'Red Widow' Gets The Axe
THEY'RE ALL COMING BACK
'Fringe' - 'White Tulip' Recap
by Jane Boursaw, posted Apr 16th 2010 2:58AM
(S02E18) "Until I took my son from the other side, I had never believed in God. But it occurred to me that my actions had betrayed Him, and that everything that happened to me since then was God punishing me. So now I'm looking for a sign of forgiveness, a specific one, a white tulip ... If God can forgive me for my acts, maybe it's in the realm of possibility that my son will be able to forgive me." - Walter Bishop to Alistair PeckFirst of all, how cool was it to see John Noble and Peter Weller hobnobbing on screen together? Just two old scientists exchanging time travel theories and comparing notes on saving/stealing loved ones.
It was the perfect vehicle to build on Walter's struggle about whether to tell Peter or not. In a sense, he'd already been through what Alistair was contemplating. Yes, Walter had crossed to another universe while Alistair was trying to jump back in time, but the result was the same -- be with the person you'd lost. Anyone who's lost a loved one can relate. There's nothing you wouldn't do to be with that person again, even if it means jeopardizing others in the process.
The story also served to further explain the casualties involved in such an event. Wherever Alistair "landed," those people would die, as they did on the subway. He just needed Walter's help to get him back to the exact spot and time to save his fiance. He needed to get back to the field with the hot air balloon.
At first, it seems that Alistair's intention was to get in that car with his fiance so they could live together. He already knew what life was like without her, and he didn't like it or want it. But perhaps Walter's heartfelt advice made Alistair reconsider saving her. At that point, I think he just wanted to die with her.
"There will be repercussions if you pull Arlette from that car," said Walter. "You don't know how things will be changed by your actions, but they will. It's not our place to adjust the universe, and you will never be able to look at her again without knowing that, just like every time I look at my son. I have traveled through madness to figure this out, and you will too."
Similarly, Alistair sending Walter the drawing of the white tulip helped Walter to realize that perhaps his son could forgive him. But he'd already thrown the handwritten note to Peter into the fire. At that point, maybe he didn't believe that Peter would forgive him. He hadn't received the "sign" yet.
But it's just as well. Peter will learn the truth, but the note wasn't the right way to do it. These things are messy, and no matter how much time Walter devoted to crafting the perfect words to tell him, this is the sort of thing that needs to be told face to face. I know, it won't quite go down that way. Will the white tulip prevail? Will Peter forgive his father?
Another great episode that served to propel the story forward, and another great performance by John Noble.
A few quotes:
"I happen to know someone who's fluent in gobbledygook. - Olivia to Alistair's MIT colleague
"Grief can drive people to extraordinary lengths. - Walter
"I'm not a threat. I'm an ambassador. - Walter to Alistair
"God is science, polio and flu vaccines, MRIs and artificial hearts. You're a man of science. That's the only faith we need." - Alistair to Walter
I look forward to your thoughts on this episode.
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