Walter is forced to revisit his painful past when a fringe event causes people to spontaneously combust; the team faces off with David Robert...
Plot
The episode starts with some fringe event where about two dozen people experience spontaneous combustion. There are survivors and one of them volunteers to be tested on to create an antidote. Immediately I am convinced she is part of this since 1) she seems way too eager and 2) because it is Rebecca Mader, best known for her work on LOST.
There is NO WAY IN HELL she's coming on the show just to play a bit part.
In Walter's lab, she is about to fry out when Olivia uses her super powers to cool her down and save her life. We've been seeing a bit of Olivia's abilities lately and apparently they are building up to something. At this point I start to think this is all an evil plan by Jones to get her to do his bidding.
We then find out that William Bell has been pulling the strings all along and that Jones works for him. The two discuss chess and sacrificing pawns. Bell tells Jones that in this case, they have to sacrifice the bishop (Bishop is implied). I suppose if you aren't a super genius, it isn't obvious at this point that Jones will soon be dead, sacrificed as Bell's bishop in his master plan.
When Jones utilizes some solar death ray device thingy to cook the planet, Peter and Olivia go to stop him.
They succeed but Peter is attacked by Jones. As Peter is getting his young ass kicked by the much older Jones, Olivia discovers another power, remote controlling, and swings her arms like a goofy cartoon character, defeating Jones through Pacey Poof's apparent pussy arms. I laughed.
Anyway, so Jones dies only realizing at the end that he was the bishop in Bell's chess game. So long, farewell, and thanks for all the fish. Though, if you think about it for two seconds, Bell couldn't possibly have known Jones would get defeated in that manner on the roof. So, either Jones was making a silly assumption, or this is lazy writing.
Meanwhile, Walter and Astrid walk into a trap, Astrid is shot, and Bell meets with his bestest buddy once again.
To be continued...
Quotables
Jessica: What are you?
Walter: (confused) I'm human, what are you? Is this some sort of alien invasion? Are you part of a strike...
Jessica: (interrupting) No I mean, I mean, what are you doing here? Are you a doctor?
Walter: May I take a blood sample? The discomfort will only be momentary.
Jessica: That's what all you men say.
Walter: You're very brave.
Bell: I'm not sure I ever thought I would see you again. (pause) Hello, old friend.
Rating
If I had to rate this one, and Bell's creepy eyes say I do, then I'd give it:
76 out of 100
Penultimate episodes are supposed to be bigger, badder, and better than this. That finale now needs to deliver all the awesomeness this episode didn't.
Some positives: I loved seeing Astrid shooting a gun; it was nice to see Peter and Olivia have an actual sweet moment together... in bed; Olivia's growing power is intriguing; and having William Bell back and as the apparent bad guy at least elevates the possibilities of what is to come.
