Peter as a metaphorical messianic figure.

[dALTnielle]

And what if this is a loop within a loop? Just like matrix within a matrix and a dream within a dream...

[Lij]

Peter in the water equals baptism, i.e. purification. Have his sins been eradicatd?

Peter did atonement for the sins of his real father - Walternate.

[Lij]

And what if this is a loop within a loop? Just like matrix within a matrix and a dream within a dream...

Oh please no! I've already got headaches trying to figure this mess out!

[Alquist]

When I started reading this thread, my first thought was, oh yeah, there's a lot of obvious references to Peter as a Christ-like figure. But what really interested me, that I hadn't realized or thought about at all, was Olivia as the spiritual representation of Olive. I looked up different Biblical references to Olive branches and trees. Something I found interesting is in Zechariah 4, where Zechariah is visited by an angel with visions.

verse 11 - "Then I asked the angel, "What are these two olive trees on the right and the left of the lampstand?" verse 12 - Again I asked the angel, "What are these two olive branches beside the two golden pipes that pour out golden oil?" verse 14 - So he said, "These are the two who are anointed to serve the Lord of all the earth."

There are two Olivias, one on each side, one in each universe, and both with strong bonds to Peter - Olivia with love, and Bolivia with his child. Peter is the lampstand and when he created bridge, the two golden pipes that came out of the lampstand are the bridge. Nina said that whichever Olivia Peter chose, her world would survive, but we know now that both survived. We know that our Olivia is special and has abilities and gifts. Is the other Olivia special in some way, or does she just have the baby?

I don't know if I'm making sense and I know I'm reading waaay too much into the significance of Olive as an intended metaphor for the show. but it is interesting.

Also, olives symbolize love, and faith. things Olivia has displayed many times in different ways, especially when she uses her abilities. she need both faith and love to make them work.

One last thought: in the story of Noah's ark, after the rain had stopped, Noah sent out a dove to see if there was any land yet and the dove brought back an olive branch as a symbol of hope.

- last two words in the season 3 finale credits: hope and water.

[Lij]

The baby, Henry, doesn't exist any more.