The following contains MAJOR SPOILERS for the ?The No-Brainer? episode of the Fox series, ?Fringe.?

A killer unleashes a deadly video download, proving fringe science also operates beyond the shadowy players orchestrating the ?pattern.?

?The No-Brainer? is another standalone episode. Recent ?pattern? events, such as Mr. Jones? mind-blowing escape from prison, are again relegated to the back burner. ?Fringe? is content to merely dangle hints of a serialized format.

The episode unfolds with another outlandish display of fringe science gone mad. A teenager downloads a video, only to die after viewing its hypnotic imagery. Yes, we have a touch of ?The Ring? here, but this lethal video is generated with a heavy dose of ominous technology. Victims are left with liquified brains!

Dunham?s investigation quickly leads to a pair of similar deaths. Each involved the victim downloading the file. The victim?s hard drives are severely damaged, but Peter uses a professional associate to decipher the file?s contents and its origin.

Later, Walter is quick to form a hypothesis.

The download is a complex combination of visual and subsonic aural stimuli, according to Walter. It?s designed to amplify the electrical impulses of the brain, trapping it in an endless loop. Agent Astrid Farnesworth quips a simplification: ?It?s like a computer virus that effects people.?

Meanwhile, Peter attempts to conceal the arrival of Jessica Warren (Mary Beth Peil), the mother of an assistant who was killed in Walter?s lab. The death lead to Walter?s incarceration. Jessica wishes to discuss the incident, but Peter fears his father may not be able to handle the encounter. Dunham insists that Peter underestimates him.

By the episode?s conclusion, the killer is cornered, but promptly commits suicide. He was working independently, simply striking out at the loved ones of people who had hurt him in the past.

This revelation of the killer?s motivation marks an interesting moment in the series. The presence of rogue individuals operating outside the ?pattern?s? control adds a new dimension and makes containing these threats all the more difficult. Did The Observer know about this kook?

What Worked

Agent Phillip Broyles? confrontation with Agent Sandford Harris (Michael Gaston) was a good development. Harris clearly relishes antagonizing Dunham. The fact he makes no attempt to conceal his zeal speaks volumns on his character. By acknowledging Harris? vendetta, Broyles takes a welcome step toward Dunham?s camp. Too often, Broyles exhibits a bizarre (and somewhat creepy) state of aloofness.

Walter?s meeting with Jessica adds another layer of depth to a character already enjoying a rich peak. Peter?s recognition of Walter?s resilience is particular poignant. If pursued, this subplot offers an interesting opportunity to help lift the veil of mystery regarding Walter?s eventful life before his incarceration.

What Didn't Work

I?m not sure what to make of the Dunham sister subplot. Whether it?s character development or some hidden surprise, the scenes fail to gain any real traction. Don?t get me wrong, Dunham will certainly benefit from more development. Hopefully future episodes resolve this need with greater affect.

Giving Credit Where Credit Is Due

?Fringe? stars Anna Torv, Joshua Jackson, John Noble, Lance Reddick, Jasika Nicole and Kirk Acevedo. ?The No-Brainer? was written by David H. Goodman and Brad Caleb Kane, and was directed by John Polson. ?Fringe? airs on FOX Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET.

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

Follow Airlock Alpha's headlines as they happen on Twitter! Click here to make it so!