Marionette
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| Marionette | |||
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| Season: | 3 | Episode: | 9 |
| Air Date: | 09 December 2010 | ||
| Written by: | Alison Schapker Monica Owusu-Breen | ||
| Directed by: | Joe Chappelle | ||
| Starring: | Main Characters | ||
| Guest Cast: | Mark Ivanir as Roland Barrett Anja Savcic as Amanda Walsh Michael Cerveris as The Observer Michael Bean as Grant Russo Samuel Vincent as EMT #1 (Joe) Robin Nielsen as EMT #2 Aileen Laurel as Nurse Beth McLaughlin as Alexandra Ross Jarod Joseph as FBI Agent Genevieve Buechner as Tabatha Barbara Tyson as Missus Walsh Mike Coleman as Ben Killenburg | ||
| Next: | The Firefly | ||
| Previously: | Entrada | ||
| Transcript — Additional Images | |||
- Introduction
Marionette is the ninth episode of the third season of FRINGE. It first aired on December 09, 2010. The science team investigates a series of cases where victims have had vital organs extracted. Peter and Olivia begin to deal with the lingering feelings they have harbored during the recent duress they have suffered.
Synopsis
A man steps out of the train and trailed by a well-dressed gentleman carrying a black case and an umbrella. The gentleman checks his back and intentionally taps the side of the leg of the man with his umbrella. The well-dressed man apologizes immediately as he is confronted by the man.
The train passenger looks unwell as he tries to make his way to his house. Outside his house, the gentleman is watching his prey, waiting as the man falls over and succumbs to the drug he induced. The man wakes up with blood all over him and taped to an operating table while the gentleman makes a call to 911. The gentleman apologizes once more as he injects a serum into the scared man's neck. The man begins to convulse and lose his consciousness.
Two EMTs respond to the call and finds plastic curtain full with blood stain. One of the EMT approaches the crime scene and finds a body devoid of heart. The man wakes up and begs not to let him die.
The well-dressed man returns to the train station, now with an additional small cooler. He stops and waits for his train.
ACT I
Broyles finds an unexpected guest in his office. Olivia explains to his superior that Secretary Bishop is eager to find a way to cross between universes safely. She also wants to be filled in with information about the pieces of the Wave Sink Device. Broyles reminds her that she is on leave, but Olivia insists on fulfilling a promise she made to a friend in the parallel universe. Intrigued, Broyles prys more information about Olivia's newfound friend. Olivia praises the friend for being honorable and committed and a good father and husband.
Peter awaits for Walter who just recalled that he left his medical kit in the bathroom. On the way to the crime scene, Walter tries to give advice to Peter on his situation with Olivia. Peter feels uncomfortable and does not want to have the conversation. After they arrive at the scene, Peter admits that despite the consequences, he will tell Olivia everything that happened while she was in the other universe.
Walter is delighted to see Olivia while Peter is worried about her condition. Broyles assures him that she has been cleared. He also briefs the team on their case — two EMTs found a victim strapped to a table with a missing heart after responding to a 911 call... the victim regained consciousness and spoke, but died after three minutes.
Peter and Walter inspect the heartless victim. Walter deduces that the thief is trained in cutting out organs, and later finds some scar tissue. Walter explains to Broyles and Olivia that he cannot ascertain the time of death because the victim still has reflexes. Peter comes back with the victim's medicines, which makes him an unlikely candidate as an organ donor. Broyles asks Peter and Olivia to pay a visit to the prescribing physician while he arranges transport for the cadaver.
In the hospital cafeteria, Olivia tells Peter that she felt disturbed knowing that someone lived her life. Peter looks more disturbed. He starts out the conversation by describing the little things he noticed that are different about Bolivia; but he quickly brushes it off because he believes that her brief experience in the parallel universe makes her want to change into a happier person. He then pressed on by reminiscing their intimate moment in the other side... thinking that Bolivia is Olivia, he takes their relationship to another level. Realizing what is the situation, Olivia begins to rationalize, thinking that the people surrounding Bolivia believed that she is her... and that things can happen. A nurse interrupts the two, telling them that Doctor Ross is available. Olivia tells Peter that it is fine. At her office, Doctor Ross explains to Peter and Olivia that Grant Russo underwent a heart transplant.
In a basement lab, the heart thief is done with the stitch in the chest of an unconscious woman...
ACT II
At Walter's lab, Walter suggests that Astrid find the Yatsko Project, where he developed a serum with Bell, under the pet projects; after Nina failed to find said project in Massive Dynamic's archives. As Astrid is about to leave the lab, Peter arrives at the lab. Walter is delighted to see Peter and asks him to smell the victim. The victim is devoid of putrefaction odor, as the decomposition has slowed down. Walter shows Peter a serum isolated from the blood of the victim that is able to slow down cellular degradation. Peter does not understand why the perpetrator would bother slowing his victim's death. Walter suggests that it could be that is bothered by his conscience. Peter tells Walter that Olivia reacted well to his confession. Walter is surprised to hear it and suggests that she might have been replaced with a robot.
At her own apartment, Olivia finds the tattoo at the back of her neck as she look at the mirror in her closet. Enraged by the memory of Bolivia's intrusion in her life, she trashes her closet and strips off her bed linens. She takes out clothes from her washing machine... she breaks down at the sight of Peter's MIT shirt.
Olivia joins Astrid as she prepares some coffee. Olivia tries to get information on how Peter was in his relationship with Bolivia. Astrid realizes how Olivia feels and calms her down, explaining to her that Peter's feelings are for Olivia, not Bolivia
Broyles briefs the team on a series of organ thefts by the same person in the past two months. All victims received organs from the same donor. Peter and Olivia finds out that the donor's corneas had not been harvested back. Broyles makes a call to Rosindale Eye Bank.
Barrett prepares to surgical removes the eyes of the organ recipient. The team arrives and finds an under-construction restaurant, unlocked. Peter finds a recently used operating table and surgical items. The team hears a thud and follows the direction of the noise. Olivia finds a man missing his eyes, begging for help.
ACT III
Ben lies down in a hospital bed with a bandage and gauze wrapped around his eyes. He explains to Olivia and Peter that he felt dizzy on his way to the construction site. He also confirms Walter suspicion of the thief being remorseful. Peter makes a call to Broyles to interview organ donor's family, a girl named Amanda Walsh.
At the lab, Walter prepares a vial of liquid containing the serum obtained from the victim. Knowing what Walter is thinking, Astrid reminds him not to give it to Gene. Astrid hands over the Yatsko Project files to Walter and explains that the human-tissue preservation project was continued at Massive Dynamic even after Walter left for St. Claire's.
Olivia and Peter interview Mrs. Walsh. She explains that her daughter is a loner and the only thing that makes her happy is ballet. She also tells the two that Amanda committed suicide and did a lot of group therapy. Olivia requests for the names of the doctors and groups she attended. Peter excuses himself to receive a video call from Astrid. Mrs. Walsh gives Olivia the requested files as Peter walks in, asking for her permission to exhume the body of Amanda... Mrs. Walsh tells Peter that is impossible.
Peter gives Walter an urn, which presumably contains the remains of Amanda Walsh. Walter tastes the contents of the urn, and announces that it actually consists of hardwood, cherry, mahogany and concrete. He also suspects that the organ thief is trying to put the girl back together.
Roland Barrett prepares Amanda's limp body, which hangs by supports and pulleys, for a ballet exercise. He puts on a music and activates the levers and foot pedals, making Amanda perform various ballet moves. Tears run down Barrett's face as he returns Amanda to her seated position.
ACT IV
Astrid receives information from Broyles, confirming Walter's suspicion that someone stole Amanda's body. Walter tells Astrid that grave robbery is common, which in fact inspired the novel Frankenstein. When asked about the possibility of reanimation, Walter confesses to having tried reviving Yatsko, but failed.
In the federal building, Peter and Olivia search files from Amanda's therapy group. Peter suggests possible suspects but is quickly shut down by Olivia. Realizing what is happening, Peter confronts Olivia... wanting to know why she dismissed Simon Waylan who fits the given profile. Olivia snaps and tells him that they are looking for someone who loves Amanda... fighting to bring her back. Peter continues his search, and finds Roland Barrett, who worked on animal research and dropped out of the group on the day Amanda committed suicide.
As Barrett prepares Amanda's reanimation, Peter reads Barrett's file. Roland Barrett inherited fortunes from his father's chemical company. He did a post-doctoral work on cell decay and regeneration and quit because of severe depression. He later went back to his scientific research at the Duk-Hee Genetic Institute. Barrett turns on the power, shocking Amanda. After a few heartbeats, she flatlines but seconds later, she gasps and rolls her eyes wildly.
ACT V
Roland Barrett holds the face of the newly reanimated Amanda Walsh. He stares at her eyes... noticing something different in her, Barrett pulls back and starts sobbing. Barrett hears the FBI team coming in and leaves Amanda.
Upstairs, Broyles hears a noise and opens a door leading to a basement. Olivia tackles Barrett. He confesses to her that he is trying to correct her mistake, but the reanimation did not work; her eyes tell him that she is not the Amanda he knows. Broyles, Walter and Peter find a lifeless Amanda. Walter inspects and confirms that she is dead.
As the team starts to pack and leave Barrett's house, Walter asks for strawberry milkshake as an after work treat. Peter approaches an upset Olivia in Barrett's backyard. Olivia expresses her feelings toward Peter's inability to discern her and Bolivia. She becomes more emotional knowing that she had been everywhere and everything she is... she does not want to be with Peter anymore. Peter quietly apologizes to Olivia after she leaves him alone in the backyard.
Peter and Walter arrive at Peggy's Malt Shop. The Observer makes a call and while watching Peter and Walter, he says "He is still alive."
Quotes
Trivia
- General
- The Observer stands across from the Malt Shop as Walter and Peter vector-in on the strawberry milkshake that Walter craves.
- Recurring Themes
- Blight. Olivia takes her lousy coffee for granted, reflecting on the time she spent in the alternate universe - where coffee is rationed.
- Reanimation. The legally dead Lisa Donovan was reanimated (Unearthed) just as her body was about to be harvested for donor organs.
- Cultural References
- The Wizard of Oz. Walter refers to the heartless cadaver he is studying as Tin Man, referring to the heartless character from the famous novel/movie.
- Frankenstein. After learning of the theft of Amanda Walsh's corpse from the funeral home, Walter notes that grave robbing was a common practice in the early days of modern science and medicine. He adds that the practice inspired the well-known gothic novel.
- Episode References
- Olivia reminds Peter of her previous (Over There, Part 2) admission -you belong with me- and the primary reason he departed the alternate universe.
Previously
 | The electronic billboard (Entrada) outside of the train station displays advertising for "Mercy Ballet" - foreshadowing the subtext of Roland Barrett's crimes, and passion for Amanda Walsh. |
Music
• Juliet's Death by Prokofiev 
• It Had To Be You by Django Reinhardt
Glyphs
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| — Plot Relevant Questions — | Address theories about questions on Marionette/Theories Ask minor questions on the Talk Page |
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1) Do not answer the questions here. |
- Is Barrett connected to Massive Dynamic?
- Is the tissue preservation serum he used on his victims connected to Walter and Bell's Yatsko Project?
- Is the Observer referring to Peter or Walter when he says - he is still alive?
