Fringe – Is this the beginning of the end of our universe?

This week’s Fringe was jam-packed with crisis, suspense, and most importantly, emotion.

I love this show for quite a few reasons, but probably the two main reasons are the tight knit story and the characters. The writers don’t take shortcuts. They make sure all the pieces of the puzzle fit together and not only for this specific hour of television, but all the hours before and in the future. This incredible writing has lead to characters, played by amazing actors, that suck you into the story. No matter how implausible something on the screen may be, it is believable.

While the title of the episode was “6:02 AM EST,” it wasn’t really about that moment, but rather the sacrifices surrounding that moment in time. Walternate was sacrificing his son and hundreds of millions of other people on our side, in the hope of saving his universe over there. Walter was willing to sacrifice that same son to save our universe. And, Fauxlivia was willing to leave her newborn son behind to try to save everyone. No matter how you feel about any of these characters, they didn’t make their decision lightly. They understood the ramifications and it hit their conscience deeply. Being fond of our universe, it would be easy to look at Walternate and say he was wrong, but I really can’t fault him.

When we were last over there in “Bloodline,” it was the first time this side was humanized for me. This episode just deepened my feelings for that side; there are no bad guys. Instead, there are choices and sacrifices that need to be made to fix Walter’s mistake of crossing over to save Peter. I didn’t like Fauxlivia at all when she was pretending to be Olivia, but at that time she was doing what she thought was right. Now that she is aware of what is at stake, she is proving herself. She is no longer Fauxlivia; she is just the other Olivia. It seems disgraceful and derogatory to continue calling her Fauxlivia. So, unless she pretends to be Olivia again, I will refer to her as Bolivia*. She has earned her own distinct and respectful name.

The way Bolivia was with Henry was endearing. I loved her name choice; it was fitting and ultimately will be meaningful not only to Bolivia, but Olivia, as well. I was disappointed that Bolivia and Lincoln seem to still only be friends, the pain on Lincoln’s face was so clear. Though, she did choose him to be the one to watch over Henry while she risked her life. Poor Lincoln.

While there wasn’t any love between Bolivia and Lincoln, the situation heated up for Olivia and Peter. It was perfection to see them waking up together with the sun shining. That’s a moment that they can remember and go back to when things get worse. I’m glad that Olivia wasn’t at the machine when Peter was risking his life. Her absence allowed for some special moments for Peter with Broyles, Astrid and especially Walter.

I don’t really have much to say about the ending, because I don’t want to speculate what is going to happen next. The story remains with Peter in a coma, Olivia on a mission with Sam Weiss, Walternate steadfast in his decision to destroy our universe and Bolivia imprisoned until the situation is resolved. I will be pondering the outcome of all these situations for the next week!

The lullaby that Bolivia sang to Henry seems to be a variation of  a lullaby from our side. Here are the lyrics:

I see the moon, the moon sees me
Shining thorough the old oak tree
Please let the light that shines down on me
Shine down on the one that I love

This theme of light ran throughout the whole episode, especially regarding Olivia. The sunlight shined on her in the morning in bed with Peter and then again at the end of the episode when she is drawn outside to find Sam.

Quotes and Notes:

• The scene in the morning with Walter — naked, except for big fuzzy slippers — and Olivia was hilarious. Poor Olivia. Perhaps with all the intrusions into her brain, she can expel that vision out of her mind.
• Newton’s Cradle — the name of the device Sam Weiss used to figure out there was a disruption on our side.
• “Peter chose to leave. He chose his allegiance. I chose to give up my son, so you could keep yours.” – Walternate
• Walter suggests putting lead around the machine to stop it. Isn’t that what Walternate did over there to prevent the energy from hurting his universe?
• “Give him the keys and save the girl.” – Observer recalled by Walter — allowing him to realize he had to let Peter go.
• It is amazing how close Peter and Walter have gotten. The scene at the machine would never have happened in the first season.
• Electro-Conductive Gel? That was such a Walter thing to do to show his affection.
• Over there — the Brooklyn Dodgers were playing the Expos at Ebbets Field.
• Seamus Wiles = Sam Weiss (anagram. when using Samuel)
• “Son … ” – Walter
  “I know.” – Peter
• A white tulip — last season Walter asked God for a white tulip as a sign that he would be forgiven. He received a drawing of a white tulip from Alistair Peck.

*Bolivia is the name the writers use in the scripts for the over there Olivia. It comes from B-Olivia, the second Olivia.

Clacked by Carla Day
on Apr 23, 2011 @ 09:02 EST5EDT