The good folks over at TVLINE spoke to Fringe executive producer Joel Wyman about the status of Peter, Oliva, Walter and the rest of the Fringe Universe after the fourth season finale.

This is your warning, there are plenty of ***SPOILERS*** below.

First up, Wyman spoke about what it felt like for FOX to grant the team behind Fringe one more season, giving them an opportunity to finish the story they’ve been telling for the past 4 years:

Oh my god…. Look, if not for you guys [in the press] and the fans, there’s no way we’d still be here — so a big thank you for that, for caring enough to recognize that we’re trying really hard here. We’re always amazed that [Fox] went forward with this, because it’s no secret the ratings were what they were. But we stuck to this point of view that we’re never going to change the storytelling based on anybody’s input. This is going to be a story we tell 100-percent from our hearts, authentically, good or bad — and if we’re fortunate enough to get where we want to go, that’s a small miracle. So when got the 13[-episode final season order] – which we knew about maybe an hour before everybody else – it was like, “Finally, I get some canvas to finish this picture.” And truthfully, I was more relieved for the fans.

Next up, the elephant in the room, that crazy time traveling 19th episode in which we learn the Observers have invaded and taken over earth. Wyman talked about how that episode will shape the 5th and finale season of Fringe:

Season 5 is designed to be very important, a huge payoff for loyal fans. They will feel like, “Because I invested in every single episode, and I have so many questions, I want these questions answered. And I want everything to be made sense of, but taken on a journey that just can’t be stopped. I want it to end in a place where I feel like everybody kind of belongs where they are and got what they’ve earned.” There will be a sense of satisfaction for those long-term viewers that go, “Wow, I really feel good. I feel OK about what has transpired, what I have watched. But I also can imagine life after that for our main characters.” So that’s what Season 5 is — and it’s a big responsibility!… Let’s say this, without being too spoilery: Episode 419 is obviously crucial, and I can say that everything that you’ve watched for the first four seasons is very important to what is going to happen in [Season] 5. Episode 419 is an absolutely imperative part of that story.