The interview leads Olivia and Broyles to Reverend Marcus (David Nykl), who gave up a career as a physician in order to establish a local church.
As he talks about having been trained to use it, Olivia contemplates how Wyatt knew about the chemistry to make the serum, and realizes he had a teacher as well – their true culprit, and immediately suspects Reverend Marcus.
Broyles, having listened to Olivia's conversation, knows that she has broken her conditioning, as the FBI had ceased to exist over a decade ago in the parallel universe.
"The Abducted" was written by co-executive producer David Wilcox and executive story editor Graham Roland, and directed by filmmaker Chuck Russell.
[2] The episode featured guest appearances by Curtis Harris, David Nykl, John Hainsworth, Karen Holness, Andre Royo, Will Rothhaar, Tristin Leffler, and Michael Strusievici.
Holness and Royo had previously guest starred on Fringe before as the characters Diane Broyles and Henry Higgins, respectively.
"[5] Reddick drew inspiration for the episode from undercover FBI agent Joe Pistone, whom he met while filming the TV series Falcone.
Pistone recommended his autobiography Donnie Brasco: My Undercover Life in the Mafia, and Reddick found many parallels to it and the episode.
"In the book, [Pistone] talked about how while being undercover in the Mafia, he had to separate his personal feelings from his professional and moral sense of responsibility.
[9][10] SFScope's Sarah Stegall believed that the episode antagonist's name of Toomy was a reference to popular villain Eugene Victor Tooms in the science fiction television series The X-Files.
"[9] Los Angeles Times columnist Andrew Hanson thought the whole episode was "disturbing, even for Fringe", and was pleased that the killers were shot rather than arrested due to the heinousness of their crimes.
[16] SFScope contributor Sarah Stegall believed the episode contained some of the cast's best performances, especially praising Lance Reddick's portrayal of a "very human, caring hero who has been damaged but not crippled by the tragedy that struck his family" and Anna Torv's ability to subtly play both Olivias.
[2] IGN's Phil Pirrello believed "the Broyles Factor padded a cool premise with a solid (if unremarkable) execution that lead to a great final five minutes.
"[17] In January 2013, IGN ranked it the eighth best episode of the entire series, explaining that "this one holds a special place for having so many elements of what makes Fringe great...