Tonight’s Fringe episode, ‘And Those We’ve Left Behind,’showcases any number of things I love about the show, even if it was a little light on the mythology: that being said, I love that the more case-centric episodes allow for a focus on the characters and their relationships. Not to mention we were due for a bit of a breather after the whirlwind start to Fringe season 4.
The episode features real-life husband and wife Stephen Root and Romy Rosemont in fantastic performances as the root cause of the time slips that have been happening. Fringe Division initially attributed the time lapses to Peter’s appearance, but it becomes apparent that Root’s character Raymond is responsible; however, Peter’s appearance is what allowed Raymond to succeed with his time-jumping technology. It seems as though Peter’s very existence in this new timeline, which people have taken to calling the Amber timeline, has made the universe itself more susceptible to time-related Fringe events.
Fringe has become particularly adept at featuring cases which parallel the issues going on in the lives of our characters. In this instance, Peter must know something of what Raymond is going through: everyone Peter loves or cares about has forgotten him and their lives together, and at the moment there is nothing he can do to help them recover those memories. Every so often an episode comes along that hits me a little deeper than I expected, and this was one such episode for me. I can’t claim to know what it’s like to see a stranger staring back at me from the eyes of someone I love, as happens with the Alzheimer’s from which Romy Rosemont’s character Kate is suffering. I do, however, know something of what it’s like to watch someone I love in a situation that I can do absolutely nothing to change. Sometimes all we really can do for the people in our lives is, as Kate advises Raymond, love them; knowing that and accepting that, however, are two very different beasts.
My slight complaint about last week’s Fringe episode was remedied in ‘And Those We’ve Left Behind’: with Walter determined to ignore Peter, Peter and Olivia’s interactions were brought to the forefront. It was certainly jarring at times, since in many ways they’re almost back at season 1 in terms of their relationship, yet with an undercurrent of strangeness. From Olivia’s view, Peter is a stranger, yet she has this odd connection to him; for Peter, Olivia remembers nothing of their time together, yet she remains, in many ways, the same woman he knows and loves. Seeing Peter and Olivia work the case together was quite fascinating, especially since Peter was given a chance to show his brilliance. Usually, Walter is the one coming up with the theories, yet Walter refused to work this particular case, for the most part, so Peter stepped in. Sometimes it’s easy to forget that Peter is a genius himself, even if he doesn’t have the same formal training as Walter.
I thought it was about time that Olivia told Peter about her dreams, and finally asked him, albeit in a round-about way, what they were to one another in the other timeline. The final exchange between Peter and Olivia really brought home something I’ve been wondering about for a while: is this really ‘our’timeline, and where was Peter Bishop? The characters we’ve been seeing since Fringe came back this season are undeniably different, and with so much of their history also altered, it makes me wonder if Peter himself has been transported to another, alternate universe rather than everything in our Blue timeline changing around him. Theoretically, there should be an infinite number of alternate universes, and we’ve only really seen two thus far. Just when I think I’ve resigned myself to the paradoxes that time travel presents, an episode like this pops up and turns everything on its head again. Say what you will about Fringe, but they certainly know how to keep us guessing at every turn.
Something else I’m also enjoying this season is the little references and call-backs that seem to be hidden throughout the episodes, and the tangents they send me on. For example, the book that the little girl in the teaser wants to read is called ‘Burlap Bear’, which first showed up in the season 1 Fringe episode ‘Unleashed’when Olivia is reading it to Ella. This prompted a question that I probably should have wondered more about before now: does Ella still exist in the Amber timeline? Since Nina adopted Olivia and Rachel after their mother’s death, perhaps the more stable maternal influence kept Rachel from getting into a relationship with Greg; however, Marilyn Dunham didn’t die Over There, and Rachel still got pregnant, so that reasoning may be flawed.
Tonight’s Fringe did a wonderful job of exploring a fascinating case — and I loved the way they used the time jumps — while simultaneously setting up what seems to be the direction this season will take. Exploring this new timeline is certainly an adventure, but I really do want to see at least some progress soon on setting things to rights, otherwise I fear it may get a little bit frustrating. That having been said, I trust everyone at Fringe, and they haven’t let us down yet; they always seem to know just how long to keep a storyline going, and I’ve never felt like they needlessly draw things out. Who else can’t wait for next week’s episode already? A
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I completely agree A+ episode.
Great re-cap. I can't wait for next week's episode, but I'm so bummed that next week is already the "fall finale"! It seems like the season just started…and we'll have to wait till mid-January? BOO.
Yeah, I really do loathe hiatuses with a fiery passion. And thanks for reading and commenting!
BOOOO INDEED!!! I JUST WANT PETER AND OLIVIA TO BE TOGETHER AGAIN :'( The producers are killing me…
I CAN'T WAIT ANYMORE!!! I am becoming so impatient!!!!
I think of it like blueverse 2.0, it really is closer to the blueverse than the redverse is to it. But according to Peter he said he realizes now that he's in the wrong place. But how does he get back I can't even begin to theorize. I did enjoy his genius taking the forefront, it was so nice to see him taking charge and using his brilliance iin the case. And superficially, he looked very good looking in that tshirt. Just saying. As usual, this story really had that metaphorical undertone. Time and fate and what we'd do for those we love to the point of destruction.
Oh as for Ella and Rachel, yes they exist, there was a picture on Olivia's nightstand in Subject 9 if you look closely, they're there. And in the words of Peter after his second time jump to the scene, its true "This is gonna start getting annoying." :P
Ohh, thanks Sarah! I did notice the picture in SUBJECT 9, actually, but for some reason I thought it was a young Olivia and Marilyn Dunham (i.e. before she died..). My bad. Thanks!
I'm still curious about what Ella is like, although I have a feeling that might be one thing about Olivia that definitely hasn't changed.
Thanks for the recap. I really love this episode.
You're more than welcome.. Thanks for reading!
I enjoy your reviews, however I would prefer if you didn't give a grade at the end of each Fringe review as they come across as particularly disingenuous. As a fan of the show you are unlikely to ever give it a C or a D grade even if it is befitting of an episode. It seems moot to even bother with it.
I LOVED THIS EPISODE SO MUCH. Just – wow.
I was on the verge of tears the entire time…first; as soon as I saw the shot of Kate sitting in her chair after the time reset, I knew exactly what was happening and why and wow, overwhelming. Second when Walter was being so horrible to Peter and Olivia’s polite indifference and the look on Peter’s face…I felt like I was mourning for the family we’ve left behind in season 3.
And at the very end, and from next week’s promo, the idea that Peter’s in a THIRD timeline! I don’t know what to think about all that – whether it’s right, or it’s more “Blueverse 2.0” as someone said, or it’s just what Peter thinks. I kind of like the idea though, because I can’t believe the writers would just abandon that family we’ve grown to know and restart afresh with Olivia and Walter who are, quite frankly, completely different people.
:(
Thanks for your review!
Well i think it's quite possible this is a third alternate universe/reality which amber credits could have in fact suggested the whole time.and after this episode I'm more inclined to believe it to be so than I was before.
In which case we could be watching Peter trying to return to his reality,to where he belongs this season.I only hope it doesn't take to long,as well as I hope that once and if it happens we don't abandon this reality completely,cuz it does pose an interesting perspective on things,people and relationships.In this episode I loved parallels between our characters situations and the "time bubble couple",with all the metaphors going on along with it.I also loved the fact that Peter-Walter,Peter-Olivia relationship was communicated to us in a strong and poignant manner,but without it being pretencious or cheezy spiced with pathos.I was really scared of that option,but thankfully it hadn't happened that way.
And Nadine,regarding time travel..as terminator:The Sarah Connor Chronicles fans would say;Just embrace the paradox.:)
Nadine, as an Australian reader who has accidentally stumbled upon your site (the wonder of the world-wide interweb!) I must say that I am rather impressed with your article. Not for your writing competence alone (which I admit, is a strong contributing factor) but for the heart and genuine involvement you invest into writing about the show. Many critics write as outsiders; critiquing a show as many modern doctors tend their patients – with sterile indifference. Your contributions are insightful and engaging and show that the complex Fringe narratives are carefully considered and contemplated, even when imperfect: a far cry from other writers cramming to meet a deadline.
Apologies for my rhetoric but you're a refreshing read. And with the growing cultural tendency of burning quicker than praising, I thought I'd opt for the latter, where praise is more than due. Thanks again.
Not so much my episode, deja vu.
The man in this episode is like all the man in Fringe, the big emotions, ideas love and sacrifice, the woman the reational, no emotions allowed to show, caring one, and themen in the end the pitied one.See how the writers treated Olivia, from gatekeeper, hero she became insecure needy petersgirl from 3.10.
With the arrival of Peter the only ones who can think are the Bishop Boys again, and did Peter get a quickcourse I know everything genius from the Observers?
The writers only write for the Bishop Boys, the only relationship on Fringe and the only ones with backstory etc, but now they are the only ones with brains as well.
So where does that leave the FBI and especially Olivia? Back to go-between as S1 and mostly S2 and mostly second part of S3, Anna Torv is an amazing actress , she deserves so much better then that. So where are the Olivia scenes about her past???
I love how Walter was responsible for Space related anomalies and Peter's related to Time related ones. Fringe is the best show ever!!