Fringe’s Alternates Grapple with Empathy

The alternate versions of Olivia and Walter may be playing for the same side on Fringe, but that doesn’t mean they share the same objective.

Anna Torv’s alt-Olivia, who the producers call Bolivia, was sent to our universe by “Walternate” on a mission to infiltrate the Fringe Division. However, a twinge of empathy has begun to creep up on Bolivia as she realizes this universe isn’t filled with soulless devils as she was told. “It starts off as a mission; she has her own life and her own lover, but slowly as they embark on this, it’s difficult for her.

“She still has her world view, which is that this side is fundamentally destroying hers,” Torv continues. “Towards the end of her time here, she will inevitably end up [empathizing]. I’m interested to see… when she ends up back in her world, how she’s going to feel about it then. That’ll be the real telling point.”

The empathy comes from her feelings for Peter Joshua Jackson, who struck up a quick relationship with Bolivia, not knowing that she isn’t the woman he’s known the last two years. “I think there’s something cool about the idea that the reason Peter responded to the other Olivia is because that would be his Olivia,” Jackson says, noting that even though Peter has noticed some changes in his new girlfriend, he’ll continue to be the “rube.”

Walternate, meanwhile, would rather die trying to protect the “over there” universe. “He’s in fact a hero on that side even though he’s twisted and we may see him as a horrible dictator,” Noble says. “Some of his methodology is so cruel at times, but he would say that’s because it’s what he needs to be.”

Exclusive Fringe Video: Anna Torv tackles alternate acting

“Walternate is who he is because had his son stolen from him,” Torv adds. “So, he went, ‘F— this, I’m going to take a deep breath and I’m going to get my son back at any cost.’  And that’s essentially what’s driving him. It’s not actually a negative or a nasty drive.”

But as Walternate continues building a mysterious Doomsday device that has dangerous implications for his son, we wonder: Does he actually care about Peter’s well-being?

“That is still the question, and if you ask Walternate of that he wouldn’t be able to give you a clear answer either,” Noble says. “That story of the machine will evolve this season brilliantly and half way through, you’ll get the idea of what’s going on.”

Fringe airs Thursday at 9/8c on Fox.

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