Could Fringe Become the Best Sci Fi Series on Television?
Fringe - Notice the apple, there are more of these mystery symbols in Fringe...
Sadly, Fox has made a habit of throwing Fringe into chaos by airing its episodes almost randomly. One episode aired in December, two in January, two in February, and now we have to wait until April to see the next one. (By the way, I’ve installed a widget in the sidebar of SciFiScoop that will countdown when the next episode will air, so now there’s no excuse for missing it). Yet despite Fox playing puppet with viewers ability to retain continuity, Fringe may yet become the ‘must watch’ science fiction series on television.
Fringe was created by J.J. Abrams and, just like he’s successfully done with Lost, he has introduced Fringe to the world by keeping the sci fi element of the series very low key. Yes it is true that each episode of the series contains a fantastical element, but it is nearly always explained away with science (even if sometimes very loosely) and so the mainstream viewer is typically left thinking more ‘way out science’ than ‘unbelievable science fiction’. It’s a stroke of genius on Abrams part just as it was with Lost. Rope the viewers in, even the ones that normally recoil to sci fi, and then take them on the pre-destined sci fi journey.
The cast of Fringe
If you haven’t seen Fringe yet, or even if you have, the original trailer gives you a very good background to the story and characters:
Since its debut in September 2008, Fringe has received some fairly mixed reviews. Some people have claimed it is a little contrived, others think it is too predictable, and others still think the story arc isn’t moving fast enough. Perhaps the biggest viewer gripe relates to the idea that generally, each episode, the hardest scientific problems of all are usually solved in minutes by John Noble’s character, Dr. Walter Bishop. And yet when you read review after review, one thing remains true: despite perceptions of its shortfalls, most people like it enough to tune back in. This, amongst other things, can be heavily attributed to the excellent cast and the constant humor injected into each episode by the hilarious quips between the character of Dr. Bishop and his son Peter Bishop (Joshua Jackson).
Whatever the reason behind why you keep watching Fringe (if you are) the unfolding story as presented in the latest episode, ‘Ability’, has indicated it’s a good move to stick with it. If not, it’s a good move to jump on board right now, for Fringe is slowly beginning to find its feet -- and its potential is enormous.
From here, there are major spoilers if you aren’t up to date with the latest episodes.
‘Ability’ clearly marks a pivotal point in the future story arc of Fringe. Just like those with mixed opinions about the series, I’ve been on the fence up until now. I’ve neither liked nor disliked it, but I’ve kept watching it because it is enjoyable enough and because I’ve seen the potential it continues to allude to. I’m pleased to say the potential is greater than I first thought.
In ‘Ability’, we learn that FBI Agent Olivia Dunham (Anna Torv) may be on the path of developing super-hero type abilities or, at the very least, telekinetic abilities. A trial drug to ‘remove the limitation of the mind’ was tested on her when she was a child and in ‘Ability’, some of those powers manifest -- she may even have used telekinetic type powers to disarm a lethal bomb. The episode also alludes to the fact that this is just the beginning of her abilities and, that rather than exist for the sake of it, they have a purpose -- one that might entail her taking on the role as a warrior destined to fight for -- wait for it- the existence of our entire Universe.
Quick jump to a regular criticism of the series -- Dr. Bishop’s incredible knack to solve the unsolvable. Until now the argument that Dr. Bishop always seems to have the answers has been a fair one. But thanks to ‘Ability’ it seems there is a reason why he does have them. There is a plot unfolding that extends into an alternate Universe and, the hint given by ‘Ability’ was that there is a war coming between that Universe, and our own. The developing of Dunham’s abilities coincides with the news that our Universe is recruiting warriors to fight the war, and FBI Agent Dunham’s mind defusing of the bomb is referred to as ‘the first test of the recruit’. And, at the end of the episode, we learn that Dr. Bishop is connected, in some way, to the origin of it all -- he may have even wrote the book about it (literally).
Fringe has been criticized as ‘just another X-Files‘. But now it seems very clear that the Fringe story is on a direction to go way beyond X-Files, and all the experiences of Dunham, episode after episode, are links in a chain of training her to become a super-powered warrior to defend our universe. That’s a pretty big sci fi leap from simple ‘weird FBI crime scenes’. And it’s a good one. Thanks to ‘Ability’, my view of the potential of Fringe has sky rocketed.
Ah enough of me talking about it. Watch this recap on ‘Ability’ to catch up:
Dunham’s training, on face value, appears to be directed or, in some way, orchestrated by Mr. David Jones as played by Jared Harris. I would argue Harris’ character is one of the best in television right now. His character is a brilliant but clearly important mystery, and his acting is simply superb -- and it appears he may be on his way to a transformation into something beyond human as a result of the use of a teleportation device. Or, judging by the huge hole ripped in a hospital wall, that transformation may be complete. Either way, the character of Jones looks like becoming more pivotal to the series than his cameo roles have to date, and this again, is a good thing.
The mysterious Mr. Jones in Fringe, as played by Jared Harris
I mentioned ‘Ability’ gave us at least a partial explanation for why Dr. Bishop is capable of nearly always saving the day -- he knows far more about everything that is going on in advance than anyone, including the ‘war between the universes’. This was touched upon in a subtle way in ‘Ability’ when Mr. Jones pays homage to him when they meet. Clearly there is a relationship between the two that is connected to the looming war and, therefore, to Dunham’s training.
But more than these mere details, what ‘Ability has shown us is that this series is very well planned out and as more of the planning begins to show, the pace of the series is picking up. This would seem to be the intention of the series producers, with Executive Producer Jeff Pinkner recently saying, “The goal now is to have the energy of the show get bigger as each episode goes along.”
The thing about Fringe is this: the characters are finding their synergy, the stories are beginning to gel, the links from what appear to be minor events in different episodes are pulling together to create a monumental sci fi story, and much of what has appeared contrived in the past may in fact be shown to have been perfectly understandable in the future.
The only criticism I presently have of Fringe is the inhibitor character, Agent Harris (Michael Gaston). Don’t get me wrong, Gaston is a great actor -- but the character he’s been dished sucks. He reminds me of Woolsey from Atlantis -- always getting in the way of the main characters but never in a believable way. He’s like an annoying version of Scully, never having faith in the hero character despite being proven wrong by them time after time. I realize the motivation of the writers when it comes to Harris, but his character is like finger nails on a blackboard. I’ve read we’ll see more of Agent Harris, but I sincerely hope only in context of him being turned inside out or maybe vaporized.
Oh yeah, and dump the cow. Cows don’t produce milk unless they have calves. For a scientific series it’s not very on the ball with that obvious flaw. It was funny in the early episodes, but come on, that cow can’t stand in a room all its life!
Back to the positive stuff. I Fringe now has the potential to be what so many other series, including Heroes, have tried to be. I have faith in J.J.Abrams (especially with the current way in which Lost is unfolding and how Star Trek XI is shaping up) and now that I’m beginning to see his vision, there’s not a chance in hell that I’m going to miss future episodes of this rapidly improving series. I’ve also got friends who have in no uncertain terms stated Fringe is becoming their favorite show of all time. Big calls, I know, particularly given the shortfalls mentioned, but honestly, I’m not the only one saying it. Fringe has a future with great potential.
Speaking of its future, the series has yet to be given the nod for a second season, although Fox have more or less guaranteed it if you are to take their public comments on board. With production of the series recently being shipped off to Vancouver for ‘economic reasons’, it’s almost a given that this wouldn’t occur unless Fox were gearing up for further filming. At $4 million per episode it’s understandable that they would take steps to reduce the bill. All I can say is I’m now very happy that action is being taken to keep this series alive, whether it means filming in Canada or anywhere else.
Finally, I said that Fringe might become the best sci fi series on television. If you’re inclinded to argue, fair enough. But consider this. There are so many great sci fi shows coming to a close. Battlestar Galactica will be over, Lost will be over soon, Heroes no longer ranks, and the future of Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles is in question -- and no, Doctor Who doesn’t make the grade. There’s a couple of new sci fi series on the horizon, and magic-meets-modern-medieval-society Kings may end up being one of those stars, but as it stands, I can’t name one sci fi series that is in its early days or that is on the horizon with the potential that Fringe has. So yes, I stand by the comment that if it continues to go down the path it is presently on, in the future many people may be surprised at just what this series becomes for the sci fi genre.
April 6th, 2009 at 7:20 am
what about the upcoming Caprica? The end of BSG isn’t the end of the BSG universe by any means. There’s also the upcoming Stargate: Universe (?) which has a really strong cast, and exciting premise. What about Joss Whedon’s Dollhouse? I think it has some major weaknesses, Whedon’s almost masturbatory obsession with his muse, Eliza Duschue (?) for one, but if they introduce cloning, kung fu, and some deep conspiracy theories about George W Bush being an active, it could be a real winner
April 6th, 2009 at 7:23 am
oh, and on the subject of Fringe, the plot developments sound really interesting. I was getting bored with the monster of the week nonsense. I love the performance by the actor who plays the mad scientist. But, I also think that Pacey from Dawson’s Crock, is a largely irrelevant character. The show would get by just fine without him.