Hum-Believable

[D-Roc]

Why in the world was Walter humming at the start of the episode? Was he tuning into natures vibrations, perhaps?

The reason why I ask, is because one of the lasting memories that I have of the solid metal cylinder that bore into the ground, is that it had unique vibrations. Wondering whether there's any tie-in perhaps.

Also, did anyone pick-up on which bird(?) Walter referenced when Olivia asked him why he was humming?

[mindgames2007]

After he stopped humming, you could see that he was looking at a generator on a phone pole, and began talking about the hum that a kilowat makes.

[D-Roc]

Thanks mindgames, I rewatched that scene last night and managed to decipher what he said.

Along with his acute observations of Olivia's body language throught the episode and the mental link that he and Peter seemingly share, this seems to be another reference to Walter's wide perception and appreciation of 'communication'.

[Wondermind]

Thanks mindgames, I rewatched that scene last night and managed to decipher what he said.

Along with his acute observations of Olivia's body language throught the episode and the mental link that he and Peter seemingly share, this seems to be another reference to Walter's wide perception and appreciation of 'communication'.

I have noticed how Walter seems to be more free with himself as the weeks roll by. He is one that seems to be taking more of an appreciation of his new lease-on-life if you will. Now that he is out he seems to be less of the ogar that Peter made him out to be in the pilot episode. Overall he is a more mellow freer spirit with a fanciful wonderment about the world around him but with enough of a raw edge to still keep him at a cautious distance. And I too have noticed how Walter now seems to be showing more of his ability to psychoanalyze a person's mood based on their body language and the timber in their voice. :detective:

Walter, in my opinion, is basically the patriarch of the team...that father figure to all who cares for his companions in a nurturing way but does not mind scolding them when they are (in his mind) being naughty. Even when he drugged Astrid, it was a sort of a tough love necessity for her own protection. He could have taken a different and less obtrusive approach with her but his character is such that whenever the situation necessitates it, he takes a more dramatic and swift counter measure without giving anytime for explanations of his actions.

[D-Roc]

I have noticed how Walter seems to be more free with himself as the weeks roll by. He is one that seems to be taking more of an appreciation of his new lease-on-life if you will. Now that he is out he seems to be less of the ogar that Peter made him out to be in the pilot episode. Overall he is a more mellow freer spirit with a fanciful wonderment about the world around him but with enough of a raw edge to still keep him at a cautious distance. And I too have noticed how Walter now seems to be showing more of his ability to psychoanalyze a person's mood based on their body language and the timber in their voice. :detective:

Walter, in my opinion, is basically the patriarch of the team...that father figure to all who cares for his companions in a nurturing way but does not mind scolding them when they are (in his mind) being naughty. Even when he drugged Astrid, it was a sort of a tough love necessity for her own protection. He could have taken a different and less obtrusive approach with her but his character is such that whenever the situation necessitates it, he takes a more dramatic and swift counter measure without giving anytime for explanations of his actions.
Nice character disection there - I think I'd pretty much agree with that. One of the things that makes Walter so watchable for me is the range and depth of his reponses to things around him. As you mention, he's incredibly endearing but he has no problem whatsoever in barking out orders, being agressive or being the 'child'.

He's touched so many boundaries already that it's shocking to think how many more places this man can go.

Sometimes I wonder whether his extra acute sensory skills are his making or his curse.

[itsalldark]

Why in the world was Walter humming at the start of the episode? Was he tuning into natures vibrations, perhaps?

The reason why I ask, is because one of the lasting memories that I have of the solid metal cylinder that bore into the ground, is that it had unique vibrations. Wondering whether there's any tie-in perhaps.

Also, did anyone pick-up on which bird(?) Walter referenced when Olivia asked him why he was humming?

Thanks D-Roc. You've got me thinking again. I just posted on the Cure thread that Walter was also listening to the hum of a fluorescent light in the Pilot episode. Now you've reminded me of what Walter said about the vibrations from the cylinder. He said that when he heard the vibrations (by using the tuning fork vibrating at the proper hertz), it was like a letter had been opened and he knew what he had to do. Perhaps this is a form of communication that connects him to hidden portions of his mind or even a special access network. Whether he did this to himself, or the Observer or someone else established this form of communicating, I don't know. But I'm looking forward to finding out.

[D-Roc]

Thanks D-Roc. You've got me thinking again. I just posted on the Cure thread that Walter was also listening to the hum of a fluorescent light in the Pilot episode. Now you've reminded me of what Walter said about the vibrations from the cylinder. He said that when he heard the vibrations (by using the tuning fork vibrating at the proper hertz), it was like a letter had been opened and he knew what he had to do. Perhaps this is a form of communication that connects him to hidden portions of his mind or even a special access network. Whether he did this to himself, or the Observer or someone else established this form of communicating, I don't know. But I'm looking forward to finding out.
Great connecting the dots IAD. The vibrations do seem to be a form of communication between Walter and his past exploits don't they. They've been referenced in one form or another far too often for them to be meaningless. I think that the Observer may have changed (enhanced?) Walter somehow and made him more attuned to communications that most of us are unable to tap into. I wonder if everyone who comes into contact with the Observer is 'changed' somehow? Assuming this scenario is correct, of course.

[nitro2k01]

In case it's still unclear to anyone, he's humming with the sound of transformer (Not generator) on the power pole. You can even hear the humming sound that he's mimicking when the camera is focusing on the pole.
Normally, the hum is generated by vibrations in the coils inside transformer, and they're "playing" the frequency used for the AC in the power distribution. (60 Hz for USA and mostly 50 Hz for Europe) Funny thing is that they chose a sound effect based on 50 Hz, not 60 Hz for this clip. And Walther's humming on the other hand is neither, it's something in between, maybe 55-58 Hz.