Recap: Fringe, Season 1
Wednesday May 13th 2009
by Paul Armstrong
To the uninitiated Fringe (on Fox Tuesdays at 9pm — returning for Season 2 in the Fall) is just a new version of the X-Files. While on the surface this is true, the show pays homage to the concept of X-Files, but that's where the simllarities end.
The first season of Fringe was nothing short a brilliantly joyous ride. While it bares resembles to the X-Files in that it explores the paranormal and the government, it also uses the mysterious and unexplained phenonmeon of LOST (afterall, this is J.J. Abrams) to create an engaging, intriguing and continually surprising series.
The Summary
Fringe focuses on three characters. Oliva Dunham, an up and coming FBI Special Agent who is apart of the "fringe" (sciences) division; Walter Bishop, an older mentally unstable scientist responsible for all sorts of unseemingly and bizarre experiments from decades past who helps the FBI with their strange discoveries and cases; and Peter Bishop the exiled son of Walter who is needed as the guardian of Walter (and thus allowing Walter's release from the mental institution). The cast is rounded off with Phillip Brolyles, head of the Fringe division; Charlie Francis, FBI agent and friend to Olivia, second in command; Atrid Farnsworth, the newbie agent and assistant to Olivia. Overall the fringe unit is targeting a sereis of "patterns" of strange incidents, which point back to the experiment that Walter and his partner William Bell performed in the 1970s: teleporting, rapid aging, cell mutation, communication with the dead, mind control, etc. After Olivia's partner (and lover) John Scott is killed she begins to learn more about the scope of what is happening.
The series is a slow simmer, buidling upon itself case after case, intertwined and constantly revelaing new twists and wrinkles. Unlike the X-Files, there is no exploration of aliens or the complete lack of any answers; the show continually reveals its motives, without giving away the mystery. The characters are intricate and engaging. So if you like plots that build a twisted world of science run amuk, men becoming monsters, people aging 100 years in 5 minutes, the ability to teleport, and an entire "religion" devouted to the advancement of science at whatever cost — then Fringe will exceed your expectations. Also Leonard Nimoy -- F***ING LEONARD NIMOY will be apart of Season 2.
So I highly suggest anyone who enjoys LOST or the X-Files to give Fringe a try (before the new season starts in the fall), and enjoy the ride, you will not be disappointed. I will begin "re-capping" episodes in the fall. Stay tuned.
Comments for "Recap: Fringe, Season 1"
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Argh, I tried to like fringe. I mean i really tried. I loved the xfiles, adore lost and was really hoping for big things from Fringe..
but a few episodes in (... 6 maybe?) I had to put my hands in the air and proclaim "bail".. I'm not sure why, but I couldn't get involved or care about the characters at all.. it started to feel a little too formulaic..
Something bad happens, father has an idea what it is, son thinks he's crazy, fbi agent 'takes a risk', father proves himself right, son forgives father in one way or another, two second cut to the over-arching secret going on in the background, end credits.
Perhaps I'm being a little cynical? (honestly, am I? Does it get better?)
That being said, the typography was really beautiful :)
by Alex Charchar
∞ Thursday, May 14th, 2009
I felt like the show was going to be lame too, but man, it really just build momentum; you have to be patient. It really pays off. The characters evolve, which in my opinion, makes them richer. Unlike Heroes where you love certain characters right away, but then realize there is NOTHING more to them, Fringe is like an onion and seem unappealing and dull, but continually reveals new layers.
by Paul
∞ Thursday, May 14th, 2009
by Jarrett Fuller
∞ Thursday, May 14th, 2009