 In its initial broadcast in the United States , the episode was watched by an estimated 7 @.@ 817 million viewers and earned a 3 @.@ 0 / 8 rating for viewers 18 – 49 . After time shifted viewing was taken into account , Fringe increased to a 3 @.@ 95 rating for the 18 – 49 demographic . It earned a 4 @.@ 7 / 8 ratings share among all households , which caused it to be the series ' worst rated episode yet . It was also more than 25 percent lower than its average audience from the first season . These lower ratings have been attributed to a lower @-@ rated lead @-@ in ( Bones , instead of the previous season 's American Idol and House ) , and tough competition from CBS 's CSI : Crime Scene Investigation and NBC 's The Office . The rest of the season 's ratings would continue to stay lower than the previous season , leading many to question Fox 's decision to move the show in the first place . 
