I guess this is the wisdom of bringing yourself into account every day; I think it also gives a glimpse of the rather complicated and sometimes lengthy process of doing so. Before watching this episode, I used to think that bringing yourself into account every day was simply reflecting on what you did right and what you did wrong so that tomorrow you can become a little better. But perhaps it’s a lot more than that. After all, you never know when you won’t have a tomorrow to deal with things. But does it mean talking to people you are angry with?

There was another exchange that made me reflect on yet another topic. This one happened in the lab, after Mrs. Donovan agreed to have Lisa looked over by Walter and was told Lisa would be given some drugs:

Mrs. Donovan: What kind of drugs?
Walter: Benzodiazepam […] Your daughter is 17, I’m sure she’s sampled far worse by now.

At first this comment made me smile. It’s something very typically Walter and Mrs. Donovan’s responding facial expression made it all the more amusing. But it then made me think: it this really the way we think about the generation of tomorrow? Isn’t this a terribly dis-empowering way of thinking of them? Especially since, according to Project Teen Canada, teenagers today are drinking less, smoking less, and having less sex (well, at least in Canada they are).

Obviously the main conflict of interest in this episode in the seeming differences between science and religion. I say ‘seeming’ because science and religion are meant to work together; without the former, we sink into superstition and without the latter, we take science to horrific levels. It isn’t coincidence that some of the great scientists of the past such as Newton and Galileo were also great philosophical thinkers and were spiritual.

When asked what he thinks about Lisa’s rather miraculous revival, Peter admits that he doesn’t believe God did it. He continues on to say that in his opinion, while people are free to believe in what they want, he is not going to believe anything until he sees it for himself. His brand of ‘healthy scepticism’ seems to be the healthiest position for a doubter to have. On the one hand, Peter isn’t swayed or convinced by a mere desire to believe in something, which makes us vulnerable to liars, deceivers, and illusions. Staying open-minded and looking for proofs is the safest way of investigating the truth. However I do believe that there are some things we can’t hope to understand (the nature of a force greater than us that created us, whether you want to call it God or Mother Nature, is too big for us to understand), and healthy scepticism is best served with a dose of humility.

Mrs Donovan’s initial defensiveness and her change of heart out of desperation was also a very interesting arc to observe within the story.

Mrs Donovan: Are you a religious woman, Agent Dunham?
Olivia: No, I’m not.
Mrs Donovan: Then I imagine you sit in judgment of those of us who rely on our faith to guide our decisions about what’s best for our loved ones.

Sometimes I have the impression that the way we think others perceive us is but a reflection of the way we perceive them. Mrs. Donovan’s concern at being judged by those who don’t have faith makes me wonder about her position towards those who don’t. And however spiritual the person, this cannot be a healthier attitude than Peter’s healthy scepticism.

Mrs Donovan then turns to Walter for help when, after praying and praying for Lisa, nothing has happened to help her daughter. While her sudden and total change of attitude could have taken some viewers by surprise, I find it rather realistic, in that someone so defensive usually feels conflicted about said topic, and that their faith not being strong, they can change under enough pressure.
Mrs Donovan’s change of opinion was also interesting in that I find it reflects something I have oftentimes noticed. We are so intent on finding a solution that brings instant results that we often don’t take heed of the entire portrait. We also don’t really believe in something; we believe in whatever will work to help us achieve our aims. At first, Mrs. Donovan turns solely to her faith. But it doesn’t work, and so she turns to Walter to help her daughter.

Walter brings it all together beautifully near the end of the episode. When Mrs Donovan asks him how can they be sure that Rusk is truly gone, he answers her by quoting Isaac 7:9 : “Unless you believe, you will not understand.” Then he admits that “even as a scientist, I sometimes I have to rely on faith.”

There were a couple of details in this episode that I really appreciated. One was Lisa’s crush on Peter, which was just enough to be adorable without being over-the-top or uncomfortable. I also loved the direct way she approached the topic of Olivia (“So is agent Dunham like your girlfriend?”) and, when she was leaving at the end, she encouraged her – albeit indirectly – to make her move: “I’ll be 18 in a year. Don’t wait too long to make your move.”

Speaking of which, the actress who portrayed Lisa is really amazing. I’m glad this episode was aired, if only to discover her acting abilities. I also loved the ending of this episode, how it leaves the door open for a Rusk part two (although I highly doubt it will happen).

And finally, as always, there were a couple of great Walter moments, my favourite being this one:

Walter: But you say her mother has refused [letting him examine the girl].
Astrid: After watching Walter’s scariest home videos, who can blame her?