"Alone in the World" was all about Walter and his tentative reconnection with Peter, a son he doesn't know exists. A man that nobody knows exists.

Seeing Walter so fragile was painful. Especially when he was talking to his psychiatrist, so frightened that anything he said would be used against him, sending him back to the mental hospital. It was sad that such a brilliant man was unable to entertain the possibility that he was witnessing an event. Instead, his immediate reaction was the return of his insanity.

He was getting more frustrated with the fleeting views (and voice) of Peter and Astrid took the brunt of it, especially when she acted as a go-between with Walter and Broyles in the field, because Walter wouldn't leave the lab. When Broyles asked if he had any ideas from his streaming view of the scene, Walter sarcastically suggested Bigfoot.

The case was about a boy, Aaron, as alone in the universe as Walter, who somehow made a bond with a living organism that also felt an intense loneliness. During the case, Aaron lived with Walter, enabling us to gain insight into Walter's current condition, as well as his memories of Peter.

Our speculation that Walter crossed over in an attempt to save alternate Peter years ago, but failed, was correct. The Observer didn't step in during that timeline, and Peter drowned in the frozen lake. It was good to learn something concrete, ending all speculation as to why the universes were still at odds.

The circumstances of Walter's fear of insanity were so intense that he finally decided to lobotomize himself. Thankfully, Olivia walked in on him and got him to open up about his anxiety. Instead of condemning him, she fished a drawing out of her pocket. She had drawn the man who was haunting her dreams. Peter.

Once Walter realized his hallucinations weren't singular, he stressed their need to find the person they are seeing, for he must be real. If a child can form a bond with a simple organism, then they cannot deny the bond they must have to this man they are both envisioning. It was a moment that will hopefully lead us to the meat of the season, finding Peter Bishop!

Other thoughts:

• Once Walter realized the organism was a brain with neurons and synapses, he decided to name it: Gus.
• Olivia telling Walter he was out of time to save Aaron was like telling him he had to watch his son die all over again.
• The gross out factor during autopsies is all the rage these days. There is always a medical examiner eating his lunch in front of a mutilated body.
• After Lincoln's near death experience, his light banter with Olivia demonstrated their burgeoning friendship. I like that there are things going on behind the scenes that we are not privy to as of yet.

While it wasn't a heart pounding episode, it was heart wrenching as the depth of Walter's fear was presented. It was just what we needed to move to the next step. Olivia's revelation knocked the angst out of Walter and should give him the determination he needs to discover who is invading their lives. I, for one, cannot wait to see what happens next!

Carissa Pavlica is the managing editor and a staff writer and critic for TV Fanatic. She's a member of the Critic's Choice Association, enjoys mentoring writers, conversing with cats, and passionately discussing the nuances of television and film with anyone who will listen. Follow her on X and email her here at TV Fanatic.