Momentum Deferred (S02E04)
Airdate: 8 October 2009
Written by: Zack Stentz & Ashley Edward Miller Directed by: Joe Chappelle
Running Time: 44 minutes
Following two episodes that functioned as largely standalone mysteries-of-the-week, Fringe returned to its overarching mythology with Momentum Deferred, the fourth instalment of Season 2. This shift in focus marks a significant pivot, re-establishing the show's identity as a serialised sci-fi drama rather than a mere procedural anthology. The episode successfully reintegrates the audience into the larger, darker narrative concerning parallel universes and shapeshifters.
The narrative opens with a visceral and high-stakes sequence at a cryogenic facility. Mysterious attackers, led by the imposing figure of Smith (Roger Cross), launch a brazen raid with the specific goal of stealing frozen heads. The violence is immediate and brutal, culminating in the death of one guard who is revealed to be an infiltrator. This detail is chillingly exposed when the guard is shot and left to bleed out a silver-like fluid, a visual motif that instantly signals the episode's sci-fi underpinnings.
The Fringe Division soon recognises a pattern, knowing that similar raids have plagued other cryogenic facilities across the region. As the investigation unfolds, Smith and his associates discover a critical flaw in their operation: none of the heads they have stolen are the ones they are actually seeking. This forces them to refine their search algorithm, turning the episode into a tense game of cat and mouse where the stakes are not just theft, but the survival of a specific, valuable entity.
Upon examining the site of the raid, the team uncovers a shapeshifting device that bears a striking resemblance to the one used by shapeshifter during the attacks on Olivia’s life in a New York hospital. The device is immediately dispatched to Nina Sharp for analysis. Meanwhile, Walter Bishop recalls his past experiments with Rebecca Kibner (Tegan Moss), a young woman with whom he administered hallucinogenic drugs in the 1970s. Rebecca had prophetic visions of shapeshifters from the parallel universe. To tap into this latent psychic ability, Walter reaches out to her as an adult (played by Theresa Russell). During the experiment, a bell rings, triggering a repressed memory in Olivia—a vivid encounter with William Bell in the parallel universe. Bell reveals the terrifying truth: he brought her from her universe to warn of an apocalyptic conflict. Shapeshifters are merely the vanguard, sent to prepare the way for the eventual opening of the gate between the worlds, after which only one reality will remain.
Back in the main universe, Massive Dynamic utilises the data from the broken device to reconstruct the shapeshifter's face. The revelation is devastating: the shapeshifter, who has assumed the identity of FBI Agent Charlie Francis, is dying without the device or the ability to shapeshift. Despite his deteriorating condition, he continues his mission. He attempts to manipulate Olivia by planting seeds of doubt about Nina Sharp. Just as his manipulation seems to be taking hold, Agent Farnsworth sends an image of Charlie to Olivia’s phone, leading to a physical confrontation. Olivia ends it by shooting and killing the shapeshifter, leaving her shaken by the loss of what she believed to be a close friend. While Olivia is still processing the trauma of killing Charlie, Smith’s team has finally located the correct facility. They successfully raid it and secure a head attached to a man who is intended to be revived, setting the stage for the episode's climax.
The script, written by Ashley Miller and Zack Stentz, stands out as one of the season's strongest. It is remarkably tight, eschewing mindless action in favour of character development and exposition. The action scenes are judiciously limited to the beginning and end, allowing the story to breathe and focus on the intricate plot mechanics. This approach provides much-needed answers to questions that have lingered since the Season 1 finale, while also generously hinting at the apocalyptic conflict that looms on the horizon.
The writing also offers a poignant exploration of Walter Bishop's history. The episode artfully juxtaposes Olivia’s combative stance toward William Bell regarding his experimentation on her as a child with Rebecca Kibner’s fond recollections of her own experiences with Walter. Theresa Russell brings an unusual level of warmth and vulnerability to the role, making her character's connection to Walter feel genuinely affectionate. There are clear hints of a potential romance between the elderly scientist and Rebecca, but the writers wisely opt not to pursue it, allowing the focus to remain on the narrative and the mystery rather than a distracting subplot.
Culturally, the episode is rich with references to the 1970s. The soundtrack is heavily laden with progressive rock anthems, establishing a tone of nostalgia mixed with unease. There is also a clever homage to the 1978 remake of Invasion of the Body Snatchers, starring Leonard Nimoy. Nimoy appears, here appearing as William Bell, played a character named Dr. Kibner. Even the name of Rebecca Kibner is clearly inspired by this cinematic connection, adding a layer of meta-commentary to the episode's fabric.
Despite the redundancy of some flashback sequences set in the Alternate Universe, Momentum Deffered is a highly effective instalment. It demonstrates that Fringe at the start of Season 2 had successfully moved in the right direction, balancing its procedural elements with the grander, more ambitious mythology it is capable of.
RATING: 7/10 (+++)
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