“The End Of All Things” promised plenty, but did it deliver satisfying answers and overarching progression? Read our review to find out.
- Central mythology and overarching story took main stage, picking up where the previous episode left off to deliver largely satisfying character and story development.
- Much-needed conflict through the presence of a strong central antagonist (make that two), along with the Observers and main character obstacles.
- Twists, turns and duplicity. And that’s just Nina. While the switcheroo wasn’t totally unsuspected, it was nicely executed and contained moments of pure LOLment.
- The episode contained a number of entertaining performances.
- The End Of All Things promised answers. Not that many arrived, in truth (and I wouldn’t want too many delivered by a September ‘quick n dirty’), but I found those that came largely satisfying.
- Lincoln Lee. From a level of respectability, he’s really beginning to grate. He was like a little yapping dog. While he certainly had a point about Peter, his indignation didn’t feel merited. Pass me some Lincolnate to balance things out.
- It was a bit contrived for Olivia to essentially tell Jones that Peter is key to her abilities. (though, granted, it led to a classic Nina moment.)
- The drama still managed to be significantly resolved by the 42 minute mark, deflating the momentum somewhat. Obviously there’s still continuation but the sense of containment wasn’t helped by the eye-popping lack of importance placed on Jones’ escape.
- Peter’s flip-flopping over Olivia still feels a wee bit contrived.
- Olivia’s lack of reasoning over her gushing love for Peter is unbecoming of the character. The depiction of the character in these moments hasn’t worked for me.
- As mentioned, Lincoln’s indignation at Peter possibly projecting his wants onto Olivia was a bit much. But he does have a point about him corrupting Olivia’s identity.
- But how much does Lincoln really care for Olivia? He’s known her for a few months and in that time they’ve had coffee and re-heated soup. Confront Peter by all means, but please practice in front of the mirror first.
- NinRed and David Robert Jones *swoon* make for a delicious partnership. She played Olivia like a fiddle, for the most part, while Jones worked the other end, applying the pressure to spark her ability.
- I always felt one of the regrettable aspects of the original Jones arc was that we didn’t really get to see the culmination of what he wanted from Olivia. It was easily enough inferred but felt somewhat incomplete, so it’s great to see it sorta play out in this iteration.
- I was pleased to see much more movement on the Observer front, it’s one of the storylines of the season that will make for interesting examination in terms of timing.
- I stand by my ‘frustrations’ at the delay in follow up on September’s decision not to erase Peter. After all, I’m not watching the season on DVD (where it’s consumed at different pace) and serialized TV is largely about momentum, structure and timing. That said, the story is now progressing nicely.
- September has gone off the grid. December seems royally peeved, while July (long time no see!) and the others are going to wait for him to surface. They didn’t graduate science class in the year 4747 by twiddling their thumbs, y’know.
- Interestingly, December suggests that September may have directly had a hand in Peter’s return. September later confirms his mystification over Peter’s physical return, but I suppose it’s reasonable for December to consider the possibility.
- The Broyles/NinBlue interrogation was interesting. As in the previous episode she seemed genuinely surprised, and Broyles was picking up on her innocence too, though he couldn’t be 100% certain.
- It was great the see the old lightbox again. While the consequences were different this time around, Olivia’s ’emotional investment’ (so to speak) in Nina applied reasonable dramatic significance.
- Peter going into the Observer’s mind is not the kind of thing you see every Fringe Friday. The set-up required was minimal courtesy of the show’s large backstory. Thankfully, Peter didn’t have to strip down to his bra and panties.
- The journey featured some insightful moments, including Peter witnessing the beginning of all things, learning that he’s a father, and getting some dish on the Observer mythology; the best dressed scientists the world ever did see.
- It was heartening to see September’s eyes light up momentarily when telling Peter “we are one of countless possible futures for humanity.” The light goes out when reflecting on his mistakes — as suspected, he was simply naive when it came to the moment vs the boy.
- While simplistic, that explanation works well enough for me. Maybe it’s because I already suspected as much. The humanity and fallibility of the Observers has always been an interesting thread.
- It is disconcerting that human-kind is still making a mess of things in the distant future, but it’s been a real journey with September. Watching him witness the fall of August and rising to the same emotional bait, has been a fascinating tale in itself.
- Of course, this doesn’t necessarily make the other Observers villains. If anything, the reverse could apply. But like the serial viewer, September has been the most attentive, most vigilant, and he has applied both logic and emotion to his experience. It’s hard not to root for our hopeless romantic. Indeed, I’ll keep a bottle of hot sauce out just in case.
- Olivia going all Ultimate Olivia when turning on the lights and frying Leland was indeed impressive. It was great to see this version of the character take command – a reminder of the two-fisted nature that stole our hearts back in the snow.
- It will be interesting to see how Jones and NinRed pick up the pieces after scuttling back to the other side. It follows a similar path to the original iteration. However, since he’s recovering from his molecular degradation, he shouldn’t have to jump the gun this time round.
- Credit to Peter for pulling back with Olivia. Given the circumstances, it’s the sensible thing to do for this Olivia and Dunhamnator 1.0, wherever she is. No-one wants another Henry situation, September knows we’ve all been through enough!
- But Peter is not without blame, he almost took advantage of Olivia, as he admitted. Getting his internal view of the situation definitely stains him somewhat. He knew that Olivia might be going through mental trauma. Another reason why the overly gooey Olivia in the previous episode felt off to me.
- In a round about way it’s good that Jones intervened. Of course, the story can twist back and forth, but this trajectory strikes me as being more authentic.
- Not that I was particularly pleased by the way Peter thanked Olivia for all the fish before practically leaving her to fend for herself like a wet, discarded kipper. Not a good look, Pete.
- Nina’s theatrics were hilarious. It was the cup of water that really did it. It’s hard work getting electrocuted! Water-cooler moments, indeed.
- One of the many great things about Jones, that continue to manifest in this iteration, are his little comments which seem directly aimed at the audience. Such as “Yes, I think this will work nicely.” Oh Jones.
- Jones: “Somehow, I knew he’d be trouble.” Oh Jones, again.
- Jones: “It would seem there are some Fringe benefits to having one’s body reassembled on an atomic level.” Oh Jones III.
- I’m really glad Peter got to witness Walternate. Take a good look Peter.
- According to September, Jones’ goal is the same (as it was in the other iteration).
- September’s name and those of the other Observers are code designations.
- They are members of a scientific team from a possible future. They are, were, us, human.
- Their technology allows them to travel within and outside of time to observe how it all began.
- September confirms that baybee Henry no longer ‘exists’.
- September doesn’t quite know how Peter managed to return in physical form.
- Peter can put everything right by returning to the Olivia he was meant to be with.
- Alternate Nina is working with DRJ.
- Further suggestion that Peter amplifies Olivia’s ability.
- Why was Peter originally important?
- How did NinRed lose her arm? Cancer? Accident? Commitment to the ruse?
- What consequences will September face?
- How did September keep himself hidden from the other Observers for so long?
- Who shot September and why?
- What does September want Peter to do?
- What happened to September? Did the Observers take him?
The End Of All Things promised a lot and mostly delivered. I wouldn’t call it a ‘Game Changer‘ as billed, more like clarification. But the episode worked and sets up the final run of the season, leaving plenty to mull over in the meantime.
Best Moment: Inside September’s mind.
Best Performer: Joshua Jackson.
Best line: “My WHAT!?!” Peter to September (re: Henry).
9/10 Seriable Stars