Fringe: The Stars Talk Doppelgangers, New Realities & Tonight's New Episode
As I'm sure many of you know, Fringe returns tonight from the winter hiatus with the all-new episode 'Back To Where You've Never Been'. As was mentioned in an article we posted earlier this week, back in October, TVOvermind visited the Vancouver set of Fringe and spoke with some of the stars about season 4. When the interviews occurred, only the first two episodes of the season had aired, so the actors were understandably vague about much of what was to come. However, tonight's new episode was the one being filmed during the set visit, so some of the hints are now coming to fruition.
Given where Fringe has gone this season, something on everyone's mind was how the two universes can coexist relatively peacefully, considering the fact that they had basically been at war. The tension between the two sides is tangible, and it's clear that none of the characters trust their alternates especially after the revelation of a new breed of shapeshifter. As Olivia is quick to point out, Walternate was behind the previous generation, and this technology looks incriminatingly similar. Lance Reddick who plays two versions of Phillip Broyles discussed the fact that although the two sides have been working together, the tension has been building. He also pointed out that "there's potentially a third element that will be a danger to both universes that's going to force them to work together". Jasika Nicole, who plays agents Astrid Farnsworth, went on to say that as crazy as things have been before, the dangers posed by this new threat will be even more severe.
Along with some tantalizing hints of what is to come, Mr. Reddick discussed some of the intricacies of working on a show that regularly shoots scenes with doubles of their characters. The short answer, which doesn't do his answers justice, is that it's incredibly complicated, but also rewarding and fascinating. He did note that one of the joys of playing alternate versions of characters is that it offers the opportunity to explore more of the backstories for each character. While he hopes to see more of this, he did note that he '[doesn't] know if there'll be time, because there's just so much story happening!'
Jasika Nicole also had some thoughts on character backstories and relationships. She noted that both her and Anna Torv, who plays FBI agent Olivia Dunham, always found it a little strange that we never really got the opportunity to see the friendship between Olivia and Astrid in the original timeline; I definitely agree with her when she says that she thinks it's "long overdue" that we're finally seeing aspects of their relationship in this new reality! I also think that Ms. Nicole had a very good point when she pointed out that "[Peter]'s not there anymore, and so Astrid has sort of become Olivia's confidante." Not to mention the fact that the two women have had shared custody, so to speak, of Walter Bishop since the unlikely trio joined Fringe Division, and I imagine they've had more than enough to bond over.
That being said, it's been apparent from the beginning of this new season of Fringe that Walter and Astrid don't share the same relationship in this new reality. My first thought was that in the absence of Peter, Walter should be closer to both Astrid and Olivia. We've certainly seen how Walter has come to rely on Olivia, yet Walter and Astrid's relationship seems to have gone in the opposite direction. I assume that the main reason for this shift is because she isn't entirely lab-based in this new reality. Since Astrid has had to function as Walter's eyes and hands outside the lab, I guess they simply haven't forged the same connection forced by close proximity for the past 3 years. As Ms. Nicole pointed out, "that was the reason Astrid was there, was to be there for Walter when he needed her." And if that's not her role in their little family any more, what is? Ms. Nicole was quick to state that "[Astrid] has to be a piece of this puzzle", and that according to the writers, we'll see more of where Astrid fits in in the new timeline.
One thing I found particularly interesting was when Ms. Nicole pointed out that Astrid is "always trying to convince Walter that Walternate is not evil, that his world is just as important as ours...that he's not the enemy." In some ways I think Astrid serves as the voice of reason, trying to keep Walter and Olivia on an even keel , as neither of them are particularly level-headed when it comes to their alternates. Ms. Nicole also noted that she thinks that her character "tries to see the best in people all the time", and I think that's a trait that seems intrinsic to Astrid at least for the one on Our Side.
As far as portraying Alt-Astrid, particularly in regards to the fact that she's autistic, Ms. Nicole discussed how she tries to take what she knows of how autism affects the brain and therefore communication and behaviour, and bases her portrayal of the alternate agent on that. She tries not to model any one person in particular because she never wants it to seem that she's making light of autism something that's particularly important to her because her sister is autistic. After observing that Alt-Astrid has been rather static so far because we only see her at work, Ms. Nicole stated that she "would love to explore what other facets of her personality there are". When it comes to the possibility of the two Astrids interacting, she mused that "these two women are fundamentally different, and I wonder what their common ground is, besides their having the same body". Personally, she thinks Astrid would be fascinated and want to get to know her alternate, while her doppelganger would be rather oblivious to their connection. Personally, I'd love to see a confrontation between the two Astrids. Actually, I'd like to see an exploration of Astrid's backstory in general. I'm hoping that it's something we see at some point in the back half of the season.
Now, fair warning, in case you want to go into tonight's episode without any specific spoilers, I'm going to discuss a bit of what was seen of the scene of Fringe they were filming during the set visit.
The scene being filmed was obviously taking place Over There so it looks like we're finally going to get more than a glimpse of what's been going on in the alternate universe in this new timeline. A group of people were standing outside of a transportation depot in Vancouver, actually a horsetrack when a bus comes speeding by only to have a shapeshifter jump on top of it. The alt-world citizens see the commotion which brings Olivia Dunham and Seth Gabel's alternate Lincoln Lee to investigate. In the banner below, you can see one of the posters that urge citizens Over There to "Be Vigilant". It never ceases to amaze me, the amount of detail that goes in to every scene; the set decorators on Fringe are consistently fantastic.
The only other thing I'll say about tonight's Fringe episode is that I loved it, and I hope you all tune in tonight to watch it LIVE on FOX at 9:00 pm EST!
