A Better Human Being
Season 4, Episode 13

A Better Human Being

Aired February 17th, 2012 · Written by Glen Whitman, Robert Chiappetta, Alison Schapker, Monica Owusu-Breen · Directed by Joe Chappelle

SYNOPSIS

The science team investigates a patient at a mental hospital who appears to be connected to a series of murders. Olivia channels all of the experiences and feelings her counterpart felt and had for Peter. Nina's involvement in the grand scheme begins to reveal itself.

Synopsis provided by the Fandom Wiki, Fringepedia, and Wikipedia.

THE GLYPHS

THE OBSERVER

The Observer can be seen walking past the cashier's window at the gas station as Peter goes inside to check on Olivia.

Observer 41:50

EPISODE CLUES

Previous Episode Clue

The "Killer Bees" mascot name on the high school exterior in 'Welcome to Westfield' foreshadows the hive-mind abilities of the villains in 'A Better Human Being'.

Previous episode clue 22:19

Next Episode Clue

ITEMS OF INTEREST

  • Olivia has been dosed with Cortexiphan which is possibly responsible for her getting her memories back.
  • Olivia saying "I remember everything" to Peter is likely a reference to Joshua Jackson's iconic line "I remember everything" as Pacey on Dawson's Creek.

VIDEOS

JJ ABRAMS EASTER EGGS

  • JJ Abrams easter egg: Slusho! poster 42:29
    The gas station had an ad for Slusho! Slusho!
Slusho!
Slusho! is a fictional company created by J.J. Abrams for Cloverfield.

FRINGE DIVISION CASE FILE

U.S. Department of Justice
Federal Bureau of Investigation
121 105th Street • Washington, DC 20735
Phone: (202) 555-2100 • Fax: (202) 555-2101
E-mail: washington.fbi@fbi.com

FRINGE DIVISION CASE FILE #413-21712

FRINGE EVENT: Half-siblings connected by telepathic network

CLASSIFIED CASE CONNECTION(S): Recombinant DNA genetic manipulation experiments by Dr. Owen Frank

AGENTS ASSIGNED: Dunham, Lee, Farnsworth

SUPERVISING AGENT: Broyles

FILE ARCHIVED BY: Giovanni Dick

WITNESSES/CONTACTS: Mrs. Keenan (mother)

LOCATION: Deerfield, MA; Douglastown, NY; Back Bay, Boston, MA

VICTIM(S): Sean Keenan, Daniel Greene, Dr. Owen Frank (deceased)

CASE REPORT SUMMARY:

A home invasion and murder were connected to schizophrenic Sean Keenan when his nurse reported that he had recounted the entire crime in great detail as it was happening. Institutionalized since he was fourteen, Keenan had recurring hallucinations that had never been violent or grandiose before. Fringe agents spoke to Keenan and determined he had eight or nine distinct voices in his head. The night before, Keenan had heard one say he was cut and needed to clean the wound before he boarded a train. Dr. Bishop determined Keenan was misdiagnosed and was hearing the real thoughts of other people. Keenan agreed to go off of his medication to help catch the killer.
 DNA results of the killer's blood were found to have the same chromosomal spur as Keenan's blood, which revealed they were unknown half-siblings, the product of Dr. Owen Frank's genetic manipulation experiments. The doctor had donated his own sperm to manipulated eggs that produced enhanced IVF children. The siblings had created a spontaneous telepathic network, like bees, and formed a collective identity. Threatened, the children attacked for self-preservation. One killed Dr. Frank, and the link was permanently severed.

WALTER'S FOOD

Walter made tea.
Walter's Food: Tea 22:22 Tea

EPISODE CONNECTIONS

S1E01 — 1 connection (callback) S2E14 — 1 connection (callback) S2E21 — 1 connection (callback) S3E14 — 1 connection (callback) S3E21 — 1 connection (callback) S4E08 — 1 connection (callback) ◀ EARLIER · CALLBACKS SETUPS · LATER ▶
Callbacks (6 earlier episodes)

S1E01 - Pilot

  • In "A Better Human Being" Olivia has flashbacks to the first time she checked Walter out of St. Claire's in "Pilot".

S2E14 - Jacksonville

  • Olivia (in "A Better Human Being"):
    "I remember Jacksonville and seeing you shimmer the first time we kissed."

    As Olivia continued to regain her memories in "A Better Human Being" she mentioned remembering the events of "Jacksonville".

S2E21 - Over There (Part 1)

  • Olivia (in "A Better Human Being"):
    "Peter, I remember William Bell. I remember crossing over to bring you back."

    As Olivia continued to regain her memories in "A Better Human Being" she mentioned remembering the events of "Over There (Part 1)".

S3E14 - 6B

  • Olivia (in "A Better Human Being"):
    "We had that case, that couple in apartment 6B. The woman who lost her husband. After, I came back here. And then we went upstairs. I remember."

    As Olivia continued to regain her memories in "A Better Human Being" she mentioned remembering the events of "6B".

S3E21 - The Last Sam Weiss

  • Olivia (in "A Better Human Being"):
    "Peter, I remember William Bell. I remember crossing over to bring you back. I remember Jacksonville and seeing you shimmer the first time we kissed. I remember you walking to The Machine and getting inside and being scared that you were going to die."

    As Olivia continued to regain her memories in "A Better Human Being" she mentioned remembering the events of "The Last Sam Weiss".

S4E08 - Back to Where You've Never Been

  • Nina and Alt Nina had the same handprints in "A Better Human Being" which allowed Alt Nina to access Nina's protected Cortexiphan samples, and both Lincoln and Agent Lincoln had the same handprints in "Back to Where You've Never Been" which let Agent Lincoln past checkpoints in the Redverse.