Oh Fringe, I do love you so
As a scientist, I like to believe that nothing just happens, that every event has some meaning...some sort of message. You just have to be able to listen closely enough to hear it.
Favorite quote of the episode -- hands down. Probably my favorite part is that you can substitute "scientist" with "believer" or "religious person" or any specific religious affiliation. Bell's words just really struck a chord with me, because -- as a Christian myself -- I do like to believe that every event has some meaning. And that alot of people -- myself included -- don't always know what meaning that is because we're not listening closely enough to figure it out...we miss the signs. But anyways, I really enjoy the way Fringe draws on the similarities and interconnectedness of science and faith. Having the church bell ring at that moment was a nice touch as well --> and it went back to the science thing too as someone I saw on another site mentioned...because it was the "bell" that brought Bell into Olivia's consciousness so the bell worked in a similar manner here to trigger back Olivia for a brief few seconds.
This whole science/faith thing in this episode also parallels nicely, obviously, with 2x17's "White Tulip" in which we learn that Walter believes in a God and is seeking his forgiveness.
Then I really did enjoy the whole destiny and fate theme going on in this episode too. I didn't enjoy the last episode as much because I thought the whole father/son theme and parallel was being a bit overdrawn, but I like how the themes and parallels were drawn in this episode...it was evident enough but with just enough subtlety that I didn't feel they were beating me over the head with it.
Like Peter's talk with the woman on the phone and how he said he knew what she was going through. And, in somewhat of a defiance of Bell's theory regarding not being able to escape your fate, Peter told the woman..."we all have choices." I guess we will see if Peter will be able to choose in another way that means he doesn't have to enter that machine as seen in the drawing. Will he and Olivia find that "other way" -- third way -- that means both universes can survive? Big questions going on here...
Also thought it was interesting how the camera panned to Peter when Our!Lincoln talked about how the woman had lost her whole family and was desperate. Also it seemed that Peter somewhat recognized Lincoln from Over There? I wasn't sure...Olivia must've mentioned Lincoln in her debrief on what happened on the other side anyhow...I was kinda hoping Broyles and Peter would've had a talk about that...I don't know. It could help to know more about this side's Lincoln, right? Hmm...
Anyways, Anna Torv was awesome honestly. I wasn't sure how I was going to like the whole Bellivia thing but I enjoyed it because #1) in the very beginning, we see Broyles and Peter not happy with this turn of events...it's not like I think Fringe would've swept aside the absolute injustice of how Bell and Walter are happy to take advantage of Olivia time and time again but I was worried that it wouldn't be given enough space in the episode but I was pleased with the extent to which it was addressed especially seen in #2) Peter's reactions in the entire episode...obviously in his "I want to know how we get Olivia back" which was such a nice echo of Entrada and you could just see how irked he was in losing Olivia again after just having gotten her back and then how hard it was for him to talk to Bell and how he could barely look Bellivia in the eye and just loved it!
But yeah. Anna Torv was awesome especially at the end with how Olivia came back and then it was Bellivia again. BUT Joshua Jackson impressed me the most this episode. As lunawho said how quickly his face changed from frustration and tiredness to hope and happiness when he thought Olivia was back and then back to anger and frustration was just marvelous. Awww!!! He misses her. And oh gosh, Olivia does NOT seem okay at all. It was like she was struggling for air or water when her consciousness re-emerged. Naturally, PETER IS THE FIRST ONE SHE SEES. [The writers are such romantics.] "Peter" -- love the way Anna Torv says his name as Olivia...she's so desperate and in love and always turning to him. Poor girl doesn't quite get what's going on it seems...it looks like she was about to ask what was happening to her.
"Peter… what is happening to me?" -- in the hospital in 117 "Bad Dreams" --> another masterfully drawn parallel. Olivia's consciousness invaded in that episode by Nick Lane. And Lincoln Lee on the Other Side recognized Nick Lane...can't have been accidental that Our!Lincoln was put in this episode then.
Anyways, 318 looks intense but I'm sorry I can't bring myself to care about the alt!team that much. Mostly I can't bring myself to care about Altlivia. And I miss our Olivia. Anna Torv plays these characters so well that they feel very much like distinct characters and even though it's still the same actress onscreen...I've really missed our Olivia this season.
Also, ratings were a 1.3. The lowest they've been. Although I think Fox said that for renewal it would just need to be between 1.2-1.4. Somewhat worrisome but I hope they take into account DVR #s and I think on Fringebloggers it said Daylight Saving Time (more daylight -- people staying out later) and March Madness could help account for low numbers? I didn't get to watch it myself because the weather was gorgeous yesterday so I went out and hung out with my friends on their porch...so yeah. But watched on Hulu first thing this morning...oh I love you Fringe.