This week in our Fringe Round Table, we dissect "Back To Where You've Never Been," which featured Peter and Lincoln visiting the alternate universe, along with a heavy dose of Walternate and more.

Below, join staff writers Nick McHatton, Sean McKenna and Carissa Pavlica as they toss around questions and answers that came to find following the long-awaited return of Fringe.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Do you think Alt Broyles is just bad to the bone, or has he been overtaken by a shapeshifter?
Sean: I hadn't thought that he might be a shapeshifter, but I think that something else is going down. It is interesting to see him and not Walternate as the so called "bad guy." Then again, nothing might be what it seems?

Nick: I think he's been taken over by a shapeshifter. It brings me back to the future episode last season where he had the electronic eye. I can't help but wonder now if that was a clue/foreshadowing of some sort.

Carissa: I don't think he's a shapeshifter. What are the odds that all of the good characters would be good in so many different universes? I vote bad to the bone. Which no doubt means I'll be immediately proven wrong!

How did Lincoln do in his impersonation of Alt Lincoln?
Sean: It's like they were being played by the same person! I think he did a great job, especially because Lincoln's personality is wildly different from Alt. Lincoln. Loved that they got to do a bit of interacting as well.

Nick: It was fantastic. A great mix of both Lincolns.

Carissa: Okay, so maybe it was a silly question. But I think he did a great job of acting confident when he seems to lack some of that on cases alongside Olivia.
 
Will Peter be caught up between two universes again, even though they aren't his own, or will he put his foot down and demand help to get "home?"
Sean: Even though Peter says it's not his fight, and despite Walternate telling him he must take part in order for him to help him get home, I still think Peter would help the two universes. It's in his character to try and make things right and even though he doesn't believe that the two universes are a part of his timeline, it doesn't mean they don't exist. So, of course, Peter is going to step up and I have a feeling he's going to learn some crazy things about where and when he is.

Nick: Peter is an honorable man, and even if this isn't "his fight" he'll end up helping both sides out. It's a matter of how much he'll do, and how much both sides will dangle the carrot that is his world in front of his face in order to get what they want.

Carissa: I do think it's in his character to do whatever he can to help even though he has no allegiance to these people, but part of me wonders if he just might be pushed to his limit. Maybe we'll see a little of the rebellious guy he proclaimed to be before settling in with the Fringe team.

Any idea what the Observer meant by saying all possible outcomes point to Olivia's death?
Sean: I kept thinking about an ultimate sacrifice. In order for Peter to be reinstated in the timeline, Olivia must die. But is Fauxliva under the same circumstances? Then again, the Observers have been wrong before.

Nick: Which Olivia? Peter's Olivia or this Olivia? Alternate Olivia? There are a lot of Olivias. And, if Olivia pulls a Peter what then? Last season Olivia drew a picture of the man that will kill her. Does this tie back to that? There are too many questions and not enough answers as this point.

Carissa: In my review I say it's that this version of her has to die, but he's not exactly being a soothsayer here. We're all going to die, Einstein.

Any idea why the Observer was shot?
Sean: I was curious as to why the Observer was shot because I can't recall seeing one of them hurt before. It certainly means that huge trouble is on the way but who the heck could have shot him? And will he die? And does something crazy happen to the universe if he dies?

Nick: That poor Observer seemed to be on the fringe of the observer clique, it was only a matter of time until they tried to kick him out!

Carissa: I don't know how I can follow up Nick's answer. If no one can hurt them, maybe they can only hurt each other and he's being punished. The idea cracks me up so I'm going to roll with it.

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.