FRINGE Producers Talk Alternate Universes, Peter’s Machine, Nina and More

November is a big month for FRINGE. As Give Me My Remote already reported, Olivia won’t be returning to our side in the next few weeks, but some big reveals are coming our way.

To celebrate the show’s return from hiatus, I chatted with producers Jeff Pinkner, J.H. Wyman and Akiva Goldsman about what’s to come…

Our Olivia seems to be struggling with her sense of self. Will her mind’s version of Peter continue to play a big role in that storyline?
Jeff Pinkner: Yes, Peter is very much present for Olivia in that world.
J.H. Wyman: There’s a piece of him in all the episodes as we tap into everything that’s going on.

Are there any plans to see Nina on the other side?
All: Ohhhhhh.
JP: She’s gone from the Secretary of Defense to a concubine [in our discussions]. [Everyone laughs] We’ve talked about what Nina’s alter-ego is like and we’ve gone through a whole range of things. All of which are really exciting. We’ll meet her when the story demands meeting her. But she absolutely exists on the other side.

So, to clarify, Nina has not appeared on the other side in what you’ve written or shot so far?
JP: Not that we’re aware of.

Interesting. And I have to say, I find myself caring about the other side, which was a bit of a surprise. Is there a way, when this inevitable clash between the two sides happens, that we’ll still be able to check in with the other universe even though all parties have been returned to their rightful homes? Or will there be some sort of merge?
JW: There can only be one. Can’t there?
Akiva Goldsman: Did you really just quote HIGHLANDER?
JW: Yeah.
AG: Which, in your mind, were you quoting?
JW: I was quoting the one I played. I played one of the HIGHLANDERs.
AG: When was that?
JW: ’87. [To me] There can only be one universe.

Well, the argument can be, there has been these two universes existing —
JW: For right now.

So, to be clear, there’s only going to be one left when all is said and done?
JP: The answer is, once our Olivia comes back, we’ll still have stories to tell on the other side.
JW: You have to ask what is that machine for. What does it do?

Yes, that was a question I had. Since you brought it up, what is that machine for?
JW: You’ll have to tune in to find out. Can’t tell you that.

Is that going to be answered this season?
JW: Yes.

This year?
JP: This calendar year?
JW: Some of the answers will be this calendar year, but the big answer will not.
AG: But we know.
JW: So, you’re compelled by the other side?

I am. As much as I love the show, I was a bit hesitant going into this season because I’ve grown so attached to our characters–
JW: You know how cool it is that we can be the only show that tells two shows about one show?

I know! Blair Brown (Nina) and I discussed that when I was up in Vancouver…
JP: What does Blair think alternate Nina is?

Blair said because Nina is so powerful and in control in this universe, she wants to see Nina be powerful and out of control in the other universe. Completely dangerous with her power.
JP: Interesting.

In terms of the other side, we have obviously been spending most of our time with our Olivia. We’ve gotten to know Walternate a bit, but we haven’t seen much of alt-Broyles. Will we be seeing more of him soon?
JP: More, for sure. And we already have in many ways in episodes that have [been shot but] haven’t aired yet.

And we have to talk a little bit about the missing piece in what is actually a love square between Olivia-Peter-Fauxlivia-Frank. We always forget that poor Frank is a part of the equation.
JP: He will be back.

Will his career be a factor? He was a virologist…
JP: Yes.
JW: You paid attention! That’s great! That’s what we want. We write for that.
JP: He is a virologist, he works for the CDC over there, and we’ll come back to that.

Has there been any discussion with Fox about how long you’d ideally want the show to run for?
AG: [Joking] We want to shoot for 14 [seasons].
JW: [Joking] We’ve told Fox we need at least 12 years.
JP: [Joking] They’ve been really accommodating, we just haven’t been allowed to say it publicly yet.
JW: I mean, you never know with these things. It’s a tough timeslot, but we’re delivering. And I think they take into account what our DVR numbers mean.

Right, you guys get an amazing boost from DVR numbers.
JW: I think it’s a new world in advertising and we’re competing and we’re doing really well. That’s all we can ask for. [Fox] is going to keep us on as long as people keep watching.

Do you have an endgame for the series?
AG: When we’re not having fun anymore and we don’t have anything creative to do…
JP: We have not sat down and said, “This is a story we need to do in six seasons or seven seasons.” We know where we want to end the season. We know stuff along the way.
JW: And we know, if we’re lucky, what next season is.

I’ve been trying to get as many people as I can to watch…
JW: We’ve been talking about it, and it people are really busy right now. And Thursday nights are sort of a romantic comedy night. They watch BONES and then they go over to GREY’S ANATOMY. You’re talking about a huge shift in psychology to have your viewers go, “I don’t want Thursdays to be romantic, I want Thursdays to be sci-fi.” Which is a lot to think about. I think Fox has heard that and they know it. People are watching [FRINGE], they’re just telling us when they want to watch it [by using a DVR].

Related:

FRINGE: Lance Reddick and Jasika Nicole on Walter’s New Responsibility
FRINGE’s John Noble on Walter’s New Job
FRINGE’s Blair Brown: ‘Nina, so far, has had an ability to control Walter’

Follow @GiveMeMyRemote and @marisaroffman on Twitter for the latest TV news. Connect with other TV fans on GIVE ME MY REMOTE’s official Facebook page.

And to be the first to see our exclusive videos by subscribing to our YouTube channel at youtube.com/givememyremotetv