The Enduring Legacy of J. J. Abrams' Fringe: A Sci-Fi Drama Like No Other
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A white tulip represents forgiveness, love, and remembrance. I only wish that in the seconds before the screen faded to black and the credits rolled for the final time, Peter Bishop, played by Joshua Jackson (The Mighty Ducks, the Skulls, Dawson's Creek), reflected the expression of remembrance. It would have made all the difference in the finale of J.J. Abrams' hit sci-fi drama, Fringe. I finished the series today. More than a decade after the series ended. Regardless, Fringe is one of the best television series I’ve seen. Despite the occasional two or three consecutive episodes I was eager to rush through.
I like procedural crime dramas and the added component of “What the f*** is that?” gave this spawn of CSI and the X-Files the push it needed to remember long after time reset— even if Jackson couldn’t. What made Fringe great wasn’t merely its procedural aspect (although that did help). But something that is far more difficult to create. Something that most shows sorely lacks and that I, unfortunately, can see right through. The relationships Fringe developed between the characters through its five seasons made this show truly remarkable. The connection created between Jackson, the awe-inspiring Anna Torv, John Noble, Jasika Nicole, Blair Brown, Michael Cerveris, Seth Gabel, and Lance Reddick is probably the most raw and believable I’ve seen on screen. And to have done it twice throughout two different universes.
When the series introduced the mirrored universe, it added new depth and dimension to the show. One that allowed for expanded perspectives for the characters and the show’s fan base. Exploring that dimension, however, after several episodes, season three began to feel contrived. The creators and writers worked through that, and there were only a few episodes in the middle of season three that could have been reworked, written better, and had better direction. My critique is minor, but the season stagnated enough for me to take a several-month break from the show.
The first two seasons consumed me, although equally consumed by my work I watched an episode or two (or three) a day. The third season took me a little longer. On the whole, I enjoyed the season; there were episodes, however, that dragged on, and I lost interest momentarily—long enough to get through The Mentalist. When I picked it back up again halfway through the third season, I became even more consumed than before. I finished the series less than a week later. The last episode: Season Five, episode 13 was emotional because I had to let go of relationships that had come to feel very real. Not many shows have had that effect on me, especially after only five seasons.
I have to acknowledge the music of Fringe. Music was a character in itself within the series; a friend to Walter (played by John Noble) that enhanced his emotional capacity, creating an added layer to the depth of the series in almost an inexpressible way. Music, though universal, can be difficult to thread well into a series, especially one like Fringe. The inclusion of the music in Fringe was done so expertly and believably that it gave the characters (Walter particularly) a level of sincerity difficult to capture on screen, specifically in shows with such a relatively short run time. I'm clearly in awe of this series.
Fringe is a masterfully crafted sci-fi drama that will leave you contemplating the boundaries of reality and the power of human connection. Despite minor missteps in season three, the show's exceptional character development, intricate plotlines, and emotional resonance make it a must-watch for anyone who loves thought-provoking television.