"Nothing As It Seems" Review
This is an impressive episode, especially when you consider the answers provided in the previous week, “A Short Story About Love.” As I mentioned in my review, that episode felt like a series finale. “Nothing As It Seems” had a big undertaking; it’s not easy to follow up on such a big reveal. However, “Nothing As It Seems” ultimate succeeds by managing to focus our attention on a larger conspiracy.
It was a nice addition to bring back the monster from a Season 1 episode, “The Transformation.” The results are different here, as in the opening sequence Marshall Bowman’s flight lands safely. In fact, “Nothing As It Seems” plays up the horror significantly, as the monster’s emergence is always unpredictable.
Meanwhile, Olivia is being investigated by the FBI for her memory lapse. This was certainly an interesting direction to go, and I’m a little disappointed that the writers didn’t take it further. The psychiatric scenes were well played, and the moment where Olivia is unsure about her own sister’s life is intriguing and even a bit frightening. In the end, however, Broyles explains that Olivia is still his best agent and that she can be reinstated.
Lincoln is given more screen time, and his disappoint over Olivia’s relationship with Peter is explored deeper. He has a rough time in “Nothing As It Seems” after being attacked by the monster and put under Walter’s care.
The end of “Nothing As It Seems” is really effective, as we see a ship full of monsters that we’ve seen over the course of the series. The shot felt epic in scope, and the knowledge that David Robert Jones is behind it all makes for an even more compelling conclusion.
With no word yet on a renewal, Fringe is approaching its final episodes of Season 4. So far, things are looking good, as the tension continues to mount. If this really is the end for Fringe, it’ll go out with a bang.
-MP