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Info:

  • TV Series: Fringe
  • Episode: Stowaway
  • Starring: Anna Torv, Joshua Jackson, John Noble, Jasika Nicole, Lance Reddick, Blair Brown
  • Written by: Akiva Goldsman, Jeff Pinkner, J.H. Wyman (story); Danielle Dispaltro (teleplay)
  • Directed by: Charles Beeson
  • Network: Fox
  • Series:

Fringe: Stowaway

William Bell Possesses Olivia

By Kurt Anthony Krug     March 20, 2011


Fringe: Stowaway
© Fox/Robert Trate

 Before “Stowaway” gets reviewed, Entertainment Weekly wrote about Fringe for a second week in a row – “Will endangered shows leave us hanging?” As of now, it is unclear if FOX will renew this show for a fourth season. It is also unclear how the creators will close out this season, per the story.

On with the review…

This is one of the more disturbing episodes of Fringe. Paula Malcomson (The Green Mile, A.I.: Artificial Intelligence) plays Dana Gray, whose family was murdered in a brutal home invasion. Dana cannot die and she’s hoping to ride the coattails of people who commit suicide, believing her soul will journey to the afterlife with them as a stowaway (thus the title). No such luck. You really feel a great deal of sympathy for Dana who is not a villain per se. She is just a despondent individual driven to extremes.

The other stowaway is William Bell – played originally by the now-retired Leonard Nimoy. Bell died in the second season finale, but his spirit via the use of a soul magnet has taken up residence in the body of Olivia (Anna Torv), much to the consternation of Peter (Joshua Jackson), and much to the delight of Walter (John Noble).

Torv gets high marks in this episode for playing Bell. It is very believable how Bell/Olivia interacts with Walter. She speaks in a husky tone and has the cadence of Nimoy’s voice down pat, as well as some facial expressions. Without a doubt, she proves that she is a fine actress and not just another pretty face. In the end, it seems that Bell’s hold on Olivia isn’t as stable as he thought. This ending gives viewers another reason to tune in next week and have them right to FOX in support of this show. 

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COMMENTS AND RESPONSES

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death4sale 3/21/2011 12:36:50 AM

My friend referred to the merging of William Bell and Olivia as Bellivia. I think that's a good name to use when Bell is using her body.

This episode is absolutely fantastic and it will be a damn shame if FOX cancels this show because it has become the most engrossing science fiction show on TV. It has surpassed every other genre show on TV as far as I'm concerned, even SUPERNATURAL and I've been the biggest fan of SUPERNATURAL since Season 1. But SUPERNATURAL has declined in quality and FRINGE is firing on all cylinders. I got pissed when this episode ended, I hate waiting. When Bell lost control and reverted to Olivia for those few seconds, I was fixed to the TV. JJ Abrams along with Orci and Kurtzman are masters of cliffhangers and they make their shows as addictive as crack.

I chuckled to myself everytime Anna Torv used a facial expression or a mannerism of Leonard Nimoy. Someone has to give this woman props because she has really upped her game this season. Not every actress is asked to play three different characters in one season. She needs to be recognized during award season, a nomination at the very least. John Noble needs recognition, he has been one of the best characters on TV for the past 3 years. But it won't be recognized since it's genre television.

 

DaForce1 3/21/2011 1:45:27 AM

 Okay, Peter was present when Bell told everyone he gave Olivia the soul magnets in some tea he gave to her in the alternate universe, right? Then why in the hell would you ever accept a cup of tea (or any drink for that matter) from this person especially when they are prattling on about having to fulfill a destiny whether you want to or not? I have a feeling Bell was setting up these impossible parameters for a new body to keep Walter busy while he (Bell) was planning to posess Peter all along so that he can plug into the machine. I wouldn't be surprised if Bell actually drugged Walter's milk so that he wouldn't interfer with the soul magnet seeding of Peter. 

And honestly, for anyone that screams out SPOILERS!! you'd have to blind, deaf and dumb not to catch all the hints throughout the episode. The big one being the picture of Peter in the machine inside Bell's box labelled 'RE-ENTRY'. 

Bryzarro 3/21/2011 7:02:06 AM

Wow what a theory DaForce.  I watched the ep and thought it was great but now after dwelling on the Tea thing and I must have totally missed the picture in the box.  I can't wait to get home tonight and re-watch.  

acidsquall73 3/21/2011 8:51:00 AM

Anna Torv's acting job in this was most definitely the best she's done this season, and very possibly the series. When she first did the trademark eyebrow lift, I laughed out loud. That sold it for me. At that point, I wasn't looking at Torv, I was looking at Nimoy. Then when Bell and Walter joked about putting Bell into Gene the cow, probably another one of the best moments in the series. Walter was genuinely happy instead of worrying about Peter and everything else he usually worries about. Which would totally give in to DaForce's theory. He was keeping him happy so Walter wouldn't figure it out. I mean seriously, these 2 parted on very bad terms. Walter's just a better human being on all levels.

How interesting would it be if Lincoln Lee was the Lincoln Lee from the other side to help facilitate what's coming? Oliviate had to act the part when she was over here, why not Lincolnate? I know, doesn't soundright, but you get the point.

Great episode.

 

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