Charlie Francis – friend, aid, agent, evil, imposter or otherwise – has left his mark on Fringe.
Here at FB we’re raising our glasses to all things Charlie. Join us as we look back at his 5 greatest hits.
1. Setting the tone
After John Scott’s seeming death and betrayal in the Pilot episode, Charlie spoke his mind on the frustrations of the job. For some reason this quote always stuck with me – it was delivered to perfection by Kirk Acevedo and set the tone for the show:
“I knew him just as long as you did. I’m sorry. Job isn’t what it was ten years ago. We’re supposed to protect the world, where one breath of the wrong air can incinerate you from the inside out. I mean, how do we protect people, when corporations have higher security clearances than we do? When we’re not fully briefed on half the things that we’re investigating. You know, when the truth, the truth is – we’re obsolete.”
2. Is He Stoned?
Charlie the comedian, is not something that usually springs to mind. But the deadpan nature of Charlie’s reaction to Walter’s over-enthusiastic ramble was made of pure win:
WALTER: “Yes, but not about banks. Think back 20 years – imagine yourself then, imagining yourself now – 20 years into the future. In your wildest imagination, could you ever think you’d be here?”
CHARLIE: (to Olivia) “Is he stoned?”
3. Trend Setter
No-one at Fringe Division could rock a hat like Charlie. His collection of head gear brought out a stylish side to his otherwise stiff character. To put it in perspective, Charlie’s hats were as good as Peter’s leather jacket is bad. Seriously Peter, what’s with the coat?
4. All Smiles
I loved this scene. Not just for the subtext, but because it really did give us an insight into just how far Charlie had come. Charlie smiling AND buying into Walter’s crazy theories? Yes, this is one scene from ‘Desirable Objects’ that felt right. You don’t need molebabies to make a good scene.
5. The End
OK, so I’ll overlook his inability to use his gun instead of his hands when fighing off Olivia, AND his ridiculous lapse in concentration when allowing Olivia to get a shot at him, but I really, really love this scene.
The visuals were great and the completion of the Charlie arc was on point. What really capped Charlie’s farewell, for me, was the look in his eyes when he knew the game was up. That little detail, that decision to have Charlie give Olivia THAT look, felt so right. Whether it was real Charlie, Evil Charlie or a composite of all the people the shapeshifter had been through, that one look spoke a thousand words.
If you have any favourite Charlie moments, feel free to share them in the comments.
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{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
What about ‘is that a cow?’ in the pilot? Classic Fringe/Charlie moment!
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Yep, that’s the one I was going to mention. The way he delivered that line was perfect. To this day, that small scene stands out in my mind as one of the best, most classic Fringe moments ever. I can watch that little exchange over and over again and it still makes me laugh. Love it!
Side note: “And I was like, yeah… that’s a plot hole!” — Where do you come up with these things?! Thanks for the laugh.
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I love when he said to olivia that Jonh Scott told him “He loves him too” on the episode The gosth network, he makes LIv smile after she just burying the love of her live.So cute.
Am so gonna miss Charlie good or bad.
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I’d like to thank you for including Charlie’s sense of style in the Top 5. Every time I watch one of the episodes from season 1 and I see one of those hats (or even his sunglasses, for that matter), I kind of just smile and squee with joy =)
I definately agree with the “cow” line. Love that scene.
Another one of my favorite moments was the ENTIRE episode 1.16. It was just nice to see Charlie in a prominent role for once (and my girlish glee kicked in once again when he showed up with his shirt off, haha). In particular, I loved this interaction:
WALTER: Agent Francis, I’m told you were attacked by the beast. What did it feel like?
CHARLIE: It hurt.
WALTER: No, I mean the animal’s dermis. Was it rough like a rhinoceros?
CHARLIE: I haven’t felt any rhinos lately. But, uh, it was course like sandpaper.
WALTER: And the metasoma, the tail, was it segmented like a scorpion?
CHARLIE: I didn’t get a good look at it. It kept on knocking me on my ass.
WALTER: Perhaps you did,you just can’t remember. Trauma can do that. I could hypnotize you…
OLIVIA: Walter, I think that that’s enough for the moment.
Oh, Charlie. You will be missed.
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He was such a good foil for Olivia. I loved his reaction when she was explaining “extended deja-vu” to him. It was just one of those great scenes where he was the everyman. Charlie, I raise my glass to you. You were my man–my reality check. I’ll miss ya, bro.
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Two beauts from the pilot:
1) “Plane landed itself right on time, unlike every flight I’ve ever taken”.
2) “We need this place locked down”. With that unique voice, Charlie was born for bellowing orders.
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FFFFBBBIII!!!!!!!!!
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First of all, I’d like to thank you guys for making such a great post about one of my favorite, unforgettable characters.
Second, I’m agree with all of you guys which have commented here so far. I loved Kirk Acevedo’s accent, his voice was a great, lovely, FBI commanding voice! And I tell you, every single scene we had Charlie in the show, will not be forgotten. He was a special character. I hope co-writers will be able to fill his way with a new special, lovely character.
Thank you Kirk Acevedo, and Thank you FB boys, specially Roco.
.
If I want to mention a scene which you have not mentioned yet, that would be at Episode 1-20(There’s more than one of everything). When Olivia and Charlie were investigating about the truck which came out of nowhere. His way of speaking, his hat and sunglasses, and the strong, brave feeling he had inside, was really a precious.
Thanks again, guys.
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Good shout Mahda, and thanks!
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Charlie: “Liv, I wasn’t gonna tell you this, but he said he loved me too!” – at John Scott’s funeral.
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In ep.1.05 Power Hungry, Olivia’s honest and to the point confidant:
CHARLIE: Let me see. You fall in love with your partner… Who betrays you… And your country? He dies in your arms. Then he shows up in your kitchen And you’re wondering if that’s grounds To rescue yourself.
OLIVIA: Yeah, okay, well, we can start with that.
CHARLIE: I say no.You’re the one that exposed him. Bare minimum, That makes you indispensable. You want my advice? Next time John shows up for a nightcap… Give him one.
In ep.1.13 Transformation – the classic memorable line from Charlie
“Can we have a box of tissues, please?”
In ep.1.16 Unleashed – Charlie (Kirk) at his best
That phone call to his wife when he knows he is dying …. best performance.
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Nice that Kirk is still in the opening credits.
I can’t wait to meet Alter-Charlie down the road. With his 2-scar.
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Some great shouts there – several that I’d forgotten about.
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I looooooooved that scene in the hospital with Olivia. When he was reliving that incident when his partner got killed and he was shot. He is an actor’s actor. Untouchable by anyone else on that show. He has a resonance that commands your attention. He reminds me of Javier Bardem in that regard. He can be loveable or he can be bad ass. Besos Charlie/Kirk.
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pretty much everything…charlie always made me smile. I’m so glad other people liked his “tissues, please” line. I laughed so hard when I saw that episode. Charlie rocks.
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I realy like dis movie to the cour.pls i wl lyk to chat with fringe division.
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Hi,
I’m a Fringe fan, but I’m overseas and have to watch episodes in the intenet.
Does anyone know where I can buy a hat like the one they wore on the show?
Thanks,
V/r
Jesse
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The return of Charlie/Charlnate.
In the 5th season.
Very much my fav Charlie moment
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