Jacksonville (Fringe)

Last updated

"Jacksonville"
Fringe episode
Fringe Jacksonville.jpg
Olivia dreams of the experiments of her childhood while heavily sedated
Episode no.Season 2
Episode 15
Directed by Charles Beeson
Written by Ashley Edward Miller
Zack Stentz
Production code3X5114
Original air dateFebruary 4, 2010 (2010-02-04)
Guest appearances
Episode chronology
← Previous
"The Bishop Revival"		Next →
"Peter"
Fringe season 2
List of episodes

"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.

Contents

The episode was a mid-season finale. It was written by Ashley Edward Miller and Zack Stentz, and directed by filmmaker Charles Beeson. [1] It premiered to mostly positive reviews on February 4, 2010 in the United States, earning an estimated 7.76 million viewers.

Plot

A localized earthquake in New York City damages only one building, killing nearly all inside. The Fringe team discovers that a second building appeared at the same location as the first, fusing the structure and people inside together. Walter (John Noble) realizes that the second building has been pulled from the parallel universe by Thomas Jerome Newton, using the technology that Walter and William Bell had discovered years ago. Walter warns that because of conservation of mass, a building of similar mass will be taken from the prime universe to the parallel one sometime in the next few days.

While Massive Dynamic offers its computing resources to identify possible buildings of similar mass, Walter implores Olivia (Anna Torv) to recall her childhood Cortexiphan-induced ability to see objects from the alternate universe, believing she will be able to foresee which building will be affected and warn everyone in time. He takes her to the disused child-care facility in Jacksonville, Florida, where the Cortexiphan trials were performed. Walter first puts Olivia under heavy sedation, and she experiences meeting her younger, frightened self, but is still unable to trigger her ability. Olivia begins to remember the gruesome trials she experienced, including footage from one test where she exhibited pyrokinesis. As Walter's deadline nears, he realizes that Olivia is no longer frightened and thus she cannot engage her abilities, which were triggered by fear.

They return to New York City as small micro-quakes occur, indicating the onset of the event. Though a few buildings have been identified as possible targets, there are far too many to evacuate without starting a mass panic. Olivia, unable to help, goes off privately, but Peter (Joshua Jackson) follows and comforts her. Olivia soon recognizes she is frightened again, and races to a rooftop, seeing a building "shimmer" in the distance. The building, a hotel, is quickly identified from the list of candidates, and it is evacuated in time, moments before it is pulled into the parallel universe.

Agent Broyles (Lance Reddick) provides a cover story of an unexpected controlled demolition to explain the disappearance of the hotel. Olivia later meets Peter at his house prior to their going out on a date, but when she arrives, she sees the same shimmer on Peter. Walter quietly asks Olivia not to tell Peter that he is from the other universe.

Production

"Finding strength in vulnerability is not something [Olivia] had been capable of. She's very good at putting things off and keeping things at a distance. Her wardrobe is all the same color, everything is muted in her life. She protects herself. The whole concept of her feeling something that she's never felt before, whether that was on an emotional, relationship level, or on a fear level, that was the key to that whole episode, her learning a little about herself."

— Showrunner J.H. Wyman describing the episode [2]

Producers Ashley Edward Miller and Zack Stentz co-wrote "Jacksonville", one of their frequent collaborations. Filmmaker Charles Beeson served as the episode's director. [1] Prior to the initial broadcast of "Jacksonville", co-creator J. J. Abrams and showrunners/executive producers Jeff Pinkner and J.H. Wyman released a joint statement about its plot, "Along with the usual mystery, suspense, science and general wackiness, the episode contains one big answer, the consequences of which will affect our team for the remainder of the season and beyond." [3] Stentz later explained in the DVD audio commentary that in "Jacksonville by and large, the fringe event is Olivia. Olivia realizing that even in chasing all of these fringe events, she is the biggest fringe event of them all." [2] Also in the commentary, Pinkner added that for the episode's final scene, "We knew it would be in the back third of the season that we would really acknowledge for Olivia that Peter came from the Other Side. The worst circumstance that could happen in is at a moment when they are getting as close together as possible". [2]

Commenting on Peter's secret origins affecting their relationship, actress Anna Torv stated in an interview with Digital Spy that "Jacksonville" is "the episode that pushes us forward with a huge amount of momentum towards the end of the season. It all gets mixed up and then you find out what the drive is behind all of this. It's the big spanner in the works! The secret definitely has a huge impact on the lives of everyone involved." [4]

"Jacksonville" was the first episode of Fox's initiative with Science Olympiad to release lesson plans for grade school students. Each lesson would relate to the week's particular science; in "Jacksonville"'s case, the intention was for "Students [to] learn about earthquakes of different magnitudes, as well as their impact on buildings and how it can be mitigated." [5] Jeff Pinkner commented, "Everything we do is grounded in some version of authentic fringe science and what scientists believe is possible," and was pleased to be a part of "anything that can help invest kids in learning." [6]

Reception

Ratings

On its initial American broadcast on February 4, 2010, "Jacksonville" was watched by an estimated 7.76 million viewers, gaining a 2.8 ratings share for those aged 18–49. [7] "Jacksonville" was the winter finale for the series, as the next episode did not air until April 1. [1] [8]

Reviews

"Jacksonville" premiered to generally positive reviews. James Poniewozik of Time Magazine called it "fine" and "well-acted", especially liking John Noble's performance. [9] Noel Murray of The A.V. Club graded the episode an A−, explaining "I liked 'Jacksonville' for the way it plunged directly into the heart of the show's mythology for the first time in a while, and even if it didn't tell us much we didn't already know, having the story become more personal for our heroes served to create that unsettled feeling at which Fringe excels". [10] Ken Tucker from Entertainment Weekly loved "Jacksonville", believing it to be a "tremendously moving, startling episode" and "one of [Fringe's] finest hours". [1] AOL TV writer Jane Boursaw particularly praised the scene of Olivia trying to comfort her younger self, and then confronting Walter over it. She also felt Olivia's loss of memory to be "interesting," and became "practically gleeful" at her and Peter's near-kiss. [8]

"This episode brought us more of the humor and warmth that elevate this series out of a mere horror show."

– SFScope columnist Sarah Stegall [11]

Giving the episode an 8.0/10 rating, IGN's Ramsey Isler thought the episode wasn't "as hard-hitting as most of the previous 'mythology' episodes, but it still leaves a good impression". [12] Isler enjoyed the "tense and intriguing" opening and ending of the episode, but kept waiting for more to happen in the middle. [12] SFScope contributor Sarah Stegall called the opening "one of the best in the entire series" and "certainly the best television I've seen this year." [11] In addition, Stegall praised Olivia's dream sequence and subsequent accusation of Walter, the inclusion of Massive Dynamic as allies, Broyles' role as "support" rather than "the usual role of Plot Obstacle," and the science behind the episode ("The very fact that we can have two different yet legitimate quantum physics explanations on a television drama is, in itself, cause for applause."). [11] She concluded her review by noting Anna Torv has made "the most progress" in her performance, evolving from "downright wooden in the first year" to "carrying the role with grace and strength." [11] Website blogger io9 listed "Jacksonville" as one of the "crucial" episodes new viewers must watch to get into the show. [13]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Olivia Dunham</span> Fictional character

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.

<i>Fringe</i> season 2 Season of television series

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.

<i>Fringe</i> season 3 Season of television series

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.

Brown Betty (<i>Fringe</i>) 20th episode of the 2nd season of Fringe

"Brown Betty" is the 19th episode of the second season of the American science fiction drama television series Fringe, the 40th overall episode of the series, and is the only one of the series performed as a musical. The episode was written by co-showrunners Jeff Pinkner and J. H. Wyman, and consulting producer Akiva Goldsman. It was directed by filmmaker Seith Mann. As the episode begins with Peter's continued disappearance, Walter consoles himself by smoking a strain of marijuana called "Brown Betty." Most of the episode is then told from his drug-addled perspective, in which Olivia is a 1940s noir detective and Peter is a conman who ran away with Walter's glass heart.

"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.

Over There (<i>Fringe</i>) 22nd and 23rd episodes of the 2nd season of Fringe

"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 (<i>Fringe</i>) 3rd episode of the 3rd season of Fringe

"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.

Grey Matters (<i>Fringe</i>) 10th episode of the 2nd season of Fringe

"Grey Matters" is the 10th episode of the second season of the American science fiction drama television series Fringe. The episode was written by Ashley Edward Miller and Zack Stentz, and directed by Jeannot Szwarc. It centered on three mental patients who mysteriously became sane again after shapeshifters from the parallel universe removed a piece of foreign tissue from each of their brains; this tissue is later revealed to have been taken from the brain of Walter Bishop years before. The fringe team of Olivia Dunham, Peter Bishop, and Walter investigate and face a new enemy, Thomas Jerome Newton, whose purpose is to decipher the missing parts of Walter's brain and find out how to move between universes.

Reciprocity (<i>Fringe</i>) 11th episode of the 3rd season of Fringe

"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 (<i>Fringe</i> episode) 1st episode of the 3rd season of Fringe

"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.

What Lies Below (<i>Fringe</i>) 13th episode of the 2nd season of Fringe

"What Lies Below" is the 12th episode of the second season of the American science fiction drama television series Fringe. Set in a quarantined Boston office building, the episode revolves around a thousands-year-old viral hemorrhagic fever that infects and then influences its victims to attempt to spread the viral particles outside of the building.

Marionette (<i>Fringe</i>) 9th episode of the 3rd season of Fringe

"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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Do Shapeshifters Dream of Electric Sheep?</span> 4th episode of the 3rd season of Fringe

"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.

"A New Day in the Old Town" is the season premiere and first episode of the second season of the American science fiction drama television series Fringe, and the 21st episode overall. It was co-written by J. J. Abrams and Akiva Goldsman, with Goldsman directing. The episode followed the aftermath of Olivia's journey to the parallel universe in the last season's finale, while also introducing the idea of shapeshifters. It guest-starred actors Luke Goss, Ari Graynor, Meghan Markle, and Tegan Moss.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Night of Desirable Objects</span> 2nd episode of the 2nd season of Fringe

"Night of Desirable Objects" is the second episode of the second season of the American science fiction drama television series Fringe. The episode followed Olivia and Peter's investigation into mysterious disappearances taking place in a small Pennsylvania town.

Bad Dreams (<i>Fringe</i>) 17th episode of the 1st season of Fringe

"Bad Dreams" is the 17th episode of the first season of the American science fiction drama television series Fringe. It was written and directed by Academy Award-winning screenwriter Akiva Goldsman, his first writing credit for a television show. In the episode, Olivia dreams she is causing people to either kill others or themselves, which leads her to meet Nick Lane, a man from her past that leads Olivia to discover their shared history as test subjects in a series of childhood drug trials.

"Stowaway" is the 17th episode of the third season of the American science fiction drama television series Fringe, and the 60th episode overall. It followed the Fringe team's investigation into a woman, Dana Gray, who repeatedly but unsuccessfully tries to commit suicide. Meanwhile, Olivia continues to serve as the host for William Bell, to the dismay of most of her other team members.

Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (<i>Fringe</i>) 19th episode of the 3rd season of Fringe

"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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Last Sam Weiss</span> 21st episode of the 3rd season of Fringe

"The Last Sam Weiss" is the penultimate episode of the third season of the Fox science fiction television series Fringe, and the 64th episode overall. The storyline follows the continuing disintegration of the prime universe, as the Fringe team races to prevent the destruction of their world. FBI agent Olivia Dunham recruits Sam Weiss for help while Peter recovers from touching the doomsday machine in the previous episode.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Tucker, Ken (2010-02-04). "'Fringe' winter finale recap: 'Jacksonville' glimmers". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved 2011-01-21.
  2. 1 2 3 Anna Torv, Akiva Goldsman, J. J. Abrams, Jeff Pinkner, J. H. Wyman, Joshua Jackson, John Noble, Jasika Nicole, Josh Singer, Lance Reddick, Jeffrey Vlaming, David Wilcox (2010). "Beyond the Pattern: The Mythology of Fringe". Fringe: The Complete Second Season (DVD). Warner Bros. Television.
  3. ↑ Hart, Hugh (2010-02-04). "'Big Answer' Looms in Fringe's Mythology-Rich Winter Finale". Wired . Retrieved 2011-06-13.
  4. ↑ French, Dan (2010-03-03). "Q&A: Anna Torv talks 'Fringe'". Digital Spy . Retrieved 2011-04-07.
  5. ↑ "Jacksonville {Exploring Earthquakes}". Fox Broadcasting Company. Archived from the original on 2011-07-18. Retrieved 2011-07-19.
  6. ↑ Holbrook, Damian (2010-11-11). "Fringe Unveils Science Sites". TV Guide . Retrieved 2011-07-07.
  7. ↑ Gorman, Bill (2010-02-05). "TV Ratings: ABC Edges CBS, Fox; Mentalist, Community, Parks, Office, 30 Rock Rise". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on 2012-10-09. Retrieved 2011-01-21.
  8. 1 2 Boursaw, Jane (2010-02-05). "Review: 'Fringe' - 'Jacksonville'". AOL TV . Retrieved 2011-06-17.
  9. ↑ Poniewozik, James (2010-02-05). "Fringe Watch: Glimmer of Recognition". Time Magazine . Retrieved 2011-01-21.
  10. ↑ Murray, Noel (2010-02-04). "Jacksonville". The A.V. Club . Retrieved 2011-01-21.
  11. 1 2 3 4 Stegall, Sarah (2010-02-08). "God Blinks—Fringe's "Jacksonville"". SFScope. Archived from the original on 2010-12-20. Retrieved 2011-06-17.
  12. 1 2 Isler, Ramsey (2010-02-04). "Fringe: "Jacksonville" Review". IGN . Retrieved 2011-01-21.
  13. ↑ Heddle, Jennifer (2010-09-30). "Want to get into "Fringe"? These are the episodes you need to watch". io9 . Retrieved 2011-01-28.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.