FRINGE – Frantic but Fun
September 17, 2008 by Kath Skerry
Oh fringe science….how you bewilder me!
First let me get this out of the way – I really was digging tonight’s episode of FRINGE. I thought the storyline/case was compelling and interesting. And despite the necessary plot/character setting at the beginning which was annoying (couldn’t that all have been handled in a “previously on…”?) I thought the episode had a lot of momentum from beginning to end. But I did have a problem and I think it has less to do with FRINGE and more to do with my familiarity of shows like LOST and ALIAS (and other shows not created by JJ Abrams too of course). I’m not used to a show like this, in this genre, having a beginning/middle/end. I felt myself stressing out a little because I was worried that I was going to miss one small minute detail that was going to forever alter the show and I would be left in the dark (which is how I often feel watching LOST). These compartmentalized stories, albeit it with an overarching theme tying the episodes together, are actually quite refreshing. I just don’t think I’m used to them yet.
As for the episode itself – as I said, quite compelling. At times it was a little all over the place and a little frantic, but these are things I’m willing to forgive in a Week 2 episode. I think the episode would have been better if they just left out the whole backstory about the killer being the same guy Olivia and John had tracked years ago. I don’t think it was necessary and at times it was very confusing. I hope that once they find their groove the writers understand that we don’t need so much thrown at us in one episode. The science related stuff is overwhelming in and of itself, so don’t complicate things to the point of confusion.
And as for all this babies growing into old men in a matter of hours? Yeah, that was kind of freaky. I have to believe this this FRINGE science stuff is that of science fiction. Or at least that’s what I have to believe in order to sleep at night.
But can we please talk about the ending??? I’m thinking that the revelation that something was amiss with Peter’s life – his birth perhaps (“If you’ve read my file, then you know the truth about Peter’s medical history.” – Walter) has to be related to the nano-second flash that Walter had just as he was falling asleep. It was hard to figure out what was up with the three guys on the table, but they looked to be triplets perhaps? Clones, maybe? Is Peter a clone? Will we see evil clone Pacey Peter in the future? I don’t know about you but I’m intrigued!!
Kudos to John Noble’s pitch perfect portrayal of the mad (and I mean that in all ways possible) scientist, Walter Bishop. I’m so intrigued by his backstory and how he came to work for the Government as well as what other experiments he was part of. He and William Bell were up to some shady dealings, and I’m not even talking about the SeaMonkey soldiers growing in a jar.
Blair Brown as Nina Sharp has completely caught my attention. She can’t be trusted, and there is no way she is of good intentions, but she sure as hell knows how to manipulate people. I like her.
Joshua Jackson had a much meatier role this week, but I’m still looking for him to be more integral to the story. I don’t want him just to be Reaction Guy or Sarcasm Guy. Give him more to do – he can handle it. I’m sure the revelation about Peter’s mysterious medical history is going to afford Josh the opportunity to really run with this character in the future.
I’m glad JJ Abrams made it clear that FRINGE isn’t the second coming of LOST, because its not. But now that I don’t feel the pressure to compare the two, I find myself not expecting too much of FRINGE and I really like what I’ve seen so far. I’m still a little worried that the scientific scenarios are too convenient and a wee bit too bizarre, but I’m going to try to get over it. It was for those very reasons (and the fact that I was scared out of my mind every time I watched) that I stayed away from The X-Files. And I have a sense of what I missed out on with that show, and although this might not be The X-Files, I’m willing to take a leap of faith with some of this freaky science stuff.
Oh and Joshua Jackson was shirtless (twice) and sang a little ditty. Just wanted to say Thank You to whomever made that happen.
Let’s talk about FRINGE. What’s your take on the show so far? Is it what you thought it would be? Are you lovin’ it or do you have one finger on the remote ready to change the channel.
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Filed under Fringe, Fringe Recap, TV News
I’m liking it. You do have to accept most of the scientific jargon with an iceberg sized grain of salt and just take it for what it is and enjoy it, but the characters and the freaky factor definitely have me intrigued!
I do really like it so far, and Walter is just by far my favorite character. When he asked when Peter lost his imagination, and then when he got so emotional at Peter singing him to sleep … he’s just the best. I agree that the backstory of tracking that killer was totally extraneous, but I thought the rest was good. I’m able to do a lot of suspension of disbelief for sci-fi shows, which I love, so no problems for me there. And I too love the shadiness of Nina.
I have to say … I don’t know how much I love Anna Torv. I can’t put my finger on it, but there’s something about her that isn’t doing it for me. It’s almost like I feel really disconnected from her. Walter, Nina, Peter … even Phillip Broyles I find more interesting. That’s something that I hope gets better because it’s hard to LOVE a show when you have a hard time giving a shit about the main character.
It’s still a good show and I like it. It hasn’t reached obsession level for me yet, and usually by the second or third episode of a show, I know if I’m going to be obsessed. But I’m entertained.
I really liked this episode, though I did have a minor issue with the guy’s hair staying the same length and style but mysteriously turning white as he aged.
About it being different from Lost … I went to the screening and Q&A of Fringe at the NY Television Festival this past weekend and from what was said, I think it becomes more Lost-like. The head of Bad Robot was talking about how JJ WANTS to do a story with a beginning middle and end … but that he can’t really help himself. Also Blair Brown talked about how with each script there are more and more (and more) questions. So prepare yourself.
I agree with you about Joshua Jackson’s character. I was kind of annoyed that his only role was to be the: YOU GUYS ARE CRAZY THIS ISN’T REAL guy. I think he’s better than that.
And … about the science fiction. I think JJ Abram’s intention is for it to not be science fiction but to come across as something that can actually happen (from what Bad Robot woman said — I’m blanking on her name) … but I agree with you that for all of our sakes … we should leave it as fiction.
Also, someone asked isn’t it a little weird that all of this stuff happens to occur in BOSTON … (which I had been thinking as well) … but apparently the team will travel to other locations but their home base remains in Boston.
To be honest, I wasn’t crazy about this episode. I didn’t not like it, I just don’t think it’s as good as Lost and Alias and Felicity. The thing about Fringe is that I find the way the story is told pretty unrealistic … and I know that it’s not meant to be REALISTIC per se … but I just find it to be a little fake, if that makes sense. Like with Lost, it’s clearly not real, but everything about the writing and the storytelling makes me BELIEVE it. With Fringe, I’m just a little reluctant to buy everything they’re throwing at me. Don’t get me wrong, I’m definitely sticking with it, but I just have yet to be blown away.
Well … the pregnancy thing in the beginning did shock me … and I did like that about the episode.
Liked it but as a Bostonian, the settings aren’t right – that looked nothing like BC and they have to say the town names correctly (Dighton was missed enirely).
Lisa —
That’s because they film it in New York — Brooklyn mostly. (WOOT WOOT — I happen to be a New Yorker).
I agree though that the settings aren’t that great … I wish they set it in NY … that would’ve made things much easier.
I can’t stop thinking of him as Pacey, either! 😉
I’m still on the fence about Fringe. Being a staunch alias and lost supporter and given my deep love for JJ Abrams, I had high expectations for this show, just like you. However, even though I know it’s high intense and frantic, I still find myself somewhat bored as the hour goes on. It just doesn’t seem to live up to the level of Sydney and Vaughan or Lost because I was hooked from minute #1 with both of those shows. And, I’m just going to be honest, the block letters appearing at every new place really gets on my nerves. And I mean big time. So, unfortunately I am going to have say that I’m leaning more toward the “i’m probably not going to be watching it for very much longer” column.
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I liked this episode. It made me want to continue watching to learn more about “The Pattern.”
I agree with whoever said that Anna Torv isn’t doing it for them, there is just something about her that isn’t working, but it’s way too late to recast.
I think the mad scientist is great, but some of it is a little over the top to the point of annoyance.
I will keep watching. I am liking the sci-fi/near reality stuff they are dealing with so far. It’s interesting…and if it gets people interested in science again, even better!
Lisa –
I totally agree with you about cringing whenever they mess up Boston-area names. But Fringe isn’t the only guilty show – I was just watching a West Wing rerun (the series finale, actually), and they totally butchered Haverhill. Drives me nuts every time!
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