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  • TV Series: Fringe
  • Episode: The Plateau
  • Starring: Anna Torv, Joshua Jackson, John Noble, Jasika Nicole, Lance Reddick, Blair Brown
  • Written By: Alison Schapker, Monica Owusu-Breen
  • Directed By: Brad Anderson
  • Network: Fox
  • Series: Fringe

Fringe: The Plateau Review

Real is just a matter of perception

By Kurt Anthony Krug     October 08, 2010


Fringe Review
© Fox/Bob Trate

 

A disturbing yet good done-in-one episode (the main plot, at least) from the alternate universe, a.k.a. Over There has that reality’s Fringe Division investigating a case of chain reactions or a series of unfortunate events (sorry, Lemony Snicket) that result in deadly consequences.
 
A former cognitively impaired man named Milo Stanfield (guest star Michael Eklund, TV’s Shattered) is targeting people at random, using a ballpoint pen – something that is obsolete Over There – as the catalyst. Or are they random?
 
Turns out that Milo once had an IQ of 56, but five treatments of experimental drugs increased his intelligence exponentially. Refusing to become dumb again (you can’t blame him, especially given the fact that being mentally ill is a burden for the individual and the family), Milo doesn’t want to be taken off the drugs and targets the people who have a say in doing that. He has the power to factor in all sorts of variables and probabilities. It was pretty neat seeing this occur from his unique perspective, especially when targeting Olivia (Anna Torv).
 
Eklund does a damn good job playing the part of a man who is mentally disabled. He has the awkward, clumsy, rigid gait, as well as the social ineptitude and the odd, hesitant speech patterns down to a tee. His performance is very authentic.
 
As far as Olivia goes, first of all – it’s odd to see Torv smile so much, given that Olivia is a morose character (she has reason to be). It’s also odd to see Olivia dressed in army fatigues and combat boots vs. pantsuits.
 
Olivia seems to have adjusted well to Secretary of Defense Walternate’s (John Noble) experiments from the season premiere that she’s Over There’s Olivia, alias Bolivia (also Torv). Col Broyles (Lance Reddick) doesn’t like being left in the dark about why Walternate wants her to believe she’s their Olivia. You’d think you’d have to wait the entire season to find out why, but Walternate explains in this episode that he needs Olivia because she can travel between realities without being destroyed. Makes sense. But why does he need her to think she’s Bolivia? More cooperative that way? Perhaps. With Walternate involved, there’s more to it than you’re told.
 
However, Olivia’s programming isn’t 100 percent as she’s having hallucinations of Peter (Joshua Jackson) and Walter (also Noble). In one hallucination, Walter smiles sadly at her, demonstrating just how different the two Walters are due to Noble’s fine acting skills. These hallucinations are her anchors to her true self, which demonstrates that Olivia may be buried alive, but she’s not dead. Far from it.
 
You can’t wait to see what happens to her next, but you have to wait two weeks since next week’s episode occurs in the prime reality. Switching it up between realities every two weeks for this season is creatively brilliant on the writers’ part.
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littlemikey979 10/8/2010 1:02:42 PM

First off I just want to say Anna Trov is just beautiful. Second, I thought this was a really good episode with her teammates thinking she might not be their Olivia also. Being this is my first season to watch I like to see the 'Over There' world stuff that is different. I would have have given this a 'A' at least. I thought the actors click well together and when it was over I was still wanting to watch more. I think it great that they have multiple characters to focus on to keep things fresh. Where it the cab driver, Henry I think, he was really good and I hope to see him back again.

One thing I wish they would have done is made Olivia aware the Milo thought something else was going to happen. It would have been cool and keep her guessing guessing about who she really is. Besides that it was a great show and I am glad I started watching this series.

firstrays74 10/8/2010 1:46:44 PM

Underselling... This is the best show on TV. The most daring. The two world story line is awesome. Every episode this season is a A of some sort in my book. Compared the the genre drivel on TV these days, this show is off the charts

firstrays74 10/8/2010 1:46:44 PM

Underselling... This is the best show on TV. The most daring. The two world story line is awesome. Every episode this season is a A of some sort in my book. Compared the the genre drivel on TV these days, this show is off the charts

ddiaz28 10/8/2010 2:18:52 PM

I loved this episode.  Definitely an A for me.  The switching between universes is great but frustrating.  When I'm watching our reality I wish it was an alternate reality episode.  And when it's an alternate reality episode, I wish I was watching our reality.  They are just both so compelling.  It's cool to see our Olivia already having lapses of her old self.  I thought we'd have to wait longer for that to happen. I wonder when Peter will start noticing the differences with alternate Olivia.  She's the woman he loves and he's a genius so he's bound to start noticing differences soon as well.

I'm sure Andre Royo will come back as the taxi driver again.  He is such a great actor.  He was amazing in The Wire.  Once Olivia really starts reverting back to herself, she'll probably try and find him for help.

EnderWiggin825 10/8/2010 2:50:11 PM

Just recently started watching this show about a week before season 3 started. I recently became unemployed and looking for new stuff to watch. Downloaded the two first seasons and FINALLY finished watching a couple days after the second episode of this season aired. It was tough to not watch this seasons episodes and thus I kept it out of my Tivo queu until I'd caught up. This season is turning out to be awesome and I can't wait for more especially 'epic to be' showdown between the to Olivia's once she figures out who she is and how to get herself home. This episode was an -A- in my book hands down. Bring on the rest of the season.

Alkesandr 10/11/2010 10:51:41 PM

They need Olivia on their side because for the experiment to work she will have to go over to the other side and come back.  If she's not on their side, she won't come back.  And that will screw up the plan with Bolivia.

xpaladinx45 10/12/2010 5:36:24 AM

Definitely liked this episode, but I find the alternate episodes lacking, miss the goofy Walter stuff.  From that perspective I wish they weren't doing one reality each week. 

Although I still am enjoying this season, I personally hope they end the split episode format soon

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