The Observer known as “September”

So tonight was the (correction:  fall) finale of Fringe, named Wallflower for an invisible man, but probably also calling attention to Peter taking a less active roll in this particular multiverse by making Lincoln more attractive to Olivia (with a new pair of glasses?!).  Anyway…  How will they be able to prove this is not an entirely different Olivia, and is actually just an Olivia that has forgotten her relationship with Peter (as the Observer, named September, said at the end of last season)?  Ah, so tragic if such proof is impossible.   He’s giving her away…

And I still have questions remaining from ‘last’ season’s finale and am losing hope that they will be resolved.  Why rescue Peter as a child (so that he could go on to fulfill his purpose) only to later wipe him from the timeline (because he fulfilled his purpose)—since, after wiping Peter from the timeline, the purpose was still fulfilled, and he was never even necessary (right?)?  (Not saying I think Peter was actually unnecessary…fictionally speaking.)  And after having a discussion with some fans on Fringe’s Facebook page, I have to ask:  Which is the real mess-up—that Walter found the cure, or that Peter fell through the ice?!

Regarding purpose (Peter’s, yes—but purpose in general)—who are the Observers to decide how things should go and who is important?  “August” shows they are mortal, and their past failure to distract Walter from curing Peter, and their recent failure to completely erase Peter, show they are fallible, not to mention inconsistent.   NOT that erasing Peter would be a good thing.

I’m beginning to think it’s not ‘supposed’ to make sense—it’s just supposed to make you toss around questions about what our purpose is and whether it is ‘natural’ (part of the ‘course’ of the universe or whatever Being for which that may be a metaphor) or artificially manipulated (by a time-transcendent Observer, or by yourself—caring for someone).  It’s all very Sartre, all very Socrates’ dialogue with Diotima on love, and with Euthyphro on the good.  Can’t wait for the season to resume in January…

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This post also appeared on Examiner.com.