In Five Reasons, TV.com takes an early look at upcoming episodes of shows and scoops what's good and bad about the program we just watched. We're not telling you to watch it or telling you to avoid it; we're just offering up our two cents as a helpful guide.
"Let's make some LSD!!"--Walter Bishop, Fringe
Hey guys! Have you heard about this show called Fringe? Chances are that if you've seen a billboard, a bus, or opened your eyes in the last month, you've seen Fox's ridiculously massive hype machine for Fringe in action. You probably don't have a good idea what it's about, because the adverts do little but tell you to watch, so let's cover that.
Fringe stars Joshua Jackson, Anna Torv, and John Noble as an unlikely trio that investigates unusual phenomena for the FBI. Yeah, that should sound familiar. However, unlike The X-Files' Scully and Mulder running after aliens and ghosts, these guys are chasing phenomena that are real! Well, almost real.
That's how Fringe gets it name: from "fringe science," or the fields of technology and science that are on the verge of breakthroughs. Stuff so almost real that it's just around the corner and coming soon to a Wal-Mart near you. So here you go: five reasons why you should and shouldn't watch Fringe (even though we know you are going to watch anyway).
Five reasons why you should watch Fringe:
1. It's J.J. Abrams!
This reason is a no-brainer. Our pal J.J.'s recent track record is hit-hit-hit, and no one combines genre shows with great character stories like Mr. Abrams. Also, J.J. gave me a cupcake in New York City and put up with our shenanigans at Comic-Con, so I have to give him some dap.
2. Movie-like production values
The 90-minute pilot is basically a movie; Fox didn't shy away from pouring buckets of cash into the program. Sweeping crane shots, quality special effects, and some great sets make Fringe watchable even if it's unwatchable. And the best part? 3D title cards!
3. Walter Bishop
Everyone loves an insane old man, it's comedy gold! John Noble plays what is easily Fringe's most likable character: a loony old bat who likes ginger ale and LSD. Walter spouts the show's best lines, and is destined to be a nerd favorite. Plus, Lance Reddick (Lost, The Wire) plays a stern boss better than anyone. Also, Anna Torv--regardless of what others say--does a fine job as the female lead.
4. Humor
Fringe has some surprisingly funny moments, which will catch viewers off guard. The sci-fi drama should be all business, but we couldn't help but LOL at Walter's bizarre requests.
5. You might learn a thing or two
The premise for each "case" is supposedly ripped from the headlines of science and tech magazines and journals. Astral projection, teleportation, invisibility... "Fringe science" won't be on the fringe for our grandchildren. Watch Fringe today so you know what to be deathly afraid of tomorrow!
Five reasons why you shouldn't watch Fringe:
1. Just doesn't grab
Fringe's pilot lacks some bite; it'll likely underwhelm those expecting pure awesome. Lots and lots of time is spent setting up the premise...a little too much time. Let's get to the cool stuff! We hope the rest of the episodes don't have the same problem.
2. Questions, questions, questions
It's another one of those shows with the big important questions that hang over everything. Twists, turns, and conspiracies abound...opening up more questions. Why must watching television be so difficult?!
3. Macho stand-offs
These characters aren't that nice to each other. Doesn't anyone teach manners anymore? If Joshua Jackson called me "sweetheart," I'd break his friggin' nose.
4. Pacing
Kind of already covered in reason number one, but needs to be reiterated. We get it--the trio has compatibility issues here. Yeah, Peter Bishop has some concerns about his father. Okay, Olivia wants to prove that she belongs. But halfway through the pilot and we still know nothing about the case?
5. Believability
Okay, we understand that Fringe is based around "fringe science," but there are some serious wacko things that happen. In trying to make things so plausible, they kind of become implausible. I know what LSD does, and it doesn't do what Fringe's writers think it does. Now mushrooms, on the other hand...
Fringe premieres Tuesday, September 9 at 8 p.m. on Fox.
Comments (55)
likeeeeeeee...............ok
i already decided this is going to fill my void after Lost
So far, the season has been very good, a spiritual successor to the X-files except they're all true believers in varying degrees as some of the main cast know more about the strange things going on in the world. The chemistry is nice, even if the science is pseudo.
Fringe seems to be the earthly equivelent of X-Files; or at least, so far no other worldly influences. You want a more believable science type show, check out Eleventh Hour on CBS. Fringe is supposed to be just that!!!! FRINGE! And love John Noble!!
Fringe rocks! It's amazing, and I rarely like sci-fi shows. Anna Torv and Joshua Jackson rock; and who can forget John Noble, he's pure comic gold!
The New X-Files? Wait and see the first episode was like a 7.5 to me but im looking foward
the first episode may not have been a real grabber, but it was interesting enough to make me curious about the 2nd episode and now I am good and hooked.
"I know what LSD does, and it doesn't do what Fringe's writers think it does. Now mushrooms, on the other hand..." Apparently YOU don't know what LSD does...LSD is a psychedelic drug used in meditation, transcendence and ur basic variety of ppl just wanting to see funny colors. Basically what they used it for in the movie... So the writers had it right all in all i think.... I like it when you guys write reviews with a sence of humour and giving both sides of a story, but come on.... I'm sure you could do better than that... None of the 5 points NOT to watch the movie were worthwhile except for Point 1, the show really DID NOT grab... I liked it and all, and will keep on watching it, but it just does not grab your attention like Lost did and even Alias. Somehow it feels like a ripoff to Miracles, just scientifically proven ones :) And Miracles actually had an awesome pilot and still got bumped.... Go figure....But still, Fringe manages to be very sound and logical all the while being completely fictional. Actors are good, action is good and even sense of humor was good... Good all around :)moreless
I haven't made my decision about this show yet. It's not that high on the "Gotta see it" list, but that could change.
well there is nothing wrong with all of these, i wonder how a writer from tv.com says (questions, question) about a tv show, specially sci, specially j.j abrams's!!this review is very poor, and the show has 100 reason to watch.
I love the show. I look forward to seeing more of Josh Jackson...
Well, I like it.
Questions, questions, questions...I don't find anything wrong with that :D
Now that I'm three episodes through this show I can safely say that I'm hooked. In my opinion one of the reasons I'm hooked is because of all these weird "patterns" happening. I'm dead curious to see where they all lead to and what will come of them.I think some people need to give this show a bigger chance, why watch TV if you want something 100% realistic? Watch the news if that's what you're looking for..
I watched the first two episodes online last night, and I think that this show has a lot of potential. However, it's tendency to ramp up the shock value put me off. I know that this is an basic part of this genre, it's just not my taste.Despite that, I could really come to like the show from Joshua Jackson alone. He is hilarious, heartbreaking, mysterious, and his timing is dead on. So, I'll probably be tuning in just for him for a while, until the rest of the show starts to grow on me.
If the world loves hype then I must have been built from anti-hype: J.J. Abrams, ooo big freaking deal. How long before he's yesterday's news (i.e. Chris Carter, David E. Kelly, etc)? I'm willing to give Fringe a chance because of the high production values and the sweet natured mad scientist character, but after watching the pilot I'm already worried about believability. Believability doesn't mean a story has to be set in our reality, but good fiction has to express to the audience that it follows a reality free of logic gaps. Sure the homage to "Altered States" & "The Cell" was fun but tracking down their suspect via some Jedi mind trick came off as obviously convenient. Better writing could have made this sequence play out better. And how do you attempt a show like this without the ghosts of Mulder and Scully running through the audience's heads? Well you let them run, but you make damn sure your idea is truly a fresh spin and you avoid making the overall myth so complicated that it turns people off.moreless
I saw it and I must say, there are NO reasons not to watch it! It will be a great series no doubt. And come on people, it doesn't have to start with a bang to be great. It is clearly a series that builds up to something big, like in Lost. You could see that during the pilot. Best new series 2008 for me.
"I know what LSD does, and it doesn't do what Fringe's writers think it does. Now mushrooms, on the other hand... "Wow, Tim you are a dumb a**!!! Do you even know what the active ingredient of LSD is? Psilocybin... the same chemical that makes you 'trip' in shrooms! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psilocybin Get a clue!
If Joshua Jackson called ME "sweetheart," I certainly wouldn't break his nose. Maybe it's a guy thing.... :)
sounds awesome!
Guy's got a track record, have to see how the season plays out.
I agreed with most of the good and bad points- except for the LSD issue. I was under the impression that the LSD was only one part of a cocktail of drugs that were being used. So saying "I know what LSD does, and it doesn't do what Fringe's writers think it does." doesn't take into account the other drugs and the interactions created.
I watched the opener, and I would describe it as.... a show. Wasn't horrible. Wasn't overly interesting. But I have found that with other shows I came to love... so i'll continue to watch a few more episodes, and see if it gets any better.
I agree with 4 of the 5 reasons not to watch, only during the last part when reason 2 not to watch became more important, I thought; "Maybe I'll watch a few episodes after all". I like questions, if the questions are eventually answered, that is. ;)
watch it, its JJ aberham
I thought it was a great pilot and I will tune in regularly. I'm a huge science fiction fan, so it's right up my alley. I guess my only complaint is that Josh Jackson's acting could be a little better. I'm mean seriously...
Awesome show. It reminded me of X Files a bit, but thats a good thing. I actually enjoyed more than X Files. I a sci-fi buff and this television show actually blew me away. I can't wait to watch more!
the pilot was great.the 5 reasons not to watch were totally not true, they just needed them there. i didnt see anything wrong with the episode. im gonna tune in next week for sure.
I just watched the pilot and the 5 reasons not to watch are really weak. They needed 5 reason not to watch to balance out the 5 reason TO watch, but the 5 reason not to watch are no where near as bad as they make it sound. I read this article before watching the pilot and didn't even notice the 5 reason not to watch.
I really hope this shows is good because it's the on;y new fall show i'm interested in watching. I'm dying to see what "the last two lines" are in the episode that is supposed to blow everyone away. I have really gotten into science-fiction shows lately; that's the main reason I want to see it.
Yeah, I'll def. check it out. J.J Abrams, the storyline, the cast, I'm def. interested! But, as others have pointed out, Fox will cancel a good show in a second! We'll see how it goes...
Again, I really disagree with your NoNo reasons.Believability? If scientists have a hard time to believe 'fringe science', you really think that someone like us or YOU will understand this?I agree with everything else tho.. J.J. does poop out the good stuff (at least for a season or one).
I totally agree with you vincentw56. Its on Fox. They have a terrible track record of canceling shows before they've had a chance to prove themselves. Look at Firefly :-/ On a side note, I really like these new 5 reasons features! Keep 'em coming!
You forgot the biggest reason not to watch. It is on Fox. Fox likes to cancel good shows all the time. I am going to watch it, but I don't expect it to last even if it gets good reviews. The management at Fox just doesn't know what a good show is.
I saw it, it was good
I will watch
I'll be watching! I just hope that the show will live up to all the hype :)
The pilot is awesome. I hope the plot gets a little meatier though. Its like Alias meets X-files.
I will watch it, but my qualm is after season 1, is it going to turn out to something like Lost where more questions arise and no answers are given, will it start getting frustrating and characters go nowhere, until they decide it's going to be 5 season long etc? I hope not, because I would like to see something like the X-files again.
I hope this show is pretty good.
I agree with all of your 5 reasons to watch and am pleased that it is something new that's out there. About time! Oh and if Joshua Jackson wants to call someone sweetheart then who are we to argue and WHY would you want to. He can call me whatever he likes, he's yum!
Reason to watch number one is enough for me!!!
As long as they keep up the level of production as in the pilot this will be the next big hit. "LOST"? Whats that?
I've seen the pilot and can't wait to see how the next few episodes unfold. Joshua Jackson is just funny even when he is calling her sweetheart.
Loved the #1 reason to watch. I will have to see how inspired I will be to tune in week after week.
Its J.J. ..seen the pilot, will check a few episodes out for sure.
I'm planning on watching it. You just listed more reasons why I've waited and waited for this show to premiere. :)
i will check it out love 5 reasons
I'll be watching for sure
I'm gonna check it out.