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{{short description|American science fiction television series}}
{{short description|American science fiction television series}}
{{Other uses|Fringe (disambiguation){{!}}Fringe}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2019}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2019}}
{{Good article}}
{{Good article}}
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  |num_seasons = 5
  |num_seasons = 5
  |num_episodes = 100
  |num_episodes = 100
  |list_episodes = List of Fringe episodes
  |list_episodes = wikipedia:List of Fringe episodes|List of Fringe episodes
  |executive_producer = {{Unbulleted list|J. J. Abrams|[[wikipedia:Bryan Burk|Bryan Burk]]|Alex Kurtzman|Roberto Orci|[[wikipedia:J. H. Wyman|J. H. Wyman]]|[[wikipedia:Jeff Pinkner|Jeff Pinkner]]|[[wikipedia:Joe Chappelle|Joe Chappelle]]}}
  |executive_producer = {{Unbulleted list|J. J. Abrams|[[wikipedia:Bryan Burk|Bryan Burk]]|Alex Kurtzman|Roberto Orci|[[wikipedia:J. H. Wyman|J. H. Wyman]]|[[wikipedia:Jeff Pinkner|Jeff Pinkner]]|[[wikipedia:Joe Chappelle|Joe Chappelle]]}}
|producer =
  |location = {{Unbulleted list|[[wikipedia:Toronto|Toronto]], [[wikipedia:Ontario|Ontario]] <small>("[[wikipedia:Pilot (Fringe)|Pilot]]")</small>|[[wikipedia:New York City|New York City]] <small>(Season 1)</small>|[[wikipedia:Vancouver|Vancouver]], [[wikipedia:British Columbia|British Columbia]] <small>(Seasons 2–5)</small>}}
  |location = {{Unbulleted list|[[wikipedia:Toronto|Toronto]], [[wikipedia:Ontario|Ontario]] <small>("[[wikipedia:Pilot (Fringe)|Pilot]]")</small>|[[wikipedia:New York City|New York City]] <small>(Season 1)</small>|[[wikipedia:Vancouver|Vancouver]], [[wikipedia:British Columbia|British Columbia]] <small>(Seasons 2–5)</small>}}
|camera =
  |runtime = {{Unbulleted list|81 minutes <small>("Pilot")</small>|50 minutes <small>(Season 1)</small>|43 minutes <small>(Seasons 2–5)</small>}}
  |runtime = {{Unbulleted list|81 minutes <small>("Pilot")</small>|50 minutes <small>(Season 1)</small>|43 minutes <small>(Seasons 2–5)</small>}}
  |company = {{Unbulleted list|[[wikipedia:Bad Robot Productions|Bad Robot Productions]]|[[wikipedia:Warner Bros. Television|Warner Bros. Television]]}}
  |company = {{Unbulleted list|[[wikipedia:Bad Robot Productions|Bad Robot Productions]]|[[wikipedia:Warner Bros. Television|Warner Bros. Television]]}}
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  |first_aired = {{Start date|2008|9|9}}
  |first_aired = {{Start date|2008|9|9}}
  |last_aired = {{End date|2013|1|18}}
  |last_aired = {{End date|2013|1|18}}
  |website =  
  |website = https://fringe.fandom.com/wiki/FringeWiki
}}
}}


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Critical reception was at first lukewarm but became more favorable after the first season, when the series began to explore its mythology, including parallel universes and [[wikipedia:Alternate history|alternate timelines]]. The show, along with cast and crew, were nominated for many major awards. Despite its move to the "[[wikipedia:Friday night death slot|Friday night death slot]]" and low [[wikipedia:Nielsen ratings|ratings]], the series developed a [[wikipedia:cult following|cult following]]. It also spawned two six-part [[wikipedia:comic book|comic book]] series, an [[wikipedia:alternate reality game|alternate reality game]], and three novels.
Critical reception was at first lukewarm but became more favorable after the first season, when the series began to explore its mythology, including parallel universes and [[wikipedia:Alternate history|alternate timelines]]. The show, along with cast and crew, were nominated for many major awards. Despite its move to the "[[wikipedia:Friday night death slot|Friday night death slot]]" and low [[wikipedia:Nielsen ratings|ratings]], the series developed a [[wikipedia:cult following|cult following]]. It also spawned two six-part [[wikipedia:comic book|comic book]] series, an [[wikipedia:alternate reality game|alternate reality game]], and three novels.
One of the underlying themes of the series is the troubled conscience of the protagonist Walter Bishop seeking redemption for the ethically questionable choices made in his scientific studies and experiments as a young researcher.


== The protagonist and his relationship with God ==
== The protagonist and his relationship with God ==
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== Creation, life and death ==
== Creation, life and death ==
 
[[File:Walter_bishop.JPG|thumbnail|Walter Bishop, played by [[wikipedia:John Noble|John Noble]]]]
The [[fringe:The Vacuum|Vacuum]] (or [[fringe:The Vacuum|the Machine]]) exists in both universes and has the ability to create or destroy worlds. It was designed by [[fringe:Walter Bishop|Walter Bishop]] in 2026 and sent back in time through a wormhole in the shattered universes' fabrics. Somehow, [[fringe:Walternate|Walternate]] acquired the device with the intention of destroying the other universe in order to save his own. He used his son, [[fringe:Peter Bishop|Peter Bishop]], in his insidious plot as nothing more than a pawn in his elaborate agenda.
The [[fringe:The Vacuum|Vacuum]] (or [[fringe:The Vacuum|the Machine]]) exists in both universes and has the ability to create or destroy worlds. It was designed by [[fringe:Walter Bishop|Walter Bishop]] in 2026 and sent back in time through a wormhole in the shattered universes' fabrics. Somehow, [[fringe:Walternate|Walternate]] acquired the device with the intention of destroying the other universe in order to save his own. He used his son, [[fringe:Peter Bishop|Peter Bishop]], in his insidious plot as nothing more than a pawn in his elaborate agenda.


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Throughout his childhood, a rift between him and his father developed. After Walter was institutionalized, Peter moved to Allston with his mother because she could not afford the mortgage of their house in Cambridge. They didn't speak for the next 17 years, during the time that Walter was in the mental facility, until his hand was practically forced by the FBI agent [[fringe:Olivia Dunham|Olivia Dunham]] who needed his help to get in touch with Walter, the only one who could help with her investigations on fringe science cases. Walter was then released by the hospital into Peter's custody and Walter's former laboratory at Harvard University, which had been shut down in the meantime, was reopened for him to use.
Throughout his childhood, a rift between him and his father developed. After Walter was institutionalized, Peter moved to Allston with his mother because she could not afford the mortgage of their house in Cambridge. They didn't speak for the next 17 years, during the time that Walter was in the mental facility, until his hand was practically forced by the FBI agent [[fringe:Olivia Dunham|Olivia Dunham]] who needed his help to get in touch with Walter, the only one who could help with her investigations on fringe science cases. Walter was then released by the hospital into Peter's custody and Walter's former laboratory at Harvard University, which had been shut down in the meantime, was reopened for him to use.
{{#ev:youtube|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8u7BrdtNJOI||center|||rel=0&enablejsapi=1&origin=https://en.seminaverbi.bibleget.io}}
For the majority of the early episodes, Peter despises working with his father, and in episode 1x04, "[[fringe:The Arrival|The Arrival]]", he prepares to leave Boston for good. But, he comes in contact with The Observer known as "September," who appears to read Peter's mind. Following this incident, Peter realizes that "The Pattern" does actually exist, and vows to remain in Boston until he discovers the truth, becoming a civilian consultant for the [[w: U.S. Department of Homeland Security|U.S. Department of Homeland Security]], in the area of [[w:Fringe science|fringe science]].<ref>{{cite episode |title=The Arrival|episodelink=The Arrival (Fringe) |series=Fringe |serieslink=Fringe (TV series) |credits=Paul A. Edwards (director), [[w:J.J. Abrams|J.J. Abrams]] (writer), [[w:Jeff Pinkner|Jeff Pinkner]] (writer)|network=[[w:Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] |airdate=2008-09-30 |season=1 |number=4}}</ref>
By the culmination of season one, Peter and Walter appear to have completely reconciled. Peter even builds his father a device that could repair his water-damaged records, in episode 1x19, "[[w:The Road Not Taken (Fringe)|The Road Not Taken]]."<ref>{{cite episode |title=The Road Not Taken|episodelink=The Road Not Taken (Fringe) |series=Fringe |serieslink=Fringe (TV series) |credits=[[w:Frederick E. O. Toye|Frederick E. O. Toye]] (director), [[w:J.R. Orci|J.R. Orci]] (writer), [[w:Jeff Pinkner|Jeff Pinkner]] (writer)|network=[[w:Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] |airdate=2009-05-05 |season=1 |number=19}}</ref>
Peter and Walter's reconciliation reaches its peak in episode 2x10, "[[wikipedia:Grey Matters (Fringe)|Grey Matters]]". [[wikipedia:Thomas Jerome Newton (Fringe)|Thomas Jerome Newton]], the leader of the shape-shifters, kidnaps Walter and forces him to reveal how he opened an inter-dimensional doorway in 1985. Peter risks everything to rescue Walter and is horrified at the thought of seeing him die.<ref>{{cite episode |title=Grey Matters|episodelink=Grey Matters (Fringe)|series=Fringe |serieslink=Fringe (TV series) |credits=[[wikipedia:Jeannot Szwarc|Jeannot Szwarc]] (director), [[wikipedia:Ashley Edward Miller|Ashley Edward Miller]] (writer), [[wikipedia:Zack Stentz|Zack Stentz]] (writer)|network=[[wikipedia:Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] |airdate=2009-12-10 |season=2 |number=10}}</ref>


After an incident on a bridge where Peter sees "a man from the other side", Peter realizes that he is not from the prime universe. Walter is saddened by Peter's anger and he tries to apologize, but Peter won't forgive him. (Season 2 Episode 19 "[[fringe:Brown Betty|Brown Betty]]")  
After an incident on a bridge where Peter sees "a man from the other side", Peter realizes that he is not from the prime universe. Walter is saddened by Peter's anger and he tries to apologize, but Peter won't forgive him. (Season 2 Episode 19 "[[fringe:Brown Betty|Brown Betty]]")  


{{#ev:youtube|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8u7BrdtNJOI||center|||rel=0&enablejsapi=1&origin=https://en.seminaverbi.bibleget.io}}
Walternate crosses over to take Peter home, and Walter is further saddened by this. (Season 2 Episode 21 "[[fringe:Over There: Part 1|Over There: Part 1]]") He then gathers Cortexiphan test subjects to cross over to rescue Peter. While over there, he reunites with William Bell and eventually rescues Peter. Though Bell dies in the process when they return to the prime universe, Walter does get some closure from Bell. (Season 2 Episode 22 "[[fringe:Over There: Part 2|Over There: Part 2]]").
 
After Peter enters the machine with the help of Olivia's telekinetic powers which were able to drop the weapon's protective force field, Peter's consciousness is propelled 15 years through time, arriving in 2026, outside the completed [[w:One World Trade Center|One World Trade Center]] ([[fringe:The Last Sam Weiss|Season 3 Episode 21]] "[[w:The Last Sam Weiss|The Last Sam Weiss]]"). In this future, after Peter entered the machine, he destroyed the Other Side. However, both universes were inextricably linked, and by destroying one, it would only be a matter of time before the side remaining would also cease to exist. Walter creates a plan to bring Peter's mind from 2011 into his 2026 body, where he would witness the end of days, before returning him, with the hopes that the younger Peter would make a different choice, than destroying the Other Side, thus creating the "First People" mythos. After the Peter from 2011 experiences life in 2026, he returns to 2011, and uses the machine to create a "bridge" between both worlds, where both Walters, and both Olivias, can hopefully forget their differences to save the multiverse. However, before he can fully explain their mission, Peter mysteriously disappears, and both sides forget about him entirely, but remain dedicated to saving their worlds. A conversation between September and December reveals they forgot about Peter because he "never existed", as he "fulfilled his purpose".
 
In Season 4, because of Peter's "erasure" from existence, a new timeline develops, which while very similar to the original one, contains slight differences. Just as happened in the original timeline, Walter was locked away in St. Claire's Mental Hospital for seventeen years, until Olivia Dunham had him released in order to help her partner and lover John Scott. However, without Peter there, they were unable to save John's life. The Fringe Division of the prime-universe is still formed after this, but the characters all have subtle personality differences. Also, other events which Peter only had a slight hand in are erased entirely.
 
Without Peter's presence, Walter has even less of a grip of reality, becoming agoraphobic, afraid to leave the lab, hypersensitive to germs that may or may not be there, and prone to destructive "episodes." Olivia appears to have a calming effect on him, and their relationship is more gentle and crutch-like than in the original timeline.
 
In "[[w:Neither Here Nor There (Fringe)|Neither Here Nor There]]" ([[fringe:Neither Here Nor There|Season 4 Episode 1]]), September the Observer is instructed by his superior to erase all memories of Peter that still remain despite the timeline's change. While September constructs the necessary device, brief apparitions of Peter begin appearing to his former colleagues. However, they are so brief that most do not notice, with the exception of Walter, who becomes so terrified that he hides in his sensory deprivation tank. His colleagues do not believe him due to his fragile mental state. Once the device is constructed however, September decides not to activate it, and Walter sees a reflection of Peter in the screen of his television, causing him to panic. The "hallucinations" continue ("[[w:Alone in the World (Fringe)|Alone in the World]]", [[fringe:Season 4 Episode 3|Season 4 Episode 3]]), and become auditory, with Peter pleading with Walter to help him. This pushes Walter to the brink, and Olivia finds him about to lobotomize himself as a result. It is at that point revealed that she has dreams of Peter, and the two agree to try to find him, though they don't know who he is or why he is appearing to them.
 
The situation comes to a head ("[[w:Subject 9|Subject 9]]" [[fringe:Subject 9|Season 4 Episode 4]]) when a strange force appears to Olivia several times. They first think that it's another Cortexiphan child, but at the end of the episode, it is revealed to be Peter. He resurfaces (quite literally) in Reiden Lake, and is taken to the hospital, where, much to the confusion of the Fringe Division, he asks for Olivia and Walter, and reveals knowledge that no citizen should know.
 
After revealing his knowledge of the technology the new breed of shapeshifters are using ("[[w:Novation (Fringe)|Novation]]" [[fringe:Novation|Season 4 Episode 5]]), he is brought into the Fringe Division under heavy supervision. His presence is emotionally painful to Walter, who reveals that, in this timeline, Peter died when the ice broke after they crossed over from the other universe. While he seems to believe Peter's claims, he doesn't consider himself worthy of having his son returned. Though he briefly expresses joy and wonder at seeing Peter, he quickly states that he doesn't deserve it, and that Peter was never Walter's son, leaving Peter frustrated and heartbroken. His presence also confuses Olivia, who treats him as a stranger. However, time paradoxes have begun to form, apparently as a consequence of his return. After fixing the time paradoxes, Peter concludes that this timeline is not "his," not the one he knows with the people he knows, and he wants to go to the machine again, certain that it will take him back to "his own" timeline.
 
In "[[fringe:An Enemy of Fate|An Enemy of Fate]]" (Season 5 Episode 13), there is a very emotional scene in which Walter says his goodbye to Peter.


Walternate crosses over to take Peter home, and Walter is further saddened by this. (Season 2 Episode 21 "[[fringe:Over There: Part 1|Over There: Part 1]]") He then gathers Cortexiphan test subjects to cross over to rescue Peter. While over there, he reunites with William Bell and eventually rescues Peter. Though Bell dies in the process when they return to the prime universe, Walter does get some closure from Bell. (Season 2 Episode 22 "[[fringe:Over There: Part 2|Over There: Part 2]]").
{{#ev:youtube|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pb840BkY85M||center|||rel=0&enablejsapi=1&origin=https://en.seminaverbi.bibleget.io}}


== Emotions and conscience ==
== Emotions and conscience ==
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The Observers are hairless pale men that typically wear grey suits and fedora hats. They are quiet, tending to mind their own business and interact only minimally with others.<ref>{{cite web | url =https://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2009-11-19-fringe19_ST_N.htm |title =Michael Cerveris of 'Fringe' relishes role of the Observer |date=  2009-11-19 |accessdate= 2011-08-13 |work= [[wikipedia:USA Today|USA Today]]|first = Gary|last = Levin}}</ref> Appearing in every episode, they tend to appear before significant events in history.<ref name=opensalonfirefly>{{cite web | url =http://open.salon.com/blog/mad_typist/2011/01/24/fringe_recap_ep_310_the_firefly |title =Fringe recap: Ep 3.10 "The Firefly" |date= 2011-01-24 |accessdate= 2011-08-13 |publisher= [[wikipedia:Open Salon|Open Salon]]|first = |last = }}</ref> They use advanced equipment, such as advanced communication devices and compact binoculars, and they employ an alien written alphabet. A distinguishing trait is their diminished sense of taste, and it is often shown that they can only taste very spicy food. Observers also have diminished emotions.
The Observers are hairless pale men that typically wear grey suits and fedora hats. They are quiet, tending to mind their own business and interact only minimally with others.<ref>{{cite web | url =https://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2009-11-19-fringe19_ST_N.htm |title =Michael Cerveris of 'Fringe' relishes role of the Observer |date=  2009-11-19 |accessdate= 2011-08-13 |work= [[wikipedia:USA Today|USA Today]]|first = Gary|last = Levin}}</ref> Appearing in every episode, they tend to appear before significant events in history.<ref name=opensalonfirefly>{{cite web | url =http://open.salon.com/blog/mad_typist/2011/01/24/fringe_recap_ep_310_the_firefly |title =Fringe recap: Ep 3.10 "The Firefly" |date= 2011-01-24 |accessdate= 2011-08-13 |publisher= [[wikipedia:Open Salon|Open Salon]]|first = |last = }}</ref> They use advanced equipment, such as advanced communication devices and compact binoculars, and they employ an alien written alphabet. A distinguishing trait is their diminished sense of taste, and it is often shown that they can only taste very spicy food. Observers also have diminished emotions.


The Observers are able to predict future events, and they are able to [[wikipedia:time travel|travel in time]] and across universes without difficulty because of their advanced technology. In "[[wikipedia:The End of All Things|The End of All Things]]", it is revealed that the group of Observers seen in the first four seasons are a team of scientists from the far future, or at least from one of humanity's many possible futures. This group of Observers traveled to their past to observe the events that led to their creation.
The Observers are able to predict future events, and they are able to [[wikipedia:time travel|travel in time]] and across universes without difficulty because of their advanced technology. In "[[wikipedia:The End of All Things|The End of All Things]]" (Season 4 Episode 14), it is revealed that the group of Observers seen in the first four seasons are a team of scientists from the far future, or at least from one of humanity's many possible futures. This group of Observers traveled to their past to observe the events that led to their creation.


The group of Observers seen in the show during the first four seasons had designated code names, with each individual referred to as a month of the year: September ([[wikipedia:Michael Cerveris|Michael Cerveris]]) appears in every episode in the first four seasons, even if only in a cameo shot, while December ([[wikipedia:Eugene Lipinski|Eugene Lipinski]]) and others appear with less frequency. In the episode named "[[wikipedia:August (Fringe episode)|August]]" a rogue Observer named August was shown ([[wikipedia:Peter Woodward|Peter Woodward]]) who sought to try to change the fate of a young woman contrary to the Observers' practice.<ref>{{cite episode |title=August|episodelink=August (Fringe episode)|series=Fringe |serieslink=Fringe (TV series) |credits=[[wikipedia:Dennis Smith (director)|Dennis Smith]] (director), [[wikipedia:J. H. Wyman|J. H. Wyman]] (writer), [[wikipedia:Jeff Pinkner|Jeff Pinkner]] (writer) |network=[[wikipedia:Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] |airdate=2009-11-19|season=2 |number=8}}</ref>
The group of Observers seen in the show during the first four seasons had designated code names, with each individual referred to as a month of the year: September ([[wikipedia:Michael Cerveris|Michael Cerveris]]) appears in every episode in the first four seasons, even if only in a cameo shot, while December ([[wikipedia:Eugene Lipinski|Eugene Lipinski]]) and others appear with less frequency. In the episode named "[[wikipedia:August (Fringe episode)|August]]" ([[fringe:August_(episode)|Season 2 Episode 8]]) a rogue Observer named August was shown ([[wikipedia:Peter Woodward|Peter Woodward]]) who sought to try to change the fate of a young woman contrary to the Observers' practice.<ref>{{cite episode |title=August|episodelink=August (Fringe episode)|series=Fringe |serieslink=Fringe (TV series) |credits=[[wikipedia:Dennis Smith (director)|Dennis Smith]] (director), [[wikipedia:J. H. Wyman|J. H. Wyman]] (writer), [[wikipedia:Jeff Pinkner|Jeff Pinkner]] (writer) |network=[[wikipedia:Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] |airdate=2009-11-19|season=2 |number=8}}</ref>


September is seen in both universes during the episode "Peter", both to cause Walternate to miss a critical observation for the cure for Peter's illness in the parallel universe, and to rescue Walter and Peter after they fell through the ice in the prime one.<ref>{{cite episode |title=Peter|episodelink=Peter (Fringe episode) |series=Fringe |serieslink=Fringe (TV series) |credits=[[wikipedia:David Straiton|David Straiton]] (director), [[wikipedia:Akiva Goldsman|Akiva Goldsman]] (story), [[wikipedia:J. H. Wyman|J. H. Wyman]] (story and teleplay) [[wikipedia:Jeff Pinkner|Jeff Pinkner]] (story and teleplay) [[wikipedia:Josh Singer|Josh Singer]] (story and teleplay)|network=[[wikipedia:Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] |airdate=2010-04-01 |season=2 |number=16}}</ref>
September is seen in both universes during the episode "Peter", both to cause Walternate to miss a critical observation for the cure for Peter's illness in the parallel universe, and to rescue Walter and Peter after they fell through the ice in the prime one.<ref>{{cite episode |title=Peter|episodelink=Peter (Fringe episode) |series=Fringe |serieslink=Fringe (TV series) |credits=[[wikipedia:David Straiton|David Straiton]] (director), [[wikipedia:Akiva Goldsman|Akiva Goldsman]] (story), [[wikipedia:J. H. Wyman|J. H. Wyman]] (story and teleplay) [[wikipedia:Jeff Pinkner|Jeff Pinkner]] (story and teleplay) [[wikipedia:Josh Singer|Josh Singer]] (story and teleplay)|network=[[wikipedia:Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] |airdate=2010-04-01 |season=2 |number=16}}</ref>


The episode "[[wikipedia:The Firefly (Fringe)|The Firefly]]" involves a series of events temporally engineered by September to force Walter to make a choice regarding Peter's safety as to prepare him for a future event. These events included bringing the son of Walter's favorite musician into the present to draw Walter's attention.<ref name=opensalonfirefly/><ref>{{cite episode |title=The Firefly|episodelink=The Firefly (Fringe)|series=Fringe |serieslink=Fringe (TV series) |credits=[[wikipedia:Charles Beeson (director)|Charles Beeson]] (director), [[wikipedia:J.H. Wyman|J.H. Wyman]] (writer), [[wikipedia:Jeff Pinkner|Jeff Pinkner]] (writer) |network=[[wikipedia:Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] |airdate= 2011-01-21|season=3 |number=10}}</ref>
The episode "[[wikipedia:The Firefly (Fringe)|The Firefly]]" ([[fringe:The Firefly|Season 3 Episode 10]]) involves a series of events temporally engineered by September to force Walter to make a choice regarding Peter's safety as to prepare him for a future event. These events included bringing the son of Walter's favorite musician into the present to draw Walter's attention.<ref name=opensalonfirefly/><ref>{{cite episode |title=The Firefly|episodelink=The Firefly (Fringe)|series=Fringe |serieslink=Fringe (TV series) |credits=[[wikipedia:Charles Beeson (director)|Charles Beeson]] (director), [[wikipedia:J.H. Wyman|J.H. Wyman]] (writer), [[wikipedia:Jeff Pinkner|Jeff Pinkner]] (writer) |network=[[wikipedia:Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] |airdate= 2011-01-21|season=3 |number=10}}</ref>


After Peter's disappearance in the third season's finale, "The Day We Died", the Observers remain aware that Peter has vanished, claiming he has been erased from existence.<ref name=daywedied>{{cite episode |title=The Day We Died |episodelink=The Day We Died |series=Fringe |serieslink=Fringe (TV series) |credits=[[wikipedia:Joe Chappelle|Joe Chappelle]] (director), [[wikipedia:Jeff Pinkner|Jeff Pinkner]] (teleplay and story), [[wikipedia:J. H. Wyman|J. H. Wyman]] (teleplay and story), [[wikipedia:Akiva Goldsman|Akiva Goldsman]] (story) |network=[[wikipedia:Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] |airdate=2011-05-06 |season=3 |number=22}}</ref>
After Peter's disappearance in the third season's finale, "[[fringe:The Day We Died|The Day We Died]]" (Season 3 Episode 22), the Observers remain aware that Peter has vanished, claiming he has been erased from existence.<ref name=daywedied>{{cite episode |title=The Day We Died |episodelink=The Day We Died |series=Fringe |serieslink=Fringe (TV series) |credits=[[wikipedia:Joe Chappelle|Joe Chappelle]] (director), [[wikipedia:Jeff Pinkner|Jeff Pinkner]] (teleplay and story), [[wikipedia:J. H. Wyman|J. H. Wyman]] (teleplay and story), [[wikipedia:Akiva Goldsman|Akiva Goldsman]] (story) |network=[[wikipedia:Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] |airdate=2011-05-06 |season=3 |number=22}}</ref>


The episode "[[wikipedia:Letters of Transit|Letters of Transit]]" reveals that by the year 2609, the Observers had wreaked environmental havoc on the Earth - to the point that they decided to simply travel back in time to the early 21st century and colonize the planet before the environmental destruction occurred.  In the year 2015, the Observers invaded from the future, instituting "The Purge" and killing many humans. Although humans continued to resist well into the year 2036, the Observers largely succeeded in conquering the planet. The fifth season focuses on events in this future, where the Observers, run by Captain Windmark, maintain control on the remaining humans through their own abilities and the assistance of human Loyalists. A rogue group of humans, the Resistance, fight against the Observers, and have come to learn much about the Observers' abilities, including that many extend from an implant in the back of their neck that expands their mental processing power at the cost of emotions.  Due to coming from a much more polluted Earth from six centuries in the future, the unpolluted atmosphere of 21st century Earth is too "clean" for Observers to live in for prolonged periods of time (or perhaps, simply uncomfortable):  thus after conquering present-day Earth, the Observers set up terraforming factories to increase the level of carbon monoxide in the atmosphere, which will cut short the life expectancy of regular humans by decades.
The episode "[[wikipedia:Letters of Transit|Letters of Transit]]" ([[fringe:Letters of Transit|Season 4 Episode 19]]) reveals that by the year 2609, the Observers had wreaked environmental havoc on the Earth - to the point that they decided to simply travel back in time to the early 21st century and colonize the planet before the environmental destruction occurred.  In the year 2015, the Observers invaded from the future, instituting "The Purge" and killing many humans. Although humans continued to resist well into the year 2036, the Observers largely succeeded in conquering the planet. The fifth season focuses on events in this future, where the Observers, run by Captain Windmark, maintain control on the remaining humans through their own abilities and the assistance of human Loyalists. A rogue group of humans, the Resistance, fight against the Observers, and have come to learn much about the Observers' abilities, including that many extend from an implant in the back of their neck that expands their mental processing power at the cost of emotions.  Due to coming from a much more polluted Earth from six centuries in the future, the unpolluted atmosphere of 21st century Earth is too "clean" for Observers to live in for prolonged periods of time (or perhaps, simply uncomfortable):  thus after conquering present-day Earth, the Observers set up terraforming factories to increase the level of carbon monoxide in the atmosphere, which will cut short the life expectancy of regular humans by decades.


In the episode "[[wikipedia:The Boy Must Live|The Boy Must Live]]", September explains that the final emotionless version of the Observers were "born" out of an experiment performed by a Norwegian scientist in 2167.  That scientist was the first scientist to replace space in the brain usually designated for negative human emotions, such as rage, with brain cells tuned to increase intellect.  Many generations of humanity later, brain cells currently tuned for emotions (not just the bad ones but the good ones as well) were engineered to be intellectual brain cells.  Higher and higher intelligence was the ultimate goal.
In the episode "[[wikipedia:The Boy Must Live|The Boy Must Live]]" ([[fringe:The Boy Must Live|Season 5 Episode 11]]), September explains that the final emotionless version of the Observers were "born" out of an experiment performed by a Norwegian scientist in 2167.  That scientist was the first scientist to replace space in the brain usually designated for negative human emotions, such as rage, with brain cells tuned to increase intellect.  Many generations of humanity later, brain cells currently tuned for emotions (not just the bad ones but the good ones as well) were engineered to be intellectual brain cells.  Higher and higher intelligence was the ultimate goal.


The experimenter modified human genes to displace certain emotional facilities for improved mental abilities, and the success of the experiment eventually led to the development of near-emotionless humans with high levels of intelligence that became humanity's evolutionary future - aka "the Observers." Without emotions, there was no urge to procreate, and thus the Observers developed technology to artificially grow new Observers using Observer DNA via maturation chambers.
The experimenter modified human genes to displace certain emotional facilities for improved mental abilities, and the success of the experiment eventually led to the development of near-emotionless humans with high levels of intelligence that became humanity's evolutionary future - aka "the Observers." Without emotions, there was no urge to procreate, and thus the Observers developed technology to artificially grow new Observers using Observer DNA via maturation chambers.


During the out of body growth process, Observers were grown from embryo into fully matured adults. Sometimes, the growth process would create genetic anomalies; typically, the Observers would destroy any anomalies.  The Observer September encountered one such anomaly - Anomaly XB-6783746 - and was affected when he learned he was the "genetic parent." September did not destroy his progeny but developed a strong desire to save his son - Anomaly XB-6783746 - after scans revealed that the Observer was even smarter than mature Observers while possessing all of the emotions sacrificed so easily starting in 2167.  His son, later named "Michael" by human caretakers during the initial Earth invasion by the Observers- possessed both human emotions and Observer-level intelligence. September then hid the child in the early 21st century (which was humanity's future but centuries before September's time). The series' finale concluded with Walter's successful effort to transport "Michael" to 2167 to convince the Norwegian scientists to abandon any efforts for reproductive medicine which might involve sacrificing emotions.  These emotions are the backbone of humanity's conscience and moral compass and when humanity loses its collective moral compass in the pursuit of raw intelligence  - we become the cold and calculating husks deemed "the Observers."
During the out of body growth process, Observers were grown from embryo into fully matured adults. Sometimes, the growth process would create genetic anomalies; typically, the Observers would destroy any anomalies.  The Observer September encountered one such anomaly - [[fringe:Michael|Anomaly XB-6783746]] - and was affected when he learned he was the "genetic parent." September did not destroy his progeny but developed a strong desire to save his son - [[fringe:Michael|Anomaly XB-6783746]] - after scans revealed that the Observer was even smarter than mature Observers while possessing all of the emotions sacrificed so easily starting in 2167.  His son, later named "Michael" by human caretakers during the initial Earth invasion by the Observers- possessed both human emotions and Observer-level intelligence. September then hid the child in the early 21st century (which was humanity's future but centuries before September's time). The series' finale concluded with Walter's successful effort to transport "Michael" to 2167 to convince the Norwegian scientists to abandon any efforts for reproductive medicine which might involve sacrificing emotions.  '''These emotions are the backbone of humanity's conscience and moral compass and when humanity loses its collective moral compass in the pursuit of raw intelligence  - we become the cold and calculating husks deemed "the Observers."'''


In the series finale, December explains that all twelve members of the science team had begun to experience varying degrees of human emotion, and that they had all agreed to keep these emerging emotions to themselves, in order to remain undetected by the other Observers in the future. They were also unaware that their mission of observation was also a precursor to the invasion that would see the Observers take over in 2015.
In the series finale, December explains that all twelve members of the science team had begun to experience varying degrees of human emotion, and that they had all agreed to keep these emerging emotions to themselves, in order to remain undetected by the other Observers in the future. They were also unaware that their mission of observation was also a precursor to the invasion that would see the Observers take over in 2015.
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[[Category:Cinematography]]
[[Category:Cinematography]]
[[Category:Family relationships]]
[[Category:Forgiveness]]
[[Category:Repentance]]
[[Category:Conscience]]