Ep 16. Peter

Peter is a thrilling episode of the second season of the science-fiction television series, Fringe. The episode marks a pivotal point in the show's narrative, as it delves deep into the past of the central character, Peter Bishop, and reveals some of the secrets that have been lurking in the shadows since the show's inception.

The episode opens with a series of flashbacks, which depict Peter's childhood and the relationship he had with his father, Walter. Viewers see that Walter was a brilliant scientist, but also a distant and troubled man, who struggled with mental health issues and a growing addiction to drugs. As a result, Peter was forced to grow up quickly, compensating for his father's erratic behavior by becoming a responsible and grounded young man.

The present-day storyline kicks off with the sudden appearance of a strange device in Central Park, which seems to be capable of opening portals to other dimensions. Fringe Division is called in to investigate, and it becomes clear that the device is somehow connected to Walter's past experiments with wormholes and parallel universes. As the team delves deeper into the mystery, they uncover evidence that suggests the whole case has been orchestrated by someone with a personal vendetta against Walter, someone who knows all of his deepest secrets.

As the team races to uncover the identity of the mysterious figure, Peter finds himself grappling with the truth about his own past. With the help of Agent Olivia Dunham, he begins to unravel the tangled web of lies and deceit that has been woven around him since childhood. Along the way, he discovers that some of his most fundamental beliefs about himself and his family have been nothing but illusions, and that he may be central to the fate of both universes.

Despite the weighty subject matter, the episode is not without moments of levity and humor. The interplay between Walter and his fellow scientist, Astrid Farnsworth, is especially charming, as Walter's absentmindedness and penchant for mnemonic devices constantly amuse and frustrate her. At the same time, the tension and drama are palpable throughout, as the stakes of the investigation continue to escalate.

One of the standout elements of the episode is the way in which it deftly weaves together the various threads of the show's mythology, seamlessly integrating elements of science, psychology, and the supernatural. As always, the writing is smart and thought-provoking, and the acting is uniformly excellent, with Joshua Jackson giving an especially nuanced and powerful performance as Peter.

In the end, Peter is a standout episode that marks a turning point in the show's narrative, setting the stage for the events that will unfold in future episodes. It's a must-watch for fans of the series who want to dig deeper into the show's rich and complex mythology and get to know the characters on a more personal level. Whether you're a die-hard sci-fi fan or simply appreciate great storytelling, Peter is an episode that is not to be missed.