Welcome to another edition of the Fringe Round Table, featuring our critic, Carissa Pavlica and her partners in supernatural crime, staff writers Sean McKenna and Nick McHatton.

This week, we explore why Peter is reaching out to Walter and what it might be like to know about an alternate universe. Let's dig in to "One Night in October."

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Will the two Olivias ever be friends?

Sean: I think something might allow them to be friends down the road, but the only reason the two can manage to be in the room together now is for the cases alone. There is too much distrust between them and it’s going to take something dramatic to get them on the same page. Peter perhaps?

Nick: Maybe, but it's hard to project when that might actually happen. They both can't stand each other and they only minimally trust each other. That being said there felt like was some silent reconciliation between them when Fauxlivia learned of Olivia's troubled childhood.

Carissa: I wish they would. When the worlds come back to normal, and Faux and her Lincoln are happy and raising Peter's baby and daddy Peter and Olivia babysit...wait. None of that sounds like it will make a good friendship, as much as I'd love to see it.

 

Will Lincoln and Olivia become more than Fringe partners?

Sean: I’m not sure if the show plans to bring them together, but they certainly have some chemistry. I’m preparing for them to hookup and then for fallout after Peter returns. Oh, to be involved in a TV love triangle.

Nick: I'm definitely siding with Sean on this one. While Peter is gone Lincoln really is filling in the void left by him and along with that comes an emotional connection. If they do become something more, I'm once more looking forward to how Peter's reintegration will come about.

Carissa: When Astrid hinted at the idea, Olivia only shot it down because she thought she would hurt him. Alt-Lincoln already loves Fauxlivia, so it makes sense they would connect on this side, as well. Peter better hurry back or he'll be left with only Walter to love!

Is it a good idea for a “normal” person to know about the two universes, let alone cross over?

Sean: At this point? No. I think this episode proved that there is too much to worry about, especially for safety reasons. As much as there could be a peaceful relation and knowledge of both sides, someone (maybe even more dangerous than Walternate?) would find a way to create problems. It’s too soon to hand out that information.

Nick: With the way things turned out in this episode that information should probably be kept under wraps completely. It feels like that information would cause a lot of mass hysteria for people, it's a living example of what would happen had you made different choices.

Carissa: No. I immediately think of criminals. How easy it would be to go to the other side on a crime spree and blame your alternate. Or, steal their lover. It's all nefarious.

How would you feel if you knew there was an alternate you?

Sean: It would be weird knowing there was someone like me, but different. It would also make me curious with questions and a desire to know more. Has that me made the same mistakes I’ve made? Which one is better? Do we both watch Fringe?

Nick: It would be kind of awesome to meet my alternate self, unless he is better than me. Then we would have some problems! See? This is a round table and I'm already proving that people shouldn't know about alternate universes!

Carissa: Yes. I would hope that we made manhy of the same choices so I wouldn't be disappointed in me, but it would be cool to have a twin. We could toss down some brews and talk about our alternate good old days.

How come Walter is the primary person that sees and hears Peter? Why not Olivia?

Sean: I guess I always assumed Peter would call out to Olivia, much like he was able to do when she was trapped on the other side without her memory. So, as much as I think Peter and Olivia's connection would be the strongest, it's probably Walter because he is the only one that can actually physically do anything about the situation. Will people believe him though? He already acts crazy enough as it is.

Nick: I would like to think the main reasons Walter can see Peter and not Olivia are blood ties, Walter's ability to do something about it, and his childlike curiosity. Only Walter isn't skeptical enough to dismiss this type of mind bending contact and have the ability to do something about it. If the knowledge that his son is alive makes its way to him, Walter would do everything in his power to get him back. He's done it once before after all.

Carissa: I agree it's because Walter's mind is still fragile and childlike. There are even pieces missing. Maybe those pieces are what keep others from seeing him. In any case, it's Walter to whom Peter is struggling to reach, so he must know Walter is his best bet for survival.

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.