Duality

"I know what it's like to feel unequal of the task required of you. To feel incapable. I'll never be the man I was, but I've come to embrace those parts of my mind that are peculiar, broken. I understand now, that's what makes my mind special. I wish you could see yourself the way I see you. You have no idea how how extraordinary you are. If you would embrace that, there is no end to what you can do." — Walter Bishop, "Fringe"

We live in an interesting time for TV when it comes to thinking about choices, duality, and the road not taken. We all know that life is a series of decisions — some small and some monumental — that all shape the people we are, the path we travel, and how we view the world. Some of the choices are our own, others are choices made by those that have influence in our lives. It is all those choices, both big and small, both our own and those made by others, that help shape the fabric of our lives.

But what if different choices were made? What if you respond to something one way and it leads down a path. What would happen if you responded differently?

It is human to wonder about such things. It is human to wonder about the path not taken. And it is human to create entertainment that reflects such a search for meaning. On network TV now we have not one but two shows that consider this concept.

"Fringe" is in its fourth season on FOX. The show is a combination of science fiction, scientific exploration, and drama. It's a beautiful fusion that has always worked on many levels. One of the fascinating aspects of the show — which posits that there are two dimensions, each with a version of us — is the exploration of duality. It has been a fascinating quality to consider, as the little variations in choices and experiences have radically different outcomes in the different worlds.

For example, in one universe a man's sociopathic tendencies were met by love and rigid boundaries by a caring adult caretaker. He, therefore, learned to channel a negative energy into positive research, becoming a counselor for those that struggled with similar afflictions. In the alternate universe? The lack of compassion from a caring adult led to an embrace of his darker nature, creating an unsympathetic monster. Again, the idea is the choices that are made to impact our paths.

But "Fringe" isn't the only show tackling such a subject. Now we have NBC's "Awake," which has aired five episodes. The very nature of the show deals with duality — Michael Britten was in a car accident with his wife and son. When he wakes up, he is faced with two worlds that he bounces between. In one world, his wife lived and son died. In another, his son lived and his wife died. Now he struggles with moving forward in each world, unsure what is real and what isn't.

But it isn't just Michael that struggles with duality — it is the characters they meet along the way. In one recent episode, a young girl felt guilt and shame at the loss of her sister. In one world, he mother pushed her to deal with her grief, push through, and move forward. And she did, becoming a successful business consultant. In the other, her mother was too busy dealing with her own grief to save her daughter. The girl's life spiraled out of control and she fell into a life of drugs and crime.

It is fascinating to explore how these concepts are considered by those responsible for these shows. It is fascinating to see our human tendency to want to explore the road not taken. Of course, we know in life there is no such possibility. Which is why the biggest take away is not what could have been, but rather a focus on what we should do. Our choices matter, not just for us but for all those God brings into our lives. That is something worth dwelling on.