Fringe Season Finale Review: Where Do We Go From Here?

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As we knew last week, Peter was propelled 15 years into the future. Honestly, I wasn't all that invested in what I was watching because I didn't have a doubt in my mind that Peter would, in the end, save the day.

The future was interesting, but not awe inspiring.

There was little happening there that I didn't expect. Oh, it was fun knowing Peter and Olivia were married and sad knowing they hadn't had children because Olivia didn't want to bring a child into the world in which they lived (and, rather cliché).

It was cool to see Olivia's niece, Ella, chose the Fringe Division as her career choice, and worked directly for her Aunt Liv. However, the division was something far larger in the future, even having its own hospital.

As our world started using the amber to quell events similar to those on the other side, the would have seen no reason to keep the division top secret much longer.

Also not surprising in "The Day We Died" was Walternate carrying on as if he was somehow the injured party. Walter, spending an unknown amount of time in prison for creating the catastrophic events in our world that caused continually opening wormholes in time, was obviously tried and found guilty of the destruction of our universe.

Walternate went so far as to consider himself some sort of ambassador of peace, having come to our world to negotiate rather than admitting he was the reason the machine was built and engaged.

When Walternate shot Olivia between the eyes, I wasn't concerned. Throughout the episode I was awaiting Peter as our savior. As Peter gave Olivia a Viking funeral and her flaming casket floated out to sea, I wasn't tearing up, I was anticipating what would really happen in the finale.

There is no doubt that this was Josh Jackson's episode. It was his turn to shine, to make a run for an Emmy nomination. While Walter and Walternate has stories just as powerful, it was Peter's future we were seeing, and his thoughts propelled the story.

Thank God he got his chance, because unless there is another viewpoint to this story, we won't be seeing much of Mr. Jackson next season. By the time the show ended, Peter had never existed.

The following are just some of the thoughts (I've barely had time to process the episode, after all) that I will carry with me through summer and into fall as I await the season four premiere.

What purpose did Peter serve? If he never existed, then Walter never crossed universes to save him and never started the crumbling of the other side.

Why would Walternate be angry at him? Do they even know, standing in the room together, why they are mirror images of each other and why they are so angry?

Fauxlivia never had Peter's baby, so the Olivias don't have a reason for animosity, but should find one another fascinating (and wonder why in the hell the Walters are so upset).

Peter mentioned, before he disappeared and was completely forgotten, that he tore holes in both universes so that they could come together in that room to fix their problems. If, as The Observers said, they no longer remember Peter and he never existed, why do they think they are there?

If they leave the building, do they go back into their respective universes? Are their minds wiped clean? Would there be a compelling reason to go back inside?

You see, the deepest question I have is if Peter never existed, then what is there for them to fix? A new reason for crossing universes and destroying one or both must now be revealed. Or, I suppose the show could be about two universes discovering each other in the name of science; some sort of benign anomaly.

Yes, it was quite the twist. The producers were not kidding when they said we would have to look at things completely differently going forward. But whereas "The Last Sam Weiss" blew me away with emotion, cinematography, and intense storytelling, I was a little underwhelmed by the finale.

I don't want Joshua Jackson to leave the show. It's too long until season four. I don't feel a sense of excitement and wonder at what will be, because they've left me with so few facts to actually ponder.

Last week I was an overindulged and excited fangirl. What am I this week?

Am I the rain on your parade? Perhaps the pin prick in your balloon? Tell me what you loved about the episode and how you see season four taking shape. Of, tell me if you are feeling a bit let down and underwhelmed as I am. I want to know your thoughts about the episode. Dig in!

The Day We Died Review

Editor Rating: 4.0 / 5.0
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User Rating:

Rating: 4.5 / 5.0 (125 Votes)

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 3 Episode 22 Quotes

I feel fine, hon.

Peter

Olivia: Ella!
Ella: Peter's fine, Aunt Liv. He's in recovery. I mean, ah..Agent Dunham, mam.
Olivia: You can just call me boss, like everybody else.