TV

The Best “Fringe” Finale Moments

I was going to invite people over to watch the Fringe finale, order pizza and throw back a few Cortexiphan-inspired cocktails, but ultimately decided against it. I discovered Fringe on my own and spent many a Tuesday—then Thursday, then Friday—night at home, alone, glued to the paranormal misadventures of stoic FBI agent Olivia Dunham and the kooky Bishop family. So, I decided to wrap things up the same way. Alone. Plus, I had a sneaking suspicion that I might cry, and I hate to ruin the cold, emotionless Observer-like facade I’ve created as my public persona. 

As predicted, I did indeed sob a bit, but I like to think that in an alternate universe, I was laughing. The heightened emotions could also be because of a little drinking game I invented early in the broadcast, where I’d take a drink whenever anyone said “this era” or “sacrifice.” By the time the sacrifices actually started piling up, I was tanked. Luckily, I still had enough wits about me to compile a list of my favorite moments from the finale. Let’s get started. 

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#6 Michael gives Windmark a nosebleed. Combine the nasty Observer’s arrogant look of surprise with Michael’s “bitch, please” nonchalance, and it’s a delicious moment showcasing the first cracks in Windmark’s stony facade. 

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#5 “What if I lose you, too?” When Olivia suggests she go universe-hopping in order to rescue Michael, Peter wears his heart on his sleeve and asks her the plaintive question that drew the first tears of the night. Peter’s love for Olivia is on full display, but so is her legendary resolve.

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#4 Fauxlivia and Lincoln Prime save the day. Season four did such a great job of making us care about the alt universe cast that it was a genuine treat to get to see them again. In addition to rocking a sassy gray streak, Fauxlivia drops everything to help out her young, desperate doppleganger. Olivia is kind of a wreck at this point, so the trust Fauxlivia and Lincoln place in her is isnpiring.

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#3 Walter tells Peter about the plan. “I want to give you your life back. As a father, how could I not do that for you?” I’m not a father, but I hope that if the issue ever came up, I’d be willing and able to transport a little bald kid into the future to stop an invasion of well-dressed, but not well-meaning overlords from taking over the world. Of course, the all-male society is intriguing, and September is kind of hot (especially with eyebrows), but a father’s love (and willingness to sacrifice) gave Walter and Peter a fitting resulution to their troubled relationship. 

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#2 The name game. Astrid has been Walter’s primary care-giver for years now, and while he’s shown sincere interest in her well-being before, it was nice to get a final moment for the two to appreciate each other. Astrid shares her discovery of ambered Gene with Walter, and the two reminisce for a moment, before Astrid assures Walter, as usual, that everything is going to be okay. Instead of ruining the moment, Walter realizes it might be his last chance to express himself. “It’s a beautiful name,” he says. “What is?” She asks. “Astrid.” Not a dry eye in the house!

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#1 How Olivia got her groove back. Cortexiphan me once, shame on you. Cortexiphan me four times in quick succession in the back of the neck, well, fasten your seatbelts. Windmark decides it’s a good idea to put Olivia under physical and emotional distress, while threatening little Michael and shutting down any hope of her getting her own child back. Oh, Windmark, you’re not as smart as you think you are. Olivia blacks out a few city blocks with a surge of power, then squashes Windmark like a bug. The crowd goes wild! If the show had a little more money, I would have liked to have seen her glow and float in the air, before using Palpatine-like lightning powers to blow Windmark into smithereens. But I’ll take the squashing. Still think Michael missed an opportunity to snap his fingers in approval or utter his first words, “You go, girl.”

Did you have a favorite moment in the finale, season or series? Feel free to share in the comments section below.

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