User reviews

When the art student Christine Holls is abducted by an Observer that is shot but is not wounded, Olivia and Peter are assigned to investigate the weird case. Soon they find that this is another Observer (called August), and not the one they know that saved Peter and Dr. Bishop from a car accident. They interview Christine's roommate that explains that she would take a flight to Rome. Peter sees a picture of Christe and her parents, who died in the San Francisco earthquake, and he finds the Observer in the background. When the plane to Rome crashes, the Fringe Division concludes that August has saved Christine's life. Meanwhile the other Observers hire a hit-man to fix August's mistake. What would be the reason for August's action?

"August" is one of the best episodes of Fringe. The sad story has a tragic romantic conclusion and shows a little more about the Observers. The question now is the remark of the two Observers in the end of the show about Olivia in the amusement park telling that everything is about to get so hard for her. My vote is nine.

Title (Brazil): "August"

There are several "Observers," pale bald men who wear traditional suits and fedoras and who watch (observe) for whatever reason. They are humorless and dull. In this one, a young college student is held hostage by one. His name is August. It turns out he means her no harm, that he actually remembered her as a little girl. He has as his purpose to save her from events that would get her killed. A hit man is sent after her. These guys apparently have been around throughout history, at major events. The young woman is saved by not being on a plane which crashed, killing all on board. The reason for her importance among the observers is quite unique.

I won't be writing a blow by blow precis of the episode since I'll assume you are adults and have watched it yourself and are able to remember anywhere up to an hour of high quality TV. So, hence you are here like me to just confirm our opinion that this is one of the best episodes in the show so far.

It has everything a show needs to flourish:

Intrigue, severe tension and doubt, fear of loss and potential failure and an unexpectedly emotional payoff.

Storywise it contains tantalising insights and dark portents into a deeper backstory to tickle the imagination and make you feel just a little bit squiffy with delight for what is to come.

This is excellent television viewing and the writers should be proud of this classically good episode!