Fringe Summer Rewatch: #321 "The Last Sam Weiss"

 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.

As the summer rewatch draws to a close, I’m happy that my final post will be for The Last Sam Weiss, as this is one of my top five Fringe episodes. As a great fan of the Fringe mythos, I was thrilled to finally have some answers to many questions that have been posed, even as far back as season one.  However, this episode has a special place in my heart because this is a big turning point in the extraordinary journey of the Fringe family. There are two epic love stories in Fringe, which is one of the main reasons I’ve enjoyed the show for so much in three seasons. The show has a great depth of heart.

Walter learns to let go - to step back and allow Peter to do what he must, even though the odds of him surviving are slim. Because "he is a man protecting his world." Olivia becomes empowered, and learns to accept that she really is extraordinary. Peter does what he must to help protect the ones he loves.

After an electrifying false start in 6:02 A.M. EST, we’ve almost reached the moment of truth. Peter and Olivia literally staring down the machine. But first, there was the little matter of a slightly-toasted and unconscious Peter, along with Olivia’s journey with Sam Weiss to uncover the secrets of the machine, and how he was given “knowledge” about the machine. Plus, Walter and Astrid tried to determine how to slow down the damage occurring in our world long enough to buy Olivia some time.

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Fringe Summer Rewatch: #320 "6:02 AM EST"

The destruction had begun...

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.

Until I watched the episode again, I would not have notice the parallel scenes for the two Walter Bishops. One is sacrificing his son to save his dying world. So was the other one. The only difference is the Walter we are more familiar with rather not. Ironically, both men in their darkest moments seek God's forgiveness.

Over there, we see the Secretary contemplate the consequences of activating the machine.

Oppenheimer saved us too. But at what cost? He couldn't bear the nightmares... the screams of all the innocents he had killed. "Now, I am become death, the Destroyer of Worlds." Only in our case, that really is true. We destroyed their world to save ours. May God have mercy on us.

Over here, Walter prays for a miracle.

I asked you for a sign, and you sent it to me. A white tulip. And I was so grateful. Since then, in moments of deep despair, I have found solace in believing that you had forgiven me. I was willing to let him go. I was willing to let Peter die. I've changed. That should matter. God, I know my crimes are unforgivable. So punish me. Do what you want to me. But I beg you, spare our world.

There was no turning back when the machine was turned on. Little did the Secretary know that he had set in motion a course of events that would ultimately cause the destruction of his own world in one possible future.

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Fringe Summer Rewatch:#319 "Lysergic Acid Diethylamide"

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.

Episode 319, entitled "Lysergic Acid Diethylamide," which will be referred to from here on out as "LSD," is a real trip. Literally! This "little family unit" as Peter calls the 3 of them in episode 216: himself, Walter, and Olivia, really go places in this episode, all while seated in the triangle seen in the above photo. (We know Fringe creator JJ Abrams loves triangles, but it's interesting to see one literally here.)

A Little History On Lysergic Acid Diethylamide(LSD)
First synthesized by Albert Hofmann in 1938 this drug was used to treat psychiatric disorders.
It is from the ergot family. Ergot is a fungus that grows on grains, most commonly on rye. Sandoz Pharmaceuticals introduced a prescription form of it called Delysid, in 1947, and it was very promising in the medical world.

Interestingly, the CIA thought it might be helpful in chemical warfare and mind control in the 1950's and gave it to soldiers and civilians as part of the 'MKULTRA Program'(remember I mentioned that in my commentary on "Of Human Action"?)
Apparently it was used widely for recreational purposes in the 1960's which led to a political uprising and then its restriction. Today there a few groups who still study its medical applications in controlled trials.

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FRINGE Teaser 5: 'Where Is Peter Bishop?'

Here is the fifth"Where Is Peter Bishop?" teaser from Fox.

WARNING: Contains scenes from Season 4.

"There is no one else. There is just me." - Olivia Dunham

FRINGE: Past + Present + Future #12 "A Different Choice"

Walter and Peter are desperate to change future events, in this twelfth and final installment of the web series Fringe: Past + Present + Future. Narrated by series star John Noble.

FRINGE: Past + Present + Future #11 "The Future is Now"

Peter finds himself fifteen years into the future, in this eleventh installment of the twelve-part web series Fringe: Past + Present + Future. Narrated by series star John Noble.

Fringe Summer Rewatch: #318 "Bloodline"

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.

My sister died during childbirth.

This story idea has certainly always been out there. If the scripts were thought up that far ahead, and if Olivia was played like she always knew the risk of being pregnant, would that have translated into the hesitant reaction behind that closed door before seducing Peter? In any case, now we bare witness to the real consequences of that choice. In the aftermath of "Immortality", Liv is resigned to being a single parent, with mom Marilyn and Lincoln for moral support. Olivia also has a reality check. There is high chance that she might be a carrier for Viral Propagated Eclampsia (VPE), the same disease that took her sister Rachel's life. Either she or the child or both will not survive delivery.

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An Early Happy Birthday to the Fringe Media Master, Ari Margolis!

Ari Margolis, Fringe promo designer extraordinaire, is celebrating a birthday tomorrow!
For those of you who do not know Ari, he has been extremely generous over the several years, showering us with beautiful promos, and most recently, the "Past+Present+Future" video series.

He is also very engaged with us Fringe fans via Twitter, letting us know when promos are availalbe. He also started on May 26 the "Fringe Song Of The Day" program via Twitter, taking requests and posting them and his own choices, and even a few from Jasika Nicole, daily via Twitter with the song links, which has made this long hiatus much more comfortable and fun.

Ari has given so much to us we decided to give something back.
So here you go, Ari, a birthday vid from us at Fringe Television!
The video was designed by our own Aimee Long and inspired by me.

Thanks, Ari, for all you do. Have a great birthday tomorrow!

FRINGE: Past + Present + Future #10 "Facing Destiny"

Peter faces his true destiny and risks everything to save our world, in this tenth installment of the twelve-part web series Fringe: Past + Present + Future. Narrated by series star John Noble.

FRINGE: Past + Present + Future #9 "The Journey Home"

The two Olivia's are each desperate to find their way back home, in this ninth installment of the twelve-part web series Fringe: Past + Present + Future. Narrated by series star John Noble.