Ep 7. Of Human Action

Of Human Action is the seventh episode of the second season of Fringe. It follows the story of Olivia Dunham, Peter Bishop, and Dr. Walter Bishop as they investigate a "pattern" event that involves a man who suddenly goes from being incredibly cautious to recklessly impulsive.

The episode begins with Walter struggling to remember a piece of information before telling Olivia and Peter that they have a new case. They arrive at a hotel where the man they are investigating, Richard Steig, has barricaded himself in a room. Olivia tries to reason with him, but Steig becomes increasingly agitated, eventually throwing himself out of the window onto the street below.

The Fringe team discovers that Steig had undergone a procedure to implant an experimental brain implant that aimed to enhance situational awareness. However, the implant had malfunctioned, causing Steig to go from being overly cautious to recklessly impulsive.

The team tracks down the physician who implanted the device, Dr. Simon Paris, who tells them that he had been experimenting with various methods of enhancing human abilities. He warns that the device may have been stolen and used by others, putting more lives at risk.

Meanwhile, Walter struggles with memory issues and believes that he may be suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. Olivia attempts to reassure him, while Peter becomes increasingly concerned about his father's mental health.

As they investigate further, the Fringe team discovers that the device had indeed been stolen and was being used by a group known as "the movement," who had plans to use the implant to orchestrate a string of robberies. The team manages to intercept the group and retrieve the stolen implant.

Later, Walter gets tested for Alzheimer's, which he ultimately tests negative for, bringing some relief to Peter and Olivia.

In the final scene, we see a woman named Rachel Dunham, who is revealed to be Olivia's younger sister. Olivia is seen staring at a photograph of herself and Rachel as children, hinting at a complex backstory that has yet to be fully explored.

Of Human Action is a standalone episode, but it touches upon recurring themes of memory, experimentation, and the lengths to which individuals will go to push the boundaries of human potential. The storyline is intriguing, and the performances by the actors are solid, particularly John Noble's portrayal of Walter Bishop. The show continues to build upon its lore and character development, making for an engaging watch.