“A New Day in the Old Town” is episode one of season two of Fringe.
In Manhattan, an injured man stumbles out and away from a car crash. He finds an apartment and presses all the buttons until someone just buzzes him. Inside, he attacks a man he finds then drags the victim back into his apartment. The attacker wipes the blood, and seemingly the injuries, from his face, then crushes his facial bones before connecting a device into the mouth of both he and his victim. The attacker’s face reshapes into that of his victim. The X-Files is on television, and this isn’t the last time that series is referenced. The FBI are on the scene of the crash. The second vehicle is Olivia’s.
In Boston, Walter and Peter are shopping so that Walter can buy something to make Peter a birthday custard. Walter used to be a sous chef at a food lab. Peter says he doesn’t like custard and never liked it. Walter says he did as a boy, but has forgotten. The original Peter was revealed to be dead in the season one finale, “There’s More Than One of Everything”, though. Peter gets a call.
They arrive at the accident and are greeted by an Agent Jessop. She’s demanding to know what’s going on as Walter is breaking into Olivia’s car. Olivia was not inside and seemingly never was. Peter and Jessop are arguing as Walter gets out of the car, the car alarm goes off and Olivia flies through the windscreen to end up crumpled on the street.
Olivia is rushed to hospital. Broyles greets Jessup outside the hospital. He has her report for her to sign. This was just a random traffic accident involving a federal agent. Sign here. Inside, Peter and Walter are told that Olivia’s injuries are too severe. They’re unlikely to be able to restore brain function, and she’s unlikely to regain consciousness.
Later, Peter is drinking in a bar when Broyles joins him. Walter has self-medicated. Broyles has been called to Washington. The efficiency of their division is being questioned and their failure to deliver usable results is unacceptable. Peter says that they’re only called in after there’s been a problem. In the New York Federal Building, Jessup is getting into the Fringe files using someone else’s password.
Peter heads to the hospital and meets Rachel there. Olivia had a living will; tomorrow they’re going to turn off the machines. Peter goes in to say goodbye. And Olivia says something in a foreign language and bolts upright in bed.
Olivia is mostly back to normal, though she doesn’t remember what happened. She remembers trying to get somewhere and being told something, something she has to do. She can’t remember who told her or what it is. Lives depend on it. Everyone’s. Olivia met William Bell in another universe, but has forgotten.
At the Boston Federal Building, Peter wants to speak to Broyles. Or Charlie. He’s told his credentials have been revoked. Peter wants access to the files on the accident. He’s about to be thrown out of the building when Jessup intervenes and says she’ll take him. Jessup has the file in the back of her car. The skid marks showed the second driver was accelerating. And they have CCTV video of him waiting for Olivia. The man is a George Reed, he lives 15 minutes away. Jessup wants to know what Fringe Division does. Nothing, not any more.
They find Reed at his house. He’s been dead far too long to have caused the crash. Peter wants Walter bringing. Walter wants the body taking to his lab. A paramedic asks if he’s crazy. Jessup says the body can go there. And asks Peter if Walter is crazy. He says yes.
Peter wants to know why Jessup is doing this. Walter wants to ride with the body. Peter tells him sure. But stay out of the medication. Jessup says she’s been waiting for Peter and the others her whole life.
Olivia cannot remember what she talked about with William Bell. But whatever it is, is important enough that an assassin was sent after her.