| "The Equation" | |
|---|---|
| Fringe episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 1 Episode 8 |
| Directed by | Gwyneth Horder-Payton |
| Written by | J. R. Orci David H. Goodman |
| Production code | 3T7657 |
| Original air date | November 18, 2008 |
| Guest appearances | |
| |
"The Equation" is the eighth episode of the first season of the American science fiction drama television series Fringe. The episode follows the Fringe team's investigation into the kidnapping of a young musical prodigy (Charlie Tahan) who has become obsessed with finishing one piece of music. Dr. Walter Bishop (John Noble) returns to St. Claire's Hospital in an effort to find the boy's whereabouts.
The episode was written by supervising producer J. R. Orci and co-executive producer David H. Goodman, and was directed by Gwyneth Horder-Payton. Actress Gillian Jacobs guest starred as the boy's kidnapper. The episode featured her character in a "pretty violent and quite messy" fight with Olivia Dunham (Anna Torv), Torv's first for the series. The two actresses spent several weeks practicing the fight's choreography.
"The Equation" first aired in the United States on November 18, 2008, garnering an estimated 9.175 million viewers. The episode was the Fox network's fifth ranked show for the week, and helped Fox win the night among adults aged 18 to 49. Critical reception to "The Equation" ranged from mixed to positive, with most reviewers praising the asylum storyline.