fringe_rewatch | Dec. 19th, 2014

Great episode. These three consecutive finale episodes are not only a great season ender, but a very convincing analogue to the season two's last two episodes--especially in the game changing department (although season three arguably handled that change much better than the following season 4).

It's only sad that we never really get to see Sam again, despite meeting his corpse in season 5. He was a great character. Underused, like so many.

Also of note is Peter's brief aphasia. It looked as though he thought he'd lived on the other side his entire life, which is a good teaser of something else that could have been done for season 4 (and wasn't).

Writer: Alison Schapker; Monica Owusu-Breen

Director: Tom Yatsko

Original Air Date: 29 April 2011

Synopsis:

Olivia and Sam Weiss determine a new way to access the Wave Sink Device. A disoriented Peter slips out of the hospital and finds his way to Liberty Island. Casualties mount as anomalies take a devastating toll on the populace of the Northeastern United States.

Most Memorable Quote:

SAM WEISS: (standing in the hangar bay studying the large weapon) It wasn’t supposed to happen this way.

OLIVIA: What do you mean - 'this way'?

SAM WEISS: It’s already on.

OLIVIA: Yes, it’s been on for the past thirty-two hours.

SAM WEISS: So how can that be? This doesn’t make sense.

OLIVIA: Walter thinks that the machines are quantum entangled and that this machine was triggered when they activated theirs on the other side.

SAM WEISS: Even so, how did they turn it on in the first place? This machine was built for Peter. Only he can operate it.

OLIVIA: Well, he tried, but the machine sent him flying.

SAM WEISS: (throws pen at it and watches as it deflects and buries in nearby piece of equipment) It’s hot-wired. It’s tricked into thinking he’s already inside. That’s why it’s repelling anyone or anything trying to enter.

OLIVIA: So you’re thinking that it’s malfunctioning.

SAM WEISS: What I’m saying is it’s frustrated... in a manner of speaking. That’s why you’re seeing all this damage out in the world. It’s not a Doomsday Device, but it’s acting like one.

OLIVIA: Okay, so how do we stop it?

Links

Fanfiction

A bunch. Post some recs in the comments!

Two reactions still come to mind immediately after re watching this episode: 1) that was amazing and 2) what the fuck did I just watch?

That's a pretty good descriptor of the best moments of this show, regardless of the season, and The Day We Died is up there with the best of them.

My one complaint: it felt, before Walter's reveal, as though the First People mythology was somehow grander, and slightly more complex than what was presented. Why disguise it as something so old and mysterious when understanding was needed swiftly? (other than, you know, because they needed to fill in 22 episodes...).

Writer: Jeff Pinkner; Joel Wyman; Akiva Goldsman

Director: Joe Chappelle

Original Air Date: 06 May 2011

Synopsis

After only a minute in the ancient device, Peter gains a week long view of this universe in 2026 with intimate knowledge of the fate of the alternate universe. He temporarily returns to the present... and learns his ultimate mission - he has to save both universes.

Most Memorable Quote:

PETER: Hello, Walter.

WALTER: Must be bad if they're letting you see me.

PETER: It is.

WALTER: I heard a rumor that the Sun was burning out. They don't tell me much in here.

PETER: The Sun is still shining.

WALTER: I also hear there's been a massive increase in Kappa radiation.

PETER: That one's true. A wormhole opened in Central Park, right in the center of Sheep's Meadow. Took us months but... we were finally able to Amber it over.

WALTER: A wormhole shouldn't emit that type of radiation. Not unless it's a wormhole through time.

[There's so many...]

PETER: I understand now. Walter? Walter! I understand now. I understand what the machine does. I know what it's capable of, and I know where it came from.

WALTER: The First People?

PETER: Yes, The First People, Walter, but The First People are us -- you, most specifically and maybe Ella and Astrid -- I don't know. I don't know who it was that took the machine back through time. But I know something else. I've seen Doomsday, and it is worse than anything you could possibly imagine. This isn't a war that can be won. Our two worlds are inextricable. If one side dies, we all die. So I've torn holes in both the universes and they lead here, to this room. A bridge so that we can begin to work together to fix --

Links

IGN - Review of Season 3

AV CLUB

Polite Dissent

Transcript

Fanfiction

Rec it in the comments! There's a lot.