It is happening again. It is happening again...
FOX's science-fiction series Fringe once again referenced the classic series Twin Peaks, less than a month after directly referencing Peaks character Dr. Lawrence Jacoby. Last night's episode, "Immortality," featured none other than actress Joan Chen, who played Josie Packard on Twin Peaks, as a character named Reiko who is apparently the mistress of the alternate universe version of Walter Bishop, a.k.a. "The Walternate."
In a bedroom scene, Reiko consoles Walternate, who is having doubts about being able to do anything to save his alternate Earth. "But in fact, there are lines I simply cannot cross," he tells her. "Does that make me weak?" Reiko replies, "No, it's what makes you the most brilliant man I've ever known." Walternate also expresses concern about getting his son Peter back to his Earth because of his emotional attachment to Olivia Dunham, but Reiko reassures him that he will eventually find a way. He then remarks that he trusts Reiko "more than anyone" and as the scene ends, the camera pulls back to reveal a spinning ceiling fan, an item focused on in camera shots from several Twin Peaks episodes.
Another Twin Peaks reference was made earlier in the episode, when a soon-to-be victim of the episode's villain, Dr. Anton Silva, orders a cup of coffee and a slice of cherry pie at a diner, something Peaks character Dale Cooper was very fond of doing. The name Silva could also be a reference to the late actor Frank Silva, who played the murderous spirit Killer BOB on Twin Peaks.
It seems the Fringe writing and production staff must have some serious Peaks Freaks on board, so here's hoping this isn't the last we'll see of these fun connections between the two series. Maybe it's time for FBI Regional Bureau Chief Gordon Cole to pay a visit...?
Thanks - big fan of Twin Peaks and Fringe. I noticed the cherry pie and Joan Chen's voice immediately. Thanks for noticing the fan - I also noticed the guy in the diner ordered a cup of (Windom Earle) Grey teat with his pie. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Mr. (or Ms.) Anonymous! As long as FRINGE keeps making TWIN PEAKS references, I'll keep posting them!
ReplyDeleteHi Charles! That's brilliant! I've just finished a TP marathon (tpns.tumblr.com), and as I'm also an occasional fan of the Fringe, I started noticing those references as well (loved Walter's aura-seeing glasses). Can't believe I missed the ceiling fan. Must have been obsessing about the incongruous appearance of Joan Chen too much! Thanks for this post. Hope you don't mind I link back to it in mine?
ReplyDeleteAnd hi to you as well, Tam! I missed the ceiling fan myself when I watched the episode live but caught it on a repeat viewing while researching this post. Feel free to link back to your site if you want...I'd love to see what other people think of my post. Glad you liked it.
ReplyDeleteWas it my imagination or did the background music during Joan's appearance echo TP?
ReplyDeleteNot to mention there was a reference to a son having a dream that happened 25 YEARS LATER in the same Dr. Jacoby episode. I'd love Dr. Jacoby to show up in the Fringe universe. That would be fun.
ReplyDeleteThis last week's episode - Welcome to Westfield - also had another similar reference. The gang are in a secluded Vermont town and Walter is in the diner. He orders a big slice of rhubarb pie and coffee.
ReplyDeleteI'm a huge Twin Peaks fan and have loved every minute of Fringe. I noticed the scenes when they aired immediately as references to the great Twin Peaks. There was also an episode that brought back a little of Millenium to Fringe when Sarah Jane Redmond ( Lucy Butler) played the alter Walter's assistant in Jacksonville. Agent Cooper was FBI. Fringe members are a division of FBI and Frank Black worked for the FBI. I will miss Fringe when it's over too ! What sucked was the person who runs Fringes Facebook page who kept deleting my comments about the above scenes whenever I posted them. Bad Robot!
ReplyDeleteI can't believe I never made that Millenium connection before. Well spotted!
DeleteI'm just glad I'm not the only one who appreciates all these great Twin Peaks references.
In the episode "immortality" they only show the sleeve of the waitress but it's the same uniform the girls wear in the diner in twin peaks.
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