This review may contain spoilers.

First things first: raise your hand if the opening teaser for this episode scarred you for life.

No need to be shy - it was a jarring moment. As soon as the bald Dutchman spewed blood from his mouth -- post-mortem, mind you -- "What Lies Below" promised to be one of the better standalones of the season. And since this is a series that relies on such standalones in between huge revelations and mythology-heavy episodes, this is certainly a good thing.

Of course, in true 'Fringe' nature, even a standalone is more than meets the eye.

"You see, when you open new doors, there is a price to pay," says Walter (John Noble) to a group of elementary school children. He goes on to compare the proverbial monster under the bed to the quest to discover life's many mysteries, by claiming that "if you hadn't have looked for the monster, you wouldn't have known." On the surface, this is a scene that is played for laughs, but those two lines perfectly sum up the lives of the Fringe Division. The "new doors" isn't just about The Other Side. Once the Fringe Division became...well, the Fringe Division, they opened these doors.

Case in point, another Peter (Joshua Jackson) almost dies, and it's really because of the choice he made in the beginning of the series to become a good guy and stay with his father. Olivia (Anna Torv) is afraid to even contact her sister, because she doesn't want to continue to worry her with the things she's been exposed to. Astrid (Jasika Nicole) now knows part of Walter's secret about Peter, and it's highly unlikely that she's going to just let it go. And Walter is the epitome that And given Astrid's new knowledge about Peter, there's a high chance that she's not just going to let it go.

What Worked

Some people have complained about the fact that the episode wasn't full of twists and have even gone on to call it predictable. "What Lies Below" certainly was more of straightforward episode, but it more than made up for it by keeping the focus on the cast themselves. Plot twists aren't necessary when you have a solid story - which it was - that reminds you why you care about these characters in the first place.

The Fringe Division is really one big happy, strange family. Broyles (Lance Reddick) even considers the rest of them "like family to [him]." Peter and Olivia bond over their dysfunction and real family life, as they always do. Astrid manages to somehow be Walter's BFF and something like a daughter to him.

Even better, the members of this makeshift family were all given fairly substantial screen time, which has been rare. Astrid was prominently featured as an integral part of the team, and Broyles wasn't just the boss guy who provides the exposition in one scene. Hopefully this continues, because this episode has proven that this is a strong ensemble cast.

What Didn't Work

Every time another corporation is mentioned in 'Fringe,' especially one that has the potential to play a big role in the future, it's another reminder of the lack of Massive Dynamic evil in this season.

Giving Credit Where Credit Is Due

"Fringe" stars Anna Torv, Joshua Jackson, John Noble, Lance Reddick, Blair Brown, Jasika Nicole. "What Lies Below" was written by Jeff Vlaming and directed by Deran Sarafian.

"Fringe" airs Thursdays at 9 p.m. on Fox.