As the administrator runs down the files, Peter and Walter empty out the vacuum cleaner bags. Walter is surprised when he discovers that the body/ashes contain no radiation AT ALL. Olivia calls for her update, and Peter informs her that Walter is really getting into the formula - he's calling it a "her" - but has no answers yet. As Olivia and Broyles continue to wait, Olivia asks her boss why the killer called him. Broyles said that it wasn't to taunt; the killer sounded distraught and like he genuinely wanted them to solve the formula so they could stop him. Meanwhile, the Shadow sneaks down the hall and into a room with a female patient. When a nurse goes to check on her, a fly lands on the patient's check and the woman crumbles. Broyles seals the floor just before the administrator comes back with a name - Tomas Brosilov.
Olivia and Broyles hit Tomas's house but - shocker - it's empty. Peter arrives and they discover that Tomas has forged all the documents to get his job. Peter confirms Tomas is Russian based on electronic components he finds. Broyles has Agent Anonymous run Tomas's prints.
Broyles meets Senator Van Horn on a park bench. The senator tells Broyles that the prints tripped an alarm at the CIA and then are taking over the case at the behest of the Russians, who claim that Tomas stole Russian property. The senator is sorry because he knows of Broyles's special connection to the case but he can't stop it.
Meanwhile, Tomas unloads an LEAD ACID BATTERY. Yes, really, that's how it's labeled. He must have ordered it from the ACME company. He brings the LEAD ACID BATTERY into his motel room, where he places it with about twenty other LEAD ACID BATTERIES beside some Russian equipment. The equipment looks to be from the 80s, so if Russia hasn't upgraded since then, I really don't think the arms race is a concern anymore.
Broyles calls Olivia to warn her that the CIA is going to take the case, so she is not to put any information down on paper. Olivia objects - he protects them when they break the rules; who's going to protect him? At the same time, the tech that Olivia is supervising spots the Shadow on the security tape and confirms that there is nothing in the hallway that can be throwing the shadow. Olivia tells Broyles that they have something he needs to see.
Lab review time. Walter believes that the formula was developed by a Russian Fringe Division. Peter is upset/frustrated; they are having enough trouble keeping track of fringe science in the U.S. Now they have to deal with Russia? Walter notes that the pinkos were really ahead of their time. C'mon, writers, you've been doing a great job with Walter's characterization - don't get lazy now.
Broyles gets a file from the senator. Tomas had a brother who was a Russian cosmonaut. Something happened to the brother and he ended up in coma on a quarantined ward. Tomas snuck him out and they have been running ever since. The team realizes that Tomas has been hiding his brother in coma wards.
The realization is just a little too late. Tomas sneaks onto the ward and, after sedating a nurse, absconds with his comatose brother.
Back in the lab, Walter has determined that the Shadow is not part of the cosmonaut but is something that he picked up in space. Also, the Shadow seeks out radiation. The first five victims were all undergoing radiation treatment. Unfortunately, as it absorbs the radiation the host is turned to ash. Broyles asks Walter if, knowing this, he can solve the formula. If he can get something from home, Walter says, "Yes, I can dominate her!"
Who wrote this? J.H. Wyman and Jeff Vlaming. You are not allowed to write Walter anymore.
Walter and Peter go to their new house and Walter pulls out some Tinker Toys to build a 3D representation of the formula. Seeing it like that, he is able to solve it but the answer is not what they were hoping for.
Haaa! Awesome recap, Featherlit- you crack me up :D
**I was surprised that no one suggested using hairspray or something to try to solidify the pieces that remained but then I remembered that CSI was on a different station at this time.**
So true :)
What *is* up with Walter and genitals? He can be eccentric, but I’d rather him not be a perv. When he had the music on blast and was working frantically on the formula it brought to mind a russian ballet for some reason- the way he was moving around the room.
I think Shadow Man went to space too, but would the sun’s radiation penetrate the lead casket? I am guessing yes, at that many rads.
I thought the people turning to ash were amazing effects- but if I was that guy’s wife I am sure I would STILL be screaming. I was so afraid the little girl was toast as well.
Great job O/
The little girl freaked me out too.
I noticed the music and had the same idea. It wasn’t just music to him; it was part of his thinking process. Okay, so I liked one piece of Walter’s characterization this week. The pervy stuff, not so much.
Haaa! Awesome recap, Featherlit- you crack me up :D
**I was surprised that no one suggested using hairspray or something to try to solidify the pieces that remained but then I remembered that CSI was on a different station at this time.**
So true :)
What *is* up with Walter and genitals? He can be eccentric, but I'd rather him not be a perv. When he had the music on blast and was working frantically on the formula it brought to mind a russian ballet for some reason- the way he was moving around the room.
I think Shadow Man went to space too, but would the sun's radiation penetrate the lead casket? I am guessing yes, at that many rads.
I thought the people turning to ash were amazing effects- but if I was that guy's wife I am sure I would STILL be screaming. I was so afraid the little girl was toast as well.
Great job O/
The little girl freaked me out too.
I noticed the music and had the same idea. It wasn't just music to him; it was part of his thinking process. Okay, so I liked one piece of Walter's characterization this week. The pervy stuff, not so much.
RE: “Russian Fringe Division. Was this a one-off episode? Or will we be hearing more about them?”
Who cares about Russian Fringe divisions when THERE ARE ALIENS ON OUR PLANET? I don’t know about you, but the major question I was left with had to do with the ready and easy acceptance of an alien intelligence on Earth. I think that’s kind of major.
No, no, pay no attention to the aliens! Watch out for the Russians!
Seriously, this is the one place where I didn’t want the show to go – alienland. I like the pattern. I’ll even like the Other Side. Shapeshifter, observers, more than one of everything – fine.
But the aliens takes it much too close to “X-Files” territory for me. I didn’t like it then, and I don’t now. Besides, I want “Fringe” to be its own show.
If they do bring more aliens in, I’m am completely befuddled as to how the CIA is involved with them.
RE: "Russian Fringe Division. Was this a one-off episode? Or will we be hearing more about them?"
Who cares about Russian Fringe divisions when THERE ARE ALIENS ON OUR PLANET? I don't know about you, but the major question I was left with had to do with the ready and easy acceptance of an alien intelligence on Earth. I think that's kind of major.
No, no, pay no attention to the aliens! Watch out for the Russians!
Seriously, this is the one place where I didn't want the show to go – alienland. I like the pattern. I'll even like the Other Side. Shapeshifter, observers, more than one of everything – fine.
But the aliens takes it much too close to "X-Files" territory for me. I didn't like it then, and I don't now. Besides, I want "Fringe" to be its own show.
If they do bring more aliens in, I'm am completely befuddled as to how the CIA is involved with them.