"Entrada" | |
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Fringe episode | |
Episode no. | Season 3 Episode 8 |
Directed by | Brad Anderson |
Written by | J. H. Wyman Jeff Pinkner |
Production code | 3X6108 |
Original air date | December 2, 2010 |
Guest appearances | |
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"Entrada" is the eighth episode of the third season of the American science fiction drama television series Fringe , and the 51st episode overall. The first part of the third season spent much of its time alternating between the prime and parallel universes, and "Entrada" was the first episode of the season to have time evenly divided between both. In the episode, both Olivia and her doppelganger "Fauxlivia" attempt to journey back to their respective universes. John Cassini, Seth Gabel, Ryan McDonald, Stefan Arngrim, and Karen Holness guest starred.
Showrunners J. H. Wyman and Jeff Pinkner wrote the episode as the "culmination of a lot of things that [they] had been working on for quite a while." Calling it one of their favorite episodes, they believed it was a good entry point for new viewers to the series. Frequent Fringe collaborator Brad Anderson returned to direct the episode. "Entrada" first aired on December 2, 2010, in the United States to an estimated 5.13 million viewers. It has been selected for "best episode" lists by various television critics. Both Anna Torv and John Noble submitted the episode for consideration at the 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards, but both failed to garner a nomination.
At the end of the previous episode, Olivia Dunham (Anna Torv) was able to cross over back to her universe long enough to warn Peter Bishop (Joshua Jackson) she is trapped in the parallel universe. After receiving the message, Peter tests the Olivia from the other dimension, "Fauxlivia", by telling her the Greek phrase Na einai kalytero anthropo apo ton patera tou (roughly, "May he be a better person than his father", which Olivia told Peter in "A New Day in the Old Town"). When Fauxlivia fails to recognize the phrase, Peter confirms his suspicions. Realizing she has been exposed, Fauxlivia forces Peter to inject himself with a paralyzing agent. She then goes to a typewriter store in the Bronx to contact the parallel universe to request an extraction.
After Peter recovers, the Fringe team starts a search for Fauxlivia. Walter Bishop (John Noble) is distressed that he has no idea how to find Fauxlivia and no idea how to bring Olivia back. However, Astrid Farnsworth (Jasika Nicole) discovers Fauxlivia brought Walter malasadas from a bakery in the Bronx. Peter, Walter, Farnsworth and Phillip Broyles (Lance Reddick) search the nearby area, Peter finds the typewriter store and the team finds the typewriter used to contact the other universe (a "quantum entanglement" device). There, the team realizes that Fauxlivia is going to a train station in Newark for a 4:00 PM pick-up.
Meanwhile, in the parallel universe, "Walternate" (Noble) plans on using Olivia's body in order for her alternate self to return home, as it would require a person of Olivia's mass to complete the transfer. However, Walternate arranges for Olivia's brain to be removed for further study on how to traverse universes safely. Before she is to start the operation, Olivia receives a visit from Colonel Broyles (the alternate universe's counterpart to her FBI supervisor), who is still grateful to Olivia for helping his son. Olivia convinces him that her universe is not at war with theirs; the troubles started not from any hostile action, but only as an accidental side-effect of Walter's initial crossing to save Peter. Broyles later talks with his wife and then returns to Liberty Island to save Olivia. Together, the two reach the immersion tank that Olivia used earlier, but find it empty. As a back-up plan, the two travel to Walternate's long abandoned lab at Harvard to use the sensory deprivation tank. Broyles reveals there is a GPS tracker in him, but manages to buy Olivia enough time to successfully return to her universe.
As this transpires, Fauxlivia meets with a shapeshifter at the station to inject her with resonating rods. By that time, Broyles and Peter arrive at the station. To ensure her escape, Fauxlivia holds a hostage. However, Peter realizes the hostage is the shapeshifter when the hostage is unable to state the name of "her" nearby daughter. Peter shoots the shapeshifter in the head, killing it, and Fauxlivia is arrested. Later, the team learns that their own Olivia has returned. However, Fauxlivia still manages to escape back to her universe, leaving behind the mutilated body of the alternate counterpart of Broyles to make up for her mass. While Peter and Olivia reunite at a hospital, the typewriter store owner trades a piece of the doomsday device in exchange for the restoration of his paralyzed legs.
"Entrada" was written by executive producers Jeff Pinkner and J. H. Wyman. [1] Filmmaker and frequent Fringe collaborator Brad Anderson returned to direct the episode, [2] [3] shooting it in September 2010 on New Westminster's Front Street in Vancouver [4] and in a train station. [5] The special effects crew used a prosthetic body resembling actor Lance Reddick, minus a certain amount of mass equal to Anna Torv; they did research to find out how much a human leg typically weighs, finding the number to be around 20 percent of a body's mass. [6]
The third season spent much of its time alternating between the prime and parallel universes, and "Entrada" was the first episode of the season to have time divided between both. [7] This was reflected in the opening credits, which were red and blue in a season that had previously differentiated each universe with one exclusive color. [1] [8]
Pinkner and Wyman revealed in a conference call interview that the episode was the "culmination of a lot of things that [they] had been working on for quite a while". [9] Though they loved all of their episodes, the two stated that "Entrada" was a particular favorite of theirs, with Pinker elaborating that "if the only episode of Fringe you ever tune into watch is this one, sure, it's going to take you five minutes to catch up, but you will feel what's going on, and you will understand the relationships ... [It's] a great entry point". [9] The producers considered making "Entrada" the mid-season finale, but instead selected "Marionette", the following week's episode. [10]
The episode featured appearances by recurring guest stars Karen Holness as Phillip Broyles' wife Diane, John Cassini as the Store Owner, and Ryan McDonald as scientist Brandon Fayette. [11] Seth Gabel also returned to guest star as Lincoln Lee, an agent from the parallel universe. [12]
In a departure from previous Fringe trailers, Fox created and premiered a "grandiose movie-style" trailer at Entertainment Weekly 's website to celebrate the airing of "Entrada". [13] Pinkner explained that the trailer idea did not come from his production team, but rather was produced by a Fox division called Special Ops, who came up with the idea in order to platform Fringe to the audience in a way they had not seen before. [9] As with other Fringe episodes, [14] [15] Fox released a science lesson plan in collaboration with Science Olympiad for grade school children, focusing on the science seen in "Entrada", with the intention of having "students learn about scientific intuition and how it can facilitate the scientific method of collecting data through experimentation and observation in order to formulate and test a hypothesis". [16]
The original broadcast of "Entrada" occurred on December 2, 2010, in the United States. According to Nielsen ratings, it was watched by an estimated 5.13 million viewers, earning a 3.2/5 share among all households and a 1.8/5 share among viewers aged 18–49. [17] This latter demographic was down five percent from the previous episode that aired on November 18. [3] [18] Entertainment Weekly writer Lynette Rice remarked of the low ratings, "If this genre series were on AMC (or featured zombies), the media world would be calling it a monster hit. Sadly, the threshold for success is far different on broadcast TV, so Fringe will always be viewed as a niche performer with a small but rabid fan base." [18]
Seven days after its broadcast on time shifted viewings, "Entrada" was seen by an additional 1.7 million, pushing the total viewership up to 6.87 million with a 2.6 rating among those 18–49. [19]
The episode received critical acclaim. James Poniewozik of Time magazine wrote, "While it may not have been the high point that the emotional "Peter" from earlier this year was, "Entrada" was a pretty excellent action-focused episode, in which the dimensional swap between Fauxlivia and Realivia came to a head. In the process, it demonstrated that Fringe's writers have made a compelling world out of Over There in a relative few episodes—and it was another example of what a strong series Fringe has become since its committed fully to its clash-of-the-universes storyline ... All in all, a satisfying hour and a good demonstration of how Fringe—one of the most improved shows of the past season or so—has grown into one of TV's most entertaining dramas". [20]
I hesitate to brand any single episode of a complicated series as Best Episode Ever, but this week comes darned close. In a season marked by outstanding writing, this hour of Fringe brilliantly resolved several ongoing storylines, while at the same time bringing to the fore some long-simmering conflicts which will enrich the next half-season. All while keeping the pace and the emotional tension at a rolling boil. For me, television just does not get better than this kind of science fiction, balancing the gee-whiz Big Idea with the small and intimate moments between characters that make them real and vital.
Ken Tucker from Entertainment Weekly noted that the episode "closed a Fringe chapter in bringing Olivia back, while opening up all sorts of fresh new possibilities for the future. Both Olivias are changed women with new amounts of information about their opposing universes, and thus will be able to influence their Walters in how to proceed henceforth. The series can resume plot threads that have been given scant attention in recent weeks, such as Walter's takeover of Massive Dynamic, and what I'm hoping will be an increased presence by Nina Sharp, whose role in the interuniverse machinations is ripe for exploration". [1]
Writing for SFScope, Sarah Stegall praised Reddick's performance as both Colonel Broyles, and Torv's "tour-de-force" performance as Olivia and her doppelganger. She also noted how strong of a show Fringe has evolved into, lauding the producers' decision to focus on the show's "strongest and most innovative plot": the parallel universe. Stegall expressed hope that Fauxlivia's experiences in the prime universe would lead her to challenge Walternate's more militant actions to destroy it. Stegall further recognized the episode's editing, as "a complicated story like this one could have been endlessly confusing, with multiple versions of the same character, two extremely similar universes, and plot points reaching back to the first season. Yet the writing and direction kept it all sorted out, without resorting to voice-overs, flashbacks, or other lame expository devices. This is classy, tight writing, and my hat's off to the entire team". [3] Television Without Pity graded the episode an A+,. [21] Noel Murry at The A.V. Club gave it an A- highlighting Torv's performance. [8]
It topped several "best episode of 2010" lists, including Den of Geek, [22] Give Me My Remote, [23] and TV.com. [24] Jeff Jensen of Entertainment Weekly named "Entrada" the fifth best episode of the series, calling it "the sensational climax to season 3's sensational Olivia/Fauxlivia parallel universe interplay, which seemed to bring out the best in both the writers of Fringe as well as its actors, especially Anna Torv, who rocked the tricky material and created a convincingly distinct and unique doppelganger iteration of Olivia. She deserved an Emmy nomination for her work this season. Oh, well." [25]
In the parallel universe, Penn Station in Newark, New Jersey, is called "Springsteen Station", likely indicating that prime universe native son Bruce Springsteen also exists "over there".
Anna Torv submitted "Entrada", along with the season three episodes "Olivia", "Marionette", and "Bloodline" for consideration in the "Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series" category at the 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards. [26] She failed to receive a nomination. [27] John Noble also submitted "Entrada", along with episodes "The Firefly" and "The Day We Died", for consideration in the "Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series category", but did not receive a nomination. [26] [27]
Olivia Dunham is a fictional character and the main protagonist from the science fiction television series Fringe, which aired on the Fox Broadcasting Company in the United States from 2008 to 2013. The character was created by series' co-creator J. J. Abrams, and is portrayed by actress Anna Torv. Olivia is the series' protagonist, and was introduced as an FBI Special Agent, working for a multi-agency task force of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security called the Fringe Division, dealing with supernatural events that are linked to experimental occurrences. Having grown up with an abusive stepfather, Olivia struggles with the unexpected changes in her life, following her encounter with mentally unstable scientist Walter Bishop, and his son and an eventual love interest for her, Peter Bishop.
Walter Harold Bishop, Ph.D. is a fictional character on the Fox television series Fringe. He is portrayed by John Noble. Noble also plays Walter's counterpart in the show's parallel universe, who is referred to in the show as Walternate.
The second season of the American science fiction television series Fringe commenced airing on the Fox network on September 17, 2009, and concluded on May 20, 2010. The season was produced by Bad Robot in association with Warner Bros. Television, and its showrunners were Jeff Pinkner and J. H. Wyman. Actors Anna Torv, John Noble, and Joshua Jackson reprised their roles as FBI agent Olivia Dunham and father-son duo Walter and Peter Bishop, respectively. Previous series regulars Lance Reddick, Jasika Nicole, Blair Brown, and Kirk Acevedo also returned, though with Acevedo in a limited capacity.
The third season of the American science fiction television series Fringe began airing on the Fox network on September 23, 2010, and concluded on May 6, 2011. Twenty-two episodes long, the season was produced by Bad Robot Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television, and its showrunners were Jeff Pinkner and J. H. Wyman. Lead actors Anna Torv, John Noble, and Joshua Jackson reprised their roles as FBI agent Olivia Dunham and the father-son duo Walter and Peter Bishop. Previous series regulars Lance Reddick, Jasika Nicole, and Blair Brown also returned, along with recurring guest stars Kirk Acevedo, Seth Gabel, and Ryan McDonald.
"Jacksonville" is the 14th episode of the second season of the American science fiction drama television series Fringe, and the 35th episode overall. In the episode, Olivia is forced to recount her time spent as a child in tests conducted by Walter to regain the ability to see objects that have been influenced by the parallel universe and prevent the deaths of innocents. Though successful, Olivia comes to learn the truth about Peter, that he is from the parallel universe.
"Over There" is the two-part second season finale of the Fox science fiction drama series Fringe. They are the 21st and 22nd episodes of the season, and the 42nd and 43rd episodes of the series overall. Both parts were written by Academy Award-winning screenwriter Akiva Goldsman, together with showrunners Jeff Pinkner and J. H. Wyman. Goldsman also served as director, his first such credit since the season premiere.
"The Plateau" is the third episode of the third season of the American science fiction drama television series Fringe, and the 46th episode overall. As one of the early Season 3 episodes that take place entirely in the parallel universe, the episode centers on Olivia, conditioned to believe she is a member of the alternate Fringe team, trying to track down a mentally unstable man that can predict the team's every move.
"Reciprocity" is the eleventh episode of the third season of the American science fiction drama television series Fringe, and the 54th episode overall. In the episode, the Fringe division follows a chain of shapeshifter murders as the assembly of the doomsday device nears completion. Ryan McDonald and Charles Parnell guest starred.
"Olivia" is the first episode of the third season of the American science fiction television series Fringe. The episode was co-written by J. H. Wyman and Jeff Pinkner, and was directed by Joe Chappelle. The third season spent its time alternating between the prime and parallel universes, and "Olivia" was placed in the latter. This is indicated in the introduction of the episode, with the same red screen used in the last season's finale, "Over There". "Olivia" follows the cliffhanger left by the second season, in which Olivia Dunham is trapped in the parallel universe. The episode explores the consequences of Olivia's abduction by Walternate, and her attempt to go back to the prime universe.
"Marionette" is the ninth episode of the third season of the American science fiction drama television series Fringe. The episode was co-written by Monica Owusu-Breen and Alison Schapker, and directed by Joe Chappelle. It followed a series of organ recipients being tracked down and having their donated organs removed, all in a scientist's attempt to resurrect his deceased love interest, whose organs were donated to the victims. Meanwhile, Olivia copes with the consequences of being back in the prime universe.
"Do Shapeshifters Dream of Electric Sheep?" is the fourth episode of the third season of the American science fiction drama television series Fringe, and the 47th episode overall. The first half of the third season alternated entire episodes between the parallel universe and the prime universe. "Do Shapeshifters Dream of Electric Sheep?" took place in the prime universe, and involved several shapeshifters, including Thomas Jerome Newton, who is eventually captured. Meanwhile, Fauxlivia attempts to maintain her cover and minimize the damage.
"6955 kHz" is the sixth episode of the third season of the American science fiction drama television series Fringe. It first aired on November 11, 2010 in the United States. The third season spent much of its time alternating between the prime and parallel universes, and "6955 kHz" was set in the former. The storyline followed the Fringe team's investigation into a numbers station that mysteriously gave its listeners amnesia, a case that ultimately ties to a doomsday device.
"The Abducted" is the seventh episode of the third season of the American science fiction drama television series Fringe. The third season spent much of its time alternating between the prime and parallel universes, and "The Abducted" was set in the latter. The episode followed the Fringe team's investigation of "the Candyman", a man who kidnaps children to harvest their youth-giving hormones.
"Immortality" is the 13th episode of the third season of the American science fiction drama television series Fringe, and the 56th episode overall. In the episode, the Fringe Division of the parallel universe investigates a series of deaths caused by flesh-eating "skelter beetles", unleashed by a mad scientist. Abutbul, Seth Gabel, Kirk Acevedo, Philip Winchester, Ryan McDonald, and Joan Chen appeared as guest stars.
"Bloodline" is the eighteenth episode of the third season of the American science fiction drama television series Fringe, and the 61st episode overall. The storyline follows the pregnant Olivia Dunham of the parallel universe ("Fauxlivia") as she experiences a kidnapping and acceleration of her pregnancy; meanwhile, her fellow Fringe agents Lincoln Lee and Charlie Francis attempt to locate her.
"Lysergic Acid Diethylamide" is the 19th episode of the third season of the American science fiction drama television series Fringe, and the 62nd episode overall. The narrative followed the Fringe team's attempts to extract William Bell from Olivia's brain by entering her mind with the help of LSD.
"6:02 AM EST" is the 20th episode of the third season of the American science fiction drama television series Fringe, and the 63rd episode overall. The narrative follows the activation of the doomsday device by the parallel universe, and the subsequent devastating consequences experienced by our world.
"The Day We Died" is the third season finale of the Fox science fiction drama television series Fringe. It is the season's 22nd episode and the series' 65th episode overall. The finale follows the aftermath of Peter Bishop entering and activating the doomsday device, events which took place in the previous episode. He finds himself 15 years in the future; though the device has destroyed the parallel universe, his universe is nevertheless gradually disintegrating. Peter comes to realize the background of the doomsday device and wakes up in 2011. After getting the two universes to agree to work together, he inexplicably disappears.
"Back to Where You've Never Been" is the eighth episode of the fourth season of the Fox science-fiction drama television series Fringe, and the series' 73rd episode overall.