Fringe (TV Series) Back to Where You've Never Been (2012) User Reviews

Back to the Lead Story

[claudio_carvalho · 8/10 · 28 March 2017]

Peter convinces Olivia and Lincoln to help him to go to the parallel universe to ask for help to Walternate to return to his timeline since Walter refuses to help him. They cross using the original device used by Walter and try to reach Walternate; however their plan fails and Lincoln is arrested by the Fringe Division. Peter succeeds to meet Elizabeth and her mother convinces Walternate to help Peter. However Walternate proves to Peter that he is not responsible for the shapeshifters. Further, he asks Peter to help him to convince the other universe that he is facing also problems with shapeshifters. Meanwhile the alternate Olivia and Lincoln decide to investigate Lincoln's information about a mysterious phone call.

"Back to Where You've Never Been" returns to the lead story of this season. The episode is engaging and the totally unexpected twist showing who the Fringe's mole is. The conclusion with the comment of The Observer is also intriguing. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "Back to Where You've Never Been"

Worth the wait...

[Georgie-boy-Costanza · 9/10 · 14 January 2012]

But still, they really shouldn't pause Fringe for so freakin long. It's complicated enough without having to recollect everything that happened!

On the other hand, it's nice to come back to an episode as good as this one. As things become clearer, it all just adds up to new questions that need answering. The cliffhanger is a bombshell. I love it. And now it's waiting time again pfff.

If there is going to be a next season(fingers crossed!!) i'll just wait until the season is over and get it on DVD/ blu ray.

I think i don't have to go into the story, twists etc. Just watch the show people!

Positive restart, friendly parallel trippers, overwhelming comeback, intriguing cliffhanger

[igoatabase · 8/10 · 23 February 2012]

For the moment I still haven't completed my review of Wallflower, the last episode before the winter break. But it doesn't imply at all that I had lost faith in Fringe. There're just moments in life when you have to think instead of doing things. Was it a dream ? Maybe a nightmare ? The truth is that the boundaries between reality and fiction are thin at times. So I wasn't surprised by the beginning of this 8th episode because it just felt natural. Sexy Walter cooking breakfast. Peter and Olivia in love like if nothing happened. An oneiric life that acted as a wake up call and allowed him to find a new solution to his problem. I wanted to get back. He just wants to get back !

It took me some weeks to watch Fringe again but as expected this first installment of a whole new journey didn't disappoint. First I have to admit that I never really felt sympathy for Lincoln considering the awkward way he was introduced in this season pilot. But thanks to this story he has finally reached a dimension that made me care for him. Of course his few encounters with his alternative self weren't as jaw dropping, and charming, as with the Olivias but I will never get tired of these parallel trips. He's also part of a hypertriangle involving Peter and Olivia so his empathic factor has definitely increased.

But this episode best part was with no doubt the highly anticipated return of Walternate. I probably mentioned it in all my past reviews considering how much John Noble amazes me. How wise to keep such an asset to boost the season ! At first the quick and dirty portal they opened at the opera made me skeptical because it seemed way too easy. It also woke up the geek within and reminded me of Quake III Arena so I began to worry that Peter and Lincoln would turn into blood thirsty gladiators ! The writing of their attempt to reach the island was sloppy in my opinion because it was more reminiscent of professor Arturo in Sliders' pilot, when he faked to be a general, than the best of what Fringe has to offer. But it was a minor issue compared to what happened next. Indeed Peter meeting his alternate mother was already moving but I was overwhelmed when he met Walternate face to face. I knew something was going on and their scene was incredibly intense but I never excepted his assistant was a shapeshifter. Damn writing spoilers like if it was nothing is so new and painful, probably as much as Olivia's headache is starting to worry her.

All in all focusing on the shapeshifters couldn't be more exciting and they definitely have the potential to turn se4son into an other s3ason. Yes, The Matrix is everywhere ! Even in this very review. More seriously I question the double cliffhanger because I think Broyles' call was enough, implying that he's working with the shapeshifters, but as I really care for Olivia I can't wait to watch the next episode. Don't worry Anna Torv, if they kill her there's still Bolivia ! And if they kill them all, well we will call Neo plus Spartacus plus Dexterminator to change their mind !

Note : This review was first posted on Kritikenstein, my weblog.

Fantastic way to return

[tmbdes-265-614555 · 10/10 · 14 January 2012]

Finally, after months of waiting, #Fringe fans were well rewarded with Friday's episode, "Back Where You've Never Been". The plot of Fringe is always fraught with twists and turns and intricate interweaving stories and this episode was no exception. Right from the opening dream sequence that finds Peter imagining himself home again with "his" Walter and Olivia hearkening back to "Naked Tuesday's" to the surprise ending of Alt-Brandon, this episode provided more than it's fair share of gasp moments. I think the moment that will stick with me though is when Elizabeth, Peter's mother, recognizes in his eyes the man who was her dead son. I don't often get choked-up and chills from TV shows, but I had goose bumps and a tear in my eye for that one! I must also say that I'm pleased that this Walternate seems a bit more like "our" dear old Walter we know and love. All in all, this episode set up what seems to be a very dangerous time up ahead for our heroes what with the return of my favorite villain, David Robert Jones! As is always the case with Fringe, the answers invariably lead to more questions, which is why this series deserves a season 5 and beyond.

It is, After all, Another Alternate Universe

[XweAponX · 10/10 · 14 January 2012]

And there are more things different in it than we even suspect.

This Ep was back to 100% of the velocity of Season 1, back when the show we have been watching for the last 3 and a half years was just developing. SO we have the newness of that renewed in this fantastic Ep which has been anticipated greatly.

When it comes down to it, Peter simply cannot trust the people he had learned to trust in S1-3. Walter absolutely will not cooperate with him much less speak to him, so he is forced into a course of action he really does not want to do.

And so in this Ep we learn a few more things that are different than they are in our normal set of Fringe 'Verses. One of those things allows Peter and Agent Lee to cross over to their other side.

The question has always been, who is making these shapeshifters, and who ARE the shapeshifters? Well get ready to have a mind blowing epiphany down that avenue. And in the subject of epiphanies, add in that Peter will find his greatest Ally of all, in a place where he never expected it. Things are WAY Not as they appear, in the Orange Tinted Fringe 'Verse! I am glad that they took the time they did to get to this 'sode, if it were revealed earlier in the season, it would have just wrecked the whole continuity. And so there are two very disturbing things we get to see - IN the Orange Fringe 'Verse. We just have to ask the Bald Guy - Isn't there anything he could be mistaken about? I have no theories or explanations of this ep, I have no musings of what lies ahead. This is Virgin Territory. And it is the Fringe I love. Of course we do not like where Peter is at this point, but the more time I spend Orange the more I like it.

Swan song of Fringe?

[VladimirSkywalker · 10/10 · 14 January 2012]

Another brilliantly creative episode of Fringe, one of those that totally blow your mind with originality of story-telling, as well as excellent acting and overall production quality. Peter Bishop once more becomes the leading character, for the benefit of all - his decision to fight for his rights and cross over to the alt.universe (somehow, the entire alternative Cosmos is represented always just as New York with still existing Twin Towers, and that is the whole universe?) brings spark of unexpected. Walternate finally gets his chance for redemption and he proves not to be a villain but a great character, as he decides to help Peter and explains his circumstances. However, the greatest and completely unexpected turnover is the introduction of David Jones, the one who died cut by half while trying to cross over between universes... well, due to time line switch he is another "resurrected" character, who is plotting against both universes for yet unexplained goals of his own. As the fate of this wonderful TV series seems to be decided, it is sad to admit that the brilliance of this show is also the reason of its low ratings - so let us give the average observer the intellectual averageness he demands, and let us kill all shows Mr Bob Dobalina doesn't like to watch.

Across the Great Divide

[Hitchcoc · 9/10 · 14 November 2023]

Peter ventures across the road to the other universe. He hopes to be able to rid himself of both of them and go home (Where is ET when you need him?). He and Lincoln immediately come into conflict. He needs to see Walternate because he just wants to get away from here. We are pushed and pulled by Walternate as he seems one moment the apotheosis of evil and on the other hand the possible salvation of the two universes. Lee is locked up while Dunham and the other Lee investigate. Peter and Walternate finally come face to face, but there is nothing simple. The shapeshifters are plying their trade and we are shown the new Borg.

Continues to go downhill

[truebatmantd · 1/10 · 12 March 2023]

The story continues to lead to nowhere while writers are pushing every button and desperately throwing everything at the wall to see what sticks. This storyline is simply not working and it's a combination of boring, confusing and tired at this point. They should have ended this show at the end of the third season and put it out of its misery instead of dragging it on and on.

This episode they return to advancing the main storyline so this is not your typical "monster of the week" episode but nevertheless all it achieves to do is add more plot holes and more confusion to an already confusing story that has more plot holes than swiss cheese at this point.