Fringe Catch-All - You Are My Favorite Thing, Fringe. My Very Favorite Thing.

Tscott wrote:
muraii wrote:

Should I start watching this?

In all honesty, the first season does start a bit shaky, but comes together nicely by the end. After that, things just get better and better. You'll be amazed where this show takes you.

Yep, start watching it.

The thing I appreciate most is that it seems like the overall plot arcs were roadmapped from the very beginning and not pulled out of someone's ass as the series went on (like Lost, Battlestar Galactica, and yes, the X-Files).

I'm not sure what I'll do with myself, watching a show that's currently still in production and which doesn't require cable (or a black heart).

gewy wrote:

The thing I appreciate most is that it seems like the overall plot arcs were roadmapped from the very beginning and not pulled out of someone's ass as the series went on (like Lost, Battlestar Galactica, and yes, the X-Files).

Agreed. Abrams seems to have learned a lesson when he left Lost in Cuse/Lindelof's hands and started this. This had a plan. At the very least the first 3 seasons arcs can all fit in with first season foreshadowing. Of course after End of All Things this year when we found out more about the Observers even this season fits.

muraii wrote:

I watched one or two full episodes some time ago. I must say I understand how crass this will sound, but it felt like a limp X-Files derivative with a Poppy Montgomery stand-in and some other impotent character actors. To be a bit more charitable, it felt like several other purportedly ambitious shows that a network mindset crippled. Like the X-Files' later seasons. Not quite as capriciously obscure and lazy as Lost, but a little overglamorous in Fox's style.

Maybe I was just grumpy. Anything that lasts five seasons has something going for it, right? #winning

From the OP:

Fringe: Why It's One of Our Favorite Shows

Fringe has gone from being a guilty pleasure to a legitimately awesome series over the course of its first two seasons and into its third, and we don't think enough people are talking about that. If you're one of the many still in the dark about this fantastic show, these are the reasons you should try giving it a shot now.

Decent article on the upcoming Season 5

‘Fringe’ Season 5 Details Revealed

Definite season 4 spoilers and the producers are talking about season 5, so some things they say may be considered spoilery. Read at your own risk.

One hopeful (non-spoilery quote)

It’s a 13-episode sprint; there’s no filler episodes. It answers some very bold questions. It culminates with a very satisfying type of crescendo that really is so important for the fans, that’s the biggest thing. That’s the only thing that’s really important is to make sure that they feel absolutely satiated.

Are past seasons available online anywhere other than pay-by-episode? I lost the show around the start of Season 4 (and never saw Season 1) and want to get caught up. Not sure about dropping $35 per season, but I do love the show.

Looks like FOX only has the most recent 5 eps.

Hulu just links to WB, which apparently has the 2nd half of season 1 available right now.

That's all I see.

I'm sure you could find early season 4 at other places... if you can't wait for the DVD/Blu in Sept.

Huge SDCC Preview for Season 5, which they say will start off where the 419 episode ended.

Is it September yet?

Do want.

trueheart78 wrote:

Is it September yet?

Reminding me how long we still have to wait is mean

Was something wrong with the sound in the clip or is my headset going?

i38warhawk wrote:

Was something wrong with the sound in the clip or is my headset going?

Probably your headset...

Try this one

Here's your 31 second season 5 premiere preview.

Is it September 28th yet?

Wow! That looks like it's gonna be great. Is this going to be the final season?

Final 13 episodes. Glad to see it made it this far - thrilled to see how they wrap it all up.

trueheart78 wrote:

Final 13 episodes. Glad to see it made it this far - thrilled to see how they wrap it all up.

Oh cool. Yeah, I've enjoyed it and wouldn't have kept up with it if it hadn't been on Hulu. I tend to forget about it and then binge on 3-5 episodes at a time. It's worked out nicely. I'm also glad that it is the final season. It's definitely time to wrap things up. I think the show would have been perfect at about 3 seasons, if they would have planned it that way. They have definitely milked the show for all it's worth.

tuffalobuffalo wrote:
trueheart78 wrote:

Final 13 episodes. Glad to see it made it this far - thrilled to see how they wrap it all up.

Oh cool. Yeah, I've enjoyed it and wouldn't have kept up with it if it hadn't been on Hulu. I tend to forget about it and then binge on 3-5 episodes at a time. It's worked out nicely. I'm also glad that it is the final season. It's definitely time to wrap things up. I think the show would have been perfect at about 3 seasons, if they would have planned it that way. They have definitely milked the show for all it's worth.

Aside from a few hiccups during the end of S4, I've thoroughly enjoyed all the seasons.

Seasons 1-3 are also part of Amazon's Prime Videos offering, in HD.

I think I'm going to rewatch the whole series the next month or so, if I can swing it.

To hell with new TV.

Kurrelgyre wrote:

Seasons 1-3 are also part of Amazon's Prime Videos offering, in HD.

I'm going to borrow my mother's Prime membership for just that reason.

I just finished the pilot. There are several flaws to focus on, as I mentioned earlier, but that's a fool's game. I know how useful it is to look past what you see to its intent. It's pulpy and I think I can get behind that.

muraii wrote:

I just finished the pilot. There are several flaws to focus on, as I mentioned earlier, but that's a fool's game. I know how useful it is to look past what you see to its intent. It's pulpy and I think I can get behind that.

The first half (or so) of the first season is sort of rocky, but it starts to come together after that and keeps getting better and better from the second season on. I would still advise soldiering through the rough bits in the first season though, a lot of threads introduced then become important later on.

ruhk wrote:
muraii wrote:

I just finished the pilot. There are several flaws to focus on, as I mentioned earlier, but that's a fool's game. I know how useful it is to look past what you see to its intent. It's pulpy and I think I can get behind that.

The first half (or so) of the first season is sort of rocky, but it starts to come together after that and keeps getting better and better from the second season on. I would still advise soldiering through the rough bits in the first season though, a lot of threads introduced then become important later on.

This.

Eh I've just finished re-watching the first two seasons the last 11 days (see post above), and it's even better than I remember. Knowing the mystery and seeing the clues and foreshadowing, and knowing when people are lying about things... it really all comes together.

Yeah I have to agree. The last time I went back to season one it was even better than I remembered.

Heed. Obey. Serve.

Just watched "Letters of Transit" again today. So good.

I just finished "Safe" on my first introduction to Fringe. Mostly excellent, with acceptable lapses of good writing. The framework is well-built enough that I don't want to pick it apart, I just want to be entertained.

JJ Abrams is hit-or-miss for me. Dug Star Trek but couldn't stand Lost, not even for Evangeline Lilly. Never really watched Alias. And Revolution looks very bad.

I wish it was Friday right now.

Then I wish every day was Friday.

Going to be a long week. But a good one.