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When 2013 first began, there was more than a few things buzzing in the back of my mind. The fact that this would be the year that the next generation of gaming would truly begin. The fact that this summer I would finally get the chance to see Neil Blomkamp’s follow-up to the amazing District 9. And the fact that, following years of production, we’d finally get a chance to see J.J Abrams Star Trek Into Darkness. But probably the biggest realization that hit me like a ton of bricks at the beginning of this year was that, before the month was through, Fringe would be over. One of my favorite TV shows ever and a constant aspect of my life for half a decade would be over. And episodes like these? They make losing the show even worse.

Because this episode guys? It was fantastic. Frequent readers of our weekly reviews probably know at this point that I’ve had more than a few problems with Season 5 of Fringe, something that was worrying me more and more as the season progressed. But it’s episodes like “The Boy Must Live” that makes me remember why I feel in love with this show in the first place…and why it’s departure next week is going to be a tough one to get through.

“The Boy Must Live” picks things up almost immediately after the conclusion of “Anomaly XB-6783746” (still have to look that title up), the episode that ended 2012 for Fringe. Which means yes, Nina’s still dead (aww), September’s still Donald (yeah!) and the Observer child still doesn’t speak (come on kid what, are you too ADVANCED for language? You think you are better than simple forms of communication? Asshole.) Also, Walter’s naked in the Tank. Obviously things were off to an impressive start.

And things just kept on improving as the episode went forward and we started to learn a whole lot more about what the Observers really are. I loved the looks of 2609 we got from Windmark’s little side quest, and it was juxtaposed quite nicely with September’s (err…”Donald’s”) tale of the origins of the boy. This will most likely be the one and only time we will see the future Observer universe and, though it was brief, I still appreciated the fact that we got a little look at it before the curtain closes. The September story, on the other hand, could have easily drifted into an exposition heavy mess. Thankfully though, we had the talent of Cerveris and some very impressive visuals to keep things exciting so, for me at least, the sequence was enthralling. I predicted the reveal that September was Michael’s father almost the second we found out Donald’s identity, but the revelation was powerful all the same.

Right now, I gotta say I’m digging the sideplot with Windmark and his Observer pals gaining more and more emotions. I haven’t really commented on the character of Windmark this season, but I think he’s a great addition to the cast, and find his quickly growing obsession with the Fringe team a really interesting turn for the character. Michael Kopsa has been doing an excellent job as Windmark this season, a role that mostly has to be sold on facial expressions and a pure hard ass demeanor And so far, he’s completely nailed it. I love the idea of the Observers slowly developing emotions, and I think it’s interesting to set a parallel between the ways in which September became more human (love, compassion etc.) to the ways Windmark is doing it (through hate, obsession, revenge, etc.) For a show that loves its parallels as much as this one, it only makes sense that things would develop this way.

Speaking of parallels, there was a shit ton of callbacks in this episode, which I guess is expected as the show reaches its end. The first one worked quite well for me, as we (finally!) got to see the tank return. It was a short sequence, but at least it gave us the wonderful exchange between Olivia and Walter about his lack of trunks. The other ones, however, didn’t work nearly as well. Well I love “White Tullip”, I felt like bringing back the Tullip drawing was sort of unnecessary. Not only does it seem very unimportant to bring it back, but it also kind of ruins the mystery and beauty at the end of that episode if we’re to be believed that September delivered it (which is what I feel the show was hinting at). Also strange was the retconning of “The boy must live line,” which after thinking about it makes little sense. Why would September tell Walter that his genetic clone who Walter doesn’t know about and never met is important? It’s one of those things that sound better in the writer’s room than in the actual execution.

Still, these strange moments aside, I absolutely loved “The Boy Must Live.” We learned important stuff about the Observers that I’m sure will be important in the finale, and we got some wonderful little scenes with the main crew (my personal highlight being the talk between Peter and Walter at the beginning of the episode). Also, Peter was wearing some cool ass goggles. And you really can’t put a price tag on that.

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