I love mysteries, there’s nothing like a good detective story, except maybe a JJ. Abrams production. Which is why I was interested to see how many of my previously posted “Top 12 Fringe Mysteries” would be answered by the end of the first season. For a more detailed recap on which mysteries I thought were the most pressing back in February 2009 (after the “Ability” episode), travel here.
Here’s a look at the resolution status of those 12 mysteries:
- The Blue Lights. To my mind these were pretty much answered when they appeared as Olivia ‘travelled’ to an alternate universe in the elevator scene of There’s More Than One Of Everything. I realise that not everyone will agree, but in my opinion the blue lights denote inter-reality travel (and other forms of travel, such as teleportation). ANSWERED
- Massive Dynamic: Good or Bad. This question has yet to be answered, although we’ve been given a lot more information in their role. One reveal is that (despite what Nina says) they have links with ZFT, although they are not associated with Jones’ rebel alliance. UNANSWERED
- Peter’s Origins. This has been answered to a large extent – we pretty much have it confirmed that this version of Peter is a child of two worlds. He was snatched by Walter after the original Peter had died. There’s still much to learn about Peter, but his origins are not of this world: ANSWERED
- The ZFT Manifesto Author. This has seemingly been answered. William Bell wrote the manifesto. ANSWERED
- What Happened to David Jones (Ability): This has been answered – he was dying as a result of using Walter’s teleportation device. It appeared that his body was disintegrating, but at the same time this made him “special” – bullets (and goodness knows what else) simply passed right through him. We still do not know exactly how he escaped from the hospital, but I think it’s safe to say that for the most part this mystery has been ANSWERED.
- Who & Where Is William Bell. We found out to answer the this mystery in the last episode of season 1 – he was in another world, similar, but slightly different from our own. ANSWERED.
- The Observer’s Primary Objective. Although we don’t know the Observer’s ‘main’ function, we have been given several clues. Most notably in the final episode of season 1, where he told Walter that he’s “not supposed to get involved”. From his actions in 1.20 he seemed more like a time-keeper or temporal policeman, helping certain things to come into being by observing them, or by guiding certain characters down certain paths. It is pretty safe to assume the obvious, that he’s from another reality, although I speculate that he is from a different reality from the one Belly was in at the end of 1.20. My guess remains the same as before – he’s from a reality and, importantly, a time ahead of our own. In some respects he’s like an ascended human. Speculation aside, this one largely remains UNANSWERED.
- Which Side Is Rogue On? This one has not been touched on since he arrived and died in 1.04 – UNANSWERED.
- Robert Bishop. We have no further information on this character – UNANSWERED
- Walter’s Alter. Although we’ve since seen ‘our’ Walter dress similarly to the alter-Walter in recent episodes, we are yet to gain any solid information on the who, what and why of his existence. UNANSWERED.
- The Cylinder. This hasn’t been touched on since 1.04. UNANSWERED.
- The Age of The Pattern. In the season finale, Broyles said that the first recorded incidents go back more than 15 years. We still lack a conclusive date or solid information, however. SEMI EXPLAINED
As you can see from the above, we’ve had five major mysteries answered, six unanswered and one semi explained. Not a bad ratio considering this list was only compiled 6 episodes ago. I do find it interesting to note that the mysteries I placed as being the most intriguing to me, have yet to be answered conclusively.
{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
We do know that the biggest part of the pattern, the largest disturbance, was centered on the lake and likely caused by Walter’s delay in developing the plug around 1985. However, the ‘pattern’ dates back earlier than that, as the cortexiphan trials took place around 1981.
Since the Bermuda Triangle (*hah*!) dates back even earlier, you could posit that the pattern reaches back throughout history.
We haven’t heard Broyles’ explain why he sent ‘Liason’ to the storage facility. Of course, why explain when Olivia isn’t curious enough to FREAKING ASK???
Ha! I really should have included that in my list as it’s sure a mystery why Olivia hasn’t followed up on that detail. I’m beginning to think that the writers have either forgotten, or that they wish they never had Scott utters those words.
Hmmm–that does seem more and more likely (they wish they could prune that line out of our memories).
They’ve created a very persistent, diligent bunch of observers in this fanbase–hard to deal with some days, I reckon.
Yeah, I imagine it must be difficult for them to keep track of it all, though I assume they have someone to specifically keep track of the story-line integrity etc.
Good points. I even recall Broyles (or someone) much earlier in the season mentioning that the recorded pattern events went back 30 years, but I could be wrong.
As you point out the Cortexiphan trials and especially the Bermuda Triangle mentions are good reference points. Personally I’ve also hoped that the Pattern would turn out to stretch back to the beginning of time.
Are we really sure that William Bell wrote the ZFT manifesto? I don’t know how to quite explain it but Walter’s protestations to Peter that the original author of the ZFT wasn’t an evil person seemed a little too strong for it to be only about his ex-partner. Plus, why would Walter have a copy (which seems to be the original) of the ZFT manifesto unless he was the one to write it. To me, it seemed more like Walter wrote the original ZFT manuscript, William stole it and removed the code of ethics, and Walter doesn’t want his son to think the writer of the manuscript is some evil psychopath since this indirectly implies he is an evil person.
Personally, I’m still holding on to my thoery that Robert Bishop wrote it. But it does look like its Belly’s work from the information we’ve been given.
I think that Walter’s protestations are believable, since he and Belly were once good friends and Lab partners – at least from what he can remember (I’m sure they also had their differences to say the least).
I believe that Walter had a copy of the manifesto because they used to share that very Lab. Its also possible that he’d keep a copy of his partner’s work – even for reference sake.
Of course you could be on to something. That said, I believe that Walter has told the truth so far regarding the manifesto – at least what he believes to be the truth.
The weird thing is though, he seemed fine shifting the blame of the Cortexiphan treatments onto Belly, even though he himself was also a part of the trials. Regardless, his behavior in regards to the manifesto have been…odd.
I thought, at the time of Olivia’s sister arriving on her doorstep, that she and Ella would be part of a developing mystery as well, but so far she’s little more than stay-at-home furniture.
I hope that their presence will eventually amount to something more than a manufactured home life for Agent D.
I also thought we’d hear more about Olivia’s card-sending psycho-Dad.
I really hope Ella is a season 2 storyline. Although it may be difficult for them to integrate a child character into this show in the long term. Most of the time Olivia’s out in the field (where the exciting stuff happens!), so they’ll have to find some way of making the ‘home-life’ story more interesting. Unless Ella signs up for the FBI..
Good shout – will we ever get any more on psycho Dad, or will we have to wait until Olivia’s ‘next‘ birthday?
Walter’s Alter might be the Walter from another dimension (or at least the way our Walter imagines him to be). I think it might be the Walter our Walter met while going to the other reality to get Peter.
It also would explain why Walter’s Alter seems to be more ruthless. I would even go as far as saying that the Walter from the other reality might have given Peter away in exchange for something else.
But of course it’s just an idea and most likely not even a good one.
Alter-Walter did appear to be rather sinister didn’t he. I’m looking forward to seeing that character expanded upon.
Interesting idea, btw – an exchange in return for what, I wonder?
When I saw Jones allow half a truck to enter from ‘the other side’, I was immediately transported back in time to a different reality…a much different reality. Fast forward to the 8:15 mark of this clip (from Michelle Ryan’s guest appearance on “Doctor Who”):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgPdixJwXeA
Adult-strength Cortexiphan in the Doctor’s Earl Grey?
Good shout.
And you’re right – a very different reality!
Clearly, JJ is enamored with the lens flaring effect in the Jones photo above and has boldly taken it where no blue light has gone before:
http://fxrant.blogspot.com/2009/05/millimeter-magzine-back-on-trek.html
Maybe that’s how Spock ended up on “Fringe”. Just rode a blue flare into a whole new reality. Fascinating!
Can I say that I love the fact that “Alter” is part of Walter’s name? And I just mention this piece because I really believe that names are great roads to acknowledge a person.
Hope we can find out more about these secrets, and more importantly: hope we can have many more secrets to uncover!
Roco, in your resolution status of 12 mysteries, you mention “Alter Walter” as if he has made an appearance in the show. Did I miss something? I don’t remember any episode with Alter Walter. Could you clarify your comment about “them” dressing similarly?
Hi Rich, I’m referring to the Walter who visited our Walter in the mental asylum (1.08 “The Equation”). Many of us nicknamed him Alter-Walter because he seemed more sinister than the Walter we know.
That said, it’s still unclear what kind of manifestation he was.