“Dream Logic” is a good episode for what it sets out to be – a more-or-less standalone installment which carries forward the main series arcs as subplots, rather than as a major focus. What helps is a combination of a singularly interesting mystery and a solid focus on character and consequences. Make no mistake, while this is a “Freak of the week” story, it does a very good job of integrating many of the more important and profound ideas that the series has been developing. The result is an episode that, while not as good as the best that Fringe has to offer, is nonetheless entertaining and insightful.

Essentially, this is an episode that deals with how and why random people in Seattle are having hallucinations that trick them into believing the people around them are, somehow, demonic. And then tricking them into acts of murder. The setup is quite effective.  But the mystery itself turns out to be rather pedestrian, at least in terms of how it unfolds on-screen.  The addiction and split-personality elements certainly are intriguing, but much of the plot unfolds through procedures that have been done many times before on television — right up to the last minute save of a plane full of people.

What the episode does well is to fill in the edges of the episode with solid, entertaining, and often profound character moments from its main cast.  Walter’s paranoia about being in Seattle, due to its smell reminding him of the mental institution, is a nifty device to get him back to Boston, which allows Astrid to have a slightly more active role.  The subplot involving Agent Cashner is amusing.  Peter’s story about bad dreams is even more intriguing.  Were his bad dreams a result of him being pulled into this world from a parallel one?  Does the return of his nightmare portend a more ominous development?  And just what does his dream mean?  But the most profound subplot involves Olivia’s attempts to come to terms with the loss of Charlie.  It’s a rather touching moment when she receives a “You’re gonna be fine” message.

Overall Grade: B-

Despite the rather pedestrian mystery, “Dream Logic” manages to be better than average because of how it handles the side stories of the main characters.  Fringe is quickly becoming as much a tale about its characters as it is about overall plot arcs.  If the individual stories can improve, then the series will become very, very good.  Heck, even the music in this episode is noticeably better (it’s the first time, really, that I’ve been aware of the music).

Topics: Sci-Fi, TV Reviews
Filed under: Fringe

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