In season 3, episode 18 we’re taken back “over there” to the other universe. The show begins with Olivia and her mom talking about her pregnancy (remember, Peter is the father – before she came back over?) We get some insight to the fact that her family has a genetic abnormality called BPE that puts the baby and the mother at risk. (We find out later that she is, in fact a carrier.) Olivia discusses the option of abortion since either the mother or baby usually die during childbirth in cases of BPE. Just after her mom drops her off at her apartment, Olivia is abducted.
She’s taken to some kind of make-shift operating room where masked people take a sample of her amniotic fluid (or so we think) and set up a live 3D ultrasound scan while she is heavily sedated.
Her fellow agents suspect this is an inside job because of the tracker technology used and how they knew about it. They track down the cab driver who helped “our” Olivia get away and she mentions something that tips off Charlie and Lee. They figure out that the cab driver knows too many details to be making up stories about another universe. They return to talk to “Walternate” to verify the story. Walternate explains the situation (noting that it was classified) and that she is pregnant for his grandchild and offers Lee access to the files to get her back.
Meanwhile back at the “clinic” Olivia defies attempts to be sedated (pills? really!) Suddenly she’s wracked by pain as we see (supposedly) the baby moving inside her. BUT… at the beginning of the show we’re told that she’s only in her first trimester. A commercial break later and it looks like the “bun in the oven” has risen to full term. She’s wheeled to another location in this ad hoc hospital to prepare for delivery. She tells the nurse that she has BPE and tries to play to the nurse’s emotions, but it doesn’t work.
Lee and Charlie tell Astrid of the situation and she starts searching for anyone who may have had access to her records. Olivia’s mom comes in to tell them “there’s no way she can have the baby.”
Olivia fights her way out of the institution to find herself running around China town, in the rain, wearing not much more than a hospital gown – oh, and VERY pregnant. She manages to find a payphone and call Agent Lee. She’s interrupted as her pursuers approach. The cab driver (Henry) offers to help Lincoln while her goes in to severe labor. While en route Charlie informs Lincoln that she won’t make it through delivery. Henry and Lincoln arrive in time and while in delivery Lincoln states that he loves Olivia. She makes him promise that he’ll stay with the baby. Just as the baby is born, there is a dramatic moment (OK, I won’t spoil that one for you.) Just as the medical crew arrives, we see the (bad guy’s) nurse looking through the window and walk off set.
During the closing segment Walternate thanks Lincoln for his help as he passes by them at the hospital. He and Charlie aren’t happy about Walternate’s deception about the Olivia swap and begin to question Walternate’s motives and integrity. There are other suspicious characters from earlier in the show lurking around (including a certain bald man) – so we know this story is far from over. And of course, the writers always throw one more twist that you didn’t see coming just to make you say “YOU BASTARDS!”
Editor’s note: You want my guess? The abductees wanted the baby to power the machine since they can’t have Peter. But that’s just me. And yes, I got misty when the baby was born, but that’s because I’m a parent and a softie.
Footnote: In case you haven’t heard, Fringe has been renewed for another season! HURRAY! We’ll keep you posted. There are only 4 shows left in the season – the next one is April 15th. See you then!
Rating: 10/10
