This episode centers on the circumstances surrounding a deceased scientist, who was doped with a "designer virus" and transformed into a dangerous monster, causing his plane to crash. Fringe agent Olivia Dunham and FBI consultants Peter and Walter Bishop connect the event to an impending arms deal. Olivia must explore her mind for remaining memories of her former partner and lover, John Scott, in order to prevent the sale of the virus.
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This episode's glyphs spell:
Marshall Bowman's transformation into a monster happened on a plane during a commercial flight.
The Observer is on the far left of the soccer field just before Flight 718 crashes.
The car dealership in 'The No-Brainer' has a sign for leasing a car for $718 a month. The flight that crashed in 'The Transformation' was VertusAir flight number 718.
The motel sign in Olivia's dreamscape in 'The Transformation' says "ZFT" on it, foreshadowing the resurgence of ZFT in the plot of 'Ability.'
- Project 269 - Exploration 20 -
She comes to me one more time, demanding another dip in the tank -- to commune with the dead man who lives on in her mind -- to ask him more questions -- to plumb his thoughts... Plumbing! How did I not see it?
The fluid in the reservoir maintains a constant level, even when small quantities of fluid are added, as the excess flows out the siphon pipe. But! Forcing a larger volume of fluid (say, 7.5 L) into the reservoir completely fills the pipe, at which point gravitational pull on the fluid in the pipe creates a suction that nearly empties the reservoir of its contents.
Crucial caveat: Any solids within the reservoir must be smaller than the diameter of the siphon pipe, or at least soft enough to squeeze through. Otherwise, the solid matter may become stuck in the pipe. Then the excess fluid accumulates in the reservoir, overflowing once its surface reaches the rim.
Likewise, Scott's consciousness has become lodged in the plumbing of Dunham's brain, interrupting the free flow of neural impulses. Additional thoughts, encountering the obstruction yet failing to dislodge it, accumulate in the reservoir of the mind. Overflow naturally results -- and as homeowners know too well, the watery mess oft contains bits of the obstruction, unpleasant reminders of the past.
Restoration of function requires enough force to remove the blockage from the tube. A rubber bulb affixed to a rod can be of utmost assistance here, as proper positioning in the mouth of the siphon pipe creates a powerful suction. Like Poseidon's trident, whose watery bursts bring forth the tide! The two basic operations are PUSH and PULL. Forward thrusting of the rod PUSHES the obstruction toward the tail end of the pipe, while retraction of the rod PULLS the obstruction back toward the reservoir. Once the blockage breaks free, siphon action takes over -- resulting, one hopes, in a satisfying flush.
The synaptic transfer system provides our metaphorical bulb on a rod: a means of PUSHING and PULLING the neural blockage to and fro in the theater of mind. With appropriate manipulation of the chemical formula, the suction should be powerful enough to overcome neural friction. With luck, Dunham may at last achieve the purging she seeks.
