Peter Bishop Prime

Lore & Background

Peter grew up oblivious to Walter's deception, though he repeatedly told Olivia Dunham he was never fond of his father and recalled times when Walter experimented on him—implied to test how his body reacted to moving between universes. In 1991, Walter's lab assistant Dr. Carla Warren was killed in a fire, and Walter was later locked away in St. Claire's Mental Institution (in 1991). Peter visited him only once in 2008, but continued to despise his father, even selling books belonging to Walter Bishop for money. Despite a genius I.Q. of 190 and fluency in English, Arabic, Persian, Latin, Greek, Cantonese, Russian, and Spanish, Peter became a college drop-out with gambling debts, a jack-of-all-trades, and a master con artist. He falsified a chemistry degree from MIT and published a few papers before his con was discovered. The only time he spoke to Walter during his 17-year stay in St. Claire's was when Walter phoned to tell him Elizabeth had died of a brain aneurysm—though Peter later discovered she actually died of a brain aneurysm, not suicide or a car crash. Peter also owed an undisclosed amount of money to crime lord "Big Eddie."

In Their Own Story

Peter was first seen setting up a business deal in Baghdad, Iraq, when Olivia Dunham blackmailed him to gain access to his father. He released Walter from St. Claire's to develop a cure for Olivia's lover, John Scott, though John was later revealed to be an undercover NSA agent. In early episodes, Peter despised working with his father and prepared to leave Boston in "The Arrival," but after encountering the Observer known as "September," who appeared to read his mind, Peter realized "The Pattern" existed and vowed to stay, becoming a civilian consultant for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in fringe science. By the season one finale, Peter and Walter reconciled, with Peter building his father a device to repair water-damaged records and playing a key role in stopping David Robert Jones by closing a door to the Other Side, slicing Jones in half. In season two, after Olivia returned from the other dimension gravely wounded, Peter kissed her forehead and she awoke, cryptically saying Greek for "be a better man than your father." Peter later discovered his true origins in "The Man from the Other Side" when he shut down Newton's device and sustained only a concussion. He confronted Walter, blamed him for his adopted mother's suicide, and went on the run. He eventually traveled to Washington state, was found by Newton, and met his biological father Walternate, agreeing to accompany him to the alternate universe. After learning Walternate intended to destroy the prime-universe, Peter voluntarily returned with his adopted father, unknowingly bringing the alternate Olivia while prime-Olivia was held captive. In season three, Peter helped thwart a terrorist attack using an ultrasonic device that was part of Walternate's weapon, and became romantically involved with "Fauxlivia" (the alternate Olivia), unaware she was an impostor. He discovered the truth in "Entrada" when prime-Olivia informed him she was trapped in the alternate universe. After her return, she told Peter her hopes of reuniting with him helped her survive, leaving Peter in a tricky situation regarding his feelings. Fauxlivia returned to her home universe and found herself six weeks pregnant, with Walternate offering support but seemingly having ulterior plans.

Reader's Guide

Peter Bishop serves as a civilian consultant for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in the area of fringe science, working alongside his father Walter and FBI agent Olivia Dunham. His genius I.Q. of 190 and fluency in eight languages make him a valuable asset, though his background as a con artist and college drop-out gives him a pragmatic, street-smart edge. Key moments include: releasing Walter from St. Claire's in season one to cure John Scott; encountering the Observer September in "The Arrival," which convinced him to stay in Boston; building a device to repair Walter's water-damaged records in "The Road Not Taken"; closing the door to the Other Side on David Robert Jones in the season one finale; discovering his true origins in "The Man from the Other Side" and going on the run; meeting his biological father Walternate and crossing to the alternate universe; returning to the prime-universe in season three, unknowingly bringing alternate Olivia; and discovering Fauxlivia's deception in "Entrada." His relationships are central: he reconciles with Walter by the end of season one, but their bond is tested when Peter learns the truth about his kidnapping and his mother's suicide. His romantic involvement with Olivia deepens, though it becomes complicated by his affair with Fauxlivia.

Did You Know?

• Peter Bishop was born in 1978 in the alternate universe to Walternate and Elizabeth Bishop.
• He has a genius I.Q. of 190 and is fluent in English, Arabic, Persian, Latin, Greek, Cantonese, Russian, and Spanish.
• Peter falsified a chemistry degree from MIT and published a few papers before his con was discovered.
• He owes an undisclosed amount of money to crime lord 'Big Eddie.'
• Peter visited Walter only once in 2008 during his 17-year stay in St. Claire's, and the only time he spoke to him by phone was when Walter called to tell him Elizabeth had died of a brain aneurysm.