Fracture (S02E03)
Airdate: 1 October 2009
Written by: David Wilcox Directed by: Bryan Spicer
Running Time: 44 minutes
Fringe, as a science fiction drama, often operates firmly within the genre's established boundaries, yet it possesses a unique ability to periodically pierce the fourth wall and remind its audience of the world in which they actually live. This grounding in reality is perhaps most palpable in the third episode of the second season, Fracture, which is built upon a frightening premise that resonates strongly with the real-world fears Americans and many in the Western world were grappling with during the first decade of the twenty-first century. The narrative taps into anxieties surrounding terrorism, biological warfare, and the unpredictable consequences of military engagement in foreign lands, creating a scenario that feels less like a fantastical flight of fancy and more like a terrifying possibility lurking just beyond the horizon.
The episode opens in Philadelphia, where the narrative tension is immediately established through the perspective of Police Officer Dan Gillespie (Philipp Mitchell). He receives a cryptic call from an individual identifying himself only as "Colonel," compelling him to leave his patrol car and partner behind to retrieve a mysterious briefcase from a train station. What follows is a sequence of harrowing events: as Gillespie retrieves the briefcase, a strange radio signal cascades through the area, causing all electronics to malfunction. This interference triggers a physiological transformation in Gillespie, his body rapidly crystallising into a jagged, gem-like substance before violently exploding. The sheer brutality of this transformation is visceral, setting the tone for a story that blends the macabre with the scientific.
The aftermath of the explosion is catastrophic, resulting in a significant number of dead and wounded. Initially, FBI, treats the incident as a standard case of terrorism, assuming conventional explosives were responsible for the devastation. However, the investigation quickly reveals inconsistencies that defy conventional explanation; there are no signs of an actual explosive device, yet the wounds and shrapnel damage are devastating. The Fringe Division is called and eventually realises that the shrapnel responsible for the carnage is actually composed of hardened, crystallised parts of Gillespie’s own body. This revelation confirms that he was not merely the carrier of a bomb, but the bomb itself—a living weapon. An autopsy further complicates the mystery, uncovering needle marks on Gillespie's body, suggesting that he had been administering a mysterious drug for some time prior to the incident.
Compelling the Fringe team deeper into the mystery is Olivia Dunham, who visits the victim’s widow, Susan (Kristen Robeck). During her visit, Olivia falls ill due to her injuries and goes to Gillespies’ bathroom, where she discovers a stash of the same drugs found in Gillespie's body. These pharmaceuticals are revealed to be connected to Gillespie's past service as a US soldier in Iraq and his involvement in a top-secret project codenamed "Project Tin Man." Peter Bishop, leveraging his past business connections, and Olivia travel to Iraq to locate the doctors who administered the treatments. They eventually meet Dr. Malik Yusef (Navid Negabhan), who explains the project's original purpose: to cure US servicemen exposed to toxic chemicals. However, the project carried a lethal side effect, turning participants into crystal-based bombs. It was ultimately abandoned after causing hundreds of deaths, leaving the project's commanding officer so enraged that he went AWOL.
Back in the United States, the FBI and Fringe Division identify Colonel Raymond Gordon (Stephen McHattie), as the mastermind behind this lethal programme. Gordon is also linked to surviving participants, including Captain Diane Burgess (Claudette Mink). Burgess is activated by Gordon for a new bombing mission, this time targeting Washington D.C. The stakes are raised as Peter intercepts Gordon and, alongside Olivia, manages to thwart his attempt to activate the bomb. Burgess survives the ordeal, and Gordon is subsequently arrested. During his interrogation, Gordon reveals that he used human bombs to fight what he believes to be mysterious agents from outside the normal world who are interested in acquiring intelligence contained within a briefcase. This revelation directly ties the episode to the larger, overarching scheme of the series, implicating the enigmatic Observer in the conspiracy.
Parallel to the main procedural plot, the episode features a significant subplot concerning Olivia's physical and mental recovery. Olivia attends therapy sessions with Sam Weiss, a character who initially appears to offer little in the way of tangible results. The tension between the two builds until Olivia, in moments of profound frustration, pulls a gun on Weiss. This sudden outburst serves as a catalyst, shattering the stalemate and allowing Olivia to suddenly realise that she no longer needs her cane. This moment of breakthrough is a crucial character beat, symbolising her growing strength and resilience in the face of the strange phenomena she continues to encounter.
The script by David Wilcox plays exceptionally well into the concerns of the era of the Global War on Terror, specifically the pervasive fear of suicide bombings. The terrorist acts in the episode are orchestrated by a rogue US military officer who believes he is conducting a service for his country and protecting the world from a hidden enemy. This narrative device serves as a thematic background, drawing parallels to the actual US military misadventures in Iraq. The plot explores how secret experiments can have unintended and misused aftermaths, channeling the conspiratorial themes that long-time fans of shows like The X-Files have come to expect and love. While the episode mostly functions as a standalone procedural mystery, its plot is inextricably connected to the greater scheme of things, primarily through the presence of the Observer and, more importantly, through Olivia's slow but steady path to recovery.
Despite being a mystery-of-the-week episode, the production values elevate the material significantly. The episode transcends much of its potential limitations through excellent direction by Bryan Spicer, who maintains a tight tempo throughout the runtime. Spicer manages to depict many gory details without crossing the line into excessive gore, respecting the standards of US broadcast television while still delivering a disturbing visual experience. The cinematography and props are also lauded, adding a layer of authenticity to the science fiction elements. Stephen McHattie, a Canadian actor renowned for his roles as authoritative villains, delivers a chilling performance that is arguably the strongest part of the episode. His portrayal of Colonel Gordon is menacing and commanding. However, one could argue that his appearance in the episode is too late to fully utilise his potential, as his presence is felt most acutely in the closing moments of the narrative.
In the end, Fracture is a very good episode of Fringe. While it may not be the most expansive outing in terms of its sprawling narrative structure, it hits the perfect tonal balance, becoming the strongest episode produced so far that year. By blending a grounded procedural mystery with the show's signature sci-fi elements and character development, Fracture succeeds in delivering a suspenseful and thought-provoking piece of television.
RATING: 7/10 (+++)
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