Several earthquakes strike simultaneously across the globe, at the same time and locations in both the prime and parallel universe. The combined Fringe teams agree that David Robert Jones is behind it, the quakes the result of stresses of bringing the two universes into synchronization so that he can collapse both of them. The teams also conclude that Jones has found a means, through the previous “experiment” in Westfield, Vermont (“Welcome to Westfield”), to ride out the destruction of both universes. The idea of shutting down the bridge created by the Machine as a last resort to separate the universes is established.

When a second simultaneous set of earthquakes occur, the parallel universe’s version of Nick Lane (David Call) approaches Agent Lincoln Lee (Seth Gabel) of the prime universe, believing him to be the parallel universe’s version of Lee. Lee feigns familiarity, learning that Nick had visions of being at the epicenter of the quake before it began. When Lee reports this to Olivia Dunham (Anna Torv) in the prime universe, she suddenly recalls her Cortexiphan trials including fellow subject Nick Lane, and with the team’s help, identifies that other Cortexiphan subjects are the epicenter of these quakes, linking to their parallel universe versions to achieve synchronization.

Believing that by taking in one of the Cortexiphan subjects they can stop the effects of another quake, a willing Lane from the parallel universe travels to the prime and is hooked to Walter’s (John Noble) equipment. Olivia also hooks herself up, allowing her to communicate what she sees in Lane’s mind. When the prime version of Lane attempts to get into the right position, Olivia is able to identify his location, and he is captured in time. However, despite disrupting the process for Lane, earthquakes continue across the world. Walter estimates that the next set of quakes will cause both universes to collapse.

The captured Lane expresses his belief that Jones is helping the prime universe to defeat the parallel one, Olivia tries to convince him of Jones true intentions. Eventually, Lane agrees to show the Fringe team a location where he once met with Jones. The team raids the site but find nothing, meanwhile, Lane escapes custody using his abilities. With only hours left until the next set of quakes, as projected by a watch that Lane was wearing, plans are made to shut down the bridge before time’s up.

Walter and Walternate (Noble) start the Machine equipment to overload, which will take several minutes. Lee states to Peter (Joshua Jackson) that he will be staying in the parallel universe, where he feels at home. Walter and Walternate have a heartfelt discussion over Peter, and Walter expresses concern that if the bridge disappears, so will Peter. Eventually, the Machine is overloaded, and the parallel universe aspects of the room disappear; Walter is pleased to see Peter remains.

“Worlds Apart” is the twentieth episode of the fourth season of the Fox science-fiction drama television series Fringe, and the series’ 85th episode overall. It first aired April 27, 2012 on FOX Network.

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