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POLL : What did you think of Fringe - Black Blotter?

15 Dec 2012

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44 comments:

  1. It was beyond amazing! There should be an option that says "groundbreaking" just for the scene where Walter minds takes a trip to remember the black umbrella password, that scene is just GOLD!

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  2. OK, I have to ask. Did Terry Gilliam do the animation for the animated segment?

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  3. I am frustrated by the plodding pace of this season. We are too close to the end to keep going this slow.

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  4. I wasn't a big fan of the past two mind-trip episodes, but this one I actually liked. They appropriately played up the moral and emotional gravitas of what Walter was going through in this episode, and beforehand the season had never quite managed to convince me that Walter becoming his old self was a legitimate potential problem.

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  5. Totallyaddicted00515 December 2012 at 03:27

    I don't know i hope it gets better on rewatch. that cartoon in the middle too much! the normal episode stuff still great just trying to decide what we really learned, i feel like we already know most of what was said.

    New stuff maybe:

    1. Bald boy is infact kid observer : Great

    2. BB remembers Liv: Great (b/c they experience time diferently but knew that part already)

    3. Etta thought Liv made the best hot cocoa: Great and so sweet!!

    4. Sam Weiss Dead; ok kinda random

    5. Carla Warren died going back to burn Walters journal: interesting and oh so creepy the shot of burned Carla yikes!

    6. Young Nina is a conscience for Walter: Ok

    7. PETER IS WEARING HIS WEDDING RING ON HIS FINGER AGAIN! : AWESOME!!! (Where's Livs?)

    8. BB was living with older resistance (though not called that in their day) fighters on an island hidden: ok

    9. Liv is more relaxed,comfortable and motherly by the end of the episode especially with BB: Great.

    10. The writers thought it was important (for some reason) to take us on the tangent into walters LSD-Black Blotter infested mind full of weird cartoons and I don't even know how to begin to explain that. When all we needed was him pulling out the "black umbrella" line. Personally I know they were just having fun but I think they were wasting time and We don't have time to waste on this show anymore so I was dissapointed that they went that far.

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  6. Totallyaddicted00515 December 2012 at 03:28

    I liked it to up until the pt of that weird cartoon.

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  7. Funny, because I was thinking "Monty Python" all through it.

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  8. ..For me was a O.K..episode the only AWESOME thing was ALL TRIPPING acid drug Walter experience

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  9. You obviously never tried LSD in your life. I thought that was part of the brilliance of this episode.

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  10. Definitely a weirder episode, but that's what happens when you do drugs. Gotta love Walter. I agree with Dahne that I wish the season moved along faster, but I just love the show and the characters so much I hardly even notice and just enjoy the ride.



    Glad to see Olivia/Peter doing well and the child Observer is back! Poor Walter at the end though, he's becoming the man he was... I don't want to lose Walter!

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  11. The ending was amazing. Loved how the lab assistant knew it would tear both universes apart and warned Walter before he acted. Forget about tearing apart universes, emotionally this episode tore right threw me.

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  12. I did think that was a bit much, but it was a clear Monty Python/Terry Gilliam nod, so I could let it slide.

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  13. While I agree that I feel more should be happening by now, we still need our Walter-is-tripping episode of the season...instead of it being 5.19 it was 5.09... Also, we got Sam Weiss to return in some form (RIP!)... and we got to the little observer boy. Next week's episode looks insane so we'll see what's up. I will agree though, there's been too much filler here and there that doesn't seem to add at all to this season...or maybe a sort of lack of urgency... also, these guys move around the city easily undetected while leaving a lot of damage in their wake lol

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  14. Monty Python *WOOT* !!! Loved it that they've used the the MP referrences. Now we also know what happened with Sam ... and Aww Michael! The cutest obbie I've ever seen ^_^ !

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  15. I think it's clear that Astrid and/or Peter need to do a thorough search of that lab space and get rid of all the acid. There were bits I need to re-watch again cause....I would lose track of what was going on. Glad that the Observer boy is the same one from the previous season. Glad to find out what happened to Sam Weiss.

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  16. A lack of urgency...yes, that's it exactly. We have spent so much time in the heavy drama that the plot has been left behind. While I have liked the Walter tripping episodes before, I could have done without it this time. We've had so little forward movement this season that it feels like yet another side trip. Similar to season 3 Supernatural, I am jealous of the time we have left and this feels like the Ghostfacers episode, taking valuable time for little purpose. Don't get me wrong. I'm glad to know what happened to Sam. If only he shed some light in the big mystery instead of just adding another layer. Oh and I agree about their ability to move freely. I am starting to question whether the Observers' dictatorship is all it's been made out to be given that the 4 most wanted keep strolling around in public.

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  17. Awesome episode!!

    I loved all Walter's drug trips: in the lab when he was watching the tape, in the cab in "Manhattan", and the catroon - freaking brilliant!! They were made perfectly, and they always got me doubting what was real and what was just a trip. Carla Warren and young Nina - just simply amazing!
    I don't know about the others, but the time just flew for me! I loved the little revalations we were given in this episode. We're getting bits and pieces, and I sense that soon we will start putting them together.

    The end: "There's nothing to burn."
    And: "Why are these mice shooting at us?" - I think I died a little bit here.

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  18. I for one love the acid trip cartoons. Maybe a wee bit indulgent, but hey... their show, their animated acid trips. I find it fascinating how they're weaving back Season 1 in this last season. I already miss this show.

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  19. Totally not what I expected, but still really good episode. Focused on Walter, we have learned once more (now in an amazing way) how his brilliant mind comprehend and perceive the reality. Loved his and Dr. Warren scenes, IMO it was a genius decision to get Jenni Blong to do this. Is Michael is the same one from Season 1? Is it the same actor?

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  20. I loved that 05x09 became the usually trippy episode we get instead of episode 19.

    I really liked that, I am glad the Kid Observer is back and remembers Liv and Peter. I love that we got a shout out to Sam! I'm more intrigued than ever as to who the hell Donald is. The ending was divine, really loved how they showed Walter's memories.

    Interesting things to note, Nina and Carla were obviously Walter's angel and devil but their colours were swapped Nina with the red hair wasn't the devil and Carla in the white coat wasn't the angel.

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  21. I do hope I am wrong but I think this episode, particularly the great end sequence, sets up Walter maybe sacrificing himself to save the world.

    Yes, the episode was about him not wanting to become the man he was, but the scene went to great lengths to reiterate that Walter started this whole thing by crossing universes. He obviously still harbours great guilt about it.

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  22. Loved everything about the episode up until the cartoon part. I cannot wait to see what's in store for next weeks episode!

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  23. Nope it was a different actor this time. The child Observer in "Inner Child" was played by Spencer List, and in the one he was played by Rowan Longworth.

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  24. One of my favorites of the season!

    Some thoughts:

    The code word "black umbrella" made me think of "umbrella term" (umbrella organization)

    And word play: black blotter--->black umbrella--->black hole (death/unknown)

    It seems like there were a lot of allusions to the end of season 3 again. Peter has a head injury, Walter on drugs, going to an Island to use key piece in saving universes, Olivia and Peter reconcile for Peter's mistake, ect.



    Nice to have some tie-backs and acknowledgements: The child Observer "remembers" (or has glimpsed seen visions of) Olivia and/or the previous blue time line. This Sam was helping Donald and the resistance, Carla appears to play devil's advocate, Amber Bell attempted to fulfill Walter's 'Brave Ne World' ideas, and Walter wrestles with leaving the lab and taking another boy away from "home" again...


    The episode again reminded me of LOST with the way the dead bodies are found and pin pointing a transceiver location. Both shows have Wizard of Oz references and themes.


    In some ways it was a sad episode, because again it's almost like this is all a test and it almost felt like one solution was to not pursue the child observer and continue making this weapon...I kind of flash back to Hurley during the season 1 finale when he tries to stop Locke from opening the hatch and is yelling, "No! Stop! The numbers are bad!"


    Really beautifully written and acted episode.

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  25. I found it pretty comical!

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  26. But this episode kind of makes a point of asking the viewer, if there should really be urgency or not? What I mean is Walter is set up with a realization of previous choices made, choices that have lead to to death and destruction. It might suggest that the Observers are not the thing to fight, but rather themselves, as their actions keep repeating in many iterations of these time lines...He might have to stop using innocent children to fight wars....

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  27. I don't think it's a waste of time because an acid trip and coming in and out of various "realities" is a great metaphor for both multiple universe and walking through life in a fog ("living is easy with eyes closed") - They want us to remember that there were multiple universes, most likely because it relates to the ending. The episode was also important to Walter, because he is continuously confronted with the same kinds of decisions over and over...using kids as weapons to save the world and taking children who are not yours away from their families and homes (death and war)

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  28. Even though they are different actors it seems like they are meant to be the same one, although in "Inner Child" the audience learns from the CIA guy that there are more than one of them, and also "remembering" Olivia might not be the same as being there with Olivia...

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  29. Totallyaddicted00515 December 2012 at 14:25

    I agree, I think there was a lot of meat in this episode, and you have a point, maybe we just can't see yet where this is all foreshadowing for the end (brown betty- was stuffed with lead ins for the rest of the series maybe this is the same) After my rewatch i do agree it was good and very deep I just think at this pt I'm not as interested in Walter's whole loosing his self (yes its sad and scary) as I am the polivia story and if they will get Etta's mission accomplished and another chance with their daughter somehow or a new beginning. After this epi I also am starting to believe that this is Walter's Swan song and sadly we will loose him. Though we know he makes it to the last episode he might be the beloved one that sacrifices himself or dies. Time will tell.

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  30. It was great! I thought it went by fast too! :D

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  31. I find it interesting that this Observer kid was named Michael, when the Observer named September was played by a guy named Michael Cerveris.

    I, for some reason, think the child observer IS September. That would make up for September's sudden disappearence and would show why he was always so interested in Walter and co.

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  32. I agree! I started watching it, and next thing I know, already 30 minutes had passed. That was one hell of a trip!! I adore these kind of episodes, and Fringe is best at making them, IMO :)

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  33. Excellent episode with brilliant acting from John Noble. Walter has a ton of grief for past actions buried in his mind. It's been mentioned that he may sacrifice himself at the end to save things. I'm afraid that will be what happens. Then again what looks likely may not be occur. Only the end which unfortunately is getting too close will tell.

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  34. I'm not a person who try to uncover mysterious hidden meanings, but Walter's imagination scene really intrigued me, because I don't believe they wrote it totally random. Did anyone understand the scene and the meanings of the the frog/dog/cow/seahorse/the kids inside the tree/the huge man that vomit chickens? lol... Except the theory the cow refers to Gene and the seahorse and the frog refers to the glyphs - anyone have something interesting for me?

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  35. It just hit me. People have suggested that the child Observer is September but until now it there really didn't seem to be a point to his interest in Walternate's attempts to cure Peter. Now, if the Child observer is September, he was going back to see the advent of the relationship of what would become the closest thing he has to parents. Olivia and Peter. Now it makes TOTAL sense.
    Furthering the thought, the boy Observer knew to look for September in "Inner Child" because he IS September. The boy Observer also did the head tilt like other Observers at the end of this episode too. I might even suggest he did it in a more Cerveris way.

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  36. While I agree that there should be more done to move the plot along, I wouldn't ever compare this to that ghostbusters episode. I found this episode to be one of my favorites of the season even if it didn't have the speed of a freight train moving it along. :)

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  37. Don't get me wrong. This episode was vastly superior to the Ghostfacers mess. I was more talking about the timing. Both episodes to me are badly timed, especially since we are on the countdown to the end.

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  38. The simple fact that there are only 4 episodes left answers that question. Yes, there should be urgency. There has to be before the entire series goes out on a whimper instead of a bang. As it is the pacing this season has been so off that they are going to have to cram everything into the final 4 episodes. There is a time for philosophical pondering and emotional catharsis, but not at the expense of the plot.

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  39. I disagree, because we do not know what the point of the series is yet...the point in fact might be about the capacity to philosophically ponder in order to NOT "jump" to conclusions that render bad decisions, because bad decisions are what lead to bad futures, and thus it is mostly about OUR CHARACTERS, coming to terms, rather than just their duty to fight and protect others. This episodes points out Walter is trying to slow down his mental process, because he does not want to become that "man who sold his soul to the world".

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  40. Somebody probably thought of this already, but just in case not I came back just to address a possibility of an idea...


    The whole Carla and Walter in the Cab sequence turns out to be a hallucination. It lead me to wonder why Walter would imagine a "cab driver" and if the cab driver could have been an image of Donald, since this is when he first remembers "black umbrella"...Otherwise maybe it is just foreshadowing, because Walter is going to either go to or get caught by the Observers again...

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  41. Yeah, must agree here, I basically expect 1 or 2 more 'filler' episodes.
    The only story lines we have left is:
    - The plan to defeat the Observers (and once they have all the components, how long will that take?)
    - Walter vs Evil Walter
    - William Bell


    Maybe a few small story lines I've forgot, but that is basically it.
    I'm not saying they can't fill the remaining episodes with that, but I doubt the can make it a compelling story if they stretch it like that.

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  42. It's a VERY good possibility, but also note Lost: Michael and Walt = Father and Son (Walter once read TTLG to "Michael" possibly suggesting (another version of) Walter is a forefather of the Observers... Plus I have a theory that Peter may share DNA with September.

    Additionally the CIA Agent who was after the child observer in "Inner Child" (which according to him there were more than one of them in the s1-3 time line) was named Eliot Michaels.

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  43. Ok...after watching it for a third time...

    There is a "Hand" pushing Walter along to his destination. We could say this is a metaphor for "helping hand" or "hand of fate". -It depends if "Fate" (macro-cosmic evolutionary cycles) is truly something that can be broken or changed, or if we have to wait for change to occur. (because in Many Worlds/Universe Theory there are no paradoxes because all possible realities will or are occurring at the same time...it gets down to which time line came first in relation to how any other is created- families of time lines...).

    It may represent the delema with with fate or what fate is in general.

    The idea that Walter is traveling the world is pointing out innovation of the history of the world, as Walter is one of those innovators. -We couldn't have a lot of things from architecture, art, advances in travel and exploration, with out the capacity to consciencely conceive, imagine, or "design". It then goes back to God. Quote from Astrid "God helps those that help themselves." = we have to be responsible and try to take charge of our actions, despite evolutionary road blocks.

    The dog is "Toto", because the writers want us to think about what HOME is. -which might be where the heart is (compassion)...if we don't loose sight of that, then we can save ourselves for the better. The frog and seahorse, as you said, are glyphs, which represent codes and patterns both in the universe and then possibly in relation to Walter "making" reality the way he wants it, as they come off of the assembly line.

    Then he fights the worst part of himself , the Knight, who is really an Arch BISHOP, the one who pretends he is God. (Knight and Bishop also double as "chess pieces" and strategy to "win" the game of life, control fate/evolution)...By fighting himself the universe "wipes" out Walter's work (the glyphs are squished) and he remembers the code....



    1. Either no matter What Walter is meant to innovate, it's just this time his reason is very different.


    2. It's possible that other versions Walter (and Bell) are the forefathers of the Observers and were possibly designed to help control fate, collect universal data, ect, but ultimately, because of the poor unthoughtful ways (fringe events, using children for war) they came to be created, have they come back to seek revenge and represent a macro-personification of all Walters' hubris actions. It may not be about defeating them, as much as "how" they can be defeated, or it might be about taking the high road, but clearly he fears loosing himself to them, and betraying the rest of humanity.

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  44. Some fun stuff, like the Python shout-out, but the bizarrely-structured, time-wasting final season continues to meander towards an apparently pointless conclusion....

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