
Let me start off by saying that Fringe, to me, is one of the best series on television today. Coming off of a very strong Season Two, the writers could have just coasted their way through the first part of year three, but no, the writing got even better. Here are my thoughts on the first half of the season:
- The show had a sense of newness with each episode alternating between our “Universe†and “over there.†They changed the color scheme for “over there†as well as had a slightly different opening sequence. When we inhabited the “over there†episodes, we were almost watching a different show. All the actors gave stand-out performances with their own alter personalities.

- I still have to give kudos to Anna Torv for her stellar performance as Olivia and Bolivia who were the anchors for both universes. She was able to play the nuances of each character who were essentially impersonating the other. It sounds so confusing but Torv executed the differences expertly.
- We have seen the battle occurring between our universe and “over there†from the viewpoint of “over there†being the villains. What we learned while inhabiting the other reality, is that as a result of Walter’s actions, the alternate universe is crumbling. There are parts of different cities that are Ambered out. In “Amber 31422,” we found out that the people stuck in stasis are still alive when their loved ones all think they’re dead. We see Senator Walter Bishop is quite ruthlessly pursuing the ability to crossover. It was fascinating being able to see through the eyes of the “over there” citizens and understand why Walternate was mounting such a war against the enemy.
- My opinion on one of the best episodes of the first half of the season was “Do Shapeshifters Dream of Electric Sheep?†In it, we learn that the shapeshifters have been in our universe for at least 20 years. We also learn they do have feelings. One of the most amusing scenes occurred when Walter visits Massive Dynamic for the first time after learning that William Bell left him the company in his will. Walter was rather freaked out so he took some LSD prior to going into the office. A rather strange way of coping, but nonetheless, this created some amusing situations. From start to finish, I was on the edge of my seat. I was disappointed to see the demise of Newton, a great villain, played oh so well by Sebastian Roché.
- The evolution of Alter-Broyles in “over there†wasn’t something I saw coming. Colonel Broyles seemed like he couldn’t wait for Olivia to be terminated or returned to her universe throughout her time in his Fringe Division. He seemed rather cold towards her until Olivia used her considerable skills and instincts to catch the Candyman, who we learn abducted Alter-Broyles’ son. Ultimately, his desire to help Olivia go home, cost him his life, but he was willing to believe that there was a better way of resolving the conflicts between the universes.

Where we left off? Olivia was back home and she was learning to her horror that Bolivia totally inhabited her life, and no one, including Peter, was able to see the difference. At first, she tried to act like she was fine with how it went down but by the end, we begin to see how Olivia’s feelings of anger have bubbled up for her. How will her relationship with Peter continue? At the time of the switch, they were in the burgeoning stages of exploring being together. Peter progressed with Bolivia so will Olivia be able to pick up with where they left off or will Olivia feel betrayed and totally break things off with him? Did Bolivia complete her mission? Has the endgame been set in motion? How much of “over there†will we continue to see now that both women have returned home to their respective realities? What will be the ultimate legacy of what’s occurred? Can’t wait to find out.
Related posts
Classics
Dennis Heaton Talks The Imperfects
Longtime readers at TV Goodness will know that Motive is one of my ride-or-die series, and as such, I am fiercely loyal to its creator, Dennis Heaton. He followed up that fantastic reverse procedural with Netflix’s The Order and is back on our streaming screens with The Imperfects, which dropped…
Kelly McCormack Talks Favorite Moments in A League of Their Own
[Warning: Mild spoilers for season 1.] Now that you’ve had a chance to watch A League of Their Own, here’s the rest of my chat with Kelly McCormack about her favorite moments of the season. Seeing the iconic Peaches uniforms for the first time wasn’t just a goosebump moment for…
John Griffin and Harold Perrineau Talk From on EPIX Season 1 Finale
[Warning: General spoilers ahead.] How are we doing, #FROMily? In case you missed it this morning, the very good news is that that cliffhanger will be followed by a second season, which was gifted this morning ahead of the linear broadcast of the finale. I always legitimately appreciate when we…
Elizabeth Saunders Talks EPIX’s From
[Warning: General spoilers ahead.] One of the things that makes EPIX’s From such a fun ride is the abundance of Canadian cast members. Elizabeth Saunders, who plays Donna, is a favorite from her turn on the third season of Mary Kills People [streaming on Global TV in Canada and Roku…
Corteon Moore Talks From “Broken Windows, Open Doors”
[Warning: Spoilers for tonight’s episode.] Tonight’s episode of From had us all in our feels as we learned through flashbacks about the Sophie’s Choice Boyd had to make to save his son, and back in the present as Boyd said his piece with Ellis before heading into the woods with…
Pegah Ghafoori Talks From “All Good Things…”
[Warning: Spoilers for tonight’s episode] Tonight on From, Fatima’s anniversary celebration turned into a Colony House of horrors when a misguided Kevin let his monster bae in and she promptly killed him and left the window open for her crew. While the party devolved into terror and sent everyone running,…
Shaun Majumder Talks From “Book 74”
[Warning: Spoilers for tonight’s episode.] Tonight on EPIX’s From, Father Khatri made a bold move, kidnapping Sara instead of turning her in, and then recognizing her as a vessel for some big messages. That startling realization speaks to him on multiple levels–as a man of faith, a man trapped in…
Avery Konrad Talks About Sara’s Struggle in From “Silhouettes”
[Warning: Spoilers for tonight’s episode.] Over the course of the season so far on From, we’ve witnessed Sara’s battle against the voices telling her to to do terrible things, and tonight we saw her unravel further, threatening the Matthews and lashing out in a moment of terror with horrifying results….
Hannah Cheramy Talks From “Choosing Day”
[Warning: Spoilers for tonight’s episode.] Tonight, on EPIX’s From, the Matthews participate in the show’s version of the sorting hat, choosing where to call home–the town or Colony House. At the end of the episode, Julie makes the decision to split from her family and instead settle in with Fatima…
Ricky He Talks From “The Way Things Are Now”
[Warning: Spoilers for episode 102 of EPIX’s From.] Epix’s new series From is two episodes in and it’s already laying the groundwork for a seriously spooky season. Tonight’s episode demonstrated the careful balance of relief and horror that the show hits, with our characters’ worst fears realized, just not when…
What They Said: Three Revealing Conversations from Survivor’s Remorse “Closure”
WARNING: Spoilers for Survivor’s Remorse “Closure” The latest episode of Starz’s Survivor’s Remorse featured conversations that showed characters really digging deep into their thoughts, emotions and motivations.
Two Takes: The Catch “The Knock-Off”
Who can you trust? If this episode of The Catch was any indication, the answer is just about nobody. Betrayal was running rampant as Felicity (Shivani Ghai) arose from the dead to seduce-con Margot, Gretchen (Maria Thayer, Gotham, The Mindy Project) played gold-hearted Alice 2.0 before swindling Ethan, Tessa jumped…
What They Said: Top 3 Quotable Moments from Preacher “El Valero”
Both Quincannon and Jesse refuse to give up on what they each think is rightfully theirs. While Jesse is struggling to face the consequences of his actions, Quincannon has laid his past demons to rest and is hellbent on moving forward and putting Annville on the map again. Despite a…
What They Said: Favorite Quotes from Supergirl “Worlds Finest”
Oh, Supergirl. That ending was cold. But I can’t hate on you because the latest episode has quickly become one of my favorites.
What They Said: Top 4 Quotable Moments from Black Sails “XXIII”
The dialogue in “XXIII” is phenomenal. It’s always a fun ride when Black Sails carries its viewers along without giving them the chance to catch their breath. When an episode moves at this unforgiving pace, there is no chance for a breather nor is there a respite from the information…
What Lucifer Said: Favorite quotes from Supernatural “O Brother, Where Art Thou?”
Supernatural episodes are almost always funny but thanks to the dialogue and a certain man speaking said dialogue, I laughed a lot during “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” You know, when I wasn’t busy fearing for Sam’s life or wondering what in the world was going on with Dean and…
What They Said: The Flash, “Legends Of Today” and Arrow, “Legends Of Yesterday”
Two nights of Arrow + The Flash = what more could we ask for?! I don’t know what it is about blending these shows, but I can’t help but feel that every time they come together, they somehow become greater than the sum of their parts. And that’s saying a lot…
What they Said: Top 4 Quotable Moments from Graceland “Little Bo Bleep”
Shoot outs. Fake outs. And long-awaited revelations. “Little Bo Bleep” was a jam-packed episode that wrapped up some loose ends and totally frayed others. Â It finally gave us one Sarkissian in jail and pulled back the curtain on Briggs’ master plan, but it also set up Jakes for a world…
What They Said: Favorite Quotes from Poldark “Part 4”
“What have I told you, I don’t require my wife to crochet and sip tea, but I do require her to remember she’s not a beast of burden.†No, I’m not talking about The Rolling Stones! I have to admit though, just for a second, the lyrics popped into my…
3 Moments of Goodness from Brooklyn Nine-Nine “Johnny and Dora”
The most satisfying part of this season’s finale has to the Jake and Amy kiss. Well, they kiss three times but the last one is the best one — and it means something. The Charles and Rosa dynamic was also great. I love how she’s convinced he doesn’t know anything…