FRINGE: A Tale Of Two Olivias

Since the end of Fringe‘s second season, Anna Torv has been pulling double duty portraying two characters, both of whom are named Olivia Dunham. The rub is that the two women live in separate worlds; parallel universes. Although technically the same identity, there are subtle (and some not so subtle) ways in which they are set apart. Much credit is due Ms. Torv, who has done an outstanding job of bringing each of the characters to life and giving them distinct personalities. That accomplishment is made all the more remarkable because the characters swapped places and for a time were living each others lives.

Olivia (the original one) was drugged and brainwashed into believing she was alternate universe Olivia (Fauxlivia). She was given Fauxlivia’s memories and assimilated into her life. Yet there were moments it seemed Olivia knew deep inside that something was not right. She instinctively felt the life she was living was not her own and she did not belong in it. That instinct was manifested in the form of her would be love interest back home, Peter. He offered guidance and urged her to accept that she was not the woman people were telling her she was. During Olivia’s ordeal, Torv brought to the character a tremendous sense of vulnerability, but glimmers of her inner strength often shone through. Torv’s nuanced performance conveyed to us that the Olivia we knew was still lingering there somewhere, trying to find her way back.

Her portrayal of Fauxlivia seems almost a polar opposite. Fauxlivia is much more relaxed and carefree by nature than Olivia. On the surface Fauxlivia does not appear to possess that same haunted aura that Olivia does. She smiles more, jokes around with her co-workers, and has a social life in her own world (in the form of her live-in boyfriend, Frank). She was not brainwashed. She knew all along exactly who she was, a determined woman on a mission. Her assignment was to infiltrate the enemy camp and convince them that she was Olivia in order to carry out the alternate Walter’s plans.

Fauxlivia carried out her orders as a good operative would, but it was not without moments of doubt. Whether it was needing a moment alone to gather her thoughts before embarking on a relationship with Peter to solidify her cover or slipping photos of herself and Peter into her bag to take back to her world with her, Fauxlivia revealed she wasn’t as cold and unfeeling as she tried to present herself to be. The character always came across as strong and determined, yet occasional flashes of uncertainty and vulnerability showed. She seemed to entertain Peter’s belief that perhaps one world didn’t have to be destroyed to save the other, but instead there must be another option.

Now that the two have been returned to their own lives it appears the fallout of the time spent walking in the others shoes is just beginning. For Olivia, it also means coming to terms with the feeling of being violated by her doppelgangers having taken over every part of her life. It will also, undoubtedly, allow Ms. Torv more moments to shine in the spotlight.

Fringe returns with new episodes on a new night beginning Friday, January 21 on FOX.

Jan W. is a weekly participant in the Fringe Benefits, Inc. (FBI) podcast at ODONTV.