Ability (S01E14)
Airdate: 10 February 2009
Written by: Glenn Whitman & Robert Chiapetta
Directed by: Norberto Barba
Running Time: 50 minutes
The fourteenth episode of Fringe, titled "Ability," is a particularly focused instalment in the first season, dedicating its entire runtime to the slow, methodical exposition of the series' central mythology. While many procedural dramas in this genre tend to scatter their narrative focus across multiple subplots, this episode hones in on the origins of the central conflict with a laser-like intensity. It employs the signature Lost-like "mystery box" technique, a narrative device that frantically throws out intriguing questions while deliberately withholding answers, thereby maintaining a high level of tension and intellectual engagement. The result is a dense, information-rich narrative that rewards patient viewing and firmly establishes the show's commitment to its overarching sci-fi premise.
The episode opens with a spectacular cold open that recounts how the primary antagonist, David Robert Jones, escaped from Wissenschaft prison in Germany. Jones is teleported to Massachusetts, a feat that immediately establishes the scope of his capabilities. The plot then advances by two weeks, revealing the severe physiological side effects of that interdimensional journey. Forced to spend much of his recovery time in a decompression chamber, Jones regroups before initiating the next stage of his diabolical plan.
A significant part of Jones' plan involves a collateral victim in the form of Thomas Avery (Philip LaStrange), a street vendor. Avery receives a $2 bill doused with a particularly vicious neurotoxin. The effect is visceral: the toxin causes the victim's skin to seal up all body orifices, resulting in inevitable suffocation. His body is brought to the Fringe Division laboratory, where Walter Bishop attempts to solve the mystery of the toxin. Meanwhile, Olivia Dunham begins to scrutinise the acronym "ZFT." She hypothesises that it does not stand for Jones' organisation, but rather for a rare German book whose English title translates to "Destruction by Advancement of Technology." This book is real but incredibly scarce. Peter procures a copy through his acquaintance, Edward Markham (Clark Midlleton), an eccentric book store owner.
Olivia reads the book and discovers the author's belief that there are two parallel universes destined to wage war against one another, and that soldiers fighting this conflict will begin as reluctant recruits. In a shock to the system, Jones arrives at the Federal Building and deliberately surrenders. He demands to speak to Agent Dunham, but Calvin Harris intervenes, redirecting Olivia instead to lead a raid on Jones' former safehouse in Austin, Texas. The mission is grim; Olivia witnesses a fellow FBI agent being exposed to the toxin and dying in the same gruesome, suffocating manner as Avery, highlighting the lethality of Jones' arsenal.
Back in Boston, Olivia is finally brought to talk with the captive Jones, whose physical condition begins to deteriorate rapidly. He reveals that he has set a bomb with the neurotoxin to detonate in 36 hours, and that he will only give its location if Olivia "passes the test." It turns out that Olivia was given a nootropic drug called "Cortexiphan" as a child. The test requires her to make a light box go off by the sheer force of her will. Olivia is sceptical and attempts to trick Jones into believing she can do it. Jones appears convinced and hands over the location. However, Olivia gets to the bomb and finds it is wired in a manner that cannot be defused apart from the similar light box. In a moment of desperation, Olivia concentrates intensely, and the light box and bomb are successfully deactivated.
Jones is brought to a hospital, but he disappears from his room, leaving a spectacular hole in the wall and a cryptic message: "You passed." Olivia talks to Nina Sharp and discovers that Massive Dynamic, the producer of Cortexiphan, sent a batch to Jacksonville, Florida in time when she had lived there as a child. Walter looks at the text of the original ZFT manifesto and finds that it has been typed on his old typewriter.
"Ability" is a very good episode that successfully advances the plot and introduces some fascinating concepts that again firmly set the series in the genre realm of "hard" science fiction. While it slightly slows down the tempo in comparison with previous episodes, allowing for more character and plot exposition, this deliberate pacing is a necessary investment for the payoff that follows.
Although the whole concept of a bio-toxin closing people's orifices looks like overkill, designed only to provide body horror rather than serve as a practical terror weapon, the plot has a number of interesting plot twists that elevate the idea above mere gore. The visceral nature of the toxin serves to underscore the brutality of Jones' methods, even if it lacks tactical efficiency on the battlefield.
Jared Harris is again great as the extremely manipulative villain. Jones' real agenda is only hinted at and never properly established, leaving viewers with a sense of mystery about his motivations. He might have genuine admiration for Olivia or for Walter, yet he manipulates them nevertheless. His scenes with Anna Torv are very good, showcasing a complex dynamic where the hunter and the hunted are strangely tethered.
The episode also tries to provide various forms of fan service to different factions among the audience. The unfortunate street vendor shows himself to be a great cinephile, expressing admiration for 1950s and 1960s cinema. When Peter visits Markham's book store in the company of Olivia, Markham remarks that the two of them could be an item, which is a clear nod to the Peter/Olivia shippers. This attention to the audience's subtextual desires adds another layer of enjoyment to the episode.
RATING: 7/10 (+++)
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