“In Which We Meet Mr. Jones”

This is the episode. While “The Arrival” was that first step to finding a groove, it is this episode that stands as the moment Fringe found its direction.

In which we meet Mr. Jones, the villain. Although in the episode it is not clearly marked that he will be the villain, his presence is undeniable even as he is behind the walls of a German prison orchestrating everything.

We begin with Agent Loeb having what seems to be a heart attack. When the hospital opens him up, they find a parasite wrapped around his heart squeezing and pulsating with every heartbeat.

Enter the Fringe team.

A DNA analysis by Walter leads the team to the discover that the DNA code has a repeating man-made code that spells out ZFT, a name Dunham recognizes from one of the newly discovered files of John Scott.

We learn that ZFT is a terrorist organization whose purpose is to further scientific weapons of all kinds. It would make a lot of sense for them to be behind the pattern.

This leads them to their big lead of Mr. Jones. Dunham pulls all the strings she has to arrange a meeting with Mr. Jones in Germany.

Meanwhile Broyles and company work the angles back in the States. This leads them to a colleague of Jones, a Joseph Smith. Jones agrees to talk to Dunham only if he can ask a question of Smith.

Peter rushes to stop on Smith’s house but is too late and watches as he is shot and killed.

Of course death is no obstacle for Walter Bishop! Walter devises a way using electrical impulses to spark answers out of Smith’s body using Peter as a receiver of sorts.

During a wonderfully suspense give and take, Jones asks his question, “Where does the gentleman live?” and the team gets the answer, “Little Hill”.

Jones gives Dunham the cure and all is happy or so we think.

We learn quickly that Loeb is a traitor as well and his wife is in on it.

Beyond the set up for the overall arc in Fringe we also get some good character moments. While in Germany we meet an ex of Dunham’s and the two almost reconnect but not in a soapy melodramatic fashion. It all seems very natural, allowing us some insight into Dunham without ruining any pace of the show.

Overall it’s great action, little technobabble, and superb intrigue combined with some decent character development. In other words, what’s not to like?

Some could argue that there was some moments of laying groundwork, but it was far from boring. A classic episode and a good beginning.

A-

OBSERVER MOMENT: The Observer can be seen at the German airport walking away from the crowd.

Previous – 1.06

Next – 1.08