Fringe journeys back to 1985, complete with a retro title sequence. This episode serves as a sequel to last season’s “Peter” episode where the origin of Peter Bishop (Joshua Jackson) was revealed, giving the audience a crucial piece of the puzzle in the Fringe mythos.
Young Peter (Chandler Canterbury) is having trouble adjusting to life in the prime universe, six months after Walter (John Noble) crossed over to his universe and saved him from a rare illness after he was unable to save his own Peter. Walter tries telling him that his illness has warped his memories, despite Peter’s protests. In his world, the Dodgers are still in Brooklyn and Red Lantern is Green Lantern – both of which are nice touches. Peter is openly defiant and tries to commit suicide but his “mother” Elizabeth (Orla Brady) saves him.
We are also introduced to a young Olivia Dunham (Karley Scott Collins), the 13th subject in Walter’s test group, whose powers to cross over to the alternate reality manifest for the first time when she’s under great emotional duress. Additionally, the audience gets to see Olivia and Peter meet for the first time.
The audience is then treated to what’s happening with Walternate (also Noble) in his universe’s 1985. Walternate is very depressed that his son disappeared, rightly so. As you watch this episode, you wonder how the creators will end it since you know everything that will happen (one of the troubles with prequels as seen with the godawful Star Wars Prequel Trilogy). However, they end it on a powerful note as Walternate realizes that there is an alternate universe where Peter was taken to in what is a satisfying conclusion.
Not only is more of the Fringe mythology revealed, but many of the little things – the retro title sequence at the beginning, the Red Lantern reference – make this one of the greatest episodes in a great series, despite that the only regular cast member in this episode is Noble. That goes to show the caliber of talent working on this show.
Rumors have been circulating that Fringe might not be around for a fourth season. If that is so, then the suits at Fox are idiots, plain and simple.
I couldn't find the Watcher this ep. Thanks I'll check that scene.
As for the episode this one was excellent. great paralles of the two Walters. And the lengths of trying to have Peter live a normal ilfe elsewhere. I love the forshadowing.....twice now he has chosen our side to remain not over there. And both times now it was Olivia that helped him.
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This show just has a great consistency for story telling. I really enjoyed this episode. Fox would be insane not to keep Fringe on air. On a side note: I'm not sure if anybody still notice them, but you can see a watcher in each episode. In this episode you see one walking out of the corridor behind Walternate as he was entering the Federal Building.