Fringe Round Table: "Subject 9"

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The fun never stops at TV Fanatic, and this week we meet again with Fringe review author, Carissa Pavlica, and her partners in every universe and fellow writers, Nick McHatton and Sean McKenna to discuss the extraordinary events that took place in "Subject 9."

Are we really psychic? Were you surprised at the past alluded to by Nina for she and Olivia? Was Peter Naked? Are these even any of the questions we will ponder? As always, we welcome your answers the questions, so please share them in the comments.

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Last week our discussion almost predicted what we saw on the next episode. Predictions for next week?

Nick: I'm guessing Peter will be treated like a potential mole for the other side because of all the knowledge he has of both sides. Of course, Peter being Peter he'll begin charming the entire Fringe division slowly but surely.

Sean: A lot of confusion. No one is going to know Peter, except he’ll know everything. Who will be the first to believe him?

Carissa: Walter may be torn. Wanting his son to be alive and yet not believing it possible. Olivia will feel the pull to Peter, but she'll have a difficult time reconciling it, too. The Observers are going to go berserk. 

Now that Peter's back, what do you think will happen with the current and past timeline?

Nick: I'm guessing the two biggest clues were Walter's experience with a timeline lapse with Astrid and the Fringe poster. On the poster there are lines of different widths and I think that best describes the timeline, the current one is in the forefront and as Peter is slowly reintegrated back in the old timeline will begin to re-emerge. 

Sean: Nothing. At least not yet. I think Peter has to find a way to bring the original timeline back on track. Man, with so many timelines and universes, I’m just waiting for another one to pop up.

Carissa: I really hope that they merge bits and pieces of the with and without Peter universes. There was really so much to explore and left unsaid about the Peterless timeline, and to try to harmonize them would be really fun to watch.

What was your favorite Walter moment of the episode?

Nick: That's easy, the ice cream scene with him and Olivia.

Sean: I agree with Nick. That root beer float scene was a great way to connect the two together on a level that wasn’t hunting down bad guys.

Carissa: Learning about Walter's feelings for Nina. Her voice was like razor blades knocking around his ears. He said it with such passion and gusto. A perfect Walter moment.

Did you miss Lincoln being involved with the case?

Nick: I missed him, but I can see why he wasn't there. This was about the core three and the repercussions going forward with Peter back.

Sean: I did. I know that the Peter missing aspect is key for Walter and Olivia, but I’m not sure why he wouldn’t be there. After all, isn’t he a part of the Fringe team? Where was he?

Carissa: I did, and his being involved would have opened up a completely different dynamic. A "holy crap" moment, if you will. There's a guy coming out of the electromagnetic field? And you recognize him? His head would have been spinning. It was a missed opportunity. 

What's your theory on Olivia and Nina's relationship?

Nick: My guess is after the trials were shut down Nina/Massive Dynamic may have taken an interest in Olivia and she became a motherly figure in her life. Massive Dynamic is the only entity I can think of in the Fringe world that has the money and influence to help Olivia's murdering of her stepfather be swept under the rug.

Sean: Nina is probably some sort of surrogate mother for Olivia, especially since Olivia’s father died. Whether or not Nina has helped her for good intentions though, remains to be seen.

Carissa: That was one of the biggest revelations to me. Olivia had always been so alone. She ran away from the experimentation. To - where? Did Nina search for her and care for her? Nina is one strong woman, and without children of her own, it would be easy to believe she would take the fleeing girl under her wing.

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.

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Fringe Season 4 Episode 4 Quotes

You were always the strongest. The others recognized that. You were always the favorite.

Walter

So you're saying that your equipment somehow recorded the event before it even occurred. How is that even possible?

Astrid