How awesome was it to see Astrid and Alt-Astrid meet? I loved the shriek! I also always wondered why more people don’t do that. Can you even imagine what it would be like to meet yourself?
The camera work was exceptionally well done with the two Astrids. (Producers on Ringer — watch this episode!) Alt-Astrid’s arrival provided the impetus for us to get to better know this timeline’s characters. In particular, Walter and Fauxlivia.
This Walter seems to be more aware than the previous timeline’s Walter. He calls Astrid by the wrong name, but they are terms of endearment rather than a disregard for her real name. He never once called Alt-Astrid the wrong name. This Walter remains sweet.
His interactions with Fauxlivia were quite enjoyable. They have this odd, but entertaining rather than annoying bickering thing. The end when Walter finally gave her licorice and she gave him her unusual mints was a great goodbye. As was the hug, Walter gave Alt-Astrid.
This timeline’s characters are generally happier than those we left behind and that’s a good thing because … sorry, Peter, but … you aren’t going back to “your” people. These are your people!
I still don’t understand how he can want to go back to the old timeline. I get that he wants “his” people back in his life, but that was a horrible world on the brink of destruction. Even if he could go back, would he risk this new peaceful timeline and these people he is getting to know to do it? How would he know that using the machine to go back wouldn’t destroy this new timeline?
Ultimately, I don’t think it matters. There isn’t an old timeline to go back to because he is within that timeline. It was just changed. Both current universes are the same places that he left. The people are different because they were never exposed to him. Now, that they are getting to know him, they are adjusting and changing.
How long before Olivia starts looking at Peter in a different way? They didn’t get together immediately in the old timeline either. But, it will happen here. Walter is getting irritated with Peter, but is letting him in and starting to have feelings (even if he is fighting it) for his son.
Is September responsible for Peter’s return? When Neil found the blue device that September lost, is that what shifted the timeline? The new observer speculated that September lost it the day he “didn’t save the boy” and now “the boy is back.” Oops.
Overall, I loved “Making Angels” for the insight we got into the characters. These versions of the characters we have grown to love over the last few years are ones that I don’t want to lose. They live in a happier, more peaceful time, and deserve the opportunity to learn to love Peter and for him to love them.
Odds and Ends
Clacked by Carla Day 
on Feb 06, 2012 @ 02:39 EST5EDT
okay, i’ve gotta ask: why do you like fauxlivia? she’s a terrible person. she stole olivia’s life and then mocked her for how easy it was. she never shows any sign of feeling guilty for, and i can’t emphasize this enough, stealing someone’s life. how can anyone like her? and why do they keep shoving her down my throat and treating it as accepted fact that everyone likes her?
Carla,
Loved your review. I agree on all levels. I’ve been kind of in the middle about these characters, but after this episode, it has definitely changed my perspective; I too would love to see Peter stay here with them — not that he really has a choice, as this is the timeline he left, just minus him.
Great review! I love reading peoples theories (I think facts!) who agree with me that Peter is where he always was, scully8 said it well, “as this is the timeline he left, just minus him”. Anna and Jasika were amazing, what a fun and sweet ep! I loved this “sorry, Peter, but … you aren’t going back to “your” people. These are your people!” I wish I could convince more people of this, but it is nice to know that others agree!
“Ultimately, I don’t think it matters. There isn’t an old timeline to go back to because he is within that timeline. It was just changed. Both current universes are the same places that he left. The people are different because they were never exposed to him. Now, that they are getting to know him, they are adjusting and changing.”———THANK YOU!!
“These versions of the characters we have grown to love over the last few years are ones that I don’t want to lose. They live in a happier, more peaceful time, and deserve the opportunity to learn to love Peter and for him to love them.”——Where have you been my whole life! You are saying what I feel like I have been screaming at a brick wall since the season began! I am so glad I found this! Thank you!
The writers were definitely trying to drive home your point that Peter is home. Between Alt-Astrid asking Walter why he doesn’t just regard Peter as his real son and Olivia telling Peter they make a pretty good team, not to mention Walter just acting more like his old self, we were being told that Peter is, and always has been, home.
Alternate timeline? Yes. Different dimension/reality? Not so much.
I know I’m a little late to the game on this post.
On your question about Bolivia replacing Olivia – I think that that particular storyline held over from Peter’s “normal” universe. So despite Peter not being there, Olivia was still taken hostage and Bolivia took her place in the A universe.