode 'Brown Betty' is imo a piece of fluff, a chance for all actors -and all others involved probably- to let loose with abandon in (over)acting, hamming it up in a Dick Tracy or Sam Spade way. As was popular in the 50's I believe. With singing of course like Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra were wont to do. It's not my cup of tea, the singing particularly, but it was well done.
All in all I could really appreciate the fun the actors must have found in doing this as a really welcome diversion in the regular vein of the series. What was really surprising for me was the intense delicate singing fro Anna Torv, which I think deserves special mention.
It was a fun and different episode, but I can imagine that people who are following this series on a weekly basis were a little disappointed.
But I liked it. Only don't do it again :)
A good change for the show,
nicofreezer27 May 2021
I Like when TV shows dont take themself seriously, Unfortunately because of some stupid fans they wont try it again.
It was an entertaining episode , nice little romantic épisode Some of the very best X files episodes were comedy episodes so I Hope Fringe will do one just like that.
It was an entertaining episode , nice little romantic épisode Some of the very best X files episodes were comedy episodes so I Hope Fringe will do one just like that.
Some reviewers need to check their egos
kat015817 August 2022
The reviewers giving this episode 1 star clearly think they're too smart and serious to enjoy a lighthearted episode in this series. Being someone who enjoys a bit of "fluff" just as much as a deep, thought-provoking story, I loved this episode. It was actually the first episode that made me say "I love this series!" It worked in the context of a story being told by a heartbroken man under the influence and yes, I may have shed a tear or two at the end. Y'all need to get over yourselves.
Far more than it is given credit for...
RockyMtnVideo15 January 2020
I don't understand the hate for this episode. Sure, it is different, but my gosh, this whole series is in a genre that is already outrageously different from almost everything else in broadcast television.
This is NOT like some of the other "musical episode" efforts of other series, where people just, for absolutely no reason at all, start singing or dancing. This effort simply takes a page from the stunningly good (and well liked/received) Buffy the Vampire Slayer "Once More, with Feeling" episode. That episode worked because it was not just a bunch of people singing, for no reason at all. In the BTVS episode, they were singing (and dancing) because of a curse (over which they had no control), and most of the songs were actually dark confessions. And with a few exceptions, most of the singing was not played for laughs, but instead, depicted lyrics/confessions that were heart-breakingly sad.
That is exactly what is happening in this Fringe episode, except it's all about Walter (finally) verbalizing/confessing the many things that he has avoided facing, for the entirety of the series up to this point, as well as (accurately) assessing the state of mind of all the important people in his life. Specifically, with respect to those people (family and otherwise), it's also about his perception (which is spot-on) regarding the state of their interpersonal relationships. Walter simply chooses to express his assessment (and, bare his soul) in the form of a story that he tells in order to entertain Ella. And, because music has always been an obsession of Walter's, it should not strike anyone as unusual, that he quite naturally makes music a part of the story that he spins out to Ella.
Far from "jumping the shark", I personally think it was a great way to assess where everything stands (especially with respect to those relationships), before the series takes a "hard right turn" in the following episode, and finally leaps, head first, into the multi-universe story line that will be a major focus throughout the rest of the series.
This is NOT like some of the other "musical episode" efforts of other series, where people just, for absolutely no reason at all, start singing or dancing. This effort simply takes a page from the stunningly good (and well liked/received) Buffy the Vampire Slayer "Once More, with Feeling" episode. That episode worked because it was not just a bunch of people singing, for no reason at all. In the BTVS episode, they were singing (and dancing) because of a curse (over which they had no control), and most of the songs were actually dark confessions. And with a few exceptions, most of the singing was not played for laughs, but instead, depicted lyrics/confessions that were heart-breakingly sad.
That is exactly what is happening in this Fringe episode, except it's all about Walter (finally) verbalizing/confessing the many things that he has avoided facing, for the entirety of the series up to this point, as well as (accurately) assessing the state of mind of all the important people in his life. Specifically, with respect to those people (family and otherwise), it's also about his perception (which is spot-on) regarding the state of their interpersonal relationships. Walter simply chooses to express his assessment (and, bare his soul) in the form of a story that he tells in order to entertain Ella. And, because music has always been an obsession of Walter's, it should not strike anyone as unusual, that he quite naturally makes music a part of the story that he spins out to Ella.
Far from "jumping the shark", I personally think it was a great way to assess where everything stands (especially with respect to those relationships), before the series takes a "hard right turn" in the following episode, and finally leaps, head first, into the multi-universe story line that will be a major focus throughout the rest of the series.
way to go, Walter!
orizano1 May 2010
Warning: Spoilers
I liked this episode. The singing ranged from good to pretty good. And it was brief - no over the top show-stoppers. The background music was also good. I recognized some of it and wish I could identify the rest,especially the jazzy bits.
I also liked this peek into Walter's head and his feelings about his life, the choices he's made, the consequences of his choices and how he sees the world in general.
I think all of the actors did a fine job playing their noirish characters.
I can't really understand the whining stating about how this was such a bad episode: this episode was about a recreational drug using mad-scientist suffering from guilt while hoping for the best who is telling a fanciful (bedtime) story shadowed with his life's events to a little girl who thinks that while he's weird in a good-funny way, that he could use a little help on the proper way to end a story.
I'm thinking that when all is said and done, we might find that this was less of an apocryphal episode as the naysayers make it out to be.
I also liked this peek into Walter's head and his feelings about his life, the choices he's made, the consequences of his choices and how he sees the world in general.
I think all of the actors did a fine job playing their noirish characters.
I can't really understand the whining stating about how this was such a bad episode: this episode was about a recreational drug using mad-scientist suffering from guilt while hoping for the best who is telling a fanciful (bedtime) story shadowed with his life's events to a little girl who thinks that while he's weird in a good-funny way, that he could use a little help on the proper way to end a story.
I'm thinking that when all is said and done, we might find that this was less of an apocryphal episode as the naysayers make it out to be.
Its about timing
bnevs1824 October 2015
The thing that many people don't realize is that episodes like this are asked for by the actors...they have been playing the same character for years and its a good break to step outside a little once in a while. On its own, its not a bad episode...its a filler, a non-canon episode. Its problem is that it came at the wrong time...coming right on the heels of the Peter revelation is not the time to go into an episode like this. It feels like a curse to the fans, and making them wait another week...I think that if this was put in order a few episodes earlier (while Walter is still worried about Peter), it would not be the lowest ranked episode.
FOX Music Week
galaska1130 May 2015
I feel that I need to score this a 10 in an attempt to balance out haters who are complaining that the producers made a terrible choice having a music episode. What those who binge watch fringe on DVD and Netflix don't realize that this was part of FOX's "music week" to kick off the return of glee after a four month hiatus. The odd theme of this episode was clearly a fox directive and not a producer choice. Given their situation, they did a great job with the episode and the benefit was that the 19th episode of each season became a strange one (an animated episode to adhere to Leonard Nimoys retirement from acting, and our glimpse into the future in season four which set up the final season). Bravo to everyone involved, this episode is perfect all things considered.
So far, the Worst Episode of "Fringe"
claudio_carvalho2 March 2017
Walter has just smoked a drug that he calls "Brown Betty" when Olivia arrives at the laboratory to leave Ella with Astrid. The girl asks Walter to tell a story and he creates a detective story where the Fringe Division are the characters.
So far, "Brown Betty" is the worst episode of "Fringe". This filler episode is completely out of the context and should have never been produced. Maybe the writers have also smoked "Brown Betty" before writing this drivel. My vote is five.
Title (Brazil): "Brown Betty"
So far, "Brown Betty" is the worst episode of "Fringe". This filler episode is completely out of the context and should have never been produced. Maybe the writers have also smoked "Brown Betty" before writing this drivel. My vote is five.
Title (Brazil): "Brown Betty"
A Great Episode
Casey99925 August 2012
Warning: Spoilers
I'm not sure there are really spoilers here, but I checked it anyway, just in case.
Don't listen to the naysayers. This episode is excellent. It allows the cast to play their characters in a noir like context, but as Walter views them and himself. It foreshadows some future relationships and is filled with laughs and moments that made me smile.
Maybe this isn't for everyone, but I think it's one of the best stand alone episodes. Sure it's got references to the overall story arc, but a new comer can watch it and enjoy it too.
Finally, the goofs section for this episode make no sense. Windows didn't exist during the story, but large flat screen panels and 200x era cell phones did? Really? This is Fringe. The story takes place in an alternate universe where the 40's and 2000's all exist at the same time.
Don't listen to the naysayers. This episode is excellent. It allows the cast to play their characters in a noir like context, but as Walter views them and himself. It foreshadows some future relationships and is filled with laughs and moments that made me smile.
Maybe this isn't for everyone, but I think it's one of the best stand alone episodes. Sure it's got references to the overall story arc, but a new comer can watch it and enjoy it too.
Finally, the goofs section for this episode make no sense. Windows didn't exist during the story, but large flat screen panels and 200x era cell phones did? Really? This is Fringe. The story takes place in an alternate universe where the 40's and 2000's all exist at the same time.
Excellent!
omero-omero29 October 2022
After all, how could an episode that starts with Roundabout by YES in background while that unhinged pinball machine inside Walter's mind is running on high gear, powered with Chronic Supernova mixed with some other "stuff" be anything but excellent?!
By Walter's own word, in this story nothing is what it seems. Besides, its filled with lots of funny moments, emotions, references and foreshadowing.
Even Gene The Cow gives one her best performances!
Someone has completely missed the whole point of this writing/acting exercise and defaulted to label it a filler or, more simplistically a musical. I, for one, am not a fan of the musical genre but in this case even those parts are absolutely enjoyable. And one must be able to read in between the lines before reductively call this a filler episode. Its far from being either.
The final scene is a *WHAM* one too.
BRAVO!
By Walter's own word, in this story nothing is what it seems. Besides, its filled with lots of funny moments, emotions, references and foreshadowing.
Even Gene The Cow gives one her best performances!
Someone has completely missed the whole point of this writing/acting exercise and defaulted to label it a filler or, more simplistically a musical. I, for one, am not a fan of the musical genre but in this case even those parts are absolutely enjoyable. And one must be able to read in between the lines before reductively call this a filler episode. Its far from being either.
The final scene is a *WHAM* one too.
BRAVO!
Typically bad, but not the worst episode ever
jlk4imdb2 May 2010
Sorry orizano, but giving this episode 9 out of 10 is just pure fanboyism.
Most musical episodes of normally non-musical shows are bad. This episode was no exception. It was neither a "character builder" nor something to advance the story arc much.
The only positives I can see from this episode was several appearances by Gene the cow, a cool looking prop (I won't spoil anything by saying what it is), and Olivia looking period lovely.
The negatives were many: the mixing of modern devices into the story require the repeated tired excuse of Walter's "imagination," Olivia (Anna Torv) is a pretty weak singer, the song choices were uninspired, the few amusing moments were unexceptional, and the plot was very muddled.
It was possibly not a complete throwaway episode, but I can't think of anything that one would miss by never seeing it.
Most musical episodes of normally non-musical shows are bad. This episode was no exception. It was neither a "character builder" nor something to advance the story arc much.
The only positives I can see from this episode was several appearances by Gene the cow, a cool looking prop (I won't spoil anything by saying what it is), and Olivia looking period lovely.
The negatives were many: the mixing of modern devices into the story require the repeated tired excuse of Walter's "imagination," Olivia (Anna Torv) is a pretty weak singer, the song choices were uninspired, the few amusing moments were unexceptional, and the plot was very muddled.
It was possibly not a complete throwaway episode, but I can't think of anything that one would miss by never seeing it.
Misunderstood...
fremder9917 October 2021
One of the more "endearing" traits of Fringe is that most every episode includes a "wink"; a moment saying "we're not taking ourselves TOO seriously." This episode fits nicely in the "continuum" as it tries to deal with the romantic tension so far developed between Olivia and Peter, and the matter's recent alienation from Walter. It does seem most series of this era threw in a "musical" episode, even if this one downplayed the actual "break into song" moments. Nonetheless, I can forgive it for "going there". After all, a "Brown Betty" IS a dessert!
Disastrous "cutesy" episode, for Fringe apologists only
lor_30 April 2010
I watch Fringe every week, and am surprised at the variable qualities of the show. Recently the White Tulip segment starring Peter Weller was a universally treasured outing, and I concurred -truly memorable. Back in January there was an out-of-sequence episode Unearthed (bringing back Nick Acevedo's cop who had been deleted from the series previously) that was an insult to loyal viewers, as it contradicted the progressing story arc. And now we have the "fun" diversion of Brown Betty, a creative train wreck.
Yes, it is always tempting to try a film noir pastiche, but it takes some talent. For interested Brown Betty viewers, I suggest the George Segal film The Black Bird, which was a big failure back in the '70s trying to comically imitate The Maltese Falcon (replete with roles for original '40s cast members); I enjoyed that light movie but it was much hated at the time and is now forgotten. I also loved the Steve Martin super-production of Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid, the ultimate film noir send up, and also a famous flop.
But under the direction of hack Seith Mann (check out his credits -episodes of random recent TV shows, strictly a traffic cop grinding out filler), Brown Betty is embarrassing. Sure, we get to see the cast out of context, getting to sing and generally do wink-wink over the top performances. For the retarded TV writers out there, series regulars ARE talented actors who can do drastically different roles than their constrained weekly duties, so proving it is silly and insulting. After a few seconds of seeing Jasika Nicole and Lance Reddick hamming it up, the novelty wears off.
Low point for me was the corpses singing Sammy Davis Jr.'s old hit Candyman. (Punsters would have enjoyed some Clive Barker and Tony Todd riffs, but that was beyond the memory and knowledge of Fringe's team.) Again, this must have wowed 'em at a story conference, but as executed it was atrocious, reminding me of the comic relief included in New Jersey soft porn horror garbage being ground out on videos (as we speak) by companies like Seduction Cinema, only without the nudity. If this is the direction Fringe's creators want to take, why don't they transfer the show to cable and turn it into a Skinemax lesbian soft-porn parody series?
Film noir by definition should be in black & white, but even with a framing story in color (Noble telling the cute kid bedtime tales), the network didn't have the guts to do the lion's share of Brown Betty in b&w. The sets, lighting and costumes evoke none of the intended noir genre low-key look; hairdos and makeup to evoke pseudo-'40s styles were amateurish, and the inclusion of modern devices like cell phones in the period milieu (completely extraneous to Noble's tale) instantly destroys the mood.
I can't wait for the endless apologies in the voice-over commentary on the Year Two DVD compilation to explain away the shortcomings of this disastrous episode. Check that, I don't want to hear any ramblings from Seith Mann -he should turn in his Director's Guild card after handing in this rubbish, and move to New Jersey where starlet Darian Caine awaits his gentle touch: it's time for a no-budget, shot on video Iron Man 2 parody. Who can we get to lampoon Mickey Rourke? Maybe....Mickey Rourke? Nope, with a zero budget we'll have to settle for Robert Z'Dar, when he finishes work on the new movie Salvador's Deli (no, I didn't make up that pun, it's actually in IMDb!).
Yes, it is always tempting to try a film noir pastiche, but it takes some talent. For interested Brown Betty viewers, I suggest the George Segal film The Black Bird, which was a big failure back in the '70s trying to comically imitate The Maltese Falcon (replete with roles for original '40s cast members); I enjoyed that light movie but it was much hated at the time and is now forgotten. I also loved the Steve Martin super-production of Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid, the ultimate film noir send up, and also a famous flop.
But under the direction of hack Seith Mann (check out his credits -episodes of random recent TV shows, strictly a traffic cop grinding out filler), Brown Betty is embarrassing. Sure, we get to see the cast out of context, getting to sing and generally do wink-wink over the top performances. For the retarded TV writers out there, series regulars ARE talented actors who can do drastically different roles than their constrained weekly duties, so proving it is silly and insulting. After a few seconds of seeing Jasika Nicole and Lance Reddick hamming it up, the novelty wears off.
Low point for me was the corpses singing Sammy Davis Jr.'s old hit Candyman. (Punsters would have enjoyed some Clive Barker and Tony Todd riffs, but that was beyond the memory and knowledge of Fringe's team.) Again, this must have wowed 'em at a story conference, but as executed it was atrocious, reminding me of the comic relief included in New Jersey soft porn horror garbage being ground out on videos (as we speak) by companies like Seduction Cinema, only without the nudity. If this is the direction Fringe's creators want to take, why don't they transfer the show to cable and turn it into a Skinemax lesbian soft-porn parody series?
Film noir by definition should be in black & white, but even with a framing story in color (Noble telling the cute kid bedtime tales), the network didn't have the guts to do the lion's share of Brown Betty in b&w. The sets, lighting and costumes evoke none of the intended noir genre low-key look; hairdos and makeup to evoke pseudo-'40s styles were amateurish, and the inclusion of modern devices like cell phones in the period milieu (completely extraneous to Noble's tale) instantly destroys the mood.
I can't wait for the endless apologies in the voice-over commentary on the Year Two DVD compilation to explain away the shortcomings of this disastrous episode. Check that, I don't want to hear any ramblings from Seith Mann -he should turn in his Director's Guild card after handing in this rubbish, and move to New Jersey where starlet Darian Caine awaits his gentle touch: it's time for a no-budget, shot on video Iron Man 2 parody. Who can we get to lampoon Mickey Rourke? Maybe....Mickey Rourke? Nope, with a zero budget we'll have to settle for Robert Z'Dar, when he finishes work on the new movie Salvador's Deli (no, I didn't make up that pun, it's actually in IMDb!).
The Lost Fringe Episode (In A More Perfect Alternate Reality)
alan_paul3 May 2010
Warning: Spoilers
After demonstrating how to do just about everything right in the last four or five episodes, the Fringe team have given us this exercise in what can go wrong, horribly wrong, season two of Twin Peaks wrong.
Congratulations are in order for the highly watchable prequel episode Peter, with nuanced performances all around, especially from John Noble. Prequel pitfalls were masterfully avoided and the current storyline was enriched. Bravo.
A shower of industry awards are in order for the brilliant episode White Tulip which skillfully balances a difficult hard science fiction plot device with parallel tales of human tragedy, avoiding the obvious and delivering the unexpected. Wow. Very Nice.
The episode Brown Betty deserves a ruler slap across the fingers. Please do not do this again. Loyal viewers know that you are capable of much better.
Congratulations are in order for the highly watchable prequel episode Peter, with nuanced performances all around, especially from John Noble. Prequel pitfalls were masterfully avoided and the current storyline was enriched. Bravo.
A shower of industry awards are in order for the brilliant episode White Tulip which skillfully balances a difficult hard science fiction plot device with parallel tales of human tragedy, avoiding the obvious and delivering the unexpected. Wow. Very Nice.
The episode Brown Betty deserves a ruler slap across the fingers. Please do not do this again. Loyal viewers know that you are capable of much better.
Good Grief--It's an Allegory
Hitchcoc2 November 2023
This show ran five seasons and over a hundred episodes. We just had the most raw episode of the whole show with Peter leaving. Walter reverts back to drug use. He is coerced into telling a story by the little girl. The tale is masterful, with lots of impossibilities that still strike home. The characters are able to expand on their regular roles without getting completely out of wack. The singing and dancing are simply part of a story sequence. We know that Walter loves music, especially Broadway, and he includes a couple minutes in the entire feature where a couple characters sing. They do it at natural times as Walter weaves his tale of the loss of heart--the glass heart. I thought that this was a kind episode with lots of love and humanity. Way to go!
People Need to Calm Down Some
attipton26 March 2022
This was an episode taken from Walters imagination. The man is known for doing and manufacturing drugs.
I am not a big fan of musicals. I usually skip those types of episodes. The musical numbers in this are as bad as most but they're truncated and short. It makes them tolerable at the very least.
It's quite a bit different from a normal Fringe episode and I get that the placement sucks, coming right after a huge cliff hanger episode with Peter. All in all, this isn't a bad episode if you can just go with it. The story is entertaining enough in a drug addled, mental patient kind of way. It was interesting to see everyone play something against type for their characters.
If you can't just roll with it, skip it.
I am not a big fan of musicals. I usually skip those types of episodes. The musical numbers in this are as bad as most but they're truncated and short. It makes them tolerable at the very least.
It's quite a bit different from a normal Fringe episode and I get that the placement sucks, coming right after a huge cliff hanger episode with Peter. All in all, this isn't a bad episode if you can just go with it. The story is entertaining enough in a drug addled, mental patient kind of way. It was interesting to see everyone play something against type for their characters.
If you can't just roll with it, skip it.
Enjoyed it much more in subsequent viewings
TrueLiz3 January 2023
I have to admit that I wasn't that happy about this episode when I watched Fringe for the first time, over a decade ago (I watched Seasons 1-3 right before Season 4 premiered). I just wanted to jump ahead and find out what happened with Peter. Since I had the next episode available, I don't think that I watched the whole thing. So I didn't rate it highly then.
I have rewatched the entire series many times since it ended though, and have grown to love this episode. It is a glimpse into how Walter views things, it is done in a creative way and it is just fun. Much more enjoyable when I don't need to rush to find out what happens next. So if you didn't like it the first time, try it again!
I have rewatched the entire series many times since it ended though, and have grown to love this episode. It is a glimpse into how Walter views things, it is done in a creative way and it is just fun. Much more enjoyable when I don't need to rush to find out what happens next. So if you didn't like it the first time, try it again!
Complete drivel
treborbasset23 April 2016
Why do American shows always have to do awful musical episodes? What's the fascination? I do not want to watch a musical, I want to watch a science fiction show.
After the cliffhanger we were left on in the previous episode they give us this insult. This episode had no redeeming features. The acting was bad, the singing was bad, and the plot was bad. It simply did not need to be made.
Brown Betty has no bearing on the rest of the series. It's literally filler. I would seriously suggest that anyone watching Fringe just watch the last 5 minutes of this episode, because you will not get the 45 minutes back that you waste.
After the cliffhanger we were left on in the previous episode they give us this insult. This episode had no redeeming features. The acting was bad, the singing was bad, and the plot was bad. It simply did not need to be made.
Brown Betty has no bearing on the rest of the series. It's literally filler. I would seriously suggest that anyone watching Fringe just watch the last 5 minutes of this episode, because you will not get the 45 minutes back that you waste.
...and "Fringe" jumps the shark
the_dood3 May 2010
Oh boy! It's usually much later into a show's run that it gets desperate enough for an episode like this. Maybe it's just a matter of preference, but I really don't like it when programs take their main characters and give them slightly different roles in an attempt to be fresh. The musical numbers, in my mind, did not help either.
What's next? Peter's evil twin shows up or Cousin Oliver comes over to stay at the lab?
On the other hand it could just be an ill conceived idea by the writers/producers and a little tongue in cheek humor. If you like that sort of thing, then maybe this episode will be for you. For me, it was a waste of an hour.
Best of all, it doesn't have much to do with the overall story arc, so you can miss this and not miss a beat at the (hopefully much better) future episodes.
What's next? Peter's evil twin shows up or Cousin Oliver comes over to stay at the lab?
On the other hand it could just be an ill conceived idea by the writers/producers and a little tongue in cheek humor. If you like that sort of thing, then maybe this episode will be for you. For me, it was a waste of an hour.
Best of all, it doesn't have much to do with the overall story arc, so you can miss this and not miss a beat at the (hopefully much better) future episodes.
Just horrible...
scsprock12 April 2012
This episode was just horrifying to me as a huge fan of this show. If I hadn't bought the DVDs, I would have quit watching the series. It is that bad. The break from the storyline and universe just shatters your ability to suspend disbelief and immerse yourself in the series...permanently. I cannot fathom why someone would produce such a cinematic abortion, but they should lose their job. The whole time I was watching I kept thinking "oh my God, Fringe has jumped the shark." As if that was not enough, they also have to go to the ridiculous and unnecessary extreme of showing Walter smoking a bong. As if the constant verbal references to his drug use wasn't already quite enough? That scene added no value and just served to alienate a huge number of viewers. This episode was just horrible. Unworthy of what otherwise has been a remarkable and innovative show.
The pet project died!
MikeSharks15 August 2022
I love this show, I love their writers. But this was clearly one where the writers had something that worked GREAT in their heads, but seriously missed the mark on camera. Just skip it and move on to the next episode, which is fantastic!
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