Severing ties with a series is not something I take lightly. In fact, I usually hang on too long. I’ll get through an entire season and realize that I wasn’t really paying all that much attention.
Who’s Nancy Botwin married to now? Somehow, I missed that part.
JJ Abrams’s Fringe premiered on Fox in 2008 and is now in its final season. I’ve dutifully kept up with it since the start, Hulu-ing on Saturday mornings to see which parallel universe or time warp Peter, Walter, and Olivia find themselves in that week. It’s the home stretch. And I’ve given up.
On paper, Fringe is made for me: Joshua Jackson, time travel, sexual tension, Michael Cerveris, and an obvious homage to The X-Files. Now, after four years, I have to admit to myself (and to you) that Fringe and I just never connected emotionally. Peter and Olivia are separated by a dimension? Meh. Astrid and Walter bond over lab work? Ehhhh.
Oh well.
Also, I just have no earthly idea what’s going on anymore. What started out as a Monster-of-the-Week procedural with a hint of coming apocalyptic drama has reinvented itself so many times that I’ve completely lost track of the story. What universe are we in right now? What timeline? What ever happened to Fauxlivia and Walternate? I’m sure JJ has told us, but for the life of me, I can’t remember.
But none of the plot clusterfuck would matter, if only these characters prompted the teensiest emotional response. The Peter and Olivia love story has never felt urgent or vital. Peter and Walter’s strained and repaired father/son relationship is touching, but the show has gone back to that well so many times. Honestly, I was most invested in Olivia’s friendships with Lincoln and Charlie, who *spoilers*, are sadly no longer with us. Returning to The X-Files comparison, I’ll note that that the thread of that series also became tangled and impossible to follow in the later years. But character development and relationships remained crucial. I was so attached to Mulder and Scully that, for a time, I refused to watch the Doggett/Reyes episodes. That probably wasn’t the outcome Chris Carter intended, and I now think those seasons are some of the series’ best, but that’s how much I love those characters.
I’m sorry, Fringe and Fringies. I wanted to love it. I really did. But life is short and TV is great. It’s time to cut the fat, pare down the schedule, and move on to other things.
It’s crazy, because when I finally break-up with a show, it tends to be in the final season. See also: House and Desperate Housewives.
And as someone who can emotionally connect with a pencil, I think you hit it on the head here, Sage. For some reason, I never emotionally bonded with Fringe.
Sorry, Pacey. “You tried” gold star. -K
Well, I’m still watching because I want to make sure they don’t pull a Buffy and *spoilers* their daughter doesn’t end up being a ball of light, or whatever it was.
I’ll keep you guys posted if it’s worth revisiting. I also miss monster of the week.
AND, I wanted to add to this, I think the Recordist was one of the better episodes in a while because it gave us a taste of the old MotW formula, and let some other characters take the emotional load for a while.
I will say I am having very few feelings for and about Henrietta. I know tehy are trying to save the world, but I expect more from at least WALTER! Why isn’t he getting teary eyed whenever she does anything? why isn’t he offering her more red vines? WHY DOES SHE FEEL LIKE SHE’S MADE OF SHREDDED WHEAT?!?
She’s the product of people who each hold extra abilities and are from different dimensions . . . she should at least have a personality.
Anyway, I have loyalty issues and mild insomnia, so like I said above, I’ll keep watching, but I hear you.
I appreciate your loyalty! Keep us posted. I’ll admit if I’m wrong and go back, just like I did with The X-Files. But the grown up daughter is beyond boring and isn’t the plot twist to keep me interested. Sigh. –S
Okay, here we go . . . . I’ll warn you that there are spoilers ahead.
I guess your comments about not connecting emotionally to the characters confuses me. I’m totally, 100% invested in these characters emotionally! Mostly because this is one of the most talented casts on television right now, and the fact that John Noble has not been recognized for the amazing and mesmerizing work he’s done with Walter AND Walternate, and now Walter 2.0, is really sad to me. Anna Torv has also created a feminist character, who much like Scully, can be tough while not losing her femininity. Jasika Nicole has taken what could have been a silly side character from CSI or LAW AND ORDER and given her more depth than just a sidekick with a quippy comeback. And that’s not even mentioning the supporting players who’ve only come in for a few seasons or epsiodes, like Kirk Acevedo, Seth Gabel, Michael Cerveris, or Ryan Mcdonald. Watching these people do what they do every week is enough of an emotional investment for me. PLUS the fact that the writers have given them the opportunity to explore alternate versions of themselves not only elevates this show above most of your typical sci-fi fare that’s dished out (like the insufferable REVOLUTION, for example), but commits me as a viewer even MORE to these characters. What would our Astrid be like if she had Aspergers? What would our Olivia have been like if she hadn’t grown up with an abusive father and her mother had lived? What would our Walter have been like if he hadn’t made the mistakes that have caused him a lifetime of guilt, not to mention his sanity? All of those things make these characters not only more fully formed, but make me, as a viewer, want to see where they go next! It also tells me that ANYTHING is possible with these characters. As evidenced by Peter and Olivia’s relationship.
And let’s take a look at that relationship, shall we? While I admit, I was not too thrilled about the prospect at the beginning, but good lord, those crazy kids have overcome more obstacles than Mulder and Scully were EVER challenged with, and the fact that they are still together only proves how strong their bond is and made me eat my words. First of all, just when they’re thinking there MIGHT be something between them, Olivia discovers that Peter isn’t even from this Universe (!) and now she knows something about him that he doesn’t even know himself. So they’re off to a shaky start to begin with. Secondly, Peter and Olivia weren’t just “separated by a dimension.” Olivia was replaced with a version of her own self, who Peter ended up SLEEPING with because he couldn’t tell the difference! Then when the “real” Olivia returned and discoverd this in my absolute favorite episode of the series, “Marionette,” it is SOUL CRUSHING to her, and the scene where she basically tells Peter, “Even though I was drugged and brain-washed, YOU were the reason I was able to make it back. And the fact that I don’t mean as much to you is the reason we can’t be together.” Man, that’s a great scene, and even though it takes them a while to overcome all that, they DO, because they are DESTINED to be together. September even tells Peter this in the “Brave New World” two-parter. The whole REASON Peter had to “reboot” the timelines at the end of Season Three was because he screwed things up and ended up with the wrong Olivia. As a result, Etta was never born, and there would be no one to stop the Observer invasion in the future. I mean, COME ONE, that’s EPIC romantic stuff right there. And I don’t know how you get more “urgent and vital” then saving the universe! If you are having problems with Peter and Olivia’s relationship, I would venture to say it has more to do with Mr. Jackson’s emotional range as an actor, and not so much the characters or the writing. And yeah, I’m talking smack about Pacey here.
And let’s take a look at Astrid and Walter while we’re at it. Their bond goes much deeper than just “lab work.” They have a familial bond that even Peter and Walter don’t share! Even going all the way back to Season 1 in “The Arrival” when Walter drugs Astrid so he can sneak out from the lab to meet September and then later tries to apologize to her for this. Or in Season 2 in “Snakehead” when Walter gets incredibly emotional after discovering that Astrid was attacked and beaten by the bad guys because of him. She not only admires him because of his brilliant mind, but she genuinely cares for him as a father figure. And given that we just discovered at the end of last year that Astrid also has an elderly father she takes care of at home, this relationship makes perfect sense. As for Walter, he treats Astrid more like one of his own children then even Peter! There is a deep, loving admiration and affection between the two of them that elevates this relationship far above just lab buddies.
And I’m sorry, but the fact that this show has constantly reinvented itself every season is exactly WHY I keep watching, and what elevates it even above THE X-FILES in my not so humble opinion. You wanna talk about a show that went off the rails? And I’m sorry but if you defend those last three seasons of “Super Soldiers” nonsense as some of the “series’ best” than I seriously have to question your judgement. My love for Robert Patrick not withstanding. I think the fact that FRINGE has always been on the brink of cancellation has caused the writers to be creative and inventive in their storytelling, and that, for me, makes for compelling television that I will continue to watch long after the plug has been pulled. I also love the fact that in this last season, they’re not having to worry about tying up some mysterious mythology a la LOST or THE X-FILES, but since it was an unexpected season to say the least, it can just be one big adventure involving all our favorite characters. (Which, by the way, I don’t think we’ve seen the last of Lincoln, Charlie, or those alternates from the other side).
To sum up, FRINGE is not a show for the “casual viewer.” It requires some attention to minute detail that is a welcome alternative for those of us who think DANCING WITH THE STARS or HONEY BOO BOO are symptoms of the slow death of western civilization. Some of my favorite moments as well have been Twittering with the writers, producers, and cast during an episode about thoughts and theories, or discovering some kind of cryptic clue from the glyphs during commercial breaks. If you’re not willing to make the commitment, then by all means, you should “break up.” But you can’t fault the show for not being what you expected it to be when it has spent four previous seasons establishing itself as the unexpected. I, for one, am all in for the ride and can’t wait to see where it ends up.
Thus endeth the rant . . .
Except to say that it makes me extremely happy that Whedonverse and LOST scribe, David Fury, has been elevated to EP this year. OK, now I’m done . . .
Can I slow clap this and just say that I would have been terrified to face you in a Super Fans panel?
Scott, when I tried to rewatch I got stalled in mid season 2. Is there a jumping in point that would get me reinvested, cause I really DO want to see if I could see what you see… -K
Slow clap accepted. 🙂
And to answer your question, no, there’s not really a good “jumping in point,” because it’s all built up from the very beginning, episode by episode, with a little detail here and a little detail there. Although, I do admit I got a little bogged down in Season Two myself when it was airing, but when I go back on DVD (and glorious Blu-Ray especially) it clips along better for me. I think part of my disinterest that season too was that FOX kept preempting it for freaking AMERICAN IDOL, so it might be an entire month before the next episode aired, and it became really hard for me to try to keep up with the plot that way. Now that it’s on Fridays, where it probably should have been all along, and episodes air more or less on time, it’s easier.
Yeah I got stalled on like…the third disc of Season 2? And I KNOW it’s because I was always distracted while watching it. You are right on the money about it REALLY being one you have to pay rapt attention to. I will try again someday. I just can’t dedicate to it in the middle of a TV season. You know my TV habits 🙂 -K
Scott, I first want to say that I sincerely love your comment, not just because it’s well thought-out, but because this is how I WANTED to feel about Fringe. SO BADLY.
I will defend myself on a few points. I was never a “casual viewer” of this show. I don’t believe in casual viewing. 🙂 I said in my post that I have followed Fringe from the beginning, and I hadn’t missed an episode until the actual break-up. I also don’t place any blame on the actors, who I do think are terrific (especially Mr. Noble). Part of my dilemma with the show is that I CAN’T place the blame. Maybe I’m dead inside. But the reason I find my lack of connection to this show so curious, is because I have traditionally become TOO invested in series with similar elements.
The aim of this post wasn’t to disparage the show or to claim to anyone that it’s not worth watching. It’s a specific comment on my experience with it and my incredulity at that experience being what it is. –S
Point taken, and ditto! Although, I do think “Hulu-ing it on Saturday mornings” would qualify the “casual viewer” comment, but I’ll let it slide 😉
Airs on Fridays, I don’t have cable, hence Hulu-ing on Saturday. –S
I think you are so right, Scott. I realize in my earlier comment made it seem like I was indifferent to this show, however while I was reading your epic comment, Scott, I sounded like I was attending a baptist church service with all my “Yes.” and “mmm hmm”s.
This show is CHOC FULL O’ FEELS to use the parlance of this blog. (spoilers ahead).
One of the constants of this show is that our team was “meant to be”. To use a Who-ism, they seem to be our fixed point in time. This small family is so intentional that not only did Walter cross a dimension to save the other Peter, but he and Olivia brought him back from non existence through their own love of him (that IS what happened, right?).
My reservations about Henrietta are only that. Who is she? Who are those people that raised her? What’s that bullet around her neck? What’s her game, if her mom was shot up with special dimension jumping juice and her dad was never supposed to exist/is the genetic key for a magic portal closing machine?
I feel like I’ve been burned before on this show and I’m not ready to let her in so quickly. She’s not “on the team” for me yet and that torture stuff raised my eyebrows. What do you think Scott? What are your suspicions?
also, I originally wrote a much longer version of the above, and then my computer farted and it disappeared. so this is the gist of what I remember writing.
Well, seeing that this week’s episode is titled “The Bullet That Changed the World,” I think a lot of your questions will be answered then. To be honest, I haven’t made up my mind about Etta yet either, but I have learned from my LOST experience to never again project my wishes or theories onto a show, but just to sit back and enjoy the ride. Not only is my viewing experience a LOT more satisfying that way, but it’s a lot less stressful too!
Also, this: http://youtu.be/uupLAflh8hw