When discussing the many differences between the prime and parallel universes in an interview , Pinkner explained that " one of the big themes of the show is how small choices that you make define you as a person and can change your life in large ways down the line " . Pinkner and the rest of the '' Fringe '' production team loved the opportunity to build an entire new world , and asked themselves what life would have been like in its most mundane forms , such as within daily routines . Pinkner thought it allowed them to create and explore many " what-if " moments , such as if the September 11 attacks had occurred against the White House instead of the Twin Towers , or if the Statue of Liberty still possessed its shiny copper sheen . Pinkner elaborated in another interview that when the " perfectionist " crew were writing and constructing the parallel universe , they spent a lot of time on a high " level of attention and detail " that had all of the different departments and actors weighing in . Pinkner thought that because the parallel universe is effectively breaking down with " World War II " - like conditions , these " sort of tough times forge more noble , stronger people " . To better differentiate the two universes , the producers changed the color of the opening credit sequences by making the parallel universe red and the prime universe blue . As with the opening credits in " Peter " , the episodes featuring the parallel universe displayed certain fringe science words in that world , including wormholes , speciation , pandemics , and telepathy
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
Olivia (Fringe)