Fringe (TV Series) Do Shapeshifters Dream of Electric Sheep? (2010) User Reviews

A Homage to Blade Runner

[claudio_carvalho · 9/10 · 10 March 2017]

When the American Senator James Van Horn has a serious car accident, he immediately goes to surgery; however Newton invades the hospital and abducts him shooting the staff. There is a shootout with Broyles and Newton shoots Van Horn in the eye. The Fringe Division finds that the senator is a shapeshifter and they take his body to Walter's laboratory. He finds that it is possible to revive the shapeshifter and recover his data disc. But the alternate Olivia calls Newton and he sends the shapeshifter Ray to the hospital to retrieve the disc. When he returns home, Newton orders him to kill his family. However Ray is connected to his wife and son and refuses to follow the order. What will happen?

"Do Shapeshifters Dream of Electric Sheep?" is a homage to "Blade Runner" that was adapted from Phillip K. Dick's novel "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?". Like the androids, the shapeshifters develop real feelings for their families after many years infiltrated and posing as human. Olivia from the alternate universe is a cold person and a killer. Poor Peter! My vote is nine.

Title (Brazil): "Do Shapeshifters Dream of Electric Sheep?"

Do SciFi Fans Dream of Less Plot Holes?

[rwk2 · 8/10 · 20 October 2010]

Hey, any reference to a classic Philip K. Dick story is a great intro for an episode. We get to see, and realize, that several shape-shifters are on our side and have been in place for years waiting for orders. At least one of them, if not more, have developed interesting and emotional lives with attachments to humans. Fascinating. This could potentially be a major thread as the war develops between the universes.

However, there were some issues. I was a bit torn watching this one. It had a lot of potential and was able to make me think as well as enjoy the popcorn moments of the action. However what sticks with me most are the slightly unbelievable parts.

A random cop can just waltz into the offices of Massive Dynamic, a super corporation with sensitive dealings around the world, ride an elevator up several floors, and gain access to the CEO's private lab without any trouble what-so-ever? Incredibly unlikely. That is the standard disguise for industrial espionage. When he leaves a trail of mercury blood on the elevator causing Peter to shout... nothing happens from the security people in the lobby? And then Peter can't seem to stop the elevator doors from closing too fast! Fauxlivia supposedly gives chase but shows up only seconds after Peter in the lab, not even breathing hard. Couldn't she have done a little more to LOOK like she'd been running full tilt trying to get the guy? We already saw her think fast on her feet in The Box to cover a killing, why not now to cover an escape?

And last but not least, Newton was a cool character. More than that he was a key power prisoner of a foreign power. Yet he is able to be smuggled a suicide chip into a 50's style gulag cell. What? Why wasn't he being interrogated immediately after capture? Why wasn't an armed guard present? Why wasn't he on suicide watch? The show's writers sacrificed common sense for the opportunity of he and Fauxlivia having the "last talk" which tied up the episode and settled their little power struggle, but didn't fit with the overall tone of warfare between universes.

Twisted story and philosophical topics ; complex Fauxlivia and Peter mind games ; glaring visuals but intense action

[igoatabase · 9/10 · 15 January 2011]

With such an obvious reference to Philip K. Dick's masterpiece, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, Fringe's 4th episode had to be bluedy good or else a horde of angry fans would have tormented its genitors. But after The Plateau I had no doubt that the show had matured and on the verge of finding its equilibrium. Moreover beside hiring experienced directors it seems J. J. Abrams and his gang excel in pairing writers, a winning recipes applied to productions like Smallville and Spartacus : Blood and Sand for example. From top to bottom this installment was a total success. I recall the first season 1 episodes and the appearance of a shapeshifter. That ingredient is as confusing as time travel because it often bring its lot of inaccuracies and twisted arcs. But apparently they have learned to master these morphing creatures. Indeed the writers exploited them to separate the humans from the machines. From emotions to identity the contents was rich and diverse. In The Box Fauxlivia realized how hard it was to shape into someone's body and mind. What define us ? The bond she has to fake with Peter Bishop is even harder to handle considering the history he has with Olivia. At times it almost felt like if she couldn't breath, like in her world. The brain damage is not far once the oxygen isn't flowing anymore. Their guessing game at the restaurant was also quite interesting and everybody should speak body language. Between sensual and heartbreaking scenes they also managed to pull out some fast and furious action scenes. As for the visuals I was slightly disappointed that they weren't as dark as in Blade Runner but the medical sets were well designed and I found the use of silver appropriate. Mixing the futuristic and cliché color with red could depict the penultimate before the beginning of the end, the inevitable war and collision between the universes. One shapeshifter, two shapeshifters, three shapeshifters… A thrilling oneiric experience.

Of Shapeshifter Bondage

[XweAponX · 10/10 · 10 May 2011]

Kenneth Fink (CSI Miami) directs this Episode and postulates: Do Shapeshifters have Feelings? Obviously when a Shapeshifter stays in one form for en elongated period of time, he Becomes That Person. This is how Sebastian Roché as "Newton" loses his whole world. Before Fauxlivia comes to the "Blue Fringe Universe" - Thomas Jerome Newton is the sole Shape-Shifting Antagonist of our Fringe team. But from the moment Fauxlivia arrives, he does NOT like being bossed around by her, he does not like taking orders from Fauxlivia, this is certain.

This episode has three shapeshifters: Newton and two others. Newton tries to hire one of his "men" for a simple job and the response was basically, to quote Iman from Star Trek VI (in the form of James T Kirk): "I Like it Here".

There is another shapeshifter in this ep, and for all intents and purposes, that Shapeshifter had also "Become" the person they replaced - This is shown in Massive Dynamic's Lab. One thing is for sure: The moment these shapeshifters start being used to who they are, that is the moment they are worthless to Newton, to Fauxlivia, and to "The Secretary".

Basically, this episode is a standoff between Newton and Fauxlivia: But when the dust of that power struggle clears, it is obvious that Newton has succeeded in cracking Fauxlivia's Amore/armor. This is why he is smiling as he takes what Fauxlivia gives him at the end.

Kenneth Fink is one of the best television directors of the 2000's and 2010's - And this ep has his mark, it is well shot and paced.

O come on

[Jackbv123 · 11 June 2019]

I guess without the absolutely beyond belief neglect of basic security in Massive Dynamics we wouldn't have a story. The assassin could not have made it on the elevator much less get the drop on the guard but absolutely no way could he get into Walter's lab without multiple bio security checks like Nina showed us in an earlier episode.

And I really hate this story arc. I hate mind theft (there's a more offensive name for it).

They're Only Human

[Hitchcoc · 9/10 · 7 November 2023]

Newton is right about the faux characters getting emotional after a period of time. Olivia has already compromised herself a couple times and, of course, the Senator and that other guy, the murderer/family man. So those living in the blue world are having a few problems. It was good to be rid of Newton but, then, he is only a machine, doing what he is programmed to do. Olivia has decided to use her feminine wiles to get into Peter's head (pants?) to distract him from her deceit. He is on to her to some extent but is holding back. Everyone should be suspicious of everyone who could be a carbon copy. Good episode but the story line needs some refreshing pretty soon.