@Kwire23 Thanks for pointing that out. I don't think its random, because after watching it again, there was no need to show the exact code. I hope that you have guessed it right.
To all those Anna marks who are trolling around here, shut up. She isn't going anywhere. Olivia is an integral part of Fringe but that doesn't mean that we can't have an episode without her if the story demands so.
marine
April 22nd, 2012 5:39 AM
@KansasGuest: No that wasn"t peter, it's when Peter and Etta are talking, we see Walter and Astrid behind them, sitting next to each other. And there's someone else sitting in the corner but I guess it's just a passenger.
Why 4 stars? It was a perfect fringe episode. I couldn't even believe that it had ended when it did. Only fringe has the ability to create a new universe and make us think that it has always been there. The greatest show ever.
vnv
April 22nd, 2012 2:05 AM
Great episode. Fringe never ceases to amaze me.
James
April 22nd, 2012 1:22 AM
Some amazingly stupid people post here. The episode was phenomenal. I think some of you need to stick to CBS shows.
KAYE
April 21st, 2012 9:22 PM
Fringe nailed it! I have great respect for them right now. They fit in Henrietta perfectly in the show and there is just three episodes left. I was a bit worried for them, but the actress did a wonderful job so congrats
Loooooooooove the episode! Missed Olivia though.
Jules
April 21st, 2012 9:08 PM
As for the "dry coffee" issue. I suspect this might have something to do with the fact that water affects the Observers in mysterious different ways. Perhaps even our drinking of plain water might somehow block the Observers "reading" capabilities, or something like that. (?) In which case they might be restricting/banning the drinking of water to all non-observers (???) - Just a thought. ... But there's some or other importance with them and water. (Which they've probably completely poisoned/destroyed in their future).
And whilst I try to respect everybody else's opinions here. I'm sorry but @Egnirf your nonsense ramblings are just completely bonkers. You've obviously just completely missed the point. It's seems the whole of Fringe has just zipped waaaaaay over your head. ... In fact, I highly suspect you're even really a Fringe fan as such, but only an obsessive Torv fan instead. Have you understood anything that has happened these past 4 seasons ? It certainly doesn't sound like
Jules
April 21st, 2012 9:06 PM
(cont.) ... feeling alienated because the episode "came out of nowhere", or left unresolved threads. This really shouldn't come as a surprise, as it's nothing new for Fringe. In fact part of what makes it such a great show is the fact that it does not pander to, or insult their audience's intelligence by "dumbing down". Which is only to be admired. All those that have not really understood what has gone on must not have been paying very close attention to the larger-arcs and all that came before. (Either this, or else you're just one of the rather unfortunate that actually prefers to be spoon-fed). Personally I think this episode made a stellar job of teasing and foreshadowing a fantastic possible 5th season. I think it's easily the best "special 19th episode" of the lot. And all the while finally clueing us to the original planned denouement, which is looking all the more awesome for it. I'm now all the more excited about a 5th season. ~ PLEASE "powers-that-be" grant us a 5th !!! (*fi
Jules
April 21st, 2012 8:34 PM
Absolute genius ! - Hands down my favourite episode of the season. Maybe even all seasons.
it was probably particularly satisfying as I've for some time now been suspecting the Observers would turn out to be the ultimate antagonists/villains. (With only September (& few others) as compassionate exceptions.) So it was great to finally see this confirmed as I expected. Made perfect sense to me that it's what we've been building up to all this time - a perfectly logical conclusion.
It was perfectly obvious from the very get-go that Etta was Anna/Peter's daughter. Obviously deliberately so, but this only added to the episode's lovely and touching "reveal" at the end. From all the clues It was pretty much just how I expected Anna's story-arc to develop before her predicted "heart-string-pulling" demise. So the whole episode was to me like seeing all the missing puzzle pieces finally aligning and falling into place. I seriously can't understand all these people complaining of feeling
KansasGuest Rank: Recurring Character
April 21st, 2012 7:20 PM
@Marine - There is no mystery. PETER was the person sitting opposite Walter & Astrid. Then Peter went to talk to Etta in the final scene.
marine
April 21st, 2012 5:38 PM
Okay, just rewatched the end, so I guess that's not olivia sitting in the far corner in the train.
But if she isn't dead, where is she? And what's Etta's bullet?
marine
April 21st, 2012 5:33 PM
@Malternate:
Well, they didn't they Olivia was dead in the episode but in the review and here in the comments everyone seem to say so, so I just assumed I missed something.
But I still think there was someone sitting opposite Walter and Astrid in this train.
Jack
April 21st, 2012 5:25 PM
This relates alot to Season 3 episode 21
"He seems to be laying on his side and his vision is blurry. Shadowy figures scramble around in the dark, hazy distance. He groggily sits-up as the sound of mayhem fills the night air. The street is littered with burning debris as the chaos around him continues with a nearby explosion. Peter stands-up, unsure of his footing and hears the loudspeaker announcement - All civilians proceed to evacuation route immediately. Explosions continue along the street and Peter takes cover near a memorial plaque remembering those lost in September of 2001. The plaque was dedicated in September of 2021. Confused at what he just read, and still dazed from all of the chaos, Peter stands-up again and stares at the huge skyscraper that was designed to overlook New York Harbor from the One World Trade Center site in lower Manhattan - the Freedom Tower. A nearby Fringe Division member sees that Agent Bishop is exposed to the threat and runs up and tackles him to
KansasGuest Rank: Recurring Character
April 21st, 2012 4:51 PM
Anyone else note the meaning of the ep title, "Letters of Transit?" It's the 70th anniversary of the movie, CASABLANCA. If you've never watched the entire thing, the letters of transit are what enables travelers to leave Nazi-controlled Casablanca. Without them, they're stuck and could even be arrested. They're also what could enable the antihero, Rick, to reunited with Ilsa, his long-lost love.
IMO, the ep title hints at the most bittersweet of romances - two lovers who give each other up for the greater good of saving the world. *sniff* Just an observation because any reference to CASABLANCA has to have some romantic significance. It's what the movie is known for - an unlikely hero sticking one's neck out for an ideal.
KansasGuest
April 21st, 2012 4:37 PM
I LOVE FRINGE! Thank you for a great episode! The only thing I regret about this episode is that Simon will not exist past this point. Too bad; he was a character I'd like to see more. Amazing how the writers can flesh out such a well-rounded, appealing guy in under 30 minutes.
In my opinion this episode seemed a lot like "The terminator"(mainly that explanation in the beginning). It explained why September saved Peter, why he is so important, and why he was erased.
I believe september (and some other observers are against the occupation of the planet and knowing that somehow Peter and Etta would save this world he had to go to the past, save Peter from dying in that lake and had to erase him because he'd had a baby with the wrong Olivia. Remember September told Peter that he had to have a baby with the Olivia from his universe. Because he knew she(ETTA) would be important in saving the world. (That's why september was shot and locked by the observers.
Malternate
April 21st, 2012 2:24 PM
@marine: "I'm still not taking in the fact that Olivia's dead and Bell killed her."
We don't know that Olivia is dead; all we know (with some level of confidence) is that she wasn't in that block of amber and that Walter didn't want to revive Bell "after what he did to Olivia." Maybe Bell killed her. Maybe he was the one who ordered Jones to give Olivia cortexipham. Maybe he sued her for copyright violations after she said "Live long and prosper!" to Peter. We don't know.
@Patti K.: "Did this whole week just not happen?"
I think what we saw was the future as it would be if there was no further tinkering with the timeline between the present and the arrival of the Bad Observers. There will be further tinkering, so this future will not "stick". Somebody is going to try to keep Marty from disappearing ("Back to the Future" reference).
SY
April 21st, 2012 1:33 PM
Hands down one of my favourite episodes ever!
It does provide alot of food for thought & infinite possibilities for the future of Fringe.
And can I just say that Walter is the best + cutest character in the show!
Patti K.
April 21st, 2012 11:05 AM
Well, that was a real weird storyline. At least after reading your review I can get some semblance of sanity back into my mind. I couldn't wait for the preview and that didn't help much. Did this whole week just not happen? Will Peter and his newfound daughter continue on to next week? Will Olivia, who I totally missed this week, ever know that Etta and her Father found each other? confusion will not be erased until all the special characters like Lincoln and Olivia are all back into the fold. Who ever thought it was a good idea to give them the week off? Loved the daughter but missed the Mother. Thanks Carissa for shining a little light onto the entire episode. Well done with what you had to work with.......
marine
April 21st, 2012 10:31 AM
kwire23: no you're not alone in this. There's no way it is a coincidence, not in the Fringe world. I'm just holding my breath until we have confirmation of a next season.
kwire23
April 21st, 2012 10:27 AM
09-21-12!!!
How is no one commenting on this? This is the third time that I'm writing about it. I know other Fringians had to see this? 092112 was the code that they used to get into Massive Dynamic. It just so happens that September 21, 2012 is a Friday. Is it the premiere date for a 5th season or a little Easter Egg for the hopeful return premiere date if renewed. I thought the episode was really good but it's supposed to be different it's episode 19, but all I could think of was September 21!!! There are no coincidences with this show, I can't be alone in this?
marine
April 21st, 2012 9:35 AM
I'm so sad we lost Walter and got Walternate instead, I just love the real Walter so much!!!
I'm still not taking in the fact that Olivia's dead and Bell killed her. I was sure she was trapped in amber with Peter, and didn't it seemed like there was another person sitting in the corner across from Walter and Astrid on the train?? No no no no no not dead, no no no no no no no no no no.
Etta's blond hair gave her away in the first minutes so I was just waiting for her to see her parents again.
I miss Walter already!!! I'm waiting all week to watch him and it's not even him this week :(
Segun
April 21st, 2012 9:21 AM
not in actuality true Observers, rather the remnants of humanity that took Observer tech to escape their own mistakes.
Just like last year we have more questions, and isn't that a good thing? What magic trick is ever the same when you know everything?
Segun
April 21st, 2012 9:17 AM
The 19th episode was a bit of a oneoff last year, with the "I think that was the guy who kills me quote". I don't understand the nerd rage. The episode where Peter and Olivia are children, or the episode where Peter is a robot and Olivia is a PI all are similar in that regard.
Frankly I loved the episode, while it was fairly obvious she was related to Olivia, it was still a very heart felt reunion.It wasn't about what is or isn't reality no more than Peter being thrown into the future and watching Olivia be killed by his Father was either. It's about what drives the Fringe team to greatness and being able to show that greatness in a context that we can understand.
I loved it from the beginning to the end. Whether or not the observers are that numerous and I would assume they are not, it was interesting to find out clues of their origins. I would like to point out that we've never found out for sure if Observers were humanities descendants. I feel its likely that these few were no
Walter: It's a beautiful name. Astrid: What is? Walter: Astrid.
April 22nd, 2012 2:53 PM
When did they say that William Bell killed Olivia?
They just said "You remember what he did to olivia" I mean if she was dead don't you think he would have said it outright?
Rank: Guest Star
April 22nd, 2012 9:51 AM
@Kwire23 Thanks for pointing that out. I don't think its random, because after watching it again, there was no need to show the exact code. I hope that you have guessed it right.
To all those Anna marks who are trolling around here, shut up. She isn't going anywhere. Olivia is an integral part of Fringe but that doesn't mean that we can't have an episode without her if the story demands so.
April 22nd, 2012 5:39 AM
@KansasGuest: No that wasn"t peter, it's when Peter and Etta are talking, we see Walter and Astrid behind them, sitting next to each other. And there's someone else sitting in the corner but I guess it's just a passenger.
Rank: Guest Star
April 22nd, 2012 4:34 AM
Why 4 stars? It was a perfect fringe episode. I couldn't even believe that it had ended when it did. Only fringe has the ability to create a new universe and make us think that it has always been there. The greatest show ever.
April 22nd, 2012 2:05 AM
Great episode. Fringe never ceases to amaze me.
April 22nd, 2012 1:22 AM
Some amazingly stupid people post here. The episode was phenomenal. I think some of you need to stick to CBS shows.
April 21st, 2012 9:22 PM
Fringe nailed it! I have great respect for them right now. They fit in Henrietta perfectly in the show and there is just three episodes left. I was a bit worried for them, but the actress did a wonderful job so congrats
Loooooooooove the episode! Missed Olivia though.
April 21st, 2012 9:08 PM
As for the "dry coffee" issue. I suspect this might have something to do with the fact that water affects the Observers in mysterious different ways. Perhaps even our drinking of plain water might somehow block the Observers "reading" capabilities, or something like that. (?) In which case they might be restricting/banning the drinking of water to all non-observers (???) - Just a thought. ... But there's some or other importance with them and water. (Which they've probably completely poisoned/destroyed in their future).
And whilst I try to respect everybody else's opinions here. I'm sorry but @Egnirf your nonsense ramblings are just completely bonkers. You've obviously just completely missed the point. It's seems the whole of Fringe has just zipped waaaaaay over your head. ... In fact, I highly suspect you're even really a Fringe fan as such, but only an obsessive Torv fan instead. Have you understood anything that has happened these past 4 seasons ? It certainly doesn't sound like
April 21st, 2012 9:06 PM
(cont.) ... feeling alienated because the episode "came out of nowhere", or left unresolved threads. This really shouldn't come as a surprise, as it's nothing new for Fringe. In fact part of what makes it such a great show is the fact that it does not pander to, or insult their audience's intelligence by "dumbing down". Which is only to be admired. All those that have not really understood what has gone on must not have been paying very close attention to the larger-arcs and all that came before. (Either this, or else you're just one of the rather unfortunate that actually prefers to be spoon-fed). Personally I think this episode made a stellar job of teasing and foreshadowing a fantastic possible 5th season. I think it's easily the best "special 19th episode" of the lot. And all the while finally clueing us to the original planned denouement, which is looking all the more awesome for it. I'm now all the more excited about a 5th season. ~ PLEASE "powers-that-be" grant us a 5th !!! (*fi
April 21st, 2012 8:34 PM
Absolute genius ! - Hands down my favourite episode of the season. Maybe even all seasons.
it was probably particularly satisfying as I've for some time now been suspecting the Observers would turn out to be the ultimate antagonists/villains. (With only September (& few others) as compassionate exceptions.) So it was great to finally see this confirmed as I expected. Made perfect sense to me that it's what we've been building up to all this time - a perfectly logical conclusion.
It was perfectly obvious from the very get-go that Etta was Anna/Peter's daughter. Obviously deliberately so, but this only added to the episode's lovely and touching "reveal" at the end. From all the clues It was pretty much just how I expected Anna's story-arc to develop before her predicted "heart-string-pulling" demise. So the whole episode was to me like seeing all the missing puzzle pieces finally aligning and falling into place. I seriously can't understand all these people complaining of feeling
Rank: Recurring Character
April 21st, 2012 7:20 PM
@Marine - There is no mystery. PETER was the person sitting opposite Walter & Astrid. Then Peter went to talk to Etta in the final scene.
April 21st, 2012 5:38 PM
Okay, just rewatched the end, so I guess that's not olivia sitting in the far corner in the train.
But if she isn't dead, where is she? And what's Etta's bullet?
April 21st, 2012 5:33 PM
@Malternate:
Well, they didn't they Olivia was dead in the episode but in the review and here in the comments everyone seem to say so, so I just assumed I missed something.
But I still think there was someone sitting opposite Walter and Astrid in this train.
April 21st, 2012 5:25 PM
This relates alot to Season 3 episode 21
"He seems to be laying on his side and his vision is blurry. Shadowy figures scramble around in the dark, hazy distance. He groggily sits-up as the sound of mayhem fills the night air. The street is littered with burning debris as the chaos around him continues with a nearby explosion. Peter stands-up, unsure of his footing and hears the loudspeaker announcement - All civilians proceed to evacuation route immediately. Explosions continue along the street and Peter takes cover near a memorial plaque remembering those lost in September of 2001. The plaque was dedicated in September of 2021. Confused at what he just read, and still dazed from all of the chaos, Peter stands-up again and stares at the huge skyscraper that was designed to overlook New York Harbor from the One World Trade Center site in lower Manhattan - the Freedom Tower. A nearby Fringe Division member sees that Agent Bishop is exposed to the threat and runs up and tackles him to
Rank: Recurring Character
April 21st, 2012 4:51 PM
Anyone else note the meaning of the ep title, "Letters of Transit?" It's the 70th anniversary of the movie, CASABLANCA. If you've never watched the entire thing, the letters of transit are what enables travelers to leave Nazi-controlled Casablanca. Without them, they're stuck and could even be arrested. They're also what could enable the antihero, Rick, to reunited with Ilsa, his long-lost love.
IMO, the ep title hints at the most bittersweet of romances - two lovers who give each other up for the greater good of saving the world. *sniff* Just an observation because any reference to CASABLANCA has to have some romantic significance. It's what the movie is known for - an unlikely hero sticking one's neck out for an ideal.
April 21st, 2012 4:37 PM
I LOVE FRINGE! Thank you for a great episode! The only thing I regret about this episode is that Simon will not exist past this point. Too bad; he was a character I'd like to see more. Amazing how the writers can flesh out such a well-rounded, appealing guy in under 30 minutes.
Rank: Extra
April 21st, 2012 4:19 PM
In my opinion this episode seemed a lot like "The terminator"(mainly that explanation in the beginning). It explained why September saved Peter, why he is so important, and why he was erased.
I believe september (and some other observers are against the occupation of the planet and knowing that somehow Peter and Etta would save this world he had to go to the past, save Peter from dying in that lake and had to erase him because he'd had a baby with the wrong Olivia. Remember September told Peter that he had to have a baby with the Olivia from his universe. Because he knew she(ETTA) would be important in saving the world. (That's why september was shot and locked by the observers.
April 21st, 2012 2:24 PM
@marine: "I'm still not taking in the fact that Olivia's dead and Bell killed her."
We don't know that Olivia is dead; all we know (with some level of confidence) is that she wasn't in that block of amber and that Walter didn't want to revive Bell "after what he did to Olivia." Maybe Bell killed her. Maybe he was the one who ordered Jones to give Olivia cortexipham. Maybe he sued her for copyright violations after she said "Live long and prosper!" to Peter. We don't know.
@Patti K.: "Did this whole week just not happen?"
I think what we saw was the future as it would be if there was no further tinkering with the timeline between the present and the arrival of the Bad Observers. There will be further tinkering, so this future will not "stick". Somebody is going to try to keep Marty from disappearing ("Back to the Future" reference).
April 21st, 2012 1:33 PM
Hands down one of my favourite episodes ever!
It does provide alot of food for thought & infinite possibilities for the future of Fringe.
And can I just say that Walter is the best + cutest character in the show!
April 21st, 2012 11:05 AM
Well, that was a real weird storyline. At least after reading your review I can get some semblance of sanity back into my mind. I couldn't wait for the preview and that didn't help much. Did this whole week just not happen? Will Peter and his newfound daughter continue on to next week? Will Olivia, who I totally missed this week, ever know that Etta and her Father found each other? confusion will not be erased until all the special characters like Lincoln and Olivia are all back into the fold. Who ever thought it was a good idea to give them the week off? Loved the daughter but missed the Mother. Thanks Carissa for shining a little light onto the entire episode. Well done with what you had to work with.......
April 21st, 2012 10:31 AM
kwire23: no you're not alone in this. There's no way it is a coincidence, not in the Fringe world. I'm just holding my breath until we have confirmation of a next season.
April 21st, 2012 10:27 AM
09-21-12!!!
How is no one commenting on this? This is the third time that I'm writing about it. I know other Fringians had to see this? 092112 was the code that they used to get into Massive Dynamic. It just so happens that September 21, 2012 is a Friday. Is it the premiere date for a 5th season or a little Easter Egg for the hopeful return premiere date if renewed. I thought the episode was really good but it's supposed to be different it's episode 19, but all I could think of was September 21!!! There are no coincidences with this show, I can't be alone in this?
April 21st, 2012 9:35 AM
I'm so sad we lost Walter and got Walternate instead, I just love the real Walter so much!!!
I'm still not taking in the fact that Olivia's dead and Bell killed her. I was sure she was trapped in amber with Peter, and didn't it seemed like there was another person sitting in the corner across from Walter and Astrid on the train?? No no no no no not dead, no no no no no no no no no no.
Etta's blond hair gave her away in the first minutes so I was just waiting for her to see her parents again.
I miss Walter already!!! I'm waiting all week to watch him and it's not even him this week :(
April 21st, 2012 9:21 AM
not in actuality true Observers, rather the remnants of humanity that took Observer tech to escape their own mistakes.
Just like last year we have more questions, and isn't that a good thing? What magic trick is ever the same when you know everything?
April 21st, 2012 9:17 AM
The 19th episode was a bit of a oneoff last year, with the "I think that was the guy who kills me quote". I don't understand the nerd rage. The episode where Peter and Olivia are children, or the episode where Peter is a robot and Olivia is a PI all are similar in that regard.
Frankly I loved the episode, while it was fairly obvious she was related to Olivia, it was still a very heart felt reunion.It wasn't about what is or isn't reality no more than Peter being thrown into the future and watching Olivia be killed by his Father was either. It's about what drives the Fringe team to greatness and being able to show that greatness in a context that we can understand.
I loved it from the beginning to the end. Whether or not the observers are that numerous and I would assume they are not, it was interesting to find out clues of their origins. I would like to point out that we've never found out for sure if Observers were humanities descendants. I feel its likely that these few were no