7. Confrontation at the opera house (Over There)
Fringe is definitely a very action heavy show, but the best action setpiece in the series was the battle outside the opera house during the finale. We got some amazing action between the two sides, and it was really interesting for us to be rooting for William Bell, the man who we've had issues trusting for the past two seasons, as he's being shot by (alternate) versions of the characters we've grown to love. Then William Bell making the sacrifice at the end was a noble and touching move, but it should've felt like more of a huge loss than it did. It felt a little bit like an emotional cheat, but maybe William Bell isn't gone after all.
6. Olivia's last talk with Charlie Francis (A New Day in the Old Town)
It shouldn't be a huge surprise anymore what happens to fan favorite Charlie Francis in the conclusion of the season premiere, but it was when we saw it. That made his last talk with Olivia that much more touching. During the first watching you may be listening to the conversation, only half aware of what he's saying, but the event at the end is basically his way of saying "listen up folks. This is important." It may just be another story, but it's one that Olivia will remember for a lifetime, and so will we. By the way, how much are you hoping alternate Charlie Francis becomes a regular character so we see more of him?
5. William Bell and Olivia in the World Trade Center (Momentum Deffered)
What was the biggest cop out of Season 1? The abrupt conversation between Olivia and William Bell. After three episodes building it up, we finally got that confrontation. One thing that should be taken into account in this episode is that Olivia is simply reliving something she's already seen. Therefore the Olivia talking to Bell is that of Season 1, who hasn't had the trauma that season two Olivia has dealt with in the past three episodes. She's angry at William Bell, and suddenly out of the blue, Bell is telling her about a brand new threat that he's helped create. He may have hoped that she'd remember that info sooner rather than later, due to the damage it incurs throughout the rest of the season. Interesting how one unintended accident throws off an entire plan. Furthermore, we got our first in depth look at William Bell, and set up this still mysterious persona of a man like Walter, but without the same mistakes.
4. Peter vs. Walter (The Man from the Other Side)
There are several touching heart to heart moments between Peter and Walter this season, and they all built towards making this scene as crushing as it was. Peter learned the truth about himself in the worst way possible: he figured it out for himself. Walter's plans on telling Peter were smashed to peices in just moments, as Peter finally saw past the cloud that the man he thought was his father created. It was really a moment for Peter to lash out at Walter for all the pain he's caused on the world, and now to him. Walter was shocked and broken, and despite his attempts to make out a positive outcome, he ended up losing Peter.
3. Olivia is captured and replaced (Over There)
It's impossible to match the epic final scene of Season 1 that revealed a still standing World Trade Center, but the Fringe team came close to it in Season 2. The twist that Olivia had been thrown into a jail cell in the alternate universe, while the red head Olivia returned to and infiltrated Fringe division in our universe measured on a deep emotional level. The only problem was that for most of the episode it was obvious that this would happen. It was still disturbing and horrifying to see Walternate staring without emotion at our Olivia, afraid and helpless and worlds away from everything she cares about. The elder Observer from August sure had it right. Things sure have become so hard for her.
2. The cure to Peter is found and lost (Peter)
The entire episode of Peter could've been chosen for the artistry of the episode, the brilliant performance by John Noble, and the mysteries revealed in the episode. However, of all those little moments, this was the one that hit us deepest. When our Walter gets so much joy at seeing Walternate find the cure for Peter, only for Walternate not to see it himself, and Walter's response to that... That was one of the most brilliant emotional moments in Fringe history. We know what's going to happen, and we know that it all could've been simply avoided. Walter could've grown from that to be a better person, but instead he set out save the son he wasn't able to save the first time.
1. Walter Bishop vs. Alistair Peck (White Tulip)
For all the hype and quality around the William Bell and Walter reunion, the greatest moment of this season came from the standalone episode White Tulip, when Walter had a one on one with the "villain" of the episode, Alistair Peck. They were both brilliant scientists, and they both suffered great losses. Walter may be trying to stop Alistair from jumping back in time, but this is also his chance to confide with somebody in a way he couldn't with Olivia. We got a brilliant look at Walter's point of view, and it really raised the bar for genius vs. genius confrontations on the show. It's one of the reasons Bell vs. Bishop didn't turn out as good as it should have.
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