If Pete and Repeat are in one universe, and Pete jumps to the other one, who is left? Repeat.
I have watched the final scene of the season finale about five times now, and I finally think I have my mind wrapped around it. It seems to me that our beloved Fringe characters are trapped in a time loop of sorts. The main players are Walter and Walternate, and the main event is Walter crossing over and setting events in motion that lead to the destruction of the red-verse – which in turn, ultimately leads to the destruction of the blue-verse. My humble theory is that perhaps The Observers (whoever or whatever they are, I’m not even trying to tackle that question at this point) have seen these events unfold multiple times. Their purpose is to try to prevent the destruction of both universes. Perhaps they have tried many times before and have been unsuccessful. So this time, they introduced someone who could be a motivation for Walter and Walternate to work together – a son. Peter. I don’t know if the Observers “created” Peter, so to speak, but somehow they are responsible for his existence. They essentially used Peter to bring the two universes together, so that they could work together to stop their own destruction.
But even as I type this, I’m already attacking my own theory in my head. Instead of creating Peter, why didn’t the Observers just prevent Walter from ever crossing over? Wouldn’t that have been easier, and also prevented the destruction of the universes? And if this has happened multiple times without the existence of Peter, why would Walter cross over in the first place?
I also don’t think most of The Observers counted on Walter/Walternate and Olivia/Fauxlivia failing to remember Peter. I’m not sure if this fact will interfere with their plan or not.
I wonder how they will continue to utilize the character of Peter if he is indeed “gone.” Surely we have not seen the last of him!
Is anyone else not convinced that what Walter said is the truth? Consider the context: Walter has been in prison, where he suffered a stroke no less, and has been released after who knows how long in a mirror to the first season. In case anyone has forgotten, Walter was extremely egotistical and quick to give himself credit for amazing feats. Isn’t it possible in this fractured mind state in the future he is latching on to the idea that he was the one who created the machine as an effort to regain some semblance of control over the destruction he has caused? What better way to absolve his guilt over the destruction of the universes than by taking a few possibilities (the machine was sent back in time, it was built for Peter and Olivia ) and placing himself at the center. As the producers have said the paradox logic is flawed because we don’t have all the pieces, therefore it is entirely possible, and I would say almost definitely probable, that Walter has a few things right but the majority wrong. I won’t try to guess what actually happened just to suggest we don’t take Walter at his word. Besides if Walter was the one who sent everything back and left the clues for himself to find, why would he draw the picture of Peter the way he did if he was there and saw that Peter had his shirt on? And if olivia drew the pictures as some are suggesting, same question.
When the Observer saved Walter and Peter from the freezing water, wasn’t that a mistake that the Observers had to ‘repair’?
Perhaps what we have been watching is the Observers’ quick fix to whatever end they are aiming.
Walter may have some of the details wrong, but, from what we have witnessed, it is clear that he has the general understanding correct. It was he and Astrid etc that sent the machine back in time with all the notations. I don’t think there’s much dispute in that.
This also gives a reason how Astrid was able to break the First People code in 6955 kHz, because she was the one who made the code. It also gives us a reason why the First People were able to bury the pieces millions of years in the past but still use modern global coordinates.
It is full of paradoxes. The drawings for one. Peter’s not so much, since they got that one from the Observers, I’m thinking about Olivia’s, I would like to see how that one would get introduced.
I watched the ending over and over and over, as well. I didn’t try to think TOO MUCH into it other than this theory (and it goes along with what you have written a little):
First Timeline: Walter crosses over to save Peter, he destroys Red-Universe. Sends machine back in time to fix it. (Now, how it ends up in both universes confuses me)
Second Timeline: (“current” timeline in the story) Walter crosses over to save Peter, Red-Universe on brink of destruction. Machine Parts Built, Peter uses it for self defense. Red-Universe destroyed, Blue Universe being destroyed. Peter goes back to fix it.
Third Timeline: Peter goes back to explain that they need each other. The story plays out similar to Timeline Two. Peter Goes back to fix the situation.
4th Timeline: Peter goes back to make sure he isn’t born (sort of like the Butterfly Effect). Now he no longer exists. (this is a stretch I know)
— I like the Time-Loop idea though. My theory suggests that the events never occur, but when he disappears in the story, Walter has a confused look on his face and then looks at Walternate; almost as if his thoughts “refreshed”. So .. I HAVE NO IDEA whats going on.
Everytime Walter/Peter go back, a completely new timeline is created, as the other timeline moves forward. So, I say, Peter DOES exist, just NOT in the story timeline, at the moment. I’m curious to see how the Observers are involved and where the story goes.
The Observer saved Peter when he tried to go back ‘over there’ and fell into the ice. The Oberserver violated whatever plan the group wants to set in motion. Perhaps what we have been watching is the Oberver group’s attempt to set things right again, but eliminating Peter from the timeline.
@JackNemo , I’ve had time to think on it and I think you’re right.
@Wesley I think you’re making it overly complicated. Peter created a temporal bubble (a gate) between the two timelines, effectively creating a new timeline, where the choices those walters and olivias made to get to that point were made without Peter causing him to no longer exist in the timeline. However, the future we saw was a real timeline that had to exist in order for the machine to be sent back in time to be found by Peter to create that third timeline where he did not exist and the two camps can work together to fix the problems. So we have larger branch timelines, and smaller parallel differences within that branch. You’re mostly correct, Peter did not exist in the timeline he created which is why he disappeared, but of course he does exist, so we will have to see how the writers resolve the issue of his reappearance.
John Keegan at Critical Myth has a pretty good theory on it here:
http://entil2001.com/blog21/?p=168
According to showrunner Joel Wyman, “He’s (Joel) got a job [and] he’s still under contract,” Wyman said. “We can’t yet reveal what exactly we have in store for him, but he’s definitely not going out [to audition] for other shows.”
The series (season 4) is expected to include the united Fringe divisions working to repair the shattered universes.
Season 4, episode 1
First scene
Peter walks into the door from the Red side, flipping a coin, and joins Walternate saying, “Wow Dad! There are two of everyone! Except me.”