As of yet, there are no new main characters–however, characters which were previously killed or disappeared are back! These include Alt-Charlie, Alt-Broyles, and David Robert Jones. While the new timeline–as this world where Peter never existed is called–is missing a few familiar faces, Walter’s trusty steed-like animal, Gene, is one

constant in all timelines. Yay Gene!

Fringe season four started out quite slow, which was disappointing for many fans, but fit with the “Fringe” way of doing things. Instead of coming out and stating all the differences, both the subtle and stated changes were–and still are–being addressed. We see what everyone’s lives are like without Peter–Walter is out of the mental institution, but lives in his lab–and is afraid to leave. The Olivia we’ve come to love has regressed back to pre-Peter Olivia–an impersonal yet competent FBI agent. Even though Peter’s been erased from everyone’s memories, his actions have stayed the same–the two universes are still connected in one room, and Fauxlivia is still hated by Walter and Olivia for her deception.

It is clear that Peter is the staple holding everything together. When Walter begins hallucinating, seeing a man talking to him in his lab, he fears that he will be sent back to St. Claires. But Olivia’s been seeing the man in her dreams, so he’s not going crazy. An Observer is supposed to completely erase Peter from this timeline, but he does not. This is the reason everyone’s memories of Peter are returning. Peter eventually appears from the bottom of Reiden Lake, where he drowned as a boy, as the Observer did not save him.

Peter is ecstatic, as he’s returned home–however, no one remembers him. The next few episodes detail the pain Peter feels and his desperation to return to his home. Walter and Olivia are noticeably freaked out, as this man claims to know their secrets and details of their lives, yet they know nothing about him. Besides other things, Peter’s extensive knowledge on classified information (i.e. Walternate, the other universe, Observers, and shapeshifters) gets him into trouble with the FBI  before everyone learns to trust him.

Readers–and Peter–are unsure if he is really in an alternate timeline, or he has simply been erased from our timeline. Adding to the confusion is the fact that Olivia’s memories have inexplicably begun to fade away–and are slowly being replaced by Peter’s Olivia’s memories. Peter, unwilling to fall in love with the “wrong” Olivia again–and hurt his Olivia’s feelings–continually pushes this Olivia away. However, Peter is given the chance to go inside an Observer’s mind during episode 14 “The End of All Things,” (as amazing as it sounds!) and all the last questions are answered. He is in the right timeline, and this Olivia is his Olivia. Peter also learns about his son Henry, who was erased from time along with him.

Fun Facts:

• The amazing Anna Torv has played multiple versions of Olivia Dunhum: our Olivia, Fauxlivia, future Olivia, Bell-livia (where Torv impersonates the mannerisms and voice of Leonord Nimoy), this new timeline’s Olivia, and this new timeline’s Fauxlivia. Each version has unique characteristics and traits, showing off Torv’s wonderful acting skills.
•  In this timeline Walternate is a good man with honorable intentions of trying to save both worlds.
• Here’s a fun letter from Peter Bishop, clarifying that the reports of his deletion from time are “greatly exaggerated.”    Yay for Peter’s return!

Emily enjoys all mediums of speculative fiction, fantasy, and sci-fi–especially reading, writing, and watching them. A Fringe fanatic, she is convinced that one day she will meet her parallel self, aptly nicknamed Femily (Fake Emily), and save both worlds from their inevitable destruction.