Fringe 3 03 The Plateau Review

Okay, fellow humans, gather ‘round because we need to talk about Fringe. Specifically, we need to dive headfirst into an episode that, I swear, might have just been sprinkled with pure awesome sauce. I’m talking about "The Plateau", Season 3, Episode 3. If you’ve ever felt like you were stuck in a rut, or maybe just a little bit meh, then this episode is your superhero cape, your double espresso, your glitter bomb of pure unadulterated television joy.

So, what’s the big deal? Well, imagine this: you’re just going about your day, maybe contemplating the existential dread of choosing what to have for lunch, and suddenly, BOOM! Your entire perception of reality gets a swift, but delightfully weird, kick in the pants. That’s what happens in "The Plateau," and let me tell you, it’s more fun than a barrel of monkeys who have discovered a secret stash of bananas.

Our beloved FBI agent, Olivia Dunham, is our guide through this particular brand of delightful chaos. She’s usually the one doling out the "wait, what just happened?" moments, but this time, she’s on the receiving end, and it’s glorious. Think of her as the brave adventurer stepping onto a rollercoaster that’s painted with the colors of pure, unadulterated bewilderment. You can’t help but root for her as she tries to make sense of it all.

The premise? A group of people suddenly find themselves experiencing a radical shift in their senses and abilities. It's like everyone woke up one morning with a secret superpower, but instead of flying or shooting lasers, it’s… well, it’s weirder. And that's the beauty of Fringe, isn't it? It takes the familiar and twists it into something so utterly unexpected, you’ll be clutching your popcorn like it’s a life raft in a sea of awesome.

One of the most mind-bending aspects of this episode is how it explores the idea of what it means to perceive things. We all think we see the world as it is, right? Like, a tree is a tree, a coffee mug is a coffee mug. But "The Plateau" whispers a mischievous little secret: what if our senses are just… playing tricks on us? What if there’s a whole other layer of reality just waiting to be discovered?

Imagine you suddenly can hear every single conversation happening within a mile radius. Annoying? Probably. But also, think of the eavesdropping potential! Or what if you could suddenly see the electromagnetic spectrum? Suddenly, your microwave isn’t just a box that heats up leftovers; it’s a pulsating beacon of unseen energy. It’s like a cosmic rave happening all around you, and you’re the only one with the VIP pass.

This episode really hits home the idea that we’re all living in our own little bubbles of perception. We’re so used to our own way of experiencing the world that anything outside of that can feel downright alien. And that’s exactly what these characters are going through. They’re suddenly thrust into a reality that’s so much bigger and stranger than they ever imagined, and it’s both terrifying and exhilarating.

And let’s not forget the incredible performances. Anna Torv, who plays Olivia, is an absolute marvel. She navigates the confusion and the dawning realization with such grace and conviction. You can practically feel her brain trying to catch up, trying to process the impossible. It’s like watching a detective solve the most baffling case of her career, except the crime scene is her own brain.

Then there are our favorite eccentric geniuses, Walter Bishop and Peter Bishop. Walter, of course, is probably delighted by all this weirdness. For him, it’s a scientific puzzle, a chance to poke and prod at the very fabric of existence. You can just imagine him with a gleeful glint in his eye, surrounded by beakers and scribbled equations, muttering about “fascinating neurological anomalies”.

Peter, on the other hand, is usually the voice of reason (or at least, the least unreasonable). He’s the one trying to keep everyone grounded while simultaneously being dragged deeper into the rabbit hole. He’s the guy who, when everyone else is seeing ghosts, is asking if the ghosts have allergies. It’s that relatable struggle between embracing the bizarre and wanting a nice, quiet cup of tea that makes him so endearing.

The way Fringe handles these extraordinary events is what makes it so special. It doesn’t shy away from the weirdness, it leans into it. It revels in it. And it’s not just about the spectacle; it’s about the human element. How do these characters react when their fundamental understanding of reality is challenged? Do they crumble? Do they adapt? Do they start wearing tinfoil hats?

This episode, "The Plateau," is a perfect example of that. It’s not just a collection of strange occurrences; it’s a story that makes you think. It makes you question your own perceptions. It makes you wonder if, maybe, just maybe, you’ve been missing out on a whole universe of sensory experiences. It’s like a friendly nudge from the universe saying, “Psst, there’s more to life than just what you can see and hear.”

And the pacing! Oh, the pacing. It’s like a perfectly crafted symphony of suspense and revelation. Just when you think you’ve got a handle on things, bam, another curveball is thrown your way. You’re on the edge of your seat, not because you’re afraid, but because you’re so utterly captivated by the unfolding mystery. It’s the kind of ride that leaves you breathless and wanting more.

Think of it like a really good magic show. You know there’s a trick involved, you know it’s not real, but you’re still completely enthralled. "The Plateau" is that magic show, but the magician is the universe, and the tricks are so mind-bogglingly brilliant, you can’t help but applaud. You’re left in awe, wondering how they possibly pulled it off.

The implications of what happens in this episode are huge. It opens up so many doors for future exploration. It’s like finding a secret passage in your own house, and once you open it, you realize there are entire rooms you never knew existed. Suddenly, the mundane world feels a lot less mundane.

So, if you’re looking for an episode that will make your brain do a happy dance, that will leave you grinning like a Cheshire cat who’s just discovered an endless supply of tuna, then do yourself a favor and watch "The Plateau." It’s a testament to the brilliance of Fringe, a show that consistently delivers the unexpected and always manages to make us feel a little bit more alive, a little bit more curious about the vast, strange universe we inhabit.

It’s an episode that stays with you, a little mental souvenir from a journey into the extraordinary. You’ll find yourself looking at the world a little differently, wondering what other hidden wonders might be just out of sight. And that, my friends, is the true magic of great television.

"It's like my brain is a little bit broken, but in the best possible way!"

That’s the feeling you get after watching "The Plateau." It’s a delightful jolt to the senses, a reminder that there’s always more to discover, more to experience. It’s the kind of episode that makes you fall in love with Fringe all over again, if you ever fell out of it in the first place. But let’s be honest, who could ever fall out of love with this show?