The Bishops’ Nazi connections return to haunt them after several people die mysteriously at a wedding.
Fringe Review: The Bishop Revival
Title: The Bishop Revival
Cast and Crew
Written by J.J. Abrams and Alex Kurtzman
Directed by
Joshua Jackson as Peter Bishop
John Noble as Dr. Walter Bishop
Anna Torv as Olivia Dunham
Jaskika Nicole as Astrid Farnsworth
Lance Reddick as Phillip Broyles
Craig Robert Young as Albert Hoffman
Magda Harout as Nana Staller
Dan Joffre as Detective Manning
Cast and crew information may be found at the imdb
Synopsis
Several people at a wedding die, and the Fringers discover a link with science developed by (for variety’s sake) Walter’s father, whose name was not really “Bishop.”
High Point
The introduction, with its Blair Witch/Cloverfield/Paranormal Activity/Youtube approach works fairly well, and (overused and gimmicky as camcorder has become), I thought made for a memorable introduction. I wish they had used it elsewhere as a stylistic element of the episode. I felt it enhanced the creepy premise, actually bringing the sense of reality the technique has often failed to bring when it has been used elsewhere.
Low Points
Fringe has always been a weaker X-Files that uses far-fetched twists like steroids to enhance their appeal. I’ll accept the quasi-science at work in this episode and even the mysterious nature of the main villain. I have a few problems with the Bishops’ involvement, the use of the books, and the other far-fetched flourishes (The FBI follows some very odd protocol in this ep). However, it may be that one must accept these things as part of the show.
I don’t feel they do enough in the writing to sell them to me, however.
The Scores
Originality: 4/6. The story makes reasonably good use of a technology, aspects of which could exist– though anyone using it would run the risk of significant blowback and other complications.
Effects: 5/6 The effects aren’t spectacular, but they show us what we’re supposed to see.
Story: 4/6. The episode has a good set-up. It takes a few incredible twists too many and ends with a very predictable final shot.
The Fringers arrive at the villain’s lair with a sizable number of FBI agents, and then they go into the most dangerous place alone, without particularly alerting anyone?
Acting: 4/6 Acting remains uneven. John Noble leads the main cast, and we’re seeing a little more of Jaskika Nicole’s talent, now that they’re giving her character things to do on the show. The guest-villain was adequately creepy.
Production: 5/6
Emotional response: 4/6. Some sloppy writing follows a fairly strong opening.
Overall: 4/6.
“The Bishop Revival” receives thirty out of forty-two.