Peter (Fringe)
Encyclopedia
"Peter" is the 16th episode of the second season of the American science fiction
drama
television series
Fringe
, and the 36th episode overall. Considered a keystone episode of the series, "Peter" is a flashback episode, told as Walter Bishop
reveals to Olivia Dunham
that his son Peter
is really the Peter of the parallel universe
. Walter explains the events that occurred in 1985 that led to this, and the impact it had on the parallel universe to be at war with the prime one.
The episode's story was written by screenwriter Akiva Goldsman
and executive producers J. H. Wyman, Jeff Pinkner
, and Josh Singer
. Its teleplay was written by Pinkner, Wyman, and Singer, and David Straiton
directed the episode. It was guest star Orla Brady
's first appearance as Walter's wife Elizabeth.
"Peter" first aired in the United States on April 1, 2010. An estimated 5.8 million viewers watched the episode, giving it a 2.2 rating share among those 18–49. The episode received almost overwhelmingly positive reviews, with numerous critics considering it to be the best Fringe episode to date. Actor John Noble
was lauded for his performance, and "Peter" topped many "best of television" lists for the year.
", where Olivia
(Anna Torv
) has discovered, through her Cortexiphan-induced abilities, that Peter
(Joshua Jackson
) is from the parallel universe
, and Walter
(John Noble
) takes her aside to tell her how this came to pass.
In 1985, Walter and William Bell had theorized the existence of a parallel universe, and created a window-like device to observe it. Though they use their observations for military benefits, Walter has a more personal interest in the parallel universe, to seek a cure for a genetic disease crippling his son Peter (Quinn Lord
). "Walternate", Walter's doppelganger in the other universe, is also seeking a similar cure, his Peter suffering from the same disease.
The prime universe's Peter succumbs to his illness and dies, and Walter and his wife Elizabeth (Orla Brady
) mourn their loss, supported by Walter and William's friend, Nina Sharp (Blair Brown
) and Walter's lab assistant, Carla Warren (Jenni Blong). Walter, through his window, shows Elizabeth the other Peter, and asserts they should be happy knowing another Peter exists. Later, Walter watches Walternate explore other cures. Walternate is distracted by the arrival of an Observer, September (Michael Cerveris
), and fails to see the telltale color change indicating a cure. Walter is able to recreate and stabilize Walternate's cure, and then decides to use untested equipment to cross over to give the cure to Peter. Carla tries to stop Walter, knowing the technology could damage the fabric of space-time, and contacts Nina for help.
Walter sets up his equipment on the frozen ice of Reiden Lake, near a cabin where Elizabeth and Peter are staying. Carla arrives with Nina, and both try to talk him out of it. When Walter realizes William is not with them, he takes this as an implicit sign of William's consent to his plan, and activates the portal. Nina attempts to tackle Walter as he steps through, but instead part of her arm disappears in the portal as it closes; Carla rushes her to the hospital.
In the parallel universe, Walter finds the cure vial shattered and devises a new plan: to bring Peter back, administer a new batch of the cure, and return him. Meeting the parallel universe's Elizabeth, he explains he is taking Peter back to the lab for some tests. As Walter walks Peter back across the lake to the portal, Peter realizes that Walter is not his real father. They cross through the portal safely, but the ice has weakened and both fall through, losing consciousness. Walter wakes to find September driving him and Peter back to Walter's lab. September warns that Peter is important and must be saved, and leaves Walter to drive the rest of the way. At the lab, as Peter receives the cure, Carla informs him that William will see to replacing Nina's arm. Elizabeth arrives unannounced, and is overjoyed to see Peter, even though it is not her child. At that point, Walter realizes he would never be able to return Peter to his proper universe.
In the show's conclusion in the present day, Walter tells Olivia that his crossing is what caused the crack between the two universes, including the Pattern on their side, and leading to the oncoming "storm" that William warned Olivia about.
announced Irish actress Orla Brady
had been cast as Elizabeth Bishop, a possible recurring character. Some critics questioned the casting, as they considered Brady to be too young and were unsure if she would appear in the present or a flashback sequence. "Peter"'s story was written by J. H. Wyman, Jeff Pinkner
, Akiva Goldsman
, and Josh Singer
. Its teleplay
was written by Jeff Pinkner, J. H. Wyman, and Josh Singer. It was the first complete Fringe episode to be directed by David Straiton
.
"Peter" was set in 1985, with a much younger Walter and Peter Bishop, and also features an appearance by Walter's wife Elizabeth. Actor John Noble
used material he had created since the airing of the pilot, which he explained was his sense of "what was this man like before he deteriorated." The production crew tried different methods with the actor to create a younger Walter, such as changes to his hair, make-up, and wardrobe; they ultimately decided on using "tabs" to keep the wrinkles in his face back. He did not wear a wig, but the crew did add parts to the front and back. When asked what preparation went into playing a younger Walter, Noble explained:
The episode was shot through a special lenses to make it more reminiscent of the decade. At Peter's funeral, actress Blair Brown
wanted her character Nina Sharp to wear sunglasses, because she thought Nina would not share her emotions at the funeral. Unlike Noble, Brown wore a wig. The scenes at Reiden Lake were actually shot on a parking lot, and the crew placed a covering over it to simulate the cracks normally on a lake.
To reflect the episode's setting in 1985, the typical title credit sequence was redone using different music, the Asimov font for early computer type for the show's logo, and terms that were "fringe science" at the time, such as "virtual reality
," "genetic engineering
," and "personal computing". Pinkner later recalled, "One of our writers said off-handedly that if we’re doing a show from 1985, shouldn’t we do a credit sequence from 1985, and literally, we pounced on it". He and Wyman asked J.J. Abrams, who wrote the original credit sequence melody, to write a 1980s version; Abrams was "very, very happy to do that," according to Wyman.
As with other Fringe episodes, Fox and Science Olympiad
released a lesson plan for grade school children based upon the science depicted in "Peter"; the lesson's intention was for "students [to] learn about the challenges of effectively communicating scientific principles and concepts, especially via non-verbal methods."
docking at the Empire State Building
, which was originally part of the building's purpose until it was shown to be impractical. In a scene that takes place in the parallel universe, the Observers are seen leaving a theater having watched Back to the Future
starring Eric Stoltz
; in reality, Eric Stoltz was originally cast in the role of Marty over Michael J. Fox
, and had filmed a number of shots, but was later replaced by Fox.
.
, "'Peter' is exactly what Fringe needs to be" for the show to distinguish itself from others like The X-Files
, in that it teased hints of the episode's reveal in earlier shows, and followed through by revealing the truth, leaving the viewer wanting to know even more. Ramsey Isler of IGN
considered "Peter" "the most masterfully crafted episode Fringe has ever had", praising the performance of Noble and Brady in delivering the emotion needed for the episode. Tim Grierson of New York Magazine also praised the emotional performance of John Noble, calling it his "showcase" and one where "he didn’t disappoint". The A.V. Club's Noel Murray considered the episode one of the best of 2010 to that point, and that "the show came back with a sense of purpose and surety it’s rarely had, even at its best".
Since its airing and continuation into Season 3, "Peter" has been considered a keystone episode for the series. Jeff Jensen of Entertainment Weekly
called "Peter" the episode "when Fringe crossed over from fitfully great to just plain great", and continues to maintain that quality throughout 2010. Time
s James Poniewozik ranked "Peter" as the 5th best television episode of 2010, stating that it both "fleshed out its mythology" and "deepened the emotional backstory", and further praised Noble's acting in the episode. The A.V. Club ranked Fringe the 15th best show of 2010, highlighting "Peter" as an episode that "finally dramatized the moment that changed [Peter's] life, giving the series’ overarching storyline a devastating emotional core, based in a father’s love instead of in theoretical concept". The Futon Critic ranked "Peter" as the 9th best episode of 2010, calling it a "series defining episode that not only rationalized what appeared to be the unforgiveable but also raised the stakes on everything we had come to expect from the show thus far". BuddyTV
rated it the seventh best episode of 2010, praising it for "open[ing] the door to the show’s brilliant use of the alternate universe," and calling Noble's acting "one of the best performances on TV". Website blogger io9
listed "Peter" as one of the "crucial" episodes new viewers must watch to get into the show. Executive producers Jeff Pinkner and J.H. Wyman, and co-creator J.J. Abrams later said that "Peter" was one of their favorite episodes.
As one result of the high praise and fan appreciation for "Peter", a future episode, "Subject 13
" (originally named "6 Months Later") in Fringes third season aired on February 25, 2011. It returned to the events within "Peter" but told from the perspective of the parallel universe, including the impact of Peter's abduction on both Walters and Elizabeths.
category at the 62nd Primetime Emmy Awards
.
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
drama
Drama
Drama is the specific mode of fiction represented in performance. The term comes from a Greek word meaning "action" , which is derived from "to do","to act" . The enactment of drama in theatre, performed by actors on a stage before an audience, presupposes collaborative modes of production and a...
television series
Television program
A television program , also called television show, is a segment of content which is intended to be broadcast on television. It may be a one-time production or part of a periodically recurring series...
Fringe
Fringe (TV series)
Fringe is an American science fiction television series created by J. J. Abrams, Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci. The series follows a Federal Bureau of Investigation "Fringe Division" team based in Boston, Massachusetts under the supervision of Homeland Security...
, and the 36th episode overall. Considered a keystone episode of the series, "Peter" is a flashback episode, told as Walter Bishop
Walter Bishop (Fringe)
Walter Bishop, Ph.D. is a fictional character on the Fox television series Fringe. He is portrayed by John Noble. Noble also plays Walter's counterpart in the show's parallel universe, who is referred to in the show as Walternate.-Arc:...
reveals to Olivia Dunham
Olivia Dunham
FBI Special Agent Olivia Dunham is a fictional character and protagonist on the Fox television series Fringe . Olivia first appeared in the pilot episode on September 9, 2008. She is portrayed by actress Anna Torv....
that his son Peter
Peter Bishop
Peter Bishop is a fictional character on the Fox television series Fringe. He is portrayed by Joshua Jackson.-Fictional character biography:...
is really the Peter of the parallel universe
Parallel universe (fiction)
A parallel universe or alternative reality is a hypothetical self-contained separate reality coexisting with one's own. A specific group of parallel universes is called a "multiverse", although this term can also be used to describe the possible parallel universes that constitute reality...
. Walter explains the events that occurred in 1985 that led to this, and the impact it had on the parallel universe to be at war with the prime one.
The episode's story was written by screenwriter Akiva Goldsman
Akiva Goldsman
Akiva J. Goldsman from Walker Valley, New York is an American screenwriter and film producer. He received an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for the 2001 film, A Beautiful Mind, which also won the Oscar for Best Picture....
and executive producers J. H. Wyman, Jeff Pinkner
Jeff Pinkner
Jeff Pinkner is an American television writer and producer. He graduated from Pikesville High School in Baltimore Maryland in 1983. He is known for his work on Alias where he served as executive producer. In 2006 and 2007, he worked as an executive producer and writer for the mystery series Lost...
, and Josh Singer
Josh Singer
Josh Singer is a WGA-award nominated television Writer and Producer, whose most noticeable work includes writing and producing episodes of Law and Order: Special Victims Unit, the critically acclaimed series The West Wing, the crime series Bones, and the FOX science-fiction series Fringe.- Fringe...
. Its teleplay was written by Pinkner, Wyman, and Singer, and David Straiton
David Straiton
David Straiton is an American television director.Since the 1990s he has amassed large a number of notable television credits, first making his directorial debut directing an episode of the Disney Channel series Flash Forward...
directed the episode. It was guest star Orla Brady
Orla Brady
-Early life and career:The second of four children born to Dublin publican Patrick Brady and his wife Catherine who had appeared in amateur productions at the Gate Theatre, Brady first became interested in an acting career after reading works by Germaine Greer and Simone de Beauvoir.Brady drifted...
's first appearance as Walter's wife Elizabeth.
"Peter" first aired in the United States on April 1, 2010. An estimated 5.8 million viewers watched the episode, giving it a 2.2 rating share among those 18–49. The episode received almost overwhelmingly positive reviews, with numerous critics considering it to be the best Fringe episode to date. Actor John Noble
John Noble
John Noble is an Australian film and television actor, and theater director of more than 80 plays. He was born in Port Pirie, South Australia, Australia and is currently starring as scientist Walter Bishop in the J. J. Abrams television series Fringe.He made occasional appearances on the...
was lauded for his performance, and "Peter" topped many "best of television" lists for the year.
Plot
The introduction scene follows from "JacksonvilleJacksonville (Fringe)
"Jacksonville" is the 15th episode of the second season of the American science fiction drama television series Fringe, and the 35th episode overall. In the episode, Olivia is forced to recount her time spent as a child in tests conducted by Walter to regain the ability to see objects that have...
", where Olivia
Olivia Dunham
FBI Special Agent Olivia Dunham is a fictional character and protagonist on the Fox television series Fringe . Olivia first appeared in the pilot episode on September 9, 2008. She is portrayed by actress Anna Torv....
(Anna Torv
Anna Torv
Anna Torv is an Australian actress known for her role as FBI agent Olivia Dunham on the Fox television series Fringe.-Early life:...
) has discovered, through her Cortexiphan-induced abilities, that Peter
Peter Bishop
Peter Bishop is a fictional character on the Fox television series Fringe. He is portrayed by Joshua Jackson.-Fictional character biography:...
(Joshua Jackson
Joshua Jackson
Joshua Carter Jackson is a Canadian American actor. He has appeared in primetime television and in over 32 film roles. He is best known for playing Charlie Conway in The Mighty Ducks film series, Pacey Witter in the television series Dawson's Creek and Peter Bishop in the television series...
) is from the parallel universe
Parallel universe (fiction)
A parallel universe or alternative reality is a hypothetical self-contained separate reality coexisting with one's own. A specific group of parallel universes is called a "multiverse", although this term can also be used to describe the possible parallel universes that constitute reality...
, and Walter
Walter Bishop (Fringe)
Walter Bishop, Ph.D. is a fictional character on the Fox television series Fringe. He is portrayed by John Noble. Noble also plays Walter's counterpart in the show's parallel universe, who is referred to in the show as Walternate.-Arc:...
(John Noble
John Noble
John Noble is an Australian film and television actor, and theater director of more than 80 plays. He was born in Port Pirie, South Australia, Australia and is currently starring as scientist Walter Bishop in the J. J. Abrams television series Fringe.He made occasional appearances on the...
) takes her aside to tell her how this came to pass.
In 1985, Walter and William Bell had theorized the existence of a parallel universe, and created a window-like device to observe it. Though they use their observations for military benefits, Walter has a more personal interest in the parallel universe, to seek a cure for a genetic disease crippling his son Peter (Quinn Lord
Quinn Lord
Quinn Edmond Julian Lord is a Canadian child actor probably best known for playing Sam in Trick 'r Treat. His career started in 2004.-Films:-Television:-External links:**...
). "Walternate", Walter's doppelganger in the other universe, is also seeking a similar cure, his Peter suffering from the same disease.
The prime universe's Peter succumbs to his illness and dies, and Walter and his wife Elizabeth (Orla Brady
Orla Brady
-Early life and career:The second of four children born to Dublin publican Patrick Brady and his wife Catherine who had appeared in amateur productions at the Gate Theatre, Brady first became interested in an acting career after reading works by Germaine Greer and Simone de Beauvoir.Brady drifted...
) mourn their loss, supported by Walter and William's friend, Nina Sharp (Blair Brown
Blair Brown
Bonnie Blair Brown is an American theater, film, and television actress. She has had a number of high profile roles, including a Tony Award-winning turn in the play Copenhagen on Broadway, as well as a run as the title character in the television comedy-drama The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd,...
) and Walter's lab assistant, Carla Warren (Jenni Blong). Walter, through his window, shows Elizabeth the other Peter, and asserts they should be happy knowing another Peter exists. Later, Walter watches Walternate explore other cures. Walternate is distracted by the arrival of an Observer, September (Michael Cerveris
Michael Cerveris
Michael Cerveris is an American singer, guitarist and actor. He has performed in many stage musicals and plays, including in several Stephen Sondheim musicals: Assassins, Sweeney Todd, Road Show, and Passion...
), and fails to see the telltale color change indicating a cure. Walter is able to recreate and stabilize Walternate's cure, and then decides to use untested equipment to cross over to give the cure to Peter. Carla tries to stop Walter, knowing the technology could damage the fabric of space-time, and contacts Nina for help.
Walter sets up his equipment on the frozen ice of Reiden Lake, near a cabin where Elizabeth and Peter are staying. Carla arrives with Nina, and both try to talk him out of it. When Walter realizes William is not with them, he takes this as an implicit sign of William's consent to his plan, and activates the portal. Nina attempts to tackle Walter as he steps through, but instead part of her arm disappears in the portal as it closes; Carla rushes her to the hospital.
In the parallel universe, Walter finds the cure vial shattered and devises a new plan: to bring Peter back, administer a new batch of the cure, and return him. Meeting the parallel universe's Elizabeth, he explains he is taking Peter back to the lab for some tests. As Walter walks Peter back across the lake to the portal, Peter realizes that Walter is not his real father. They cross through the portal safely, but the ice has weakened and both fall through, losing consciousness. Walter wakes to find September driving him and Peter back to Walter's lab. September warns that Peter is important and must be saved, and leaves Walter to drive the rest of the way. At the lab, as Peter receives the cure, Carla informs him that William will see to replacing Nina's arm. Elizabeth arrives unannounced, and is overjoyed to see Peter, even though it is not her child. At that point, Walter realizes he would never be able to return Peter to his proper universe.
In the show's conclusion in the present day, Walter tells Olivia that his crossing is what caused the crack between the two universes, including the Pattern on their side, and leading to the oncoming "storm" that William warned Olivia about.
Production
Fringe began casting for an actress to play Walter's wife Elizabeth in November 2009. In their report, they were looking for a woman roughly forty years old who was described as being "strong (yet broken), intelligent, attractive, likable, lovely and extremely versatile". In December 2009, Entertainment WeeklyEntertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly is an American magazine, published by the Time division of Time Warner, that covers film, television, music, broadway theatre, books and popular culture...
announced Irish actress Orla Brady
Orla Brady
-Early life and career:The second of four children born to Dublin publican Patrick Brady and his wife Catherine who had appeared in amateur productions at the Gate Theatre, Brady first became interested in an acting career after reading works by Germaine Greer and Simone de Beauvoir.Brady drifted...
had been cast as Elizabeth Bishop, a possible recurring character. Some critics questioned the casting, as they considered Brady to be too young and were unsure if she would appear in the present or a flashback sequence. "Peter"'s story was written by J. H. Wyman, Jeff Pinkner
Jeff Pinkner
Jeff Pinkner is an American television writer and producer. He graduated from Pikesville High School in Baltimore Maryland in 1983. He is known for his work on Alias where he served as executive producer. In 2006 and 2007, he worked as an executive producer and writer for the mystery series Lost...
, Akiva Goldsman
Akiva Goldsman
Akiva J. Goldsman from Walker Valley, New York is an American screenwriter and film producer. He received an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for the 2001 film, A Beautiful Mind, which also won the Oscar for Best Picture....
, and Josh Singer
Josh Singer
Josh Singer is a WGA-award nominated television Writer and Producer, whose most noticeable work includes writing and producing episodes of Law and Order: Special Victims Unit, the critically acclaimed series The West Wing, the crime series Bones, and the FOX science-fiction series Fringe.- Fringe...
. Its teleplay
Teleplay
A teleplay is a television play, a comedy or drama written or adapted for television. The term surfaced during the 1950s with wide usage to distinguish a television plays from stage plays for the theater and screenplays written for films...
was written by Jeff Pinkner, J. H. Wyman, and Josh Singer. It was the first complete Fringe episode to be directed by David Straiton
David Straiton
David Straiton is an American television director.Since the 1990s he has amassed large a number of notable television credits, first making his directorial debut directing an episode of the Disney Channel series Flash Forward...
.
"Peter" was set in 1985, with a much younger Walter and Peter Bishop, and also features an appearance by Walter's wife Elizabeth. Actor John Noble
John Noble
John Noble is an Australian film and television actor, and theater director of more than 80 plays. He was born in Port Pirie, South Australia, Australia and is currently starring as scientist Walter Bishop in the J. J. Abrams television series Fringe.He made occasional appearances on the...
used material he had created since the airing of the pilot, which he explained was his sense of "what was this man like before he deteriorated." The production crew tried different methods with the actor to create a younger Walter, such as changes to his hair, make-up, and wardrobe; they ultimately decided on using "tabs" to keep the wrinkles in his face back. He did not wear a wig, but the crew did add parts to the front and back. When asked what preparation went into playing a younger Walter, Noble explained:
"Quite a lot, but in the sense in my preparation to find the Walter that we all know now, I had to go back to him right at the beginning to see where he came from. So that process was started before the pilot really, what was this man like before he deteriorated, so I was able to revisit that. Physically, of course, what I had to do was capture the energy, to capture the physicality of the man, the vocal physicality of the man, this was my task. I was aided enormously by my hair and makeup and special effects people here in terms of getting the overall, and indeed wardrobe helped a lot as well. And then we, the shot up through these beautiful lenses that we got a different feel to the episode than we would now. All of those elements work together... to create this version that you see in the episode."
The episode was shot through a special lenses to make it more reminiscent of the decade. At Peter's funeral, actress Blair Brown
Blair Brown
Bonnie Blair Brown is an American theater, film, and television actress. She has had a number of high profile roles, including a Tony Award-winning turn in the play Copenhagen on Broadway, as well as a run as the title character in the television comedy-drama The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd,...
wanted her character Nina Sharp to wear sunglasses, because she thought Nina would not share her emotions at the funeral. Unlike Noble, Brown wore a wig. The scenes at Reiden Lake were actually shot on a parking lot, and the crew placed a covering over it to simulate the cracks normally on a lake.
To reflect the episode's setting in 1985, the typical title credit sequence was redone using different music, the Asimov font for early computer type for the show's logo, and terms that were "fringe science" at the time, such as "virtual reality
Virtual reality
Virtual reality , also known as virtuality, is a term that applies to computer-simulated environments that can simulate physical presence in places in the real world, as well as in imaginary worlds...
," "genetic engineering
Genetic engineering
Genetic engineering, also called genetic modification, is the direct human manipulation of an organism's genome using modern DNA technology. It involves the introduction of foreign DNA or synthetic genes into the organism of interest...
," and "personal computing". Pinkner later recalled, "One of our writers said off-handedly that if we’re doing a show from 1985, shouldn’t we do a credit sequence from 1985, and literally, we pounced on it". He and Wyman asked J.J. Abrams, who wrote the original credit sequence melody, to write a 1980s version; Abrams was "very, very happy to do that," according to Wyman.
As with other Fringe episodes, Fox and Science Olympiad
Science Olympiad
Science Olympiad is an American elementary, middle, or high school team competition which tests knowledge of various science topics and engineering ability. Over 6,200 teams from 49 U.S. states compete each year. Most teams compete in three levels of competition: regionals, states, and nationals...
released a lesson plan for grade school children based upon the science depicted in "Peter"; the lesson's intention was for "students [to] learn about the challenges of effectively communicating scientific principles and concepts, especially via non-verbal methods."
Cultural references
In viewing the parallel universe through the window, Walter and others witness a zeppelinZeppelin
A Zeppelin is a type of rigid airship pioneered by the German Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin in the early 20th century. It was based on designs he had outlined in 1874 and detailed in 1893. His plans were reviewed by committee in 1894 and patented in the United States on 14 March 1899...
docking at the Empire State Building
Empire State Building
The Empire State Building is a 102-story landmark skyscraper and American cultural icon in New York City at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and West 34th Street. It has a roof height of 1,250 feet , and with its antenna spire included, it stands a total of 1,454 ft high. Its name is derived...
, which was originally part of the building's purpose until it was shown to be impractical. In a scene that takes place in the parallel universe, the Observers are seen leaving a theater having watched Back to the Future
Back to the Future
Back to the Future is a 1985 American science-fiction adventure film. It was directed by Robert Zemeckis, written by Zemeckis and Bob Gale, produced by Steven Spielberg, and starred Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Crispin Glover and Thomas F. Wilson. The film tells the story of...
starring Eric Stoltz
Eric Stoltz
Eric Hamilton Stoltz is an American actor, director and producer. He is widely known for playing the role of Rocky Dennis in the biographical drama film Mask, which earned him the nomination for a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture...
; in reality, Eric Stoltz was originally cast in the role of Marty over Michael J. Fox
Michael J. Fox
Michael J. Fox, OC is a Canadian American actor, author, producer, activist and voice-over artist. With a film and television career spanning from the late 1970s, Fox's roles have included Marty McFly from the Back to the Future trilogy ; Alex P...
, and had filmed a number of shots, but was later replaced by Fox.
Ratings
On its first broadcast, "Peter" was watched an estimated 5.8 million viewers, achieving a 3.6 share in all households and 2.2 share of viewers between 18 and 49. In a Thursday night that had rating slumps from all the network shows, "Peter" was down 15 percent from the previous episode "Jacksonville"Jacksonville (Fringe)
"Jacksonville" is the 15th episode of the second season of the American science fiction drama television series Fringe, and the 35th episode overall. In the episode, Olivia is forced to recount her time spent as a child in tests conducted by Walter to regain the ability to see objects that have...
.
Reviews
"Peter" has been considered an exceptional episode of Fringe. As described by Andrew Hanson of the Los Angeles TimesLos Angeles Times
The Los Angeles Times is a daily newspaper published in Los Angeles, California, since 1881. It was the second-largest metropolitan newspaper in circulation in the United States in 2008 and the fourth most widely distributed newspaper in the country....
, "'Peter' is exactly what Fringe needs to be" for the show to distinguish itself from others like The X-Files
The X-Files
The X-Files is an American science fiction television series and a part of The X-Files franchise, created by screenwriter Chris Carter. The program originally aired from to . The show was a hit for the Fox network, and its characters and slogans became popular culture touchstones in the 1990s...
, in that it teased hints of the episode's reveal in earlier shows, and followed through by revealing the truth, leaving the viewer wanting to know even more. Ramsey Isler of IGN
IGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
considered "Peter" "the most masterfully crafted episode Fringe has ever had", praising the performance of Noble and Brady in delivering the emotion needed for the episode. Tim Grierson of New York Magazine also praised the emotional performance of John Noble, calling it his "showcase" and one where "he didn’t disappoint". The A.V. Club's Noel Murray considered the episode one of the best of 2010 to that point, and that "the show came back with a sense of purpose and surety it’s rarely had, even at its best".
Since its airing and continuation into Season 3, "Peter" has been considered a keystone episode for the series. Jeff Jensen of Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly is an American magazine, published by the Time division of Time Warner, that covers film, television, music, broadway theatre, books and popular culture...
called "Peter" the episode "when Fringe crossed over from fitfully great to just plain great", and continues to maintain that quality throughout 2010. Time
Time (magazine)
Time is an American news magazine. A European edition is published from London. Time Europe covers the Middle East, Africa and, since 2003, Latin America. An Asian edition is based in Hong Kong...
s James Poniewozik ranked "Peter" as the 5th best television episode of 2010, stating that it both "fleshed out its mythology" and "deepened the emotional backstory", and further praised Noble's acting in the episode. The A.V. Club ranked Fringe the 15th best show of 2010, highlighting "Peter" as an episode that "finally dramatized the moment that changed [Peter's] life, giving the series’ overarching storyline a devastating emotional core, based in a father’s love instead of in theoretical concept". The Futon Critic ranked "Peter" as the 9th best episode of 2010, calling it a "series defining episode that not only rationalized what appeared to be the unforgiveable but also raised the stakes on everything we had come to expect from the show thus far". BuddyTV
BuddyTV
BuddyTV is an entertainment-based website based in Seattle, Washington, which generates content about television programs and sporting events. The website publishes information about celebrity and related entertainment news through a series of articles, entertainment profiles, actor biographies and...
rated it the seventh best episode of 2010, praising it for "open[ing] the door to the show’s brilliant use of the alternate universe," and calling Noble's acting "one of the best performances on TV". Website blogger io9
Io9
io9 is a blog launched in 2008 by Gawker Media. The blog focuses on the subjects of science fiction, futurism, and advancements in the fields of science and technology....
listed "Peter" as one of the "crucial" episodes new viewers must watch to get into the show. Executive producers Jeff Pinkner and J.H. Wyman, and co-creator J.J. Abrams later said that "Peter" was one of their favorite episodes.
As one result of the high praise and fan appreciation for "Peter", a future episode, "Subject 13
Subject 13
"Subject 13" is the 15th episode of the third season of the American science fiction drama television series Fringe, and the 58th episode overall. Inspired by fan reaction to the show's previous flashback episode, "Peter", "Subject 13" occurs 25 years before the show's current timeline, in 1985 a...
" (originally named "6 Months Later") in Fringes third season aired on February 25, 2011. It returned to the events within "Peter" but told from the perspective of the parallel universe, including the impact of Peter's abduction on both Walters and Elizabeths.
Awards and nominations
Writers J.H. Wyman, Jeff Pinkner, Josh Singer, and Akiva Goldsman submitted "Peter" for consideration in the Outstanding Writing for a Drama SeriesPrimetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series
The Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series is awarded to one television episode each year at the Primetime Emmy Awards. Often regarded as the highest honor that can be bestowed upon an individual episode of television, the nominees and winners often reflect outstanding achievement in...
category at the 62nd Primetime Emmy Awards
62nd Primetime Emmy Awards
The 62nd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards, presented by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, took place on August 29, 2010, at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, California beginning at 5:00 p.m. PDT...
.
External links
- "Peter" at FoxFox Broadcasting CompanyFox Broadcasting Company, commonly referred to as Fox Network or simply Fox , is an American commercial broadcasting television network owned by Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Launched on October 9, 1986, Fox was the highest-rated broadcast network in the...