FOX's "Fringe" Discussion (2008-2013)

[demonbeast]

Great show loved all the little clues in the titles have to say I don't think I ever managed to work any of them out for myself.

[John1701D]

This is one of those shows that definitely seem like I would love it but I've tried 3 times over the years and just stop watching. Never made it to season 3 and I'm not sure why. I think it's Walter, the character annoys me.

[Phillip c. Niethe]

Originally Posted by floridaswamprat

Personally, we thought it was great when it started, but we felt like the wheels fell of when they introduced the

[Show spoiler]the parallel-universe storyline

.

I personally find that any

[Show spoiler] parallel-universe storyline

is cheap writing.

If you think about it,

[Show spoiler]if such existed, there are too many factors to have them even be remotely similar. One decision will alter all that follows, and life is millions of decisions. For example, I was born in Arkansas, but when I was eight my family moved to Virginia. That one decision altered my entire life - who I married, children, career, who I am today. And this is just talking about "me," not even considering the generations before me. If a parallel universe existed, it would be absolutely nothing like this one - no parallel story lines at all.

But then, just my opinion.

Unfortunately parallel realities don’t exist but the theory would actually lend itself to high statistical probability of similarities for the traveler. Each parallel reality would be like a series of spheres extending from the center outward forever or a stack of plates without end. The next sphere or plate beyond the one you inhabit would contain a single divergence from your reality, or a mirror reversal of all events, or a 50/50 change of all events and then branch out from there in a repeating pattern the farther you transition from your starting position. And every different person who traveled would not experience the same parallel reality but rather the next parallel reality directly in relation to their branching point. And if two set out separately and returned to their original point of origin then immediately left together, that parallel reality they experience together would be separate from the two they experienced alone.

[Jay H.]

Originally Posted by John1701D

This is one of those shows that definitely seem like I would love it but I've tried 3 times over the years and just stop watching. Never made it to season 3 and I'm not sure why. I think it's Walter, the character annoys me.

Which version of Walter annoys you? There are multiple versions of him.

This is why Fringe is my favorite show. The acting by everyone is just about perfect, but John Noble in particular is superb.

[John1701D]

Originally Posted by Jay H.

Which version of Walter annoys you? There are multiple versions of him.

This is why Fringe is my favorite show. The acting by everyone is just about perfect, but John Noble in particular is superb.

Well considering I've only ever watched less than half the episodes, I don't think I got to other versions. It's been a long time. I feel like I need to give it another shot.

[lupinskitten]

Originally Posted by John1701D

Well considering I've only ever watched less than half the episodes, I don't think I got to other versions. It's been a long time. I feel like I need to give it another shot.

Why?

What makes you think you'll like it any better this time through? Either it grabs you or it doesn't.

[John1701D]

Originally Posted by lupinskitten

Why?

What makes you think you'll like it any better this time through? Either it grabs you or it doesn't.

Just because it seems like something I should like. And also that so many other people love it.

[Blu Lemmy]

Originally Posted by John1701D

Just because it seems like something I should like. And also that so many other people love it.

Never let other peoples opinion sway you either way.
I love plenty that critics say I shouldn't, and loathe plenty that they say I should love

When it comes to Fringe, it is excellent in everyway

[joshsquash729]

Finished my first watch of the show not too long ago. It's one of my boyfriend's favorites, and he wanted to show me. Overall, I quite enjoyed it. I'm not the biggest fan of Case/Creature of the week things- it takes too long to get the story going, in my opinion, but the cases were interesting enough to keep me engaged. Walter and September were my favorites- they were both quite compelling and interesting characters, imbued with so much life by their actors. Broyles and Nina were lovely too, and I always liked Astrid, even if she never got much to do.

Definitely had my qualms with the show- I certainly agree on the alternate universe storyline. It felt like just when I really started to care about one set of characters, I was introduced to another, and then when I started to care about them, it went back to the first, and so on. Especially since it was pretty clear that

[Show spoiler]Peter would find his way back and cut off the other side

eventually, it made it a little difficult to get too invested. Same with the final season- while it was arguably more compelling than any of the others, knowing that the show had more or less already wrapped up and given a happy ending, and knowing that the storyline would only be so long (and it was fairly obvious it would be another happy, if not bittersweet, ending) made it difficult to get too invested for me. Still really lked it, though. I'd have watched a few season of that. A few minor side characters that I liked also disappeared with little to no explanation, which was a little bit of a bummer.

But overall, as a whole, I think it was a really strong show, perhaps even a little ahead of its time. But hearing how often it was saved from cancellation due to the outpouring of love from fans was really nice. Just goes to show how the power of fandom can be used for good sometimes, though I do feel like it would be harder in this day and age. Not impossible, of course- it's certainly happened, but I feel like networks and streaming platforms don't take as many risks with renewing shows anymore. I'd have hated if Fringe ended on a cliffhanger, or if they didn't get to do their planned ending, which I thought was really beautifully done.