Plot

Fringe is an incredibly complex series with many sub-plots working along side an overarching theme, all contained within a rather formulaic crime-drama episode structure revolving over very specific cases. It is through these cases that the other plots unfold and the histories and personalities of the characters are developed. As such, one can say that the violence committed at the start of each episode is the driving cohesive force holding the series together.

Per Episode Formulaic Plot

Walter and Astrid investigating the origin of a strange parasite that killed many people. ©2008 Fox Broadcasting Co.

The most obvious plot, and the one apparent to the shallow casual viewer, is the actual solving of the crime. The crime is usually shown from a limited third person perspective at the beginning of the episode, routed to the normal authorities, and eventually brought to the attention of Fringe Division. Olivia, Peter, and Walter subsequently enter the crime scene and do a preliminary analysis which invariably includes some outlandish theories from Walter. What is clear is that the crime is not of normal origins, but rather lies in the area Walter specializes in known as "fringe science" which, as one might gather from the name, is basically something that the science we know would say is impossible. Many generic science fiction elements have been exploited in this way, such as time travel, astral projection, exotic biochemical weapons, parasites, hauntings, and the like.

Olivia undergoing one of Walter's solutions involving projecting a dead man's memories from her subconscious. ©2008 Fox Broadcasting Co.

The invariable element of each show is that Walter appropriates some bodies from the scene of the crime (because every crime Fringe Division has dealt with included fatalities) and takes them back to his lab for further analysis. While he and Astrid analyze the dead, Peter and Olivia pursue the living. This, from time to time, leads Olivia to question Nina at MassiveDynamic about various aspects of the case. One of either Peter or Olivia, usually Peter, will give Walter the one crucial hint he needs to solve the mystery. Walter will amazingly deduce the whole scheme and come up with a dangerous, outlandish, and complex plan to put an end to the crime.

With only very slight modifications, this plot scheme could describe a vast majority of the crime dramas in existence. However, what sets Fringe apart is that each of the crimes is somehow connected and sheds some new light on the mysteries surrounding the Bishop family, and the world as we know it. By using the violence of the crimes to propel the series and hinging every new insight on the successful resolution of the cases, Fringe manages to take an immensely complex plot and break it down into small, exciting, and suspenseful packages, making it very appropriate for a television drama.

Main Plot - Parallel Universe Collision

The leader of the shapeshifters from the other side, regenerating from having his head severed. ©2008 Fox Broadcasting Co.

While the episodes follow a basic formulaic plot, the entire series is a progression through an overarching plot. Perhaps the most outlandish and exotic element of Fringe is the generally accepted fact that the Fringe universe has an almost identical double that Walter consistently refers to as "the other side." Many of Fringe Division's most intense cases involve this other side and the postulate from Walter that the two are colliding. In the first season the main concern of Fringe Division was the presence of beings from the other side that had crossed into our universe with plans to begin a war. In the second season Olivia, Walter, and Peter begin to witness that the two universes are actually physically colliding, with disastrous results.

Walter watching himself work on the other side through the view-screen he invented. ©2008 Fox Broadcasting Co.

Walter's theory on the Universal Collision is very complex and confusing, but I will do my best to describe it. Essentially, there are two universes existing side by side (or in some ways on top of each other) in harmony. This harmony was broken when someone or something punched a hole in the void between the two universes, causing a destabilization of the other side. This destabilization had a sort of rippling effect and is producing chaos wherever it is sever enough. In addition, people from the other side are fighting to save their dying world, and attempting to break across into ours to destroy us so that they can have the universe that exists after the two merge.

William Bell as seen on the other side. It was never made clear how he got there, only that he planned to stay. ©2008 Fox Broadcasting Co.

The origin of this catastrophe is once again closely tied to Walter, and it is assumed in the series that his former partner, William Bell, actually now resides on the other side. Walter, however, remembers very little about any of this, or as we later find out refuses to acknowledge his involvement. While the cases are used to drive this plot along, many of Fringe Division's cases are direct results of this universal collision. From this assumption, one can conclude that Walter is the source of the storyline that drives Fringe. In some ways, the resolution of this serious problem lies in Walter's ability to escape from his violent past and make amends for the damage he has done.

Sub Plots

Like any good television drama, there are various interpersonal plots going on between the characters, and side plots that presumably will eventually merge into the main plot. Fringe centers its most important plots around the violence resulting from either Walter's past actions or the current detrimental effects of the universal collision. The most significant sub plots are listed below.

Walter and Peter

As a child, Peter was basically raised by his mother because Walter was so consumed in his work that he had no time for family matters. When Peter's mother died, Peter was basically left alone because by that point, Walter had lost his mind and was secluded in a mental institution. Throughout Walter's whole stay, Peter, nor anyone else from Walter's life, never once visited him. At this point, Peter hated Walter for abandoning him, and wanted nothing to do with him.

Walter and peter now seem to be getting along much better since they began working together. ©2008 Fox Broadcasting Co.

Enter Fringe Division. Realizing that Walter Bishop was probably the only person alive that could understand the fringe science nature of the crime and violence observed, Agent Broyles contacted Peter Bishop to recover his father from the asylum and aid the FBI in its endeavors. Although he was an unwilling participant, Peter agreed. Since then, peter and Walter have once again been getting to know each other and Peter has started to forgive Walter. As working together slowly brings them together, and Peter realizes that Walter is nothing like the man he used to be, Walter's past threatens to tear the them apart again. However, it is not yet clear if Peter will fully forgive Walter, or if the two will once again drift apart.

Olivia and Peter

Right before they have a chance to kiss, Olivia realizes Peter is not from this universe. ©2008 Fox Broadcasting Co.

Since both Olivia and Peter have rather reclusive personalities, yet are adept detectives and brilliant in their own right, it is clear to see that they are rather perfect for each other, at least on the surface. The plot between the two is basically a game of chance to see if there is enough attraction between them to overcome the forces pulling them apart. For instance, Peter's father, Walter, used Olivia as a test subject when she was just a child. This threatens Olivia's tolerance with Walter and also with Peter. When Olivia discovers that Peter is actually from the other side (something he himself does not know) this further estranges the two. Peter is, however, rather oblivious to these two aspects and is beginning to open up to Olivia and put faith in her.

FBI's Fringe Division

Agent Broyles preparing to present his findings to the FBI committee responsible for Fringe Division. ©2008 Fox Broadcasting Co.

Agent Broyles, as the quintessential stoic loner detective figure, fights with the FBI and government to continue to fund the existence of Fringe Division. Understandably, the average people in charge of the fate of the division do not necessarily believe the stories and reports from the cases, and find the whole operation suspicious. Essentially Broyles is charged with both the direction and defense of the Division, which he takes very seriously. Every so often Broyles gains possession of key futuristic technology, such as a shape-shifting device from beings on the other side, which ensures the longevity of the division, and in addition Walter's discoveries tend to justify Fringe Division's existence. Regardless, there is constance pressure on all the members of Fringe Division to justify their existence and prove their worth.

Walter's Murky Past

In a flashback, Walter reveals that he tore open a portal to the other side to save the Peter in that universe. ©2008 Fox Broadcasting Co.

In many ways, the entire Fringe storyline is tied into Walter's past actions, yet there is a clear and specific plot revolving around the slow understanding of Walter's past. Much of this hinges on the fact that Walter either does not remember most of it, or chooses to ignore it completely. We discover that Walter once worked for the government and his experiments are, in fact, the origin of many of Fringe Division's cases, though he cannot be held directly responsible. Eventually it is made clear that the universal collision is much more directly his fault, since he opened a portal to the other side in order to save the Peter there. On that note, it is eventually revealed that the Peter on this side died in childhood, and that Walter abducted the Peter from the other side, and that is the single pivotal event that Walter must come to terms with. Some episodes are entirely flashbacks into Walter's past used to explain why things are the way they are in the present. In this sense, Fringe is almost a chronicle of Walter's redemption from his past actions, and much of the series hinges on his ability to find himself and regain his sanity.

The Observers

The Observer known as September conversing with Walter after saving him and Peter from downing in a frozen lake. ©2008 Fox Broadcasting Co.

The Observers are timeless beings that know everything that has happened or will happen. They are extremely advanced technologically, and are thus untouchable. Their main purpose is to observe history unfold, and can be seen everywhere, yet they appear to do nothing. In some cases, oddly surrounding the Bishop family, the Observers frequently appear, and from time to time interfere. If they have a plan, no one knows what it is. Perhaps they simply are there to keep history on the right track. Their actions can be seen as foreshadowing major or important events, and perhaps they are present simply to add suspense and mystery. Whatever the case, they provide a rogue and emotionless element to the plots, as they can interfere at any time.