Fringe

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FOX (ended 2013)

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Gislef

User Score: 3409

SUBMIT REVIEW

Fringe Fan Reviews page 5 of 12

8.9
out of 10
Average
14,514 votes
  • Could this be a hint of The Dark City? or a very slight hint of the world of the Matrix? where people are being controlled by a (major spoilers)...

    10
    secret, powerful organization in which the members could be the Observers. There are essentially two big main characters that revolve around the show. I believe it's Peter and the Observers. There are much more bigger theories on Olivia's character but after the finale we could put that on the side for now. This show is simply beautiful and J.J. Abrams still amazes me with his creativity and artistic mind.





    It seemed that people revolved around Olivia but actually it might seem that people revolved around Peter. Now that it was explained that he did not exist, it seemed that he was kind of the water or sugar to their emotions. That explains why people seemed to be very emotional around him, like Walter and Olivia. But still, it doesn't really explain the phenomenon well.


    I get a slight hint from the epic finale that the observers control everything about both worlds and that they serve a higher organization. Like their holding both worlds, controlling it on their hands like a snowball. This reminds me of The Dark City.





    I believe that the observers are gonna have a much more prominent role next season. We know that peter might not come back but I seriously believe that there's something that's gonna trigger an unbalance to the balance world in which the Observers try to maintain. It could be an inbalance of emotions that could happen on Walter and Olivia because obviously Peter changed their lives. Ofcourse, he is gonna leave something significant behind. It could not be in their minds but maybe something that could make him come back. Peter and the observers: two important/essential characters that intrigues me.





    The finale truly gives a chance for more imaginations, theories and what-nots.
  • Disagree...

    10
    Well, I'm a great great fan of the X-Files...when it was over I swore I'd never ever watch other sci fi series. I love both Mulder and Scully, they were great characters...they completed each other. As far as I can remember, there were times when neither Scully's science could explain what happened. And that's exactly when Mulder's faith in the impossible would fit. Most of the episodes were based on facts that were "impossible", "inexplicable"...if it wasn't so they wouldn't be case for the X-Files. After I watched Fringe my promise seemed foolish. I completely fell in love with it. I don't think that they are trying to copy the X-Files, by the contrary, I see it as a beautiful homage. There are at least two moments when I could feel it: A New Day in the Old Town; first scene:"In Manhattan, New York, a man, George, wakes up at the scene of a crime crash. He runs away into the streets and goes to an apartment. He grabs a resident at his door, chokes him, and shoves him inside." that resident was watching the X-Files. and when in Washington, a Senate committee interrogates Broyles, one of them mention the X-Files.


    I only hope they won't destroy Fringe by vanishing one of he characters or by separating Peter and Olivia (I know that each one is great, but they so much better when they are together that it would be a crime to destroy that)
  • the show center on olivia dunham(anna torv) who starts working for the fbi in solving strange cases.

    8.5
    first off,dont believe any of those compares to the x-files b/c this show isnt anything like the x-files.





    the show is about olivia dunham(main character) who works for the fbi in solving strange cases.she soon gets a couple of people on her team to help her with this cases.walter(john noble) who was behind most of this strange cases and his son peter(joshua jackson) who helps olivia understand his father walter better.astrid is the assistant to walter and there are many others characters that you will have to get to know.





    as the show goes on olivia discovers she has this powers.olivia discovers that her and others where experiment on when they were very young.





    olivia and others where made as guardinas to protect the world from a great threat that was coming.





    i dont want to give to much away but you can see where the show is going.and that isnt nothing like the x-files.





    the show is very myterious about olivia and other like her that have powers.where did they come from?who gave them their powers?





    the show also focus on strange things that happen in the world,there are no aliens this isnt x-files,but there are monsters or crazy people with powers doing terrible things.





    each season as a different plot so dont worry to much about the powers thing.





    but when every season ends they answer all questions you may have but set up new questions in your head for next season..





    the show does have action in it.there are some fight scenes that anna torv pulls off very well,there lots of shoot out sometimes,the writing is very good,the acting is very good too,and the chemistry between the cast is just great.





    the only problem with this show is sometimes the stories can be so difficult to follow you can get lost very easily if u dont pay attention.
  • fringe best tv show ever the show center on olivia dunham(anna torv) & Joshua Jackson(Peter Bishop)& John Noble Dr. Walter Bishop thy are the 3 main character of the tv show

    10

    the show center on olivia dunham(anna torv) & Joshua Jackson(Peter Bishop)& John NobleDr. Walter Bishop




    who starts working for the fbi in solving strange cases. hideshow




    first off there are similar things which the x-files but fringe is not the x-files the show is about olivia dunham(one of the main character who works for the fbi in solving strange cases.she soon gets a couple of people on her team to help her with this cases.walter(john noble) who was behind most of this strange cases and his son peter(joshua jackson) who helps olivia understand his father walter better.astrid is the assistant to walter and there are many others characters that you will have to get to know.as the show goes on olivia discovers she has this powers.olivia discovers that her and others where experiment on when they were very young.olivia and others where made as guardinas to protect the world from a great threat that was coming.i dont want to give to much away but you can see where the show is going.and that isnt nothing like the x-files.the show is very myterious about olivia and other like her that have powers.where did they come from?who gave them their powers?the show also focus on strange things that happen in the world,there are no aliens this isnt x-files,but there are monsters or crazy people with powers doing terrible things.each season as a different plot so dont worry to much about the powers thing.but when every season ends they answer all questions you may have but set up new questions in your head for next season..the show does have action in it.there are some fight scenes that anna torv pulls off very well,there lots of shoot out sometimes,the writing is very good,the acting is very good too,and the chemistry between the cast is just great.the only problem with this show is sometimes the stories can be so difficult to follow you can get lost very easily if u dont pay attention.

  • Great Show

    10
    Fringe is probably the best sci fi on tv right now it has great plots and great actors c c c c c c c c c c c c c c cc c c c c c c c c c c cc c c c c cc c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c cc c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c cc c c c c cccc c c c c cc c c c c c c c
  • Dullest show on TV.

    1.5
    I'm not sure what's worse about this show, the characters or the script, but each episode is even duller than the previous one. The dynamics of the characters are not working and the story lines are far from gripping. Within the first 15minutes you find yourself switching over.





    I not surprised the show is losing rating, X-Flies was great in it's time, but this formula has been done to death now and FOX need to think about doing a new concept. The fact that the writers are pairing Olivia and Peter together shows they don't have faith in their work, the programme would be stronger if it focused on the cases rather than chemistry within the actors.
  • This is a great show that has really developed over the past seasons. This show is great and shouldn't be cancelled as this is one of the few good shows to watch.

    10
    This is a great show that has really developed over the past seasons. This show is great and shouldn't be cancelled as this is one of the few good shows to watch. The death slot hasn't yet taken a toll on Fringe ratings and it would be great if the ratings remained the same for a season 4 with more to come.


    This is a great show that has really developed over the past seasons. This show is great and shouldn't be cancelled as this is one of the few good shows to watch. The death slot hasn't yet taken a toll on Fringe ratings and it would be great if the ratings remained the same for a season 4 with more to come.
  • J.J., you lost me on this one, buddy.

    5.5
    Haven't seen the ratings, but I can't believe we'll see much more of Fringe. Big fan of J.J. Abrams that I am, Fringe is a bit too disjointed for me. I just never cared enough about the characters. None of the actors has the charisma of J.J.'s previous/current stars Jessica Alba, Jennifer Garner and Matthew Fox.





    In my opinion, killing off the boyfriend so soon was a mistake. I kind of like that guy, ex-soap actor that he is, and if we had gotten to know Olivia better through their relationship, I might be persuaded to give a rip about her. And personally I think every show needs a good undercurrent of sexual tension that I'm just never going to buy between Olivia and Peter.
  • A show not for everybody but definitely for me!

    9.0
    What first caught my interest on this show is Pacey err Joshua Jackson i mean. I think he's a great actor and seeing him once again after the last time that i saw him on Skulls, i'd watch anything that he's in. Learning that this is a show about paranormal activities with parallel universe just doubled the fun in watching the show. It has everything that a fan of the "strange" could ask for. Action, drama, humor and some heart-pounding scenes that would leave you wanting for more.





    Every story of each episode is so well thought of that after watching it, you would be left wondering about the connections of what happened on the current episode to the previous ones and that is why it is vital to watch all episodes in order to understand this show. My friends and I get together weekly to watch episodes of Fringe and we all have fun talking and analyzing the show after it aired. The best sci-fi show for us!
  • First saw this show when it was called The X-Files

    4.0
    What a disappointment to see a show completely rip off the X-Files. Just because you use splenda instead of sugar in your brownie mix, doesn't mean the brownie is going to taste that much more different. The plot twists and characters are one-dimensional. Joshua Jackson reprises his role once again as a smart mouth in your face hipster, a delight if I was a teenie bopper who ga-ga'd when Dawson's Creek came on TV, a vomit fest for an adult with some taste. All in all, watch the X-Files for some quality on the edge "fringe" action if your in the mood for some good television.
  • I'm so excited!

    10
    I am already in love with this show, it is definitely one of my new top favorites next to Lost. It's like a mix of all the best shows into one. I don't get the negativity from people as it is clearly nothing like Lost. It just had some similarities with Lost like the music and plane in the beginning, but so what? It is not the same. I am excited to see how it will develop. The pilot seemed to build up to something much bigger and that gives the show a lot of potential. I like that the actors are not too well-known or anything. I don't really count Joshua as he hasn't been in anything too big for quite some time. Big names are just disturbing. The acting didn't annoy me either. I like that it wasn't overly sentimental, as it could easily have been considering the man she loved got hurt, was a bad-guy all along and "died". I'm so glad it didn't annoy me.





    Also it seems to include some humor, but not too much, which is good. I am really looking forward to watch the new episode later today.
  • Just look at this site's episode ratings by all people for Fringe's top episodes, and you'll see a huge string of 9.7's and 9.6's starting the list, compared to others like House that only rate their top eps at 9.4. THIS SHOW IS A GEM AND WORTH WATCHING.

    10
    Although the first season keeps the stories episodic, its chock full with nuggets of plot that tie into the greater mythology. The mythology materializes into its second and third season that keep me gripped to the edge of my seat with each episode. This show is BETTER than X-files (and I LOVED X-files). The characters are compelling, and written well with lots of nuance. I don't see how they can ever write a more convincing mad scientist, and the mad situations they put them in blow your mind. The Peter/Olivia duo mirrors the Mulder/Scully FBI partners dynamic, but there is more depth to their interaction in Fringe.


    You get first rate performances from John Noble and Anna Torv who were SERIOUSLY overlooked by the emmys, and Josh Jackson's quiet and subtle delivery grows on you! The supporting cast is of high quality and guest stars are first rate, which I think is another proof of how good this show is because when you're an accomplished actor, you never decide to be on a BAD show!


    Its an intelligent show, even the commercial bumpers have cryptographic messages, (you can find the key online) and the thankfully short intro credits are entertaining in themselves for all the little details and hints they layer into them. Its a first rate show! To "catch up fast", start with Season 1's Pilot, then episode 14, 15, 17, 19, 20(finale) then I would watch everything from season 2 onwards. That's when the mythology really takes off. Season 1 episode 16 should be watched if you love the character Charlie like I do! :-)
  • 2008 show

    10
    I can't really say that this is the best scifi ever because I haven't seen them all. However, I can say that this is currently the best scifi on TV that is currently in production that I have seen. Less can be construed wrongly if I put it that way. This show is reminiscent of the X-Files, of which I was a loyal watcher. The dynamic energies between the characters and the plot just seem to raise it higher in my books. We are now two seasons into the series, and I have been at the edge of my seat during every episode. I look forward to next season and to discover what mysteries will be revealed.
  • The only show on television that not only sends your heart racing but keeps you thinking for days after each episode.

    10
    Fringe is the only show on television right now that has the balence right, not only is Fringe exhilirationg action that sends your heart pounding, it's a show that holds onto it's complex intelligent web of scientific truths and imposibilities, alternate universes and unexplained phenomenon.





    It is also a show with a suprisingly large heart whethering it's the artfully played father ans son relationship of Peter and Walter, the romantic spark between Olivia and Peter or the way the fringe team deals with the various phenomon they face the people who cause it and the victims left behind.





    Fringe is by far the best show of the last decade and hopefully this decade as well.
  • Best show on TV at present

    9.0
    When I started watching this show about a month ago, I was struggling to get through the pilot. It felt like just one of those "case of the week", "monster of the week" shows. Boy, was I wrong!





    By the fourth episode I was hooked. While there are all those cases to be solved in most episodes, this show doesn't fall into the trap of showing the main story at the begining and at the end of the season, while for the rest of the season it is just a static backdrop, something that is very common in many shows.





    No, that is not the case with Fringe. Every situation ties in perfectly with the main story, everything is related and all loose ends are eventually tied. In effect, instead of the story being a backdrop, it is superimposed over everything that happens on screen. And it is great. Every episode answers some questions, but in the process new ones are posed. Result? I always wait for the next episode with barely contained impatience.





    And now for the cast. Oh the cast!


    John Noble as Walter Bishop is just amazing. His character is so believable. Eccentricity, intelligence and momentary bouts of lucidity are played to perfection. His role as Walternate shows us another face of what Walter might have become, and it also shows us amazing abilities of John Noble to pull of all these different personalities without fault.


    Joshua Jackson is a perfect anchor to reality for Walter, and a perfect partner for Olivia. He is a link connecting the entire team together. Without him Walter would be unreadable for anyone else.





    And last, but definitely not the least, Anna Torv.


    At first I was a bit sceptical about her, but as the show went on she became better and better. She has become a driving force behind this show. I would watch it even if it was total garbage, just because of her. Amazing acting skills, eyes you could drown in and a script that showcases all her abilities in the best light. This is especially true of Season 3. The way she portrayes original and alternate Olivia is just amazing. Her ability to portray reluctance, emotion and breed life into B Olivia makes her much more than just an evil twin. You are made to care, to sympathize, even to hope she just might succeed at her agenda. With any other actress this would just be the case of polar opposites, black and white, but not with her. She deserves a big screen role because her talent demands it. I hope she actually gets it. Perhaps my favorite actress in recent times.





    Rest of the cast is also chosen with care and they all fill meaningful roles, especially Lance Reddick as Philip Broyles.





    As for talks about FOX cancelling the show in the future; it would be a collosal mistake. This show is being watched all over the globe and has a great following. Too many good and imaginative shows have been destroyed because of the inaccurate and outdated rating methods. Don't let this be one of them. This is a classic and will prove it in the years to come. FOX just has to let it do that.





    So in the end, after all the praise and rambling, I can only say: watch this! You won't be dissapointed for sure.
  • Easily one of the greatest shows in the last ten years, and possibly in the top 10 of greatest shows ever.

    10
    I recently started watching the show Fringe, and I have to say, it's one of the most incredible things I've ever seen. Anna Torv is a brilliant actress, the story is amazingly done, and there's Walter. Ahh, Walter.





    Since I started watching Fringe, my life has changed. When something important happens, I say something like, "For this to work two things need to happen. One, I'll need to get to the bank right away. And two, I'd like a root beer." When I'm watching and I think my mind has been blown as far as it can, a guy on a plane turns into a giant porcupine monster, and my mind gets blown even further.





    This show will bend the limits of the possible, even so much as bending the limits of the imaginable. You can't think of what will happen next. And doing sub-activities during every episode, like looking for the mysterious bald guy, or thinking of the crazy thing Walter will do this time, will prove to be an excellent way of twisting your mind like a pretzel, while the main plot twists it like a... I dunno, super-pretzel.





    The acting is generally pretty good. You can kind of tell that Anna Torv is Australian, and Lance Reddick isn't the most believable, but the rest of the cast is very... real. Very right. I don't believe that the creators could have gotten better actors, and these characters are very lovable. When Walter starts to cry because Olivia yells at him, you feel bad, and you begin to dislike Olivia.





    Then there's the story. Every plot twist seems to come out of nowhere, and hit you like a punch in the face. Every major revelation that you hope for gets shot down, and then you're left not knowing who to trust, not knowing who's good and who's bad. In every episode, there seems to be something that keeps your mind on it for an entire week, until next week, there's no mention of that thing at all. Until five weeks later, some times, when your mind has focused on other plot points, that one thing comes back into the light. And it'll continue, until the end of the season, when the five weeks changes to, what, five months?


    Watch this show. Now. If you have any mind at all, whether you like comedy, drama, supernatural, or not, you want to see this. If not for the story, than just for maybe getting to see Anna Torv making out with a woman in the next episode. It happens.





    So, in the end, the score rates at 10. Fantastic story, great actors, HOOOOT lead actress, and awesome action. If this counts as a crime show, it might just be one of the greatest crime shows ever. Definitely my favorite.
  • A Kickass show with a super intriguing storyline that hooks you in!!!

    10
    This show has just got better and better. It has an intriguing storyline and lots of mystery that keeps you coming back for more. Plus, it has JJ Abrams at the helm so you cant go wrong. The characters are great and at times humurous. But there is enough suspense and action to think that this is a serious contender for the best show on TV. The whole alternative universe and war thing going on is cool!! Plus the mystery people who keep saying things that we dont have a clue what they mean. This is the best show on tv hands down!
  • Maintaing high production standards

    7.5
    The second season has started well and the production values remain high. I do hope that the writing team hasd not run out of ideas already. Once again we have a 'that person is not who you think that person is' shape shifting plotline. Yes, back in the day of Star Trek Deep Space Nine and Terminator II, it was a new and innovative plotline. Now, realistically, if ever shape shifting became a viable threat to a Government Agency, all its employees would be 'chipped' electronically to ensure 'that person was actually that person'. The best tagline so far was the cameo reference to the X-Files - that showed great respect and acknowledgement. Fringe remains a well worthwhile watch
  • A group of FBI-cross-X-Files specialists deal with seemingly inexplicable "Fringe Science" phenomena that are all, somehow, related in a Big Picture that is not at all clear. What is "The Pattern"?

    9.0
    A group of FBI-cross-X-Files specialists deal with seemingly inexplicable "Fringe Science" phenomena that are all, somehow, related in a Big Picture that is not at all clear. What is "The Pattern"?





    This show started off with a bang, perhaps lagged ever so slightly for one or two episodes, then seemed to find its pace and voice. JJ Abrams and Co.'s story-telling signature is all over this show, from tough female lead protagonist kidnappings to love-to-hate authority figures to prophecies to... It's Alias Reborn, and it's great!





    Enough comedy is injected so that you don't take it too seriously, with father-and-son Walter and Peter Bishop getting the best lines.





    I hope the writers have a good idea where they're going with this, because I'd very much like to see how it pans out, rather than have yet another premature cancellation.
  • Olivia finally remember her little trip to the other side and Charlie true identity is revealed.

    5.0
    I am really disappointed if not really angry at the end of that episode. I mean really! Whoever wrote that episode didn't think it through. Why? Because as soon as Dr Bishop discover that the nurse body wasn't the the shape-shifter's; Charlie's cover should have been blown wide open! After all he was the first one on the scene when the said body was found if not presumably the one who killed it!





    I cannot believe that everyone didn't catch that big mistake there were no need for that high-tech gizmo to do that face reconstruction thing! It is a simple police deduction!
  • I love this show with one exception. And I wonder if others feel the same. The actress who plays Olivia, I don't even know her name, drives me absolutely crazy with her over-enunciation and excrutiatingly irritating mannerisms.

    5.5
    I love this show with one exception. And I wonder if others feel the same.


    The actress who plays Olivia, I don't even know her name, drives me absolutely crazy with her over-enunciation and excrutiatingly irritating mannerisms. She has a very strange body language of literally sticking her neck out - often hands akimbo on hips, sticking her head out like a turkey, in and out. (I think this originated with Jessica Simpson. It's unbelievably annoying and weird, and this actress does it in a holding pattern.)





    Her speech is in hard drive - every 'd', 't', and hard consonant over-enunciated to the point of being like chalk squealing on the blackboard.





    She has a compadre on the show In Plain Sight. That starring actress has the exact same weird turkey body language. Another crime show. Another long, straight, blonde haired actress with massively weird mannerisms.





    I am baffled at this sudden appearance on t.v. of such bizarre body language in female leads. And just want to shut this actress up when she clucks on her 't's and 'd's like she's trying to purr-fect her speech, so she sounds like an irritating robot. Send her to a speech coach so she can learn to speak like a real person! And for the love of God, get her to hold her head high, not stuck out like some bait on a stick. Ick!
  • I look forward to this show every week. Right away, it reminded me of the X-Files which I enjoyed immensely.

    9.5
    I look forward to this show every week. Right away, it reminded me of the X-Files which I enjoyed immensely. The characters are all so unique and I especially enjoy Olivia. Another reviewer finds her irritating which is fascinating to me that we have such a difference of opinion. (I feel the same way about Robin Tunney in The Mentalist. I really like that show but just can't watch it anymore because of her.) It appears they have killed off Olivia's partner, Charlie, which is disappointing. The storylines continue to intrigue. They don't have to be microscopically perfect to be entertaining.
  • As a fan of JJ Abrams I make it a point to watch everything he does and Fringe...

    8.0
    Fringe is a show that I didn't know if I would like but I was pleasantly surprised but how much I did. It is a crazy merry-go-round in the fact that it always has you guessing what will happen next. I love that about this type of show but I can't help wondering will it end too soon i.e. cancelled before we know everything there is to know about the fringe universe. Like Lost I hope they will be able to end the show on their terms. Because alot of us know Networks are terrible at keeping shows people love and instead show unoriginal reality ones. Love Fringe, keep surprising us!
  • Before I watch it, I never thought i would like this show. Now I can't stop wandering what's going happen next.

    10
    Woooow. Is the first thing i said when I watch the first episode of Fringe. At the begining i thought this show wasn't going to be interesting but when you start watching you get caught by the exciting episodes, the wonderful experiments and the great characters. I think that there aren't other actors who can play Olivia and Peter. I mean Joshua is a great actor and I think many missed him since Dawson's creek was over. But well he is back and with this great show and of course Anna is also a great actress and I think both of them and Jhon give an extra spark to the show. I loved it, And I will continue watching it, And I know they'll get more seasons.
  • one of my fav...series .....

    10
    j.j abrams did it again...what a incredible story line....i must say i have ever seen this type of story...u can always dream abt it..





    the cast of the series is perfect...


    i like the char... walter bishop ... this series is not arrived in my country so i downloaded it and i watched all ep...in just 4 days...





    ep.peter...is my fav..till now..





    i am looking forward that there should 4 5 seasons more of this show.


    this show is as exiting as lost.


    some people says that its like x-files or csi..but i say this drama is diff..than any of the series....


    there is so much mystery ,action,si-fi,in fringe...





    thanx to j.j abrams for his superb story...
  • J.J. Abrahms shines again with Fringe's twisted story lines and colorful cast.

    9.5
    J.J. Abrahms is a versatile and creative person with the ability to do many times of shows such as Felicity and then Alias. So there's no surprise that Fringe is creative and unique. The story line is filled with confusing ideas of parallel universes, time travel, infectious diseases and more. The basis for all of these ideas is something from real life, and it's just showing the "endless impossibilities" as the show puts it. The cast is a combination of serious, funny, and witty people that work well with the thematic content that Fringe deals with in and out of each episode. Overall, the show is really well done!
  • FBI Agent Olivia Dunham and Peter Bishop attempt to solve the rapidly increasing spread of inexplicable occurrences referred to as The Pattern with the help of Peter's estranged father, the partially insane Dr. Bishop, an expert in Fringe Science.

    10
    One of my absolute favorite shows; Fringe is a character study and an incredibly interesting one at that. Each week you see how they cope with the darkness and the weirdness and the unknown in their world. You watch them grow closer together from a beginning point of strangers who had to work together. The mysteries are deep, they pose plenty of questions, but they're not afraid to answer them, they're not afraid to kill off steady characters, bad guys or good, in an attempt to milk their plots for more than they are worth. Even if there is a dud episode, so to speak, or a stand-alone, the characters stay true to the parameters they were written in to begin with. The number of Easter eggs included is a treat as well - good fan service without compromising the quality of the show, and a lot of searching as well as hiding in plain sight - that and the lovely character interactions, action scenes, and dialogue give this show a replay value that most mystery-based, crime solving shows can lack.
  • A brilliant show filled with great characters and for a change, with a clear direction...

    9.0
    Fringe - State Of The Show, Jan. 2010





    What I like about Fringe so far...





    It is January and I am a US politics aficionado, so instead of the traditional review format, I will experiment something I will call 'State-Of-The-Show' (SOTS). As the name implies, this means I will regularly revisit the reviewed shows.





    The X-Connection


    During the 10 years or so it ran, I remember watching the X Files only once. For its defense, I might have stumbled upon a remarkably bad filler that put me off the show indefinitely. This quick note is to expose the fact that I will not be burdened by prior knowledge of that other series which seems to be crawling up systematically when discussing or reviewing Fringe.





    The Plot


    I believe the writers knew from the beginning exactly where the show was headed. This might seem obvious but from watching other series, I can assure you it is not.


    It is also worth mentioning they did not toy with us as much as I had dreaded: By the end of the first season, the existence of the other side was established and a crossover had happened.


    I liked all the episodes of the 1st season related to the pattern, just like in the 2nd season everything connected to the other side has been excellent so far.





    The Characters


    Each and every core-character has something about him or her that is memorable, which is only possible with solid performances. I will start with Massive Dynamic. It is not a character I know, but I must mention it because I just love the name. "We are, well, so massive [...]". I like how it is obvious the Massive Dynamic lady (Nina Sharp) cannot be trusted. From the way she speaks, stares and even smiles, there seems to be an aura of untrustworthiness floating around her.


    I like Broyles' sentence delivery and his staring.


    I like agent Farnsworth's role as human relation hub in the small group, especially between the Bishops. It's a subdued presence that enhances sequences that would have been much less effective. I like the glint in Peter's eyes and his smile when something about his past comes up. It is also enjoyable to see how the writers can pull almost anything from that past...


    I like Olivia's composure and the way she carries herself. Her non-verbals are perfect, whether it is her reaction to the teenager warning in "Unearthed" about Peter ("I'll be 18 in a year. Don't wait too long to make your move.") or an attitude forcing Walter to justify himself. I like how it is obvious just by looking at her that she is carrying the weight of so many things. I like the fact that by her attitude, she forces everyone to act as if they have something to prove to her. It is obvious gaining her full trust is no easy task.


    I wouldn't know where to start with Walter. Priceless.





    The Acting


    Olivia and Walter are character-wise the magnetic poles of the show. The story might not revolve around them only, but the other characters do. IMHO this is because Noble's and Torv's performances are so good that when they are interacting with the others, it's very tempting to be biased and pay more attention to them. At least that is what happens to me.





    The Relationships


    Peter - Walter. I like how their relationship has evolved. I like that Peter doesn't consider him anymore as crazy, but more as someone needing help. I like that he is trying to make up for those years he shied away from him by taking care of his 'father' now. I like the fact that he is the one best equipped to understand the way Walter's brain works.





    Astrid - Walter. This one is sweet, and writers, whatever you do, please don't spoil it with a creepy and absolutely unnecessary romance.





    Olivia - Peter. This has been so far just how it should be. At this point it could go either way and that is just fine. It is normal to have people teasing them and imagining them together. This is what happens when two single people who look and sound well together are in a group with others.


    I like what Torv and Jackson are doing with it. Olivia doesn't understand half of the allusions and it's not that she's being coy about it. She just doesn't see Peter that way, and she shouldn't. One reason for that is: Peter has some redeeming work to do. They should therefore keep the relationship growing until for Olivia, Peter's shady past is overcome.


    Peter obviously admires her, which he should. I believe at this point he likes her more than she likes him and he seems to think he is not good enough for her, which is good: To deserve someone like her he needs to serve his penance.


    Their interactions so far have been perfect. Let's hope they keep it that way and don't rush it. A slow but steady stream here is just fine as those two have some room for growth.





    Now, what they should rush is the path to more interactions/confrontations with the other side. There is no point of making 10 seasons of brilliant ideas diluted in an overabundance of filler material if we can shoot for 3 or 4 seasons of quality programming.





    I could say many things about filler episodes, or about the fact that too many things are connected to Walter, but the title of this piece was: What I like about Fringe so far...
  • Lately the episodes have been brilliant! Love this show!

    10
    This show has been a hit and miss to me in the past. However when it's a hit, it's fantastic. The mood set for the show is unique and the characters are likable and endearing. The writers have a tendency to ask more questions than answer them but they do get around to it eventually. They do a great job at keeping the mystery alive and kicking. Fringe has so much potential and the whole alternate universe story is intriguing. I hope the writers will go back to uncovering Olivia's other abilities if she is only beginning to become aware of them. Also, there was that female agent in episode one of season two who hasn't reappeared. Yay fjor American scifi! And Leonard Nimoy is a big plus.
  • X Files 2.0 ? Yes and no.

    8.0
    Let's start with the parallels, which are obvious ( and not denied by the writers, see the Mulder and Scully cameo in the season 2 premiere ) : weird stuff. Conspiracies. An impending invasion. Even shapeshifters !!! Some episodes are remakes of X Files episodes : "Power hungry" is a "D.P.O." rip-off, and "Of Human Action" reminds of "Pusher" ( in the second case, X Files wins ) . But there are enough differences to enjoy the show : Walter is his own kind of character,and always nice to watch, even in "meh" episodes, and Scully's role has been divided between Olivia ( detective work, strong female character ) and Walter ( science ) . But there is the BIG difference : when X Files had great stand-alone episodes, and wasn't always very good with its "mythology" after the first seasons, Fringe can do some disappointing stand-alones ( "Unleashed", "Night of desirable objects" ) , but is usually way better when it comes to its mythology. The parallel universe, the Observers, Bell and Massive Dynamic : THAT is what keeps me coming, when I became more and more cautious with the years whenever the aliens were involved in X Files.
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