Poor Olivia once again has someone messing around in her head. At what point will her brain just turn to mush? We know as a child she participated in experiments and since she has joined Fringe Division, she has had John Scott in her head, been brainwashed with Fauxlivia’s memories, and now is possessed by William Bell. How much can the girl take?
I have to give props to Anna Torv for her performance tonight. She was Leonard Nimoy’s William Bell, just in a much more attractive, younger, female body; her performance as Bellivia was amazing. This is another example of why Anna Torv should be nominated and winning awards. The executive producers of the show have continually mentioned that this seaosn is all about Olivia, not Peter and the machine. That definitely appears to be the case.
I avoid spoilers like I would the plague, so I haven’t heard any casting rumors about who will be William Bell’s new vessel. I guess that also could mean that he will either really die, remain in Olivia (which I highly doubt), or find a new vessel. I am hoping for the latter. I would love to see Bell work with Walter and Nina to save the two universes. I hope we haven’t seen the last of Bellivia, because as creepy as it is … it’s fun to watch.
The story of the woman who couldn’t die was much more interesting than the floating men last week, though it seemed to close to the whole Bellivia thing. I know, shows do that all the time, conveniently separated by compatible storylines. For some reason it bothered me a bit in this episode. Then, in Fringe style, they address it outright. (Sometimes I think the writers have a direct link to what I will think while watching and make sure to address it.)
When I was taking notes during the show, I wrote, “Ha! Love that William explains that the storyline this week was perfectly fit with his return. It is fate. Nice.” The show seems to be heading down a road of fate versus free-will. Is Peter fated to be in that machine? Will he or does he even really have a choice?
Where does this leave our Olivia? The church bells rang and caused a disruption in Bell’s control over Olivia, which I don’t think it will leave permanent damage. But, I’m not sure Bell will survive. That ending was one of the most abrupt endings I’ve ever seen. And, based on the previews it may not be resolved for a few weeks, as it appears we go back “over there” next week.
Do you like the Bellivia story? Or, is it too out there even for Fringe?
Other stuff:
Clacked by Carla Day 
on Mar 19, 2011 @ 10:18 EST5EDT
Bell can’t stay in Olivia forever. You could see Peter trying to keep his distance for her/him the whole episode. I suppose they go the comic relief avenue a put Bell in the cow. How long has it been since Mr. Ed was on tv?
And wouldn’t she be more of a succubus than a vampire? The things you learn from watching Reaper…
It was just you but it is a possible explaination how the season could end:
It’s not going to be Peter in the machine but William Bell in peters body.
I sure hope it doesn’t end up Peter. Don’t want soul magnets in the tea!
I was expecting the woman who couldn’t die to become the new vessel for Belly by the end of the episode, but the explosion in the end ruined my theory. I hope its not Peter though, he has enough crap to deal with.
At the end of last week I wasn’t sure about Torv’s Bell voice, but she seemed to improve it for the whole episode and was great in portraying Bell/Nimoy/old guy.
I thought Anna Torv did a pretty awesome job mimicking Nimoy’s voice.
At the end, did you yell at Peter, “Soul magnets! Don’t drink the tea!” or was that just me?
Oh my, I was yelling the same thing! Don’t drink anything from William Bell.
I didn’t even think about that but now that you mention it, Bellivia did raise an eyebrow, Nimoy-style, when she asked Peter if he’d like some tea.
Same with me– I completely missed that!
I also loved when Bellivia tells Lincoln, with regard to the suicidal woman who gets up and walks away, “Stranger things have happened,” and Lincoln replies, “No. They haven’t.”
I loved Bellivia too. I tell my husband every week that Torv needs an Emmy. NOW.
So the Anna Torv Emmy campaign officially starts here!
I was actually a bit disappointed. Peter’s too smart to not think of that so I didn’t get that he seemed fine with having Bell serve him tea. My wife and I were annoyed that Peter could be so blind to the fact that he might be getting set up as the next vessel.
*POST AUTHOR*
I think he was warn out about the whole thing and not thinking straight. He should have been smart enough, but just wasn’t paying attention.
I was thinking that the “Over Here” Lincoln Lee was finally introduced so that eventually he’ll become the vessel for Bell and Seth Gabel can finally become part of the regular cast, rather than just be a great recurring character.
I had a feeling it wasn’t going to be the Dana Grey character, if only because I don’t think Anna Torv would want the competition of another blonde on the show……
I just caught up with the episode and that was exactly my thought. It was odd that we hadn’t met Lincoln’s counterpart on this side until now, so I think he may be a good candidate to be Bell’s vessel – as long as those church bells don’t cause any more problems.