Fringe Summer Rewatch: #306 "6955 kHz" ~ Fringe Television - Fan Site for the FOX TV Series Fringe

Fringe Summer Rewatch: #306 "6955 kHz"

      Email Post       9/04/2011 12:05:00 AM      


Join us for our Fringe Summer re-watch, where we review every episode of Fringe during the summer hiatus. Comments are welcome as we dig into the connections made over three seasons.

When this episode first aired, all I could remember was the last scene from Do Shapeshifters Dream of Electric Sheep, hoping that someway, somehow, Peter and Altlivia were interrupted. Alas, that would not be the case, and we’d even get some conception from the deception in the future…

A Pawn’s Eyes are Opened

So, Alternate Olivia gets a first-hand look at the hopeless (not frustrated) romantic in Peter Bishop, when he playfully gives her a clue about something special in the Entertainment section of the newspaper - U2 tickets. This is all in addition to an impressive breakfast-in-bed.

As he spoke to Walter on the phone, her face showed some degree of uneasiness. The Secretary's son was genuinely sweet, and obviously very much in love with her alternate.

As the case involving people losing their minds to retrograde amnesia unfolded, she saw that Walter was a broken man, especially compared to the Secretary Bishop she knew. I’m not sure if she later used the pastries and kind words as a clever deception, or if maybe she was generally liking him. It seems her words in her diary (Reciprocity) about Walter being brilliant might have proven this to be the case.

Apparently Walter’s words about helping innocent people sunk in to her, because she told her shape-shifter accomplice:

Altlivia: I think you've done enough. We've got their attention. There's no need to hurt any more innocent people.
Joseph Feller: What do they say on this side? ‘All's fair in love and war?’ If they were in our shoes, they would do exactly what we're doing.

However, Peter would show that this viewpoint was false:

Altlivia: If you knew that only... one of our worlds could survive and if it was up to you, and you alone, to defend your side... You'd have no choice, right? I mean, you would have to do what you had to do... no matter the cost to protect... our world. 
Peter: There are billions of innocent people over there... just like here... people with jobs, families, lives. I got to believe there's another way. And whatever my part in all of this is... I got to believe there's another way. There's always hope, right?

Olivia also mirrored Peter’s viewpoint in Entrada, as she pleaded desperately with Broyles to help her:

Despite what you think, my universe is not at war with yours. This all began because a man came over here to save a boy and twenty-five years later, I came back to save that same boy. But if you let me die, then we will strike back and we will fight. But if you let me go, both universes can survive. There must be another way and I promise you I will find it. 

Yet when Walternate pulled all the stops and activated his machine, Peter was forced into a decision that went against his words. He had to do what he had to do.

There is another way… still yet to be found.

The Road to Forgiveness

This is an episode that is heavily Peter/Walter centric. I appreciate their dynamic as one of the main attractions that I have for the show. Walter fussed over Peter as if he were still a child, instead of a man in his early thirties. This would start to change.

Walter once told Peter that he his biggest problem was his lack of commitment. In this episode, Peter is committed to Olivia, albeit the wrong one, and he worked on trying to figure out the machine. Walter was not happy with Peter’s choice, telling him one of my favorite Walterisms:

Well, fine. If you end up breaking the universe, this time, it's on your head!

The tension between Walter and Peter only escalated, each taking the opportunity to snipe at the other. Yet Walter later acknowledged his son’s intellect concerning the number stations, only to have the moment spoiled by Peter’s discovery of Walter’s tampering with his machine diagnostic efforts.

Some viewers express discontent with the fact that Peter never said the exact phrase “I forgive you” to Walter. Peter has always let his actions speak louder than his words, and the road to forgiveness took some time. I feel any less would have been the real shortchange. When Peter came back Over Here, he told Walter that although he could not see things his way, that Walter’s actions to cross universe twice in order to save his life meant something. This was a start. In this episode, the "Bishop Boys" come to an understanding and begin their unification.

In this episode, Peter expressed his commitment to learning about the machine. Walter told him that he was “Playing with fire,“ alluding to the story of Prometheus.

In the Harvard Yard scene, Nina Sharp reminded Walter that he was being hypocritical when it came to Peter’s work with the machine. Walter confided his fears to her:

WALTER: If only one world can survive, then it stands to reason that Walternate will use Peter to ensure that it's his world that does. But he has already built as much of the machine as he can. He gave the blueprints to Peter and asked him to complete it... even though... this... could kill him.
NINA: I remember, Walter, but who says this is the only outcome? It's a drawing, not destiny. Even if you're right about Walternate's plan, I mean, you don't know if he'll succeed. And given the stakes, won't Peter need your guidance more than ever?

In mid-season's The Firefly, September told Walter that there are many possible outcomes that may come to pass.

This line is one we may want to take to heart as the fourth season starts:

Walter... one of the things I have most admired about you is your optimism. Don't become a fatalist now.

Once it became apparent, thanks to Astrid, that the machine parts were buried all over the world, Walter decided to support surprised Peter with the quest.

The First Glance at The First People

Markham explained that the numbers were heard even before the radio was invented. I am assuming after learning the origin of the First People in The Day We Died, that they set-up the number stations so that someday, the machine parts would be found. I remember all of the speculation about these so-called people. Looking back, it was pretty funny. I certainly had a “you’ve got to be kidding me” moment when it was revealed who they really were…

But it’s not so funny when put into the perspective of this episode. Peter read parts of the book to Altlivia:

So according to this... something happened, some sort of cataclysm that so completely decimated the first people, they were just wiped out of the historical record.

We now know what Seamus Wiles did not: The First People came through a wormhole to the past. The cataclysm had its roots in the present.

Memory

A couple of thoughts concerning memories:

Walter said that, "The human brain is a miracle... a most resilient organ... a storage unit for everything you have ever known... seen, or felt. It's all still in there, whether or not you are conscious of that."

I wonder if this memory can “echo” across time-lines?

Walter made a statement to Astrid that seemed innocuous at first. But, as usual, some of his lines say a bit more than originally believed.

I simply meant that to break the code you would have to think like they did, and they lived millions and millions of years ago.

Considering Astrid was one of the First People…

Unanswered Questions

This episode was fairly well wrapped up by the season three finale arc, which explained the origin of the First People Book and the First People’s quest to bring the machine back to the past.

If Peter Bishop Was Not in the Equation…

At this point, I don’t think any of these events would occur without Peter’s presence.


20 Comments:

cortexifan said...

Will the Amber 31422 one come back?

cortexifan said...

part 1
-The spiral staircase in the light house reminded me of the staircase in 3.12 Concentrate And Ask Again.
-On Chang’s computer was a pirate flag (bones and skull), there is one in Max’s room in 3.07 The Abducted.
- I know I’m going to get booed out but it’s part of the episode, so here it is. Peter: “Just for being you.” Grrr, Peter and Fauxlivia, bringing her breakfast in bed. He better come back soon and do that for Olivia as well,and not have Walter cook (3.14 6B, and naked to boot (3.20 6:02 AM EST) :)
Although I didn’t like that it was not our Olivia I kind of liked that scene. It seemed very natural. The chemistry between Anna and Joshua is great and it comes out there.
-When Broyles calls, it’s just like in the Pilot for Olivia and John and then again in 6:02 AM EST.
-The “just for being you” also reminded me of the end of 2.12 What Lies Below where Olivia says to Peter he wasn’t himself. He answered: “lucky for me that you were.”
-U2 tickets. When she said; I love U2, some said she meant: I love you too. U2 was ruined for all of us according to Walter in 3.11 Reciprocity because Fauxlivia used a U2 song as a password, “A sort of homecoming” maybe? :)
-Fauxlivia looks overwhelmed, not only because of her feelings for Peter but also she’s afraid that Walter won’t help with the machine.
-“If you end up breaking the universe this time it’s on your head.”
-Reel to Reel. Peter used one to record his findings as he examined the part of the machine in 2.22 Over There part 2.
-I’m surprised that Nina didn’t catch it either that she is not Olivia. Again Fauxlivia has only facts from the files but not how each interacted with each other.
-Again, Anna’s facial expressions are phenomenal.
-“It’s not theft if you own the company.”
-Someone wanted to keep the code a secret. They wanted the Fringe team to decipher it, I guess. How did Walternate know that Walter would come up with a way to not lose his memory and that they would figure it out?
-Walter: “If you don’t mind, I have some thinking to do.” As he goes and rolls a joint :)
-The lighting is interesting in the back office as Peter and Walter talk (side shot). Red lights by Walter, blue lights by Peter. Other interesting lighting observations throughout the series: lights shining through doors or in hall ways most of the time have the same color as the dot by the glyph during commercials.
-The 4 prong hook up on the cube reminded me of the 4 prong outlet in August’s apartment in 2.08 August.
-Joe has a creepy eye. David Robert Jones had one in 1.20 There Is More Than One Of Everything and so does Broyles in 3.22 The Day We Died.
-As Joe is setting up the cube there is a lot of red and green lights behind him.
- This might be a weird connection or nothing at all but when Becky picked up the knitting project the term “fabric of the universe” came to my mind. We know now that the war cannot be won. Both universes need each other to survive. They are “knitted together” so to speak.
-I love Markham. Olivia would have never forgotten him. I hope he comes back. I think Fauxlivia is realizing more and more that she has no clue about Olivia’s life. Did Olivia not mention Markham in her files? Did she not because he was one of Peter’s “weird connections”?
-Walter: “I know what it’s like to not recognize your own life.” So does Fauxlivia, Walter.
-I really don’t like to fly, but since watching Fringe, I Really Don’t Like To Fly :)
-Astrid: “Maybe you reversed the polls.” Walter: “Everything that I know about the physics of electricity says that this device shouldn’t work at all.” Walter didn’t realize then that his actions in 1985 causes opposite reactions (for lack of a better word). In 3.16 Os things worked the opposite way: left is right, up is down, and hot is cold.

cortexifan said...

part 2
-At Markham’s store there is a seahorse sticking out as he is sitting, his back facing the camera. There is also a book that sticks out to me. It’s called “Glue” by Irvine Welsh. The end of the synopsis of the book reads as follows: …it’s about the way we live our lives, and what happens to us when things become unstuck.
-How did Markham get the First People book? Was it Sam?
-Markham looked shocked when Fauxlivia said thanks.
-Those are some ugly bookends :)
-Funniest moment: Walter and Nina smoking a joint.
-Walter: “… if only one world can survive…” Well, even though Peter destroyed one universe by going in the machine, it would have eventually destroyed the other one as well. He prevented that by creating the bridge.
-“It’s a drawing, not destiny.”
-License plate on Fauxlivia’s car: 13CPO1
-The Vacuum cleaner :)
- Loved the car scene as far as content. I was surprised that she pulled it off and remembered the numbers. I don’t know, maybe I’m the only one who noticed but it did seem like the scene wasn't quit polished, the sound was off, probably not the best green screen shot or whatever technical term you want to use. I normally don't point out stuff like that because most of the time (if there are any) it’s very minute but this one stood out.
-Did Fauxlivia know that the numbers coincide with the book?
-Grrr, Fauxlivia used Walter’s love for food to get to his heart.
-Ha, another shapeshifter who underestimated the Bishop boys :)
-Fauxlivia: “I think you’ve done enough… There’s no need to hurt more innocent people.” A cold blooded killer wouldn’t say that. I know, right? And in the next second she kills him, shoots him twice, destroys the disc because she knows the Bishop’s know where they are located.
-Sorry guys. Grrr Peter. Our Olivia would have never reacted that way being scared and all. She usually brushes it off. This scene also reminded me of 3.19 LSD when Peter enters Olivia’s house, (finally) realizing he’s got the wrong one.
- Data storage unit. I thought Peter could bring anything mechanical back to live. He didn’t even give it a try.
-Peter went back to have skim added to the coffee. She doesn’t even use cream or sugar (3.08 Entrada). I think she did that on purpose.
-“It’s the little things that make me irresistible.” It’s a good thing you finally did realize you had the wrong one, Peter.
-Fauxlivia: “If you knew that only one of our worlds could survive and if it was up to you, and you alone, to defend your side... You'd have no choice, right? I mean, you would have to do what you had to do no matter the cost to protect... our world.” Okay, so when she says that last “our world”, was she solely talking about the other side know Peter is from there. Or am I misunderstanding this. Any thoughts?
-Peter: “I got to believe that there is another way. There is always hope, right?” It reminds me of Olivia’s words to Alt-Broyles in 3.08 Entrada: “If you don’t believe me, then there is no hope.” Hope has been there from the beginning. In the Pilot Peter says: “Don’t give her false hope, Walter.” This hope wasn’t false. He found a way to bring back John.
-There he is again throwing away his coffee. Just watched 3.20 6:02 AM EST and the guy in the car pours his coffee out too. They should be more careful because there is no coffee on the other side :)
- Out of the 37 or so locations, so far only are in the US, the rest are all over the world.
-Was it Nina’s conversation with Walter that changed his mind?
-On the typewriter: “Initiate phase two”. What was phase two? Stealing the one part?
-Projection Peter: “It’s not safe for you here anymore, Olivia. You have to go home.” I think she finally realizes there who she really is.

cortexifan said...

part 3

If Peter never existed in this episode…
-Would they have found the First People book at Markam’s? Or would they even have known about Markham?
-U2 would not be ruined for us :)
-Would someone else have looked close enough to see one component being replaced?
-Olivia would have not seen projection Peter to give her a warning that she needs to go home.
-Fauxlivia wouldn’t have had to put on an act of being scared.



I'm sorry I'm using so much space. But the more I watch the more I see.

Unknown said...

My fave: "U2 would not be ruined for us" :D

Fringie6989 said...

Wow excellent observations, Aimee and Cortexifan! My favorite line from this episode is most definitely: "Well, fine. If you end up breaking the universe, this time, it's on your head!" This just cracks me up every time. It reminds me of what Walter said to Olivia in "There's More Than One Of Everything," when he said: "We're trying to plug a hole in the universe. What are you doing here?"

AS for Peter. Dear, dear Peter. This episode make me quite mad with him. Though like Cortexifan said, aside form the fact that the breakfast scene was with Fauxlivia, I thought it was a really cute scene with Peter being all romantic and sweet, and their chemistry shines through. That said, the U2 tickets, the Markham incident, and the fake scared Fauxlivia (which made me mad that Peter didn't find it odd to see Olivia acting scared when she so often purposely puts up a strong front)But I was proud of Peter, when he said “I got to believe that there is another way. There is always hope, right?” I think it shows just how far he has come too. When back in the Pilot, he was concerned only for himself. Also, I think it was a direct set-up from Fauxlivia to say "our" world, in an effort to get Peter to say that he would choose "our" world over theirs, not knowing that she was speaking of the world where both of them came from.

This episode was very interesting with introducing the first people and the vacuum as such, though I must admit, I was expecting something more than the explanation we got for who the first people were. But if that future never happened, then maybe there is a new explanation? I'm the first to admit that the time paradox goes right over my head.

On the Peter subject, what I love most about Peter (and Josh since he's the one with the acting skills) is that he can have a complete conversation with his eyes. This episode had it strongly as well as the end of Entrada, especiallly Marionette, the three part finale, and many others that I forgot. He doesn't need to say the words to show that he means them. He can say "I love you" I forgive you" "I'm sorry" with just a glance. And who could forget about LSD, when he gets knocked out of Olivia's mind. That scene was one of the finest acting moments in the 3rd season. It was so genuine, it still brings tears to my eyes.

Oh and Cortexifan, I know you know this already but I was also VERY disappointed that Faux remembered the numbers. I was hoping that the photographic memory would be Faux's downfall, since she didn't think she had one.

Fringie6989 said...

Oh and like Aimee just said, "U2 would not be ruined for us." That was my favorite observation too LOL

Xindilini said...

I agree. Walter's words reached Olivia. The moment where she reached to him had nothing to do with the mission. It goes to show you can't hate someone for what they have done. Just like you can't really hate her for what she did over here.

trent said...

"It goes to show you can't hate someone for what they have done."

Long live Brandonate and Walternate!

cortexifan said...

@Xindilini,
true, after all she did write in her diary that she liked Walter.

@trent,
"Long live Brandonate and Walternate!"

:) Nope, those two are the exception. I hate them with a passion and no matter what good they do in S4, it might not change my mind :)

trent said...

Why are they the exception? "You cannot hate someone for what they've done". Unless you can. In that case, Fauxlivia can be held accountable for what she did. May I remind you, that she was unaffected by Peter's speech? She continued killing and she stole the piece of the machine, even though she knew its purpose. That doesn't mean I hate her, but she can be hated with good reason, just like Walternate and Brandonate. They too thought they were saving their world.

cortexifan said...

@trent,
they are exception because they did not change.
They both have no regard for human life. Faxulivia still changed because of her experience over here and she recognized that Walternate was just using her.
Now before this turns into a back and forth, I did put my reason in a "smiley face bracket and I said it "might" not change my mind. So, it could but right now that's my opinion and I'm sticking with it :):):)
I guess we will just have to wait and see :)

Anonymous said...

is that you 45??

trent said...

@cortexifan

I see. You are right that Fauxlivia changed her mind. My problem with her is that it was too sudden and unearned. We didn't see how it came to be, no moments of doubts and no regrets. She went back to her world, went on with her life as if nothing had happened and one day, out of the blue, she started caring about Peter and turned against Walternate.

With Walternate, it was the opposite, we saw him suffering for the loss of his son and hardening himself to do, what he considered his duty. And finally, the only thing that made Fauxlivia likable to some, Peter's son, owes his existence to Walternate. Fauxlivia wanted to abort. I'm not criticizing this decision, she had every right, but in the end, she did very little to earn my respect or my hate. From a character point of view, that's a big failure.

Unknown said...

I have to agree with Trent somewhat about Fauxlivia.

This is my opinion of the character. Be warned, I am always going to love the Olivia from here. She was the first character I fell for in The Pilot because she was unlike the cliche FBI woman on television. When I first saw alt-Olivia, I thought, "Cool. Another Olivia." But she started exhibiting things that I found personally distasteful. She reminds me of many things that I don't like about how women are perceived on TV. That women must do these things to be considered likable... I did not like her even before she came over here and deceived everyone.

But at this point, I do not hate her. I just find her character... meh. (I find Lincoln to be the same.) I was never a fan of the whole baby plot - I was so much in denial when rumors spread. When it was confirmed, I was willing to see where it went, and really just found it lacking. I see it as an attempt to humanize the other Olivia, and that, along with the baby's blood activating the machine issue, just didn't feel organic to me. The best thing she did was whack Brandonate on the head, (what a sick little sycophant) and I actually cheered for her then. But no, I don't love her, and really don't care to see more of her. Especially with this "reset," which essentially allows the character to be rewritten... But this is where the show is right now. I'd rather see more Peter, Astrid and Nina, but it's not my show ;)

Walternate has always seemed like he was more about revenge than love for Peter. Yes, it is a terrible thing to lose a son. But Subject 13 not only showed a man grieving for his son, but one that was embarrassed that his reputation was sullied. (I'll be writing a post for this episode, and will discuss that issue further.) I always felt that he sees Peter as an object, and may have always done so. The young Peter that died, seemed to favor his father. The Peter we know seemed to favor his mother.

Maybe it was the failure of the S2 Over There episodes in showing any real affection between them at all. Walternate first tried to have Peter work with the machine, knowing full well the purpose of it, and the possible outcome for his son.

Walternate killed Olivia. I don't care if the time-line never happens, I can not really feel anything for him.

Anonymous said...

I also agree with Trent, and you Aimee. This is why i worry now that lincoln is a main character, i do hope that over here lincoln is much more interesting than alt-lincoln, i assume 4.01 is to make us like over here lincoln. But if they are putting him in solely for a love triangle thing between him peter and liv, then i dont care. Wyman/Pinkner say they "fell in love with him" well i didnt, really, really not. Hopefully he will not take the spotlight even more away from broyles, nina, astrid and Peter.

From what i gathered at comic con we will be seeing more of astrid and nina, i remember blair brown saying that massive dynamic was back to being in competition with the FBI, and now astrid has a gun, one can only assume we will being seeing more of her character.

On altlivia, i think you summed her up perfectly "meh" anna torv does a fantasic job of portraying her and making her different from our olivia. but i dont really care about the character, her change/redemption or whatever you want to call it happened to quickly and too much off screen and IMO made it unbelievable, and lets not even mention the birth scene, so overplayed and anna torv called it one of her favourite scenes of season 3, im going to pretend she didnt.

On walternate, i agree its almost like hes revelling in peters abduction, using it to justify all the wrongs hes committed, but i do think he is a great character and again played brilliantly by john noble.

It always seems to me that Fringe is show of two really great developed characters (olivia and walter) four with loads of potential but almost no development (peter,astrid,nina and broyles) and two that are completely meh (altlivia and lincoln), and one that was great but killed off (charlie)

JM

trent said...

I agree with Aimee and JM about Walternate. I don't doubt for a minute that he loved his little son. Just watch "Peter" again and see how he was intensely driven to find a cure, I mean, Walter had given up trying himself and he just spied on Walternate. We saw him suffer and miss his son in "Subject 13". He was left without a son and with lots of questions. At least Walter could bury his own son.

This is why I understand where he's coming from and why he's so bitter and bent on revenge, but that doesn't mean I approve or that I don't know he used his son (although Walter and Olivia are guilty of this too) and his tragedy to advance his agenda and to justify his actions. I'm also aware that he doesn't love his son anymore. He is a formidable enemy and that's why I like him as a character.

Unknown said...

Walternate is an example of a really good antagonist. He gives me chills because of his drive and conviction that he is right.

Unknown said...

Thanks for the respectful comments. We all have different viewpoints which makes the discussion more interesting.

cortexifan said...

I love that we can agree to disagree.
Fringe Rocks!

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