Fringe S3E18 'Bloodline'

IMDb sez: The intensity of life "over there" accelerates as Olivia finds herself in mortal danger.

The glyphs for this episode spell out: FATED

Henry is seen reading a comic strip called "Opus the Peahen" drawn by
Berkeley Breathed. Breathed is a real, Pulitzer Prize-winning
cartoonist, whose real strips featuring the character Opus the Penguin
ran (under several different titles) from the early 1980s until 2008.
The presence of this strip in the Alternate Universe highlights several differences between "our" world and theirs: in ours, the Opus character
is a male penguin, while in theirs, she is a female peahen; in ours,
Breathed no longer draws a comic strip, while in theirs, he apparently
still does. The "peahen" strip was drawn especially for the show by
Breathed himself.

As we see on Henry's cab rooftop ad, The West Wing had at least 12
seasons in the alternate universe. It had 7 in ours.

Another example of the differences in the alternate universe: Charlie
makes a comment to Lincoln about Travis Bickle, and goes on to explain
it's from a Francis Ford Coppola movie. In our universe, Martin Scorsese directed Taxi Driver.

Continuing with the gradual revelation of differences between "our"
universe versus the alternate universe: the alternate universe's USA
appears to have adopted the metric system (Lincoln reports on
Fauxlivia's travel speed in kilometers per hour instead of miles per
hour). In the real world, there was a campaign for the US to adopt the
metric system, but the general public had little enthusiasm for the idea
and (except for some liquid measurement conversions) it mostly petered
out during the early 1980s.

When Olivia's mother drops her off at her apartment, a double-decker
car, which was only previously shown in a blue miniature version by
Walter to explain displacement in the two universes, drives past.



Fringe S3E19 'Lysergic Acid Diethylamide'

IMDb sez: "With the latest estimate that the team has only one day to
save Olivia's consciousness, Walter leads a group on an LSD trip into
Olivia's mind."

The glyphs for this episode spell out: "FEARS"

The whiskey William Bell is drinking when he's a cartoon is MacCutcheon,
the same fictional whiskey Charles Widmore drank on Lost when he met
with Desmond. J.J. Abrams was also the producer of Lost.
(I think we've established that, at least in J.J.'s mind, 'Lost', 'The X-Files', 'Fringe' and probably a few other shows are all in the same universe.)

The running joke of Walter having difficulty remembering Astrid's name
is used again. This time he calls her "Astro". Now, she's had enough,
and responds by calling him "Wally". (He shows dismay at that.)

At the start of Walter and Peter's "trip" there is a feel of The Matrix,
with Peter wearing the black coat and sunglasses; this continues when
Walter and Peter are chased, where music similar to that of Don Davis'
score from The Matrix plays as a group of people chase them, looking
like Agents. Arguably, the cartoon style used later could represent that
of A Scanner Darkly (another Keanu Reeves film).

As a continuation of the repeated green-green-red color motif throughout
the series (though the pattern is slightly altered in this case), the
doors of the military houses are green, green (seen very briefly on
their left as Peter and William Bell are riding past), green, and red
(on their right).

This episode pays a homage to Christopher Nolan's Inception in many
aspects of the plot. (J.J. only steal from the best.)

The 1960s prairie modern house in the LSD trip was far more stylish and wasteful in design and materials than would be found on any army base.
As this is a fantasy, this point would be irrelevant.

When Walter decides they need to take LSD for the journey to work, he
asks Astrid to help mix up "2000 milligrams" of LSD, which is insane. He probably meant 2000 micrograms. A fairly large dose for one person would
be 450mcg so, 2000mg/3/450mcg =~1.5 million times the recommended dose,
which would likely cause permanent brain damage if it didn't kill them.

Astrid Farnsworth: What you're feeling right now, it's just the effects
of the LSD, but it's temporary.
Phillip Broyles: No, it's infinite.

Dr. Walter Bishop: Oh, damn. I'm back.

I'm betting Lance Reddick had a lot of fun acting stoned. :D



Fringe S3E20 '6:02 AM EST'

IMDb sez "The beginning of the end is triggered when Walternate finds a
way to wreak havoc "over here" - putting both universes in jeopardy."

The glyphs for this episode spell out: AGENT

The name of Alternate Olivia and Peter's son is revealed: it's Henry,
after Henry Arliss Higgins, who helped both Olivias.

Another difference between our world and the alternate world is noted:
the radio announcer in the alternate universe is talking about a
baseball game between the Brooklyn Dodgers and the Montreal Expos at
Ebbets field. In our universe, the Expos moved from Montreal to
Washington, DC, and were renamed the Washington Nationals in 2005, while
the Dodgers moved from Brooklyn to Los Angeles in 1957 and became the
Los Angeles Dodgers. Ebbets Field was demolished in February, 1960.

The map of the continental United States in Walternate's office is
slightly different from ours. There is no upper peninsula of Michigan
and California's shoreline is much further east. (The bit about the
California coastline was also mentioned in an earlier episode's trivia.)

Peter Bishop: What time is it?
Olivia Dunham: It's 6:30 in the morning.
Peter Bishop: Oh, God!
Olivia Dunham: And, uh, your father is walking around the house naked.
Peter Bishop: Oh, yeah. It's Tuesday.
[laughes]
Peter Bishop: He always cooks naked on Tuesdays.

Peter Bishop: I think this is what I'm supposed to do, but I can't do it without your help.



Fringe S3E21 'The Last Sam Weiss'

IMDb sez "Olivia joins forces with the mysterious Sam Weiss in a
desperate race against time."

The glyphs for this episode spell out: MULTI

The running joke of Walter having difficulty remembering Astrid's name
is used again. This time he calls her "Ostrich".

In the opening scene where the vehicle gets struck by lightning the song
the boy in the car is listening to is, "Riders on the Storm" by the
1960s band, "The Doors" from their last album, "L.A. Woman". This was
the last song the band ever recorded as a whole during front man Jim
Morrison's lifetime.

Peter Bishop: Ready?
Olivia Dunham: No. You?
Peter Bishop: No.

Sam Weiss: It's hot-wired. It's tricked into thinking he's already
inside. That's why it's repelling anyone or any thing trying to enter.
Olivia Dunham: So you're thinking that it's malfunctioning.
Sam Weiss: What I'm saying is... it's frustrated... in a manner of speaking.

Olivia Dunham: Okay, Sam, I'm gonna make this really easy for you: I am
armed and I want you to take me to the key, now.



Fringe S3E22 'The Day We Died'

IMDb sez "Peter successfully enters the machine with Olivia's help, and
is transported to the future days where Walternate's universe is the one
which has been destroyed. Walter learns about the origins of the machine
and its ultimate purpose and sends back Peter to change his choice but
gets lost in time warp."

The glyphs for this episode spell out: NO MORE

This episode has a monochrome opening sequence with fringe science
subjects from the future: Cellular Rejuvenation, Thought Extraction, Cryptozoology, Neural Partitioning, Brain Porting, Temporal Plasticity,
Dual Maternity, Chaos Structure, Clonal Transplantation, Water,
Biosuspension, Hope.

This episode takes place on May 20, 2026.

Walter in the future has a noticeable facial droop on his right side.
The condition is known as Bell's Palsy which could be a link to William
Bell.
(He also doesn't have full use of his right arm so I suspect it was more
likely a stroke.)

Olivia Dunham: Amanda from across the street gave it to us. That's you
and me and the little baby that we're going to have, that she is
planning on babysitting.
Peter Bishop: Ohh. Well, I think we should get started on that right away. Olivia Dunham: You really going to use a drawing from a little girl to
get lucky?
Peter Bishop: It sounds so dirty when you say it like that.

Dr. Walter Bishop: Our destiny was set the day we triggered the Machine.
I didn't understand until it was too late that our two worlds were
inextricably linked. Without one, the other simply cannot exist. When
their world was destroyed, that was the day that sealed our fate. For
all intents and purposes, that was the day we died.


Then since that was the end of the season, I watched the disc extras.

What Did You Watch?


--
I've done good in this world. Now I'm tired and just want to be a cranky
dirty old man.

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)

On 6/2/2025 7:09 AM, Dimensional Traveler wrote:

Fringe S3E18 'Bloodline'

snip

Then since that was the end of the season, I watched the disc extras.

What Did You Watch?

I pulled out my Superman 4K box set and vegged out watching:


Superman (4K disc) This is no fantasy. There is a new movie based on my favorite comic book hero releasing next month. My plan is revisit *all*
of the DC movies (At least the ones I have on disc) and started with the
1978 Christopher Reeve movie. It holds up great.


Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut (4K disc) 1980 sequel reedited to
include footage original shot by Richard Donner before he was replaced
and new footage was shot to replace what Donner had shot. While I do
like the theatrical cut, two things make this version superior. One,
Lois Lane wearing Superman's shirt. And two, the restored Marlon Brando scenes.


Superman III (4K disc) 1983 sequel that traumatized an entire generation
of children when a woman was turned into a robot. But the Superman vs.
Clark fight makes up for that.


Supergirl (blu-ray) 1984 spin off movie starring Helen Slater. This is
a movie that the more times I watch it, the more I like. It just keeps
getting better and better.


Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (4K disc) 1987 sequel which while a
lousy movie, has an excellent commentary track on the 4K disc. The
writer deconstructs the movie giving all the behind the scenes details
of what went wrong. And when he's not doing that, he's providing lots
of snark. The commentary really made watching the movie a fun experience.


Superman Returns (blu-ray) To my surprise, I had time to work my way
through 1 more. Unfortunately it was this 2006 reboot that just misses
the mark. I'm not even going to get into the so many things that are
wrong with this movie. Way too much to list! But it did at least reuse
the John Williams score and that was at least nice.

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)

Arthur Lipscomb <[email protected]> wrote:

Superman Returns (blu-ray) To my surprise, I had time to work my way
through 1 more. Unfortunately it was this 2006 reboot that just misses
the mark. I'm not even going to get into the so many things that are
wrong with this movie. Way too much to list! But it did at least reuse
the John Williams score and that was at least nice.

I saw this movie in IMAX with the few minutes of converted 3D, which
seemed pretty pointless.

Instead of "You will believe a man can fly!" it's "You will be hit on
the head repeatedly with religious imagery for Superman is the Messiah."

That movie wasted enough of my life at the time and I've never wanted to revisit it. I want it transferred to nitrate film stock.

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)

On 6/2/25 7:09 AM, Dimensional Traveler wrote:

What Did You Watch?

Sunday was the second day when I basically checked out, and just took it
easy. So I got through a movie yesterday, and looked around the
streamers to figure out if there are any other flicks I want to get to imminently.

So, yesterday, I got through soaps, golf, and the moo-vee:

soaps: Both shows were Fri's ep's.
DOOL - A mostly snoozy episode. EJ gets to buy the hospital when
Brady votes for EJ after Xander's arrest. Otherwise, this was consumed
with (Fake!)John-is-dying! stuff, as more people arrive in town - e.g.
Will and Eric.
GH - This was more interesting. Brook Lynn again righteously lays
out self-serving Lois for Lois' decades of lies. Gio and Emma are hiding
out in some cabin somewhere - Gio wants to leave town, but knows he need
to return (to face the pit of vipers!!). Alexis interviews Kristina and
Lucky about the day Kristina tried to murder Ava, and instead almost
murdered Ric and Lizzie instead. Laura talks to Lizzie about the status
of her relationship with Lucky - Lizzie still remains skeptical of
Lucky's... "staying power". And Nina hashes out her options with Ava,
re: the custody hearing - it turns out that Nina is disinclined to use
the info about Sasha's baby's paternity because she figures that Willow
will never dump Drew unless she loses custody of her kids!! (That is a cold-blooded take, but likely accurate!)

golf - Did I mention that Scottie Scheffler led the Memorial at the end
of Day 3? Did I also mention that Scheffler basically never loses when
he's the 54-hole leader?! Well, you can guess how this went.
And it was even worse, because anyone who was still in contention of
taking over the lead at the start of the last day instead *lost* ground
as the final day wore on. I'm not sure how many stroke Scheffler ended
up winning by, but I think it ended up being 5 or 6.
Oh, also, Scheffler has now won the Memorial back-to-back! [sigh...]

Novocane (Pee+) - I expected more of an "action" flick than an
"action-comedy flick" going in, but this is definitely more of the
latter, almost crossing over into "comedy with some action elements".
I dunno if Arthur has seen this one yet, but if he hasn't I'd
recommend against it for him! - This flick is less... "gory", than it is just... "gross/yucky" in parts!
Anyway, this stars "Hughie from 'The Boys'" (Jack Quad) as a
isolated, nerdy/nebishy assistant back manager. BUT!... Hughie also has
a kind of a "superpower" - he has a genetic condition which means he
can't feel pain! (As such, he is forced to eat soft foods lest he chew
his own tongue off!)
Sidenote: This film is set in San Diego, but was very obviously *not
filmed in San Diego*. (Ha!! IMDb says it was filmed in Cape Town!!! Cape
Town canNOT fill in for San DIE-ego!!)
I was pleased as punch when the love-interest turned up, and it was
none other than the lovely Amber Midthunder! She plays a new bank teller
that "Hughie" is sweet on.
Anyway, soon enough, the bank is hit by bank robbers, and in the
ensuing hostage crisis, they take Midthunder's character hostage (as
well as shooting up a bunch of cops arriving to the scene) on their escape.
Well, Hughie will not stand for this! and he steals one of the cop
cars to go after the bank robbers in order to save Midthunder.
Vigilante "superhero" wackiness ensues! And of the more comic
variety, as Hughie tries to track down the robbers.
Also popping up in this as "Hughie's" online buddy is... "Reginald
the Vampire" (Jacob Batalon).
This was OK, I guess, though it wasn't exactly what I was expecting,
and was also, as I said, more gross than I was expecting.


Now that I am done with "Andor", I will probably start up another
streaming series today - I'm leaning towards tackling season #2 of
"School Spirits" next.


What did you watch?

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)

On Jun 2, 2025 at 2:24:39 PM PDT, ""Ian J. Ball"" <[email protected]d> wrote:

On 6/2/25 7:09 AM, Dimensional Traveler wrote:

What Did You Watch?

Novocane (Pee+) - I expected more of an "action" flick than an
"action-comedy flick" going in, but this is definitely more of the
latter, almost crossing over into "comedy with some action elements".
I dunno if Arthur has seen this one yet, but if he hasn't I'd
recommend against it for him! - This flick is less... "gory", than it is just... "gross/yucky" in parts!
Anyway, this stars "Hughie from 'The Boys'" (Jack Quad) as a
isolated, nerdy/nebishy assistant back manager. BUT!... Hughie also has
a kind of a "superpower" - he has a genetic condition which means he
can't feel pain! (As such, he is forced to eat soft foods lest he chew
his own tongue off!)
Sidenote: This film is set in San Diego, but was very obviously *not filmed in San Diego*. (Ha!! IMDb says it was filmed in Cape Town!!! Cape
Town canNOT fill in for San DIE-ego!!)
I was pleased as punch when the love-interest turned up, and it was
none other than the lovely Amber Midthunder! She plays a new bank teller
that "Hughie" is sweet on.

And she can kill Predators, too.

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)