Fringe - TV Fanatic

Fringe Review: Is That You, Olivia?

carissa@tvfanatic.com (Carissa Pavlica) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 22:00:00 EST

"Welcome to Westfield" was one of those episodes that left your mind reeling by the time it was over. Episodes that grab me, toss me around and fling me back to reality are some of my very favorites to ponder. If ever there was a time to speculate on the future of Fringe, that time is now. Let's play a guessing game.

Strange things were happening all over the town of Westfield, but they didn't start there. We learned more about Peter and Olivia's relationship through her incredibly sexy dream and Peter's description of their relationship to her than we ever did when they were together. Yes, Olivia is beginning to remember her life as Peter's Olivia. Last week I posited that the Observers confirmed we are in Peter's world. I'm even more sure of it now.

Fringe tried to sucker us into thinking that what Olivia was remembering might have to do with Westfield, as the entire town was being used as a lab experiment for David Robert Jones (and, I would imagine, Alt-Broyles and our Nina). He had been mining nearby a source that would create a tremendous energy, enough to accomplish what was happening.

People were growing two sets of teeth, had two sets of irises, were going crazy with memories that were not their own, and yet seemed to be. Much like when the older couple in "6B" were seeing through the universes and thought they were talking to ghosts, but these people were living completely new memories that felt like their own.

In conjunction with this, we saw it happening with Olivia. She talked to Walter about a case in detail, and he said they never had a case like that. Peter had one with his Olivia, however. She was having a hard time looking at Peter, having felt what she did in her dream. She knew what it was like to be in love with Peter. Being awake didn't seem to change her feelings.

Although the subject wasn't discussed or played out in any way, Olivia did note how different Walter has become with Peter in his life. While this could just be is acceptance and need for his son to be alive, he could also be remembering things and not sharing. After all, he was in a mental institution. Weird thoughts and feeling are just his way of life. Of one thing I am certain: neither Olivia nor Walter are as eager to help Peter get back to his own time as they were at one time.

At the end of season three, so much of Peter and Olivia's relationship happened without including the audience. I had no idea they had settled into a Friday night Italian pattern. Peter is a very smart man. I think, at first, he's going to think she's messing with him, or that Westfield did a number on her, but he will figure it out. That his being back is changing things. If my theory is right, Olivia and Walter, being closest, are the first to feel the change.

As time passes, others will begin to remember things that didn't really happen, and yet feel as though they did. Somehow the time lines will merge. How? No freaking clue. I really do not think we will outright lose either side of the personalities of those who changed when Peter was taken from earth. I am extremely excited to see what they will do to make it happen, if it will be seamless or if people will go nuts, as they did in Westfield. The newer memories should be the ones that fall away since they were "created" in a short time, but to disappear completely? I don't think so.

It's crazy exciting to think of all the possibilities and I've only touched upon a slight few here. What do you think is going to happen? Do Olivia's memories coming back excite you as much as they do me? Share your thoughts below!

Odds and ends:

The look on Walter's face when the pie guy got mean with him was so sad. All he wanted was rhubarb pie and he was so frightened. I don't like to see my Walter in peril.
I loved Walter using the school intercom system to call Peter and Olivia to the biology lab. I bet he was getting such a kick out of it.
It seems that in the other universe, there was no Westfield. When it merged, only the bicycle shop remained surrounded by, well, nothing. What I didn't understand was why they were in our universe and not in the other or someplace completely "new."
Was that THE pea coat Peter was wearing, or some variation? Either way, he looked fabulous (hello, I'm a girl!).
That poor dude on the bus with the two faces really got the worst of it. I felt bad they had to kill him. Was he trying to hurt them or just reaching out for help? Who could tell?
I did toss around the possibility that whatever drug Nina gave Olivia could be causing her memories, but wouldn't they have had to know about Peter in order to keep the two Olivias separate? Why not use the unknown Alt-Nina as the guinea pig since she wouldn't even be missed? So I scrapped it in my theories.
Maybe my life is really that boring, but if I started having new memories, I'd be psyched, not psycho. Seems exciting. Yes, odd and slightly worrisome, but exciting. Just me?
Is it next Friday yet?

Fringe Round Table: "Making Angels"

carissa@tvfanatic.com (Carissa Pavlica) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 09:40:58 EST

"Making Angels" showcased the first time the two Astrids met, while also highlighting the new dynamic between the universes.

Below, Staff writers Nick McHatton, Sean McPherson and Carissa Pavlica are joined by emphatic Fringe analyzer Nick Shere to discuss all the little things you have been dying to know about the episode...

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Did the Observers verify that Peter was home? Elaborate.
Nick: The great thing about Fringe is we get to speculate in to the wee hours of the morning, and I don't believe the Observers gave a firm confirmation that Peter is "home." September didn't do his job and delete Peter or his attempts to break back in to the timeline back in the beginning of the season. September disobeyed those instructions.

Sean: I'm not sure on that. I know that they verified that he is back, but they didn't say when or where. It would be very interesting if the timeline that Peter thinks isn't his actually is.

Nick S: The trouble with multiverses is that in theory there may be no difference between changing the world and navigating to a world that contains the outcome which would result from that change. So, in principle, Peter could have left home and still arrived in a world that had lots *its* Peter to the machines. In practice, that would be boring TV, so Peter probably is home.

Carissa: I think they did. In bringing up the fact that they allowed him back in, it implied that it was into the same place from which he was erased.

What did you think about Fauxlivia's interaction with the team on our side?
Nick: Almost frat girl peppy. I think if she stayed any longer she would have cracked open a beer. It was fun to see her so light and energetic.

Sean: She was very chipper and playful. It was nice seeing her work with our side rather than be the enemy.

Nick S: This was the weakest point of the episode, I think. This version of Fauxlivia has lost some of the humanization that she received in the latter half of Season 3, but she doesn't seem to get back any of her villainous gravitas either. So she comes off as annoyingly flippant.

Carissa: I've always been a Fauxlivia fan, and now more than ever. Without the years of festering anger from Walternate on the other side, she doesn't hate everyone. Great Faux/Walter scenes. Very fun!

What one moment of the episode would you have changed?
Nick: I missed Lincoln. I like seeing him every week.

Sean: To be honest, not really anything. I loved having both Astrids together, Peter and Olivia working together, some Observer appearences, and a case of the week that tied into the overall story arc. It was a great episode.

Nick S: This will sound nit-picky, but I'd like the magic glowstick to have been hidden somewhere more interesting than a safe. It seems unrealistic that the FBI wouldn't have turned it up where it was.

Carissa: The only thing I would have done differently was had the Astrids hug at the end.

We have yet to see the Alt-Nina's meet. Do you think it's coming and how might it go down?
Nick: Do we even know if an alternate Nina exists yet?

Sean: I hadn't even thought about that. Is it possible for there to be only one Nina and no alternate version? I've got a feeling that at least one of the Nina's isn't going to survive.

Nick S: Are we even sure that there is an alt-Nina? Unless I'm misremembering, we haven't seen a Nina that wasn't (at least, unambiguously wasn't) "our" Nina. I had assumed that she, like Bell, either didn't have a counterpart or her counterpart never became involved in the Pattern/etc.

Carissa: Blair Brown verified in an interview that we would see an alternate Nina this season, and she was as excited as I am to find out who she might be. I have a feeling it's going to happen soon. Maybe she's a street urchin!

What was your favorite moment of the episode?
Nick: Moment? No thanks Carissa, I'm pulling a September and breaking the rules! I loved a lot of the small, character centric moments like Astrid meeting her alternate self, how much affection Walter does have for Astrid, Olivia acknowledging that Peter's a good partner. Mythology wise learning how the Observers see time, I think helps continue my theory of our old timeline perhaps bleeding through.

Sean: Astrid going home to her father. We haven't seen much involving her besides helping Walter, so to be able to see a glimpse of her life outside of work was a real treat. All in all, I'm glad we finally got an Astrid centric episode!

Nick S: The thing I'm left wondering is how close did the TSA guy get to becoming an Observer? Once he has the stick, is the only real difference that he lacks their ethics manual and club haircut? I'm hoping that we'll get more insight on this if/when we learn more about the backstory of the observers.

Carissa: Walter telling Fauxlivia she may have some positive qualities he might have overlooked. Such a fun scene. I was smiling during the entire episode, really.

Fringe Review: What Is Normal?

carissa@tvfanatic.com (Carissa Pavlica) — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 00:01:53 EST

"Making Angels" continued the incredible fourth season trip and reexamination of characters we thought we knew and introduced new layers and variables we might never have seen if the Observers hadn't erased Peter Bishop. I know many disagree, but I feel as though I owe the Observers a big thank you. First for making the decision to erase him and then for somehow allowing him back.

In meeting Alternate Astrid, it was the first time Walter ever admitted he knows that he uses incorrect names for Astrid. Given that their relationship isn't what it was in the former timeline, I wouldn't have thought the game would have continued. How wrong I was. He called her Astro, Aspirin, and Asterisks. I probably missed more, but he never once faltered on properly calling the alternate Astrid.

The interpersonal relationships this season continue to impress me. Would the former Fauxlivia have offered to cross over to get Alt-Astrid? You could tell how much she cared for her when she volunteered to go get her friend. Alt-Astrid's observations about Astrid and Walter, that he talked through her like they were one person, was something that only she would have picked up on, and it was touching that she thought it must be pleasant to have that.

Olivia and Fauxlivia working together was so much fun to watch, mostly because both Olivias are so much brighter than their former selves. I enjoyed Fauxlivia checking out Peter, imagining him like Walternate, slouching in her chair and scrunching up her face. She also had quite a good time goofing with Walter. Their dynamic of quasi-dislike was so animated and upbeat. If Peter had not been erased these scenes would have never occurred.

With Lincoln out of town and Astrid working with Alt-Astrid, Peter and Olivia were working together on a case. The suspect, Neil, was taking the lives of people quickly to keep them from suffering horrific and painful deaths. He somehow seemed to have unlocked the secrets of the Observers and their ability to see through time. That's two weeks in a row we've had cases dealing with someone's precognitive abilities.

I frequently get so wrapped up in the bigger picture that I miss the details of Fringe. I'm not a walking encyclopedia of knowledge on show names, titles, specific events and what has happened on what episode. That's why I was surprised the device the man was using wasn't found by Fringe division and that it was September's Observer gizmo. I don't recall seeing one before. What does it do? Somehow Neil was able to see the past, present and future with it, but when he shone it in the eyes of his victims, they died.

Through all of this, Alt-Astrid and Astrid got to know each other, not just through their own contact but through witnessing their interactions with others. Somehow, connections with Walter always trump those with anyone else. The same held true here, with both Alt-Astrid and Fauxliviia sharing their best moments with Walter.

My love for the alternate universe was reinforced. I prefer both alternate girls to the ones in our universe. How on earth did Fringe manage to make so many double characters so incredibly wonderful, whether good or bad?

It's hard to believe that we've never seen where Astrid lives. When she first walked into the house, I thought she was at Walter's. Instead she saw her father, no doubt much like the one her double just lost. I'm sure walking into that home and into his arms held more significance on that night than on any other of her life.

The Observers know now that September did something that allowed Peter to drift back into our world. Was that confirmation that we are witnessing the world we left last season? That Peter is home? I think it was. What that means for the future is anybody's guess at this point. The one thing I know is that I do not want the new personality traits of my beloved characters to disappear. Whatever happens, I want these lighter, less encumbered versions to stay with us. What do you want?

Jasika Nicole Previews Astrid-Riffic Episode of Fringe

carissa@tvfanatic.com (Carissa Pavlica) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 08:15:28 EST

Jasika Nicole took part in a Fringe conference call yesterday, and for good reason:

The actress will be featured in an Astrid-based episode of the Fox drama tonight, as Alternate Astrid is brought to our universe. What is Nicole's take on "Making Angels?" On the challenges of her character? Read on for excerpts from the interview...

Fringe Promo: "Making Angels"

On which Astrid is the most difficult for Jasika to portray: After several months of playing Alt-Astrid, I would come home with a headache every day because she speaks so quickly and is so stiff. It’s just not natural for me. She’s the most fun and the most challenging, actually.

On what brings Alternate Astrid to our universe in the upcoming episode: She comes for a selfish reason. Something traumatic does happen to her and it’s very personal. Her only option is to come here. I think maybe this Astrid is too afraid. I think the main reason Alt-Astrid comes here is because she wants to get some clarity. She wants to see this other Astrid be different than her and be emotionally available and different than her with the relationships in her life.

On the differences between the former Astrid and the Astrid in the Peter-less universe: In this universe, Astrid was more of a babysitter than a confidant. It made me wonder why Astrid was part of the team if she wasn’t there to be Walter’s shoulder to lean on. But, because she didn’t have that close relationship with him she was the only person in this world who was welcoming to Peter. I just wasn’t expecting that, but it worked.

On what kind of journey Astrid is on: I don’t know what kind of journey this Astrid is on. Alternate Astrid is looking for solace. She has had a rough life. This Astrid has had such a charmed life compared to the other Astrid. She has taken that for granted because you never know how your live could have gone down. Seeing this other Astrid has given her some perspective on what could have been and how fortunate she is to have this life that she does and the people in her life.

On how the two Astrids need each other:
As for Alternate Astrid, knowing there is another version of her out there without these difficulties makes her excited and makes her want to seek her out to see how different her life could be. This Astrid needs the alternate Astrid to open up her eyes to let her know how fortunate she is to have these people in her life. As crazy as these people in her life are, they are her family and she’s very fortunate to have them in her life.

On excitement over the friendship between Astrid and Olivia: She has this really lovely BFF relationship with Olivia that we never got to see before and I absolutely love that. Before, we would never see them hang out together, and I always wondered why. After all they’re both really smart, have a difficult job and work with the same crazy people. But now I imagine she and Olivia go out for wine twice a month and I think they rely on each other a lot more than we have actually seen in any of the episodes.

On what affected Jasika the most playing against herself as the two Astrids: I’ve been waiting for four years for an Astrid centric episode and was giving up hope. When it finally came, it became a bit overwhelming. Sometimes the most difficult things become the things that best serve you. There were at least two scenes when one or both of the Astrids were crying and it was very difficult to maintain that sadness through the long hours.

On why so many people cite Astrid as their favorite Fringe character: Because they don’t know that much about her. Apart from the Observers she’s one of the most mysterious persons on the show. This young, invested FBI agent who shows up every day with a smile on her face and I’m fascinated by that. They’ve had to create a whole story for her because she hasn’t had one given to her.

On the slight difference between the former and new Alternate Astrids: One of my big wishes for Alt-Astrid was to see her outside work. I never intended for her to not be emotional at work, she just wasn’t. Peter’s familiarity with both Astrids set him up to treat her differently. Other Fringe team members don’t extend themselves to get to know her. They just know her as this very smart, sort of weird person, but Peter put his hand on her shoulder and included her in a way that was very different for her and gave her an opportunity to interact in a way she never had before.

Return to TV Fanatic later this evening for my complete rundown of "Making Angels."

Fringe Round Table: "Forced Perspective"

carissa@tvfanatic.com (Carissa Pavlica) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 20:12:13 EST

This week we delve into the Fringe episode "Forced Perspective," with TV Fanatic staff writers Sean McKenna and Carissa Pavlica and an alternate Nick, Nick Shere, who has done more than his share of Fringe analysis, making him a worthy and welcome addition at the table.

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What was your favorite scene?

Sean: I rather enjoyed the time freeze as the girl was walking through her dreams/visions. It was a cool look visually and felt reminiscent of earlier seasons.

Nick S: When Olivia is talking down the bomber. Being locked down and under control is a big part of who Olivia is, and her ability to overcome that, to experience fear and desperation and put them to use, is one of the most interesting parts of her journey as a character.

Carissa: When Walter was doing tests on the girl at the lab. It felt like old times. Has she been the first person he's tested in the lab in the fourth season? It seems like forever, and yet fit like a well worn glove.

Would you like to have a gift like the girl had?

Sean: No way. I think it would be depressing getting these flashes of people dying around you. I wonder why people who can see the future always resort to drawing it and not some other way to express what they've seen.

Nick S: Predictive powers almost never end well. If history teaches us anything, it's that prophecy leads to madness and death. But I do envy the girl's ability to enter a moment in time and see in detail, with attention. We can usually only do that with the aid of a camera.

Carissa: I have enough anxiety without worrying about the death of random people at random times. It was so much to weigh on such a young soul. This old one doesn't want it.

Do you think they're blowing the whole "Olivia is going to die" thing out of proportion, or are they right to be concerned?

Sean: I think they are right to be concerned, but there's going to be some twist involved with it. After all, Peter was supposed to exist and oh, wait, he's back.

Nick S: I'm a lot more tolerant of this storyline on Fringe than I would be on another show. We know that Peter shouldn't have been saved, but he was, and we know that in Fringe, saving someone usually means paying a price, sometimes a very terrible one, often one that could not have been predicted

Carissa: I really hadn't thought of it as a story that won't end in death but instead with some other horrible consequence. That is the way Fringe deals with things, and now I'm more interested in what that price might be. Thanks Nick!

Who do you think will be the first person to suspect either Alt-Broyles or Nina as bad guys?

Sean: That's an interesting question but I'm going to go with Lincoln. I don't know why, but I feel like they've played his character up this season and I'm sure he's going to play an even larger part towards the end. Although, I'm waiting for some character to be killed off that's not Olivia...

Nick S: Alt-Broyles and evil Nina are two of the most isolated characters on the show, so it's hard to say. If I had to guess, I'd say Peter has the best chance, because he has a different baseline to compare choices and behavior to.

Carissa: I'm all over on this one. My first thought was Lincoln for the exact reason Sean stated, and my last was Peter because he can see nuances in their behavior that wouldn't have been present before. Maybe Peter will mention it first and Lincoln will back him up. Best of both thoughts!

Fringe Episode Trailer: "Making Angels"

matt@mediavine.com (Matt Richenthal) — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 08:38:31 EST

Fringe forced viewers to change their perspective on "Forced Perspectives."

So, does that mean they'll be making angels on next Friday's "Making Angels?" Not exactly.

The upcoming episode will feature a shocking meeting/interaction for Astrid, as teased immediately in the following Fox promo. It will also send Peter and Olivia off on the trail of a murderer equipped with a dangerous weapon, one that defies chronological description. Confused?

Watch the promo now:

Fringe Promo: "Making Angels"

Fringe Review: Why Did God Make Me Like This?

carissa@tvfanatic.com (Carissa Pavlica) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 23:28:56 EST

Remember all the fear that this season was too slow and didn't contain the characters we had grown to love? "Forced Perspective" changed yours a bit, didn't it?

Walter was back making silly quips and playing in the lab, something we haven't really experienced for a long time. Everything started falling into place for this to be Peter's world. It was difficult to remember that during the fall when baseball and a myriad of other things kept the momentum down. Not any more.

When she first drew the picture of the skewered man, I thought it would be kind of cool to have such a gift. That was until she spoke with her dad and she asked him why God made her that way. Their entire family was constantly uprooted to hide her secret. I suppose it wasn't such a gift after all. It was admirable that she tried to find each victim and warn them. What a great responsibility for a teenage girl.

Was anyone else taken by surprise to find they were on the run from Massive Dynamic? When we first encountered the giant corporation years ago, our first thought was that it was unscrupulous. Now it appears the company is exactly who we thought it was in this Peter-less world. Olivia's relationship with Nina gave her the power to talk to her without restraint. How refreshing! Unfortunately, we all know she's still abusing Olivia. God help her when Liv finds out.

How great was it to see Peter and Walter together again? Walter didn't seem lost when he was working with the man who could be his son. Yes, I still believe Peter is his son. Fringe will try to prove me wrong, I am well aware of that, but my Magic 8 ball says the signs point to yes.

Slowly, each member of Fringe Division is gaining trust in Peter, just as they did when he was first found in the Middle East, except now he actually has knowledge they can use. Personality, maturity, charisma and expertise will be a combination that is difficult to dismiss.

"Forced Perspective" was a detour off of the much-wanted beeline to the heart of where in the heck Peter is right now, but it actually did a lot to move the story forward. Seeing the team and its natural fit was very important to a lot of skeptical viewers who want Peter to get back to his people.

If that doesn't happen, I think this will help in the acceptance of what could be one of many possible outcomes. If there is one thing that we learned during the hour, there is no definitive answer to anything.

The one thing I'm finding annoying is that Olivia never stopped to realize she could be over thinking the whole premonition of her death. Instead of weaving her way around the straight line, just follow it. We're all going to die. Then again, I wasn't raised by Nina.

I noted in our recent Round Table that I thought she might be giving migraines to Olivia to gain her trust to give her a medication that might change her to shapeshifter. To end the episode with her off the cuff remark about sending over a new medication didn't give me the warm fuzzies.

Once again, the conclusion only made me wish time would speed up so I can get to the next episode. Isn't that exactly what every program wants? Share your thoughts of the episode and the questions raised in the comments!

Fringe Round Table: "Enemy of My Enemy"

carissa@tvfanatic.com (Carissa Pavlica) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:07:54 EST

This week in our Fringe Round Table, we examine "Enemy of My Enemy, as the two universes finally came face to face with a shared goal - and everyone made it out alive!

Below, join staff writers Nick McHatton, Sean McKenna and Carissa Pavlica as they share their thoughts on some of the issues found within the hour...

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Do you want Peter to go "home?"
Nick: I did, and I still want him to get home eventually, but these last two episodes have upped my enjoyment level for this timeline. I'm finally invested in these characters and I want to see their outcome and what that will do for Peter's character.

Sean: Yes I do, but I've got this weird feeling that through some crazy explanation or twist coming down the road that he maybe is already home.

Carissa: I’m still of the belief that he is home. Whether or not there is something coming that will combine who they are now with who they were, I don’t know. The journey is one heck of a ride so far, and I like where it’s going. I want him to stay.

What did you think about the characters sharing one conference table?
Nick: I loved it, and I kept singing "one these things is not like the other" to myself because there's at least one mole in their midst.

Sean: I like that both sides seem to be coming together as much as I enjoy bringing back David Robert Jones. It was a very cool twist and I like how it connects with previous seasons. It feels as if everything is coming together.

Carissa: It was fantastic, and yet I felt sort of sad that the characters we grew to love during the first three seasons never had the same aspirations. I think their sitting at that table is sort of symbolic to the reason I hope Peter is home and I want him right where he is.

Since Lincoln wasn't wearing an ear cuff, how was he communicating with everyone else?
Nick: Duh! By telepathy!

Sean: Absolutely no idea. Maybe he has a new super power.

Carissa: Darn it. I was hoping Nick or Sean had the answer because it really bugged me.

What do you think Nina has Olivia "ready" for, exactly?
Nick: She's preparing Olivia to cross over without the aid of technology.

Sean: To destroy the universe? I never believed that Nina was suddenly a good guy but I could tell she was grooming Olivia for something big.

Carissa: Oh, wow. Nick’s answer is really good. I never even thought of that. I was thinking maybe they would make her into a shapeshifter willingly by getting her to a doctor under the guise of needing to go for her headaches. Now I like Nick’s answer.

Fringe Episode Promo: "Forced Perspective"

matt@mediavine.com (Matt Richenthal) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 10:38:52 EST

What is the fate of Fringe? With Fox executives recently admitting the show is losing the network money, this is the question that will continue to hang over fans until an announcement is made.

So perhaps it's apt that Friday's new episode ("Forced Perspective") also tackles the concept of fate, as Olivia receives a warning from the Observers and Peter sets out to find a mysterious girl who can predict the future.

We wonder if that applies to fall 2012 network schedules, too...

Fringe Promo: "Forced Perspective"

In case you missed it, go back and read our review of the alternates uniting on "Enemy of My Enemy" now!

Fringe Review: The Alternates Unite

carissa@tvfanatic.com (Carissa Pavlica) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 23:35:03 EST

This week's Fringe, "Enemy of My Enemy," has been a long time coming and is a very welcome treat.

Olivia is whispering again, much like she did in season one. We are introduced again to the relationship of Olivia and Astrid as they are laughing together over Walter's experiments. They seem so much closer in this universe. Finally, the setup for season four is paying off.

DRJ: I have not missed David Robert Jones' time sensitive threats. Now with the cross-hatched scars on his face and his labored breathing, I just wish he would drop dead. One of my very favorite scenes in years was Peter humiliating him in the interrogation room. His threats sounded so desperate along side Peter's jabs. Yes, he managed to kill a gaggle of people in a children's ward of a local hospital, but Peter had him rattled whether he wanted to cop to it or not.

Broyles and Nina: Questioning Broyles' loyalties on one side of these new universes makes me question them on the other, as well. Is anyone else running into this? It's just so wrong for Broyles to watch DRJ drive away and let him go. I cannot wrap my head around him as a big bad. Nina was always teetering on the edge of good and evil, but Broyles on our side was stiff and cold due to the cards life had dealt him and kind and understanding on the other for the same reason. Perhaps Belly really rubbed Nina's the wrong way. Not that I can recall a recent mention of William. Help me out; what am I forgetting?

The Ear Bobbles: They didn't give Lincoln a groovy ear clip, and yet he was able to talk and they all heard him. So what kind of phone did he have? Granted, its a little inconsistency, but I wish bluetooth clips would take that form, and once you see one it's easy to notice when they are no longer present. He wasn't talking into his sleeve, so what gives?

Astrid: I think it would have been an interesting twist if the Astrid in the expected universe had been autistic rather the the alternate. However, her autistic alternative is far more lively and still different than the one we were used to. She reminds me of Max on Parenthood. Excitable in her genius.

Elizabeth: When Elizabeth told Walternate she thought she could help Peter, I never guessed she would would want to visit Walter. Mentally, I gasped. I can only imagine what Walter was feeling as he brushed Gene as she appeared. It turned out to be a very lovely scene.

The Alternates: The scene of the alternates sitting across from each other with the Bishops at the end of the conference table was symbolic. I wish Walter could have shared in the pride that Walternate felt when Peter noted he was the variable that Jones didn't count on and he was the way to get through to Jones. I didn't realize they were passing so freely through the universes, but was happy they were when Walter and Peter had their conversation. Peter is slowly, and unknowingly, falling for these people he thinks are not his own.

I hate to toot my own horn....oh, who am I kidding? I like to toot it. So, toot toot! Nina is the contact on this side for Jones, so the triple threat is Jones, Broyles and Sharp. For shame on her. She raised Olivia. She must have a heart of solid rock to be able to hurt a girl she has raised from childhood. I pity her. I also hope she dies. Mercy is not my strong point these days and I want the bad guys to melt like Jones did the first time we saw him. Let all three of our evil doers waltz around wrapped like mummies until they rot or are captured.

The intensity will only grow as the episodes continue. I can't imagine a standalone in the midst of such turmoil. Yes, I have been wrong before, but try to pry our minds away from the core plot at this point seems impossible. Let us know what you think the in the comments! Let's keep the Fringe dream alive!