Brown Betty (29 Apr. 2010)

While Walter deals with some very upsetting news, he tells Olivia's niece, Ella, a fairy tale that includes musical performances by Olivia and Agent Broyles.

Director:

Seith Mann

Writers:

J.J. Abrams (creator), Alex Kurtzman (creator),

Stars:

Anna Torv, Joshua Jackson, Lance Reddick

Cast

Episode complete credited cast:
Anna Torv	...	Olivia Dunham
Joshua Jackson	...	Peter Bishop
Lance Reddick	...	Phillip Broyles
Blair Brown	...	Nina Sharp
Jasika Nicole	...	Astrid Farnsworth / Esther Figglesworth
John Noble	...	Dr. Walter Bishop
Michael Cerveris	...	September / Gemini
Ari Graynor	...	Rachel / Kelsie
Ryan Mcdonald	...	Brandon Fayette
Lily Pilblad	...	Ella
Candus Churchill	...	Dead Singer / Corpse #3
Sarah Hayward	...	Nurse (as Sarah Ann Hayward)
Tom Pickett	...	Dead Singer / Corpse #1
John Prowse	...	Dead Singer / Corpse #2
Erica Van Briel	...	Assistant

Storyline

While Walter deals with some very upsetting news, he tells Olivia's niece, Ella, a fairy tale that includes musical performances by Olivia and Agent Broyles.

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Plot Keywords:

telling story | label maker | coffin | bead curtain | operation game | 

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Details

Country:

USA Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 April 2010 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bad Robot, Warner Bros. Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

44 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Interestingly, during this musical episode, the two regular cast members of Fringe who have the most Broadway musical experience do not ever sing. Blair Brown (Nina) has had singing roles in Broadway productions of "The Threepenny Opera" and "Cabaret." And Michael Cerveris (The Observer/September) is better-known as a Broadway leading man than as a television or film actor; he has had lead roles in Broadway musicals such as "The Who's Tommy," "Titanic," "Assassins," "Sweeney Todd," and "Lovemusik;" was nominated for Tonys for all but one of these; and won a Tony for "Assassins."

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Goofs

During the noir scenes, Olivia calls Broyles "Lieutenant Broyles" when she meets hem. In the next scene however, also a noir scene, Nina Sharp refers to him as "Detective Broyles", his rank in the show's reality.

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Quotes

Olivia Dunham: All I want is some who'll warm me when I'm cold, feed me when I'm hungry and maybe take me dancing.

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Connections

References Top Secret! (1984)

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Soundtracks

"I Hope I Get It"
(uncredited)
Performed by Jasika Nicole
Music by Marvin Hamlisch
Lyrics by Ed Kleban

User Reviews

Typically bad, but not the worst episode ever

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.