What is unique about this episode of Fringe is that sci-fi elements aside, ‘August’ is really tragic love story.  The show is not really known for its emotional impact, and given the focus on the Observers, the idea seemed even less likely.  But, does this episode deliver?

The Course of History

Given our very limited knowledge of the Observers (yes, there are more than one), the one thing that doesn’t take much guessing is to assume they observe the course of history.  What they are looking, however, is still unknown.  Still, it is their relationship with Walter, Peter and Olivia that really makes this episode hit close to home.

It’s often difficult to establish anything concrete when all the facts have to be kept under wraps.  Still, with the help of their physical differences and the notions established in ‘Inner Child‘, the episode is able to illustrate these enigmatic people without losing the audience.  The expected tragic end of dear August makes them even more intriguing.  Indeed, they are the ‘Others’ of Fringe and I have no gripes about that.

Peter and Walter

For some reason, the last conversation between Walter and Peter suggested to me a danger around Peter.  Due to Walter’s deal with the Observer, it seems the natural course of things is to correct this irregularity.  For now, Walter’s constant anxiety over the matter seems self-fueled, but perhaps Peter is not completely safe yet…

Using the best gimmick of Fringe, ‘August’ works best because not only do we get a better idea of the Observers, they’ve become more than just archetypes.  In time, perhaps they will become characters altogether, albeit very dry, bald ones.

Rating: 9.7/10

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