Subject 9 (14 Oct. 2011)

Olivia uncovers a dangerous force that may be connected to Walter's past experiments with the drug Cortexiphan. Their investigation forces Walter to leave the lab for the first time in ... See full summary »

Director:

Joe Chappelle

Writers:

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

Stars:

Anna Torv, Joshua Jackson, Lance Reddick

Cast

Episode credited cast:
Anna Torv	...	Olivia Dunham
Joshua Jackson	...	Peter Bishop
Lance Reddick	...	Phillip Broyles
Blair Brown	...	Nina Sharp
Jasika Nicole	...	Astrid Farnsworth
Seth Gabel	...	Lincoln Lee (credit only)
John Noble	...	Dr. Walter Bishop
Chadwick Boseman	...	Cameron James
Glynis Davies	...	Landlady
Kathryn Dobbs	...	Older Waitress
Marina Benitez Lazzarotto	...	Waitress (as Marina Lazzarotto)
Elliot Mandelcorn	...	Dr. Janns
Lucas McCann	...	Paramedic
Brent Stait	...	Lieutenant Daniels
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
William J. Phillips	...	Homeless Man

Storyline

Olivia uncovers a dangerous force that may be connected to Walter's past experiments with the drug Cortexiphan. Their investigation forces Walter to leave the lab for the first time in years as he and Olivia head to Massive Dynamic in New York to examine old case files. Walter struggles with life outside the lab as he comes face-to-face with the demons of his past.

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Plot Keywords:

milkshake | awakened by alarm clock

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 October 2011 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bad Robot, Warner Bros. Television, Fringe Element Films

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

16:9 HD

Did You Know?

Connections

References The Matrix (1999)

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Soundtracks

"Couldn't Get It Right"
(uncredited)
Written by Climax Blues Band
Performed by Climax Blues Band

User Reviews

The countdown to an other mind blowing season has finally begun !

Nine, no Lincoln felt good. I have nothing against Seth Gabel but agent Lee is such an unoriginal character ! Considering Peter's disappearance has affected all of them why didn't they turn him into someone as charismatic as Alexander Mahone or Fox Mulder ?

Eight, time related materials are always welcome. It worked for Lost so it could work for Fringe. Don't get me wrong Walter and Olivia didn't go back in time to save Peter but the first scene featuring her was jaw dropping and proved that season 4 could be in the same vein as the third. Eight, time related materials are always welcome.

Seven, the visual effects were thrilling. In the department Fringe has never disappointed us but the glowing blue plasma was so different than last week's fungus that it seems the show will never stop to amaze us. As for the morphing sequence it was reminiscent of cult films like The Abyss. Magnetic fields are just wonderful !

Six, Walter kicks Neo's ass anytime. His The Matrix inspired technique to catch Peter's image on camera was both funny and inspiring. We should all have such an installation at home to make sure we're not surrounded by optical illusions or ghosts ! As for his relationship with Olivia it was quite moving because even if they aren't family there're moments when we could mistake them for father and daughter.

Five, subplots 99% intertwined with the main story make the best episodes. Subject 9 was no exception and its writing was brilliant enough to shadow what was really going on all along.

Four, the storyline also had an undeniable rewarding factor because elaborating my own theory during the forty something minutes made the ending even more exciting. Do you remember Arnold Schwarzenegger surreal first appearance as Terminator ? What happened wasn't as cult but at least it reminded me of it, something that doesn't happen a lot in a lifetime.

Three, the guest's story was heartbreaking and obviously connected to Subject 13 considering the episode title. It was also the occasion to point out again how scientists can harm people even if their first intentions can be good. This new Walter is really starting to grow on me and the return of some character is promising.

Two, the last second was more than just a cliffhanger. It was one of these moments that leaves you speechless, like a project you worked on for years and never thought you would be able to complete. Fringe ? A oneiric series.

One, only the tip of the iceberg. Existence, quantum entanglement, philosopher's stone, psychometry, viral therapy, ethereal plane, gravitons, time paradox and psychogenesis. These are the topics flying around during the orange title sequence. Does it mean they will all be covered in season 4 ? I don't really know if it was the case for past seasons. But the one thing I'm sure of is that mixing a few of them to the current elements could lead to some stellar scenes involving Twin Olivias, Peter and of course Walternate.

Zero, gravity. My fantasy is to make love with Fauxlivia at the International Space Station and have a British breakfast with her and Walter as a majestic Sun rises behind the Earth. What's yours Subject Ø ?

Note : This review was first posted on Kritikenstein, my weblog.