Only seven episodes into the new seasons, and the writers have proven they won't drag their heels with the whole alternate universe Olivia thing. In the hands of less bold writers, we probably wouldn't have so much progression in such a short time. And it may as well be now since the ratings continue to suck, and I'm afraid there won't be a resolution.
Frankly, I don't look forward to the monster of the week stuff. They're pretty good, in their own right, but can't hold a candle to the ongoing arc of Olivia in the parallel universe and her counterpart. But I feel obligated to put in a few words about the case. "The Abducted" features the Candy Man (great name, by the way), a kidnapper who leaves his victims changed in one way or another. Quickly, Olivia is able to deduce his goal, that he's extracting from the pituitary gland to become younger, drawing on her experience in the other world from the season one episode "The Same Old Story." To spice things up, Broyle's son was one of the kidnapped. Eventually, Olivia takes out the Candy Man and the reverend who taught him about the extractor.
Beyond that is where the real excitement lies. Olivia calls on Henry, the taxi driver from earlier in the season, who procures a boat. She swims to Liberty Island, breaches the lab, and gets into the tank. However, before she is able to cross over permanently, Walternate pulls her out. The writers wisely increased the stakes instead of allowing the ordeal to end so soon. In another great twist, it turns out that Olivia manages to tell a woman in her universe to call Peter Bishop and tell him that the real Olivia is on the other side. And the fake Olivia is right in bed beside him! Damn this is good stuff.
Score: 9.0/10
