By Rhea Dee
So apparently my mega paranoia wasn’t mega paranoia at all, huh? Bolivia’s pregnant. She’s freaking pregnant! It actually doesn’t bother me as much as I thought it would. I mean, now Olivia has more than enough reasons to attack Peter with a samurai sword! But knowing our Olivia, she probably will just retreat to the corner next to her washing machine and hug Peter’s shirt (a metaphor for her emotional turmoil) to her chest. That’s okay too. Olivia always handles things like a boss.
Anyway, I really enjoyed this episode. Almost everything we’ve seen with Bolivia so far has always been closely tied to Olivia in some way. Even Bolivia’s healthy relationship with Mr. Wonderful had creeper Olivia staring at them through the window longingly. We’ve always looked at Bolivia through Olivia-tinted glasses, even when Olivia wasn’t there. I felt like this was the first episode that gave us a true glimpse of Bolivia, without any direct comparisons Olivia and her way of life.
And not surprisingly, given that they are kind of mirror images of each other, Bolivia handles her problems in a very Olivia-esque way. I really admired how she tried to move on from her time in our universe and tried to kind of bury her affections for Peter. You could tell it was a struggle for her, especially when Lincoln spilled the beans and told her that Frank was going to propose.
I actually think there’s a lot to be explored with Bolivia’s love for Peter. Since Olivia has the doom of Peter’s affections for Bolivia hanging over her head, it makes me wonder if Bolivia will eventually struggle with something similar. Will Bolivia have insecurities about Peter’s love since she was pretending to be Olivia? Will she worry that Peter will never love her since she lied to him and pretended to be his Olivia?
Despite all the squishy feelings going around in this episode, there’s still one person I can’t get behind: Walternate. I was surprised when he drew the line against experimenting on children, and I’d like to see that explored a little bit deeper, but he still hasn’t won me over. Just because he was unwilling to do something that our Walter (and William Bell) had no problem doing doesn’t make him Mr. Saint. And I couldn’t help but be totally creeped out by his happiness over Bolivia’s pregnancy.
I think that’s why I’m totally okay with Bolivia’s pregnancy: it just provides so much opportunity for her to open her eyes and see how effed up Walternate really is. If she does, she can also wield a Sword of Power alongside Olivia. They can be like the Two Universe Wonder Twins.
Last Thoughts: Joan Chen as Walternate’s mistress was a delicious treat. I hope we see more of her in the future; she obviously provides a lot of support for Walternate. Who is she? How did he meet her? When did he start cheating on his wife? So many questions. Questions that can only be answered by more Joan Chen.
I also want to know when Fringe Division is going to find about Alt-Broyles. Or at least when Walternate is going to come up with some bs story about how Olivia killed Alt-Broyles or something.
And lastly, I was slightly irritated with how Mr. Frank Wonderful talked about how he wanted an Alt-Astrid for his house. Dude, she is not a freaking tool, she’s a person. Talk like that is why you lost Bolivia. I’m so glad he’s gone.
Rhea Dee is a Midwest nerd who spends her time collecting vintage junk, daydreaming about Eli Roth, and pondering the genius of John Carpenter soundtracks.
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Rhea Dee is a Midwestern fat girl floating through space with a donut and an attitude. She's the co-host and co-creator of the podcast Badland Girls. 
So, am I the only one, when Fauxlivia's pregnancy was announced, pointed at the screen and hollered, "I KNEW IT!!!!"
Despite my loyalty to Olivia, Walter, and Astrid, I find myself liking Fauxlivia and her Fringe division more. They're more easy going, more fun to be around. They joke with each other!
That said, I don't feel like Fauxlivia is Olivia-only-better – she's Olivia with different experiences. That's the only difference. AARRGGHHH!! I hate seeing Olivia question herself! I want Super Olivia! I want a Fringe/X-Files crossover where Olivia Dunham and Dana Scully solve a fringy x-file mystery!
I hate that the fate of the universe hinges on Peter's love life. HAAAAATE.
I think when the pregnancy was announced, I yelled something like "EFF YOU PETER!" Peter gets a lot of my hate these days. HE'S MAKING OLIVIA SAD, THE MEANIE.
This episode really made me aware of how depressing Team Fringe is compared to Fringe Division! Lincoln obviously loves Bolivia but he's handles it so well–he's supportive and everything. Peter gave Olivia the wrong coffee and there was an epic breakdown. Jeez, Team Fringe! Get your crap together…
I think Fauxlivia is Olivia, only better. Realiva is so gray, inside and out. it gets to be hard to watch someone either be restrained, or stoic, or unaffected all the time.
Also, how long can peter just stand around and be emotionally punished? it's going to get old and that baby is going to be an exciting and poignant leadership opportunity.
Astrid and Walter are the cutest and nothing could make either of them better. but Lincoln and Charlie are the bes side kicks.
Universe merge?!
Given how irritated I am with Peter right now, I don't mind if he gets more bashing, ha. But there's also other stuff happening with Peter that I think will be the focus of the next few episodes–I feel like now that Olivia knows that some part of Peter still loves Bolivia they'll move onto something else for a while. That's story's plateaued…for now.
Hehehe. Peter = "Meanie" I don't think Fauxlivia is any better than Olivia. However, I think Olivia has a lot of baggage that Fauxlivia doesn't have to deal with. I feel so sorry for Olivia and the childhood trauma and deaths she's had to suffer through. BUT!!! It IS serious baggage. Olivia is kinna a Clint Eastwoodian-"the woman with no name," sorta. A dark hero. Maybe?