Beatrice Lang
Do Shapeshifters Dream of Electric Sheep? is the fourth episode of the third season of the TV show Fringe, which aired from 2008 to 2013. The episode's title is a reference to the Philip K. Dick novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, which inspired the movie Blade Runner. The episode follows the story of Senator Van Horn, who is involved in a car accident and taken to the hospital, where it is discovered that he is a shapeshifter. The Fringe Division takes his body to Walter's laboratory, where they find that it is possible to revive him and recover a data disc containing important information. The episode explores the idea of shapeshifters developing real feelings for their families and the challenges they face as they infiltrate and pose as humans.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Episode Number | 4 |
| Season Number | 3 |
| Air Date | 14 October 2010 |
| Genre | Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi |
| IMDB Rating | 8.3 |
| Run Time | 43 minutes |
| Content Rating | TV-14 |
| Director | Straiton |
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What You'll Learn
The episode's title is a reference to Philip K. Dick's novel, 'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?'
The title of the episode "Do Shapeshifters Dream of Electric Sheep?" is a reference to Philip K. Dick's novel "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?". The novel, published in 1968, explores the theme of androids attempting to pass as human, blurring the lines between the two and raising questions about what truly defines humanity.
The episode of Fringe draws parallels with this theme by focusing on shapeshifters, who, like the androids in Dick's novel, develop genuine feelings and attachments to the families and lives they assume while infiltrating human society. This creates a complex dynamic where the lines between their true selves and their assumed identities begin to blur, mirroring the exploration of identity and humanity in the novel.
The episode opens with a car accident involving Senator James Van Horn, who is later revealed to be a shapeshifter. This incident sets off a chain of events that explores the consequences of shapeshifters becoming emotionally invested in their assigned identities, creating a sense of internal conflict and raising questions about their true nature.
The title of the episode, with its reference to Dick's novel, invites viewers to contemplate the nature of self, consciousness, and the complexities that arise when the boundaries between different forms of existence become blurred. It encourages a discussion on the themes of identity, empathy, and what it truly means to be human, even in the context of shapeshifters and their unique abilities.
Overall, the episode's title is a clever nod to Philip K. Dick's influential work, inviting viewers to engage in a deeper exploration of the themes and ideas presented in both the novel and the episode itself.
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The episode opens with Peter and Fauxlivia on a date
The episode "Do Shapeshifters Dream of Electric Sheep?" opens with Peter and Fauxlivia on what appears to be a regular date, likely their first such meeting. They are at a restaurant, playing a game of guess-the-couple's-story, observing their fellow diners. Peter claims that you can always tell when people haven't slept together. This statement is followed by an awkward silence. On their way out, Fauxlivia excuses herself to the bathroom, clearly showing signs of stress and anxiety.
As they leave the restaurant, Fauxlivia and Peter encounter Senator Van Horne, who stops at a lemonade stand. As he drives away, he is involved in a car accident and is rushed to the hospital. The doctors are puzzled as he has no pulse but is still breathing. This strange occurrence sparks the interest of the Fringe team, who begin their investigation into the incident.
Back at Massive Dynamic, Walter, Peter, and Fauxlivia are having a conversation when the Observer is spotted in the foreground. The team, now with the resources of Massive Dynamic, delve into the mystery surrounding Senator Van Horne, who is part of the US Government group overseeing Fringe Division. They soon discover that Van Horne is a shapeshifter, and Fauxlivia communicates with her counterparts on the other side.
Fauxlivia's true allegiance is called into question as she navigates her relationship with Peter while working against him and the Fringe team. Peter, a genius-level character, notices that Fauxlivia is different from the Olivia he knows, but it is unclear if he has fully realized the truth or is simply playing along for his own advantage.
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Senator Van Horn is a shapeshifter
Senator James Van Horn, part of the US Government group overseeing Fringe Division, is a shapeshifter. In the episode "Do Shapeshifters Dream of Electric Sheep?", Van Horn is involved in a serious car accident and is taken to the hospital for emergency surgery. However, Newton, the leader of the shapeshifters, invades the hospital, shoots the staff, and abducts him. A shootout ensues, during which Newton shoots Van Horn in the eye. Despite the injury, Van Horn is not dead, and the Fringe Division discovers his true shapeshifter identity.
The episode explores the idea that shapeshifters can develop real feelings for their families and loved ones after spending many years infiltrated and posing as humans. This is demonstrated when Newton activates a sleeper agent shapeshifter, who has been living with a police officer's family for years and has grown attached to them. The shapeshifter is reluctant to carry out Newton's orders to kill Van Horn and take on a new identity, showcasing the conflict between their assigned mission and their emotional connections.
The title of the episode, "Do Shapeshifters Dream of Electric Sheep?", is a reference to the Philip K. Dick novel "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?", which explores the theme of androids attempting to pass as humans. This literary allusion highlights the similarities between the shapeshifters' ability to assume the identities of others and the androids' quest to blend in with humanity.
The episode also features the character Walter, who plays a crucial role in studying Van Horn's body and understanding the nature of shapeshifters. He discovers that it is possible to revive Van Horn and retrieve valuable data stored within his body. Additionally, Walter's eating of animal cookies serves as a subtle tribute to William Bell, further emphasizing the importance of memory and identity in the episode.
Overall, the revelation that Senator Van Horn is a shapeshifter adds a layer of intrigue and suspense to the series, blurring the lines between humans and shapeshifters and raising questions about trust and identity.
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Newton is the leader of the shapeshifters
Newton, the leader of the mysterious shapeshifters, is a compelling and complex character in the "Fringe" episode "Do Shapeshifters Dream of Electric Sheep?". He is a fun villain, with an uncanny resemblance to an overexposed foul-mouthed TV chef, but also possesses a certain vulnerability. Newton's weakness may lie in his understanding of human attachments, as seen through his analysis of Fauxlivia's relationship with Peter and his sparing of Ray's family. This understanding of emotional connections is also his downfall, as it leads to his death at the hands of Ray, who refuses to follow his orders to kill his family.
Newton's leadership of the shapeshifters is marked by his cunning and ruthless tactics. He invades a hospital to abduct Senator James Van Horn, shooting the staff and engaging in a shootout with Broyles, during which he shoots the Senator in the eye. Newton also demonstrates his manipulative abilities by activating a Shapeshifter sleeper agent, who has grown close to the family he has been living with, and ordering him to kill Van Horn and retrieve a data disc containing crucial information.
The episode reveals that Newton is a resurrected leader, brought back to life by attaching a cryogenically frozen head to a body. He possesses dangerous knowledge, such as the ability to open doors to alternate universes, and seeks to destroy evidence in the form of a shifter's corpse and obtain a computer chip embedded in it. Newton's actions and intentions pose a significant threat to Olivia Dunham's universe and others, according to William Bell.
As the leader of the shapeshifters, Newton also has a personal connection to Walternate, having helped him cross over to reunite with Peter Bishop. This connection adds complexity to his character and suggests a larger role in the ongoing conflict. Overall, Newton's leadership of the shapeshifters is characterised by his intelligence, manipulative skills, and understanding of human attachments, making him a formidable antagonist in the "Fringe" universe.
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Shapeshifters develop feelings for their assigned families
In the 2010 episode "Do Shapeshifters Dream of Electric Sheep?" from season 3 of the TV show "Fringe", shapeshifters are depicted as developing feelings for their assigned families. The episode revolves around the discovery that Senator Van Horn, who is involved in a serious car accident, is a shapeshifter. This revelation sets off a series of events, including the introduction of another shapeshifter, Ray Duffy, who has been living with a family for years and has formed a deep attachment to them.
Ray Duffy, the shapeshifter, finds himself in a dilemma when he is ordered by Newton, the leader of the shapeshifters, to kill Senator Van Horn and assume a new identity. However, Ray has grown to love his assigned family, including his "son," and struggles with the idea of leaving them. This conflict showcases the complex emotions that shapeshifters can experience, mirroring the struggles of androids trying to pass as humans in the Philip K. Dick novel "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" which inspired the episode's title.
The episode delves into the idea that shapeshifters, despite their ability to transform and infiltrate human society, can develop genuine emotional connections with the families they are assigned to impersonate. This attachment to their assigned families poses a challenge for the shapeshifters, as they must grapple with their newfound feelings and the potential conflict between their original mission and their desire to protect those they have come to care for.
The exploration of shapeshifters' capacity for love and empathy adds depth to their characters and creates a compelling narrative arc within the episode. It raises questions about the nature of identity, the complexity of human (and non-human) relationships, and the potential consequences of their actions on those they come to care about.
The theme of shapeshifters developing feelings for their assigned families is a significant aspect of the episode, contributing to the overall intrigue and emotional depth of "Do Shapeshifters Dream of Electric Sheep?" from "Fringe." It invites viewers to consider the ethical implications of their actions and the potential for redemption or character development in even the most unexpected circumstances.
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Frequently asked questions
The episode follows the story of Senator James Van Horn, who gets into a car accident and is revealed to be a shapeshifter. Newton, the leader of the Shapeshifters, invades the hospital and abducts him, shooting the staff. The Fringe Division finds out that the senator is a shapeshifter and takes his body to Walter's laboratory.
After Senator Van Horn is shot in the head by Newton, Walter studies his body and discovers that he is not entirely dead. Walter believes that he can stimulate the shapeshifter's neural pathways to find a "'second brain' containing data on Van Horn's mission and history.
The main characters in the episode are Walter, Peter, Fauxlivia, Newton, and Senator Van Horn.
Yes, the episode's title and story are a reference to the Philip K. Dick novel, "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?", which inspired the movie "Blade Runner".
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