Fringe vs. The X-Files vs. reality - Blu-ray Forum

WyldeMan45 · 05-13-2009, 03:39 AM

Wow in it's first season it has already taken 5 episodes from the X-Files, that's real genius work there guys........no wonder I stopped watching after 5 episodes, it felt like I'd already seen those episodes somewhere else.....

With the season-one finale of Fringe airing tonight on Fox, we though we'd take a look at some of the more memorable instances of "fringe science" and how they relate to the real world.. and to the world created by one of its clear influences--The X-Files.

Science-y thing: Walking Through Solid Matter
Episode: "Safe"
Air date: December 2, 2008
Definition: The ability to pass through solid objects by disassembling and reassembling one's atomic structure (or electromagnetic forces) or the atomic structure of something else. In layman terms, holy s*** he's walking through walls!
Fringe reality: Bank robbers used the technique to rob banks by using a special device that messed with the walls' molecular structure. While the walls were all bendy, one just passes through. However, walk through when the wall was solidifying, and one ends up like the guy in the picture--a real wallflower.
Reality: Absolutely zero. Well, maybe Calista Flockhart can.
The X-Files did it: In the season six episode "Trevor," a man--who possesses the ability to walk through walls and other solid objects through throwing off the balance of their electromagnetism--kills others (and seriously invades their personal space) by walking through them. Ick!

Science-y thing: Spontaneous Human Combustion
Episode: "The Road Not Taken"
Air date: May 5, 2009
Definition: Spontaneous Human Combustion is "the alleged process of a human body catching fire as a result of heat generated buy internal chemical or nuclear action," according to Robert T. Carroll, author of The Skeptic's Dictionary. In layman's terms, it's the idea that anyone can simply burst into flames--or if you're lucky, explode!--for no apparent reason.
Fringe reality: A woman boards a bus, gets all hot under the collar, then proceeds to get REALLY hot under the collar and everywhere else. *Poof* She's charcoal.
Reality: There are reportedly more than 200 cases of SHC, but good luck finding any hard evidence of it from someone not wearing a tinfoil hat. The more likely cause of these "cases" comes from another killer: cigarettes.
The X-Files did it: Well, they sort of did it. In the season two episode "Soft Light," a man (played by Monk's Tony Shalhoub) discovers his shadow can incinerate people, leading Mulder to liken the situation to SHC.

Science-y thing: Progeria
Episode: "The Same Old Story"
Air date: September 16, 2008
Definition: A genetic condition, formally known as Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome, that causes its young victims to age rapidly.
Fringe reality: A woman has sex, gives birth within an hour, and the bouncing baby boy becomes eligible to join the AARP and dies in another four hours.
Reality: We all go through relative progeria in our mid-30s, but real progeria can't be cured by buying a sports car. The fatal disease is legitimate, affecting about one in 4-8 million children, according to The Progeria Research Foundation.
The X-Files did it: Season two's "Død Kalm" saw Scully and Mulder investigate a ship in which the crew were all aging rapidly. The two agents also succumbed to the old-ification, forcing several hormonally-charged nerds to immediately switch channels at the site of an elderly Gillian Anderson.

Science-y thing: Therianthropy
Episode: "The Transformation"
Air date: February 3, 2009
Definition: The metamorphosis of a human into that of an animal. Lycanthropy, the ability werewolves possess, is the most popular form. Aphidanthropy, a word I just made up meaning the ability to turn into half-man half-aphid, is the least popular form.
Fringe reality: With the aid of a virus, a man is able to turn into some weird porcupine abomination and kill everyone on a passenger plane. Plane crashes, porcupine man dies, Walter Bishop plays with his intestines. What is it with J.J. Abrams and planes?
Reality: Popularized in folklore, movies starring Abbott, Costello, and Michael J. Fox, and campy 50s songs about various monstrosities mashing, just about everyone is familiar with the concept of werewolves and thus, therianthropy. However, regardless of what you may have seen at your local Furry convention, Therianthropy is totally bogus. But don't tell that to The Lizardman.
The X-Files did it: The X-Files did this like a billion times in some form or another. Werewolves were a topic of "Shapes," some other dude turned reptilian in "Alone," and another baddie shape-shifted into Mulder to get into Scully's pants in "Small Potatoes."

Science-y thing: Giant slimy slug parasites
Episode: "Bound"
Air date: January 20, 2009
Definition: A huge disgusting mucus-covered shell-less snail that feeds on humans. Did I really need to paint a picture for you?
Fringe reality: A cold virus mutates into a slippery annelid and becomes the biggest (and squirmiest) loogie you've ever coughed up.
Reality: There are giant slugs out there (just ask anyone from UC Santa Cruz), but none that will call your body home. OR IS THERE!?
The X-Files did it: In the eighth season's "Roadrunners," a weird cult worshipped a slug-like animal that sucked on people's spines.

Have more eerie similarities between Fringe and The X-Files? Let's see 'em in the comments section below!

Source

pEgLeG · 05-13-2009, 03:48 AM

Speaking of The X-Files, when the hell are we going to get it on Blu?

Zvi · 05-13-2009, 06:44 AM

Doesn't really matter. As south park said(Simpsons already did it) everything has been done before. X-Files was on for quie some time

I like Fringe. Hopefully it'll come out on blu.

werewuf · 05-13-2009, 07:13 AM

The good news is that "Fringe" has been picked up for next season, I had heard it was on the fence renewal wise, I'm looking forward to more.....

WyldeMan45 · 05-13-2009, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by werewuf

The good news is that "Fringe" has been picked up for next season, I had heard it was on the fence renewal wise, I'm looking forward to more.....

Down the road I might check out the blu-rays but as of what I saw of the first season it will continue to not be on my DVR timers. I like Joshua Jackson ever since my Mighty Ducks faze as a 7 year old, but I can't stand the blonde broad at all on this show.

werewuf · 05-13-2009, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WyldeMan45

Down the road I might check out the blu-rays but as of what I saw of the first season it will continue to not be on my DVR timers. I like Joshua Jackson ever since my Mighty Ducks faze as a 7 year old, but I can't stand the blonde broad at all on this show.

Sorry, but Anna Torv is awesome (not to mention Ari Graynor, who plays her sister) and she's the reason this show is doing so well......

WyldeMan45 · 05-13-2009, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by werewuf

Sorry, but Anna Torv is awesome (not to mention Ari Graynor, who plays her sister) and she's the reason this show is doing so well......

I thought it was because everybody liked the crazy old guy Walter, she has as much range as Statham or a cardboard box, to me it's the same thing.

werewuf · 05-13-2009, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WyldeMan45

I thought it was because everybody liked the crazy old guy Walter, she has as much range as Statham or a cardboard box, to me it's the same thing.

Watching one show is no way to tell range. For me she conveys a strong presence that is equal Mulder and Scully from X-Files. She's an attractively
strange personality-mysteriously quiet, yet demonstrative and she kicks ass...

Groo The Perverted · 05-13-2009, 09:24 AM

Plus she's Nariko. Nuff said.

MaCruz · 05-13-2009, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pEgLeG

Speaking of The X-Files, when the hell are we going to get it on Blu?

That's what I'm sayin!

P@t_Mtl · 05-13-2009, 12:06 PM

Watch the first 4 or 5 episodes, then I think it went off my DVR because of the World Series or some other sports event. I forgot to put it back and completly lost track of it. I loved the first few episodes enough to make me get this on BD.

master_8ball · 05-13-2009, 12:12 PM

I dont think anyone debated that Fringe isnt like X files... but who cares. By that comparison you could say that the X files was a rip off of The Outer Limits. Its all sci-fi, if you gave up on the show because you saw common themes between the 2 shows than I gotta say you missed out.

Glad it got picked up for another season.

Porkchop Express · 05-13-2009, 12:13 PM

Fringe and Breaking Bad are the only shows I'm following right now. I'm happy it's coming back for a new season. Granted the X-Files 'already did it', it's still very entertaining.

Mouse · 05-13-2009, 06:17 PM

I didn't watch much TV while X-files was on so I've only seen a few of the episodes. But I have seen several differences. Walter for one... there was no half-crazy scientist working for Scully and Mulder. Also, Mulder was like the black sheep of the FBI (If I remember correctly?) They shunned him and only kept him around so they could send him on the jobs that nobody else took seriously. Olivia is the opposite of that. She's the good FBI agent who actually has respect from her peers.

statikcat · 05-13-2009, 06:57 PM

What weird topic did the X Files NOT cover? Seriously it was on for 6+ seasons. They do not own every idea in their show. Just the basic idea of Fringe is going to cross over into some similar topics. Topics I might add that have been around long before the X Files. The show is not even so much about the events that happen but the people behind it. The shows are really quite different. Fringe is based more around science and the X Files more about supernatural events (often with no explanation). Fringe attempts to explain things scientifically at least in the context of the show. Besides the X Files was cool at the time and in hindsight it sucked and so did both movies.

KilloWertz · 05-14-2009, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zvi

Doesn't really matter. As south park said(Simpsons already did it) everything has been done before. X-Files was on for quie some time

I like Fringe. Hopefully it'll come out on blu.

Fringe is coming out on Blu. No official release date yet, but I have read a few things and it seems like sometime in August (again, nothing official as far as when it will be released).

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001MS7IBS?tag=bluray-011-20

Anna Torv as Nariko. I had completely forgotten she was Nariko. Heavenly Sword was awesome.

solarrdadd · 05-14-2009, 12:23 AM

I'm a big fan of Fringe and can't wait for the new season this fall. I loved the end of the season ending cliffhanger! I like this better thant he x-files which i did like too. IMO Olivia is way hotter than Scully (and I like Scully!)

05-13-2009, 03:39 AM	#1
WyldeMan45 Banned Member since:Oct 2008 Location:Western Washington Blu-ray collection:49 Trading Score:15	Fringe vs. The X-Files vs. reality Wow in it's first season it has already taken 5 episodes from the X-Files, that's real genius work there guys........no wonder I stopped watching after 5 episodes, it felt like I'd already seen those episodes somewhere else..... With the season-one finale of Fringe airing tonight on Fox, we though we'd take a look at some of the more memorable instances of "fringe science" and how they relate to the real world.. and to the world created by one of its clear influences--The X-Files. Science-y thing: Walking Through Solid Matter Episode: "Safe" Air date: December 2, 2008 Definition: The ability to pass through solid objects by disassembling and reassembling one's atomic structure (or electromagnetic forces) or the atomic structure of something else. In layman terms, holy s* he's walking through walls! Fringe reality: Bank robbers used the technique to rob banks by using a special device that messed with the walls' molecular structure. While the walls were all bendy, one just passes through. However, walk through when the wall was solidifying, and one ends up like the guy in the picture--a real wallflower. Reality: Absolutely zero. Well, maybe Calista Flockhart can. The X-Files did it: In the season six episode "Trevor," a man--who possesses the ability to walk through walls and other solid objects through throwing off the balance of their electromagnetism--kills others (and seriously invades their personal space) by walking through them. Ick! Science-y thing: Spontaneous Human Combustion Episode: "The Road Not Taken" Air date: May 5, 2009 Definition: Spontaneous Human Combustion is "the alleged process of a human body catching fire as a result of heat generated buy internal chemical or nuclear action," according to Robert T. Carroll, author of The Skeptic's Dictionary. In layman's terms, it's the idea that anyone can simply burst into flames--or if you're lucky, explode!--for no apparent reason. Fringe reality*: A woman boards a bus, gets all hot under the collar, then proceeds to get REALLY hot under the collar and everywhere else. Poof* She's charcoal. Reality: There are reportedly more than 200 cases of SHC, but good luck finding any hard evidence of it from someone not wearing a tinfoil hat. The more likely cause of these "cases" comes from another killer: cigarettes. The X-Files did it: Well, they sort of did it. In the season two episode "Soft Light," a man (played by Monk's Tony Shalhoub) discovers his shadow can incinerate people, leading Mulder to liken the situation to SHC. Science-y thing: Progeria Episode: "The Same Old Story" Air date: September 16, 2008 Definition: A genetic condition, formally known as Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome, that causes its young victims to age rapidly. Fringe reality: A woman has sex, gives birth within an hour, and the bouncing baby boy becomes eligible to join the AARP and dies in another four hours. Reality: We all go through relative progeria in our mid-30s, but real progeria can't be cured by buying a sports car. The fatal disease is legitimate, affecting about one in 4-8 million children, according to The Progeria Research Foundation. The X-Files did it: Season two's "Død Kalm" saw Scully and Mulder investigate a ship in which the crew were all aging rapidly. The two agents also succumbed to the old-ification, forcing several hormonally-charged nerds to immediately switch channels at the site of an elderly Gillian Anderson. Science-y thing: Therianthropy Episode: "The Transformation" Air date: February 3, 2009 Definition: The metamorphosis of a human into that of an animal. Lycanthropy, the ability werewolves possess, is the most popular form. Aphidanthropy, a word I just made up meaning the ability to turn into half-man half-aphid, is the least popular form. Fringe reality: With the aid of a virus, a man is able to turn into some weird porcupine abomination and kill everyone on a passenger plane. Plane crashes, porcupine man dies, Walter Bishop plays with his intestines. What is it with J.J. Abrams and planes? Reality: Popularized in folklore, movies starring Abbott, Costello, and Michael J. Fox, and campy 50s songs about various monstrosities mashing, just about everyone is familiar with the concept of werewolves and thus, therianthropy. However, regardless of what you may have seen at your local Furry convention, Therianthropy is totally bogus. But don't tell that to The Lizardman. The X-Files did it: The X-Files did this like a billion times in some form or another. Werewolves were a topic of "Shapes," some other dude turned reptilian in "Alone," and another baddie shape-shifted into Mulder to get into Scully's pants in "Small Potatoes." Science-y thing: Giant slimy slug parasites Episode: "Bound" Air date: January 20, 2009 Definition: A huge disgusting mucus-covered shell-less snail that feeds on humans. Did I really need to paint a picture for you? Fringe reality: A cold virus mutates into a slippery annelid and becomes the biggest (and squirmiest) loogie you've ever coughed up. Reality: There are giant slugs out there (just ask anyone from UC Santa Cruz), but none that will call your body home. OR IS THERE!? The X-Files did it: In the eighth season's "Roadrunners," a weird cult worshipped a slug-like animal that sucked on people's spines. Have more eerie similarities between Fringe and The X-Files? Let's see 'em in the comments section below! Source

05-13-2009, 06:57 PM	#15
statikcat Blu-ray Guru Member since:Jul 2007 Location:Washington, DC Blu-ray collection:67	What weird topic did the X Files NOT cover? Seriously it was on for 6+ seasons. They do not own every idea in their show. Just the basic idea of Fringe is going to cross over into some similar topics. Topics I might add that have been around long before the X Files. The show is not even so much about the events that happen but the people behind it. The shows are really quite different. Fringe is based more around science and the X Files more about supernatural events (often with no explanation). Fringe attempts to explain things scientifically at least in the context of the show. Besides the X Files was cool at the time and in hindsight it sucked and so did both movies. Last edited by statikcat; 05-13-2009 at 07:02 PM.

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05-13-2009, 03:48 AM	#2
pEgLeG Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Oct 2008 Location:Uranus Home Theater Gallery:1 4K collection:100 Blu-ray collection:795 DVD collection:46 iTunes collection:9 Trading Score:2	Speaking of The X-Files, when the hell are we going to get it on Blu?

05-13-2009, 06:44 AM	#3
Zvi Blu-ray Guru Member since:Jul 2006 Blu-ray collection:121	Doesn't really matter. As south park said(Simpsons already did it) everything has been done before. X-Files was on for quie some time I like Fringe. Hopefully it'll come out on blu.

05-13-2009, 07:13 AM	#4
werewuf Expert Member Member since:Jun 2007 Blu-ray collection:95 Blu-ray reviews:2	The good news is that "Fringe" has been picked up for next season, I had heard it was on the fence renewal wise, I'm looking forward to more.....

05-13-2009, 09:24 AM	#9
Groo The Perverted Blu-ray Champion Member since:Aug 2008 Blu-ray collection:109 DVD collection:8 Trading Score:272	Plus she's Nariko. Nuff said.

05-13-2009, 12:06 PM	#11
P@t_Mtl Blu-ray Duke Member since:Sep 2008 Location:Montreal Home Theater Gallery:4 Blu-ray collection:452 DVD collection:513 Trading Score:3	Watch the first 4 or 5 episodes, then I think it went off my DVR because of the World Series or some other sports event. I forgot to put it back and completly lost track of it. I loved the first few episodes enough to make me get this on BD.

05-13-2009, 12:12 PM	#12
master_8ball Blu-ray Knight Top contributor Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Ontario, Canada Home Theater Gallery:19 Blu-ray collection:675 Blu-ray reviews: 7 Trading Score:2	I dont think anyone debated that Fringe isnt like X files... but who cares. By that comparison you could say that the X files was a rip off of The Outer Limits. Its all sci-fi, if you gave up on the show because you saw common themes between the 2 shows than I gotta say you missed out. Glad it got picked up for another season.

05-13-2009, 12:13 PM	#13
Porkchop Express Blu-ray Guru Member since:Dec 2008 Location:Detroit,MI Blu-ray collection:261 Blu-ray reviews:4	Fringe and Breaking Bad are the only shows I'm following right now. I'm happy it's coming back for a new season. Granted the X-Files 'already did it', it's still very entertaining.

05-13-2009, 06:17 PM	#14
Mouse Special Member Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Texas, USA Blu-ray collection:83 DVD collection:116 Trading Score:1	I didn't watch much TV while X-files was on so I've only seen a few of the episodes. But I have seen several differences. Walter for one... there was no half-crazy scientist working for Scully and Mulder. Also, Mulder was like the black sheep of the FBI (If I remember correctly?) They shunned him and only kept him around so they could send him on the jobs that nobody else took seriously. Olivia is the opposite of that. She's the good FBI agent who actually has respect from her peers.

05-14-2009, 12:23 AM	#17
solarrdadd Blu-ray Prince Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Jul 2008 Location:Virginia Home Theater Gallery:255 4K collection:209 Blu-ray collection:1344 DVD collection:4 Blu-ray reviews: 42 Trading Score:316	I'm a big fan of Fringe and can't wait for the new season this fall. I loved the end of the season ending cliffhanger! I like this better thant he x-files which i did like too. IMO Olivia is way hotter than Scully (and I like Scully!)

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