Ep 9. Marionette

As the third season of Fringe unfolds, it becomes clear that the characters are facing increasingly complex and dangerous challenges. In the ninth episode of the season, entitled "Marionette," this trend continues as the team confronts a particularly enigmatic case.

The episode opens with a scene straight out of a horror movie, as a young woman is attacked by an unseen assailant and dragged into a dark alleyway. When the Fringe team is brought in to investigate, they discover that the woman has been turned into a living puppet, her body completely controlled by the person who kidnapped her.

As they begin to unravel the mystery behind the bizarre attack, the Fringe team realizes that they are facing an enemy who is capable of manipulating people's bodies and minds in ways they never thought possible. As they race against the clock to find the culprit and stop them from perpetrating further crimes, the team must also wrestle with their own demons and personal issues.

One of the key themes of the episode is the idea of control, both in terms of physical and emotional manipulation. The use of puppets as a metaphor for the way in which people's lives can be controlled by others is a particularly effective one, and the episode explores this concept in some depth. We see how the characters themselves are struggling with issues of control, with Peter dealing with the aftermath of his discovery about his true identity, and Olivia trying to come to terms with her complicated feelings for Peter.

As the investigation continues, the team begins to suspect that the person behind the puppet attacks is someone with a connection to a local puppetry troupe. This leads to some entertaining scenes featuring the eccentric members of the troupe, who provide a nice counterpoint to the darker aspects of the episode.

Ultimately, the team is able to track down the mastermind behind the puppet attacks, and it's revealed to be someone who has a deeply personal motive for their actions. The resolution of the case is satisfying and emotionally resonant, bringing the themes of control and manipulation full circle.

Overall, "Marionette" is an excellent episode of Fringe that showcases the show's ability to tell complex and engaging stories with a strong emotional core. It's a standout installment in an already impressive season, and is not to be missed by fans of the show or the genre as a whole.