This week’s Fringe took us for quite an adventure. What a terrific episode. Job well done. Really, this was fantastic. It all began in a romantic moment between Olivia and Peter only for it to appear as just a dream to Dunham. Little did Olivia know that what she was dreaming and began to remember were memories from the Olivia of Peter’s time line. She was just as taken aback by this development as many viewers were. Although some have put theories out there that this timeline is Peter’s new timeline, new and permanent home with various explanations to back this up. The way that things are unraveling, it would not be surprising if this were indeed true where Peter is already home but this timeline is simply catching up with him. What do you think?
“She gave me a place to call home.” – Peter
In “Welcome to Westfield,” the Fringe division heads to Vermont as a plane crashes just before electrical systems fail on a nearby semi-busy road, leaving a number of drivers scared and confused. The division’s travels to Vermont take them to The X Files, if you will, as they are trapped in the town of Westfield with people dying right and left. What a thrilling plot! Who else was at the edge of their seat, anticipating every character’s actions as well as the towns? It must be pointed out that the tone of this episode was crafted wonderfully. The mystery quickly set in, fear took over, getting the adrenaline pumping and it all made for one high energy hour of television last night.
Watching one of Walter’s favorite things…rhubarb pie, be the stepping stone for getting to Westfield was very clever indeed. We won’t be able to look at rhubarb pie the same again. What a terrifying position Walter was in, being left alone in an empty cafe with one “employee” while Olivia and Peter do their thing. Walter’s near death experience was far more disturbing than maybe others may have seen it to be. But there was something about that scene that rubbed me the wrong way. Perhaps it was because rarely is Walter ever the one put in direct, immediate danger. A genius he may be but in such a situation, he is a helpless old man who can only defend himself to an extent. That reality check was hard to see. That said, nobody is expecting Walter to check out anytime soon. If it’s anyone we are keeping our eye on in that regard, it’s Olivia.
There’s something to be said about Olivia being the first person from the Fringe division to feel the effects of what hit the town. She said something along the lines of, “It feels like someone is taking over my body.” With Walter’s analysis of all that took place, what we have just witness is both universes merging. And for the first time, there’s nothing that Walter can do about it. Hard hitting reality, people. But if the people in town were dying as themselves from the other universe collided, is it still possible for the Olivia from Peter’s timeline to essentially take over her body, heart, and soul… her self? After all, the locals who were immune to what was happening were not in that specific town in the other universe. So are they able to be a host within themselves in another universe so long as they are not in the same location?
It’s all very confusing because those who fell victim to what was happening had signs of Alzheimer’s and Schizophrenia while ultimately the opposite was taking place for Olivia. All of that said, what happened to the town and what is happening to Olivia could also be two completely different things. If you thought that Olivia’s dream in the beginning of the episode was a mind bender, the kiss at the end proved to be just the beginning of whatever is happening to Olivia. Based on the promos, it seems we will get some answers as to what is happening to Olivia… but until then… what do you think is happening? The Observer warned Olivia about her ultimate death, but does that mean that every Olivia in every universe/timeline is doomed to the same fate?
“Welcome to Westfield” was without a doubt one of the best episodes of season four. There was a greater bit of mystery. Along with figuring out the case at hand, this was also a fight for survival. There were so many elements that we see and love to see on Fringe that were magnified here and it worked it every way. In particular, it was such a joy to watch the main three leads figure out this case on their on. What a joy ride. Jackson, Noble, and Torv shined. And the progression of Olivia’s journey is finally catching some speed, so there’s plenty to look forward to in the second half of the season. If for any reason you had mixed feelings about where this season was headed… fret no more because the answers are here and they are coming from every direction. Stay tuned.
Favorite Moment:
Walter summoning Peter and Olivia over the school loudspeaker was hysterical.
Watch Fringe Fridays at 9/8c on Fox.
