Fringe File: Agent Olivia Dunham (Anna Torv)

May 30, 9:25 PMTV Drama ExaminerStephanie Showalter

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FRINGE: Agent Olivia Dunham (Anna Torv)       George Holz/FOX

Now that the first season of Fringe has rapped, it is a perfect time to review what has been learned and what mysteries still remain. The Fringe File series begins with:

Facts about Agent Olivia Dunham

• Currently a FBI Special Agent with previous Marine Corp experience
• Selected by Homeland Security Agent Broyles to investigate The Pattern - a series of bizarre events involving unexplained phenomena and rapid scientific progress
• Sought to release Dr. Walter Bishop from a mental institution to work on fringe science cases
• Involved in a secret love affair with FBI Agent John Scott
• Agrees to have her mind melded with Agent Scott (while in a coma) in order to retrieve his memories and find clues to who attacked him; experiment left parts of Scott's memories in Dunham's brain
• At the age of 9 shot her step-father after he had been beating her mother; he left them without any further contact, but sends her a birthday card each year
• Once dated a man named Lucas Vogel who now works for the German government
• Has a sister named Rachel and a niece named Ella who move in when Rachel separates from her husband
• Now works closely with FBI Agent Charlie Francis in the Fringe Division
• Asked to turn off lights found in a box by using only her mind - she cannot; Under extreme pressure, she appears to go into a "zone" and is able to mentally deactivate a bomb that has the same lighting mechanism found in the box, saving thousands from chemical warfare; the need to awaken this ability may be tied into the ZFT movement - a group who threatens mankind by using deadly scientific advancements uncluding biological agents and extremely advanced weaponry.
• Given Cortexiphan at 3 years old while living in Jacksonville, Florida; this drug may be connected with her new found abilities; the drug's patent is owned by Massive Dynamic
• An incident happened during the Cortexiphan trial; the room becomes scorched; she is called Olive not Olivia
• Has the ability to see and pass between alternative realities, a possible result from the Cortexiphan trial
• Speaks Chinese

Whether or not all of these facts about this sure-footed and business-like heroine with a soft and emotional core will be of significant importance as the Fringe saga continues remains to be seen. Regardless, Agent Dunham has an unusual past that has made her who she is and drives her to get answers about herself or The Pattern. She clearly has a mission and she is determined not to fail.