The following contains MAJOR SPOILERS for "The Dreamscape," the ninth episode of the Fox series, "Fringe."

A businessman makes a suicidal exit through a high-rise window, desperate to escape a frightening swarm of razor-tipped butterflies. That's right, "Fringe" takes one of nature's few adorable insects and weaponizes it into a deadly flying paper cut. Ouch!

But like most occurrences in this program, not all is as it appears. And as the episode title suggests, "The Dreamscape," mind tricks run rampant.

Agent Olivia Dunham and the Bishops are tasked to investigate the death of the businessman, Mark (Ptolemy Slocum), which occurred at the Massive Dynamic building. He was a promising analyst with the tech giant. Walter notes unusual cuts on Mark unrelated to the fall.

At the same time, Dunham experiences more visions of dead Agent John Scott (Mark Valley). He sends an email leading her to another secret basement. Stored there are crates holding an abundance of toads. Can the bizarre quote go any higher?

Walter learns the businessman's blood carries a synthetic compound, and matches it to a hallucinogenic produced by the toads. He expla ins how the hallucinogenic can be weaponized, creating such fear in victims that imagined wounds or fatal blows become real.

The toad discovery demonstrates Dunham's true link to Scott's memories. Her haunted conscience is proving an asset. I'm still not clear what Massive Dynamic is doing with Scott's body, though they may be trying to snag the same memories Dunham already carries.

Dunham is sitting on a potential treasure of revelations regarding Scott, and seeks Walter's help to explore those elusive memories and remove them. Walter is concerned about Dunham's safety, not to mention her harried state, but agrees to help. She submerges herself back into Walter's "mind trip" tank. During her memory walk, she discovers Scott knew Mark and was manipulating him against Massive Dynamic. Also present are two men she doesn't recognize, one of which is abruptly murdered by Scott.

Thanks to Dunham's keen deductive skills, and a bit of luck, she locates the only survivor from Scott's memory, George (Yul Vazquez). He is apprehended following a short chase, but is struck by a car and hospitalized. At the hospital, Dunham presses George for answers, but she is started by his adamant belief that he needs immediate protection from Massive Dynamic. He claims they are behind all "pattern" events, and their public facade is simply a clever smoke screen.

Soon after, he is murdered in his hospital bed with a dose of th e hallucinogen by an unknown party.

Meanwhile, Peter meets with his ex-girlfriend, Tess Amaral (Susan Misner). Tess warns that if she can find Peter, "they" can too. A short time later, he assaults her boyfriend after learning of his abusive nature. The long hinted Peter back story is now underway.

What Worked

Dunham's surreal trek through Scott's memories is an interesting and effective way to explore his shady past. Though I appreciate Dunham's distress at having part of Scott treading through her consciousness, I wouldn't be quick to expel him. There are far too many mysteries bearing down here to risk losing such an asset.

Not only is Poor Dunham burdened by Scott's mental incursions, but she must process George's accusation of Massive Dynamic's corruption. This leads to one of the episode's best scenes as she struggles to digest the implications. What is the truth here? The pressure she places on Nina Sharp will undoubtedly force some interesting revelations, most likely by next week's cliffhanger.

What Didn't Work

I don't have significant quibbles despite an abundance of new questions thrown our way. You can almost feel the payoff lurking in the shadows.

Giving Credit Where Credit Is Due

"Fringe" stars Anna Torv, Joshua Jackson, John Noble, Lance Reddick, Jasika Nicole, and Kirk Acevedo. "The Dreamscape" was written by Julia Cho and Zack Whedon ("Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog," "Deadwood"), and was directed by Frederick E.O. Toye. "Fringe" airs on FOX Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET.

Bryant Griffin is the Lead Designer and a Staff Writer of Airlock Alpha, writing out of the Tampa, Fla. He can be reached at bgriffin@airlockalpha.com.

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