Fringe: The Same Old Story
By fred | September 17, 2008
(S01E02) So here we go, the second episode of the famous new series Fringe, and the first one to give us a real idea of what the show will look like. The pilot divided people in two camps, some thought the show was great, others not so much. One thing for sure is this : this is the latest creation of J.J. Abrams.
Not to pinpoint any similarities with his previous creations or anything like that, but to say that that was why the show was so much talked about, why it was the most anticipated new series this fall. It all comes down to this, and in the end I think the yes, the show was overly hyped, and that’s due to Abrams’ name, but at the same time that same name also raised people’s expectations.
Which is why some might be disappointed, because had this be just a new series from no famous big names, just a new sci-fi series, reactions would be different.
The facts are there : there’s an undeniable quality behind the show, a top-notch cast and some great directing are at play here, no doubt. Comes the writing, things aren’t all that good. In fact, Fringe isn’t actually that much of a great show yet. It is not, but it is good nevertheless, it’s a solid show and given time it could grow into something much better, it could became a really good, great even, sci-fi show.
For the moment though, sorry to say we’re not there yet. You know, that first scene was really irritating for me, because I watched the pilot. And clearly that was the scene for people who did not, and hopefully that will be a lot of people (thanks to House) because last week’s numbers weren’t so great. But for the rest of us, going over the new team one more time and doing the introduction to everyone all over again, quite boring.
And then, the case. Nothing we haven’t seen before, especially if you like science-fiction, but it was pretty well done I guess. Although I have to say, I was incredibly pissed not to see anymore of that rapidly growing baby ! Side note: those special effects, for names of the different locations, I’m sure people thought it was cool and all, but it’s not, it’s really not, it’s a bit lame in fact and doesn’t go well with the rest of the show in my opinion. I’d wished someone would have realized it after the pilot went on the air, seems not, so let me say it : stop that and go back to more normal things, because it looks bad.
The characters are fun, though, they’re all finding their marks and the different interactions between everyone are quite fun, funny even at times. But the core of the episode didn’t really impress, far from it. So of course the whole medical science that was at play here came from past experiences from our very own Walter, because that’s how it’s always going to be I guess, and to make things even better it also just so happens to be a case about a serial killer that, guess what, our very own Olivia was working on back in the days. Of course.
I know her partner used to be involved in “The Pattern”, but he wasn’t par of the team that actually investigates anything was it? They as FBI agents weren’t on such cases because of that, were they? No that was just one more coincidence to add to the list…
Adding how they apparently suck at working cases I guess, because I know it’s all about fringe science on the show, but if they didn’t had a crazy Bishop to think he could actually put on a TV screen the “memory” of a dead victim’s eyes, and if that didn’t just happen to give them the exact location of where to find everyone, because it was a distinctive bridge that, of course, the killer made sure she took a look at (and even though that last really the last thing she saw), they’d have had nothing.
Did they knew who the killer was ? Nope. Who was behind it all ? Nope. Did they suspect Bishop’s old partner Dr. Penrose was hiding something ? Sure, but did they had anything to link him to anything ? Nope, they didn’t even know how involved in all of this he was. So, again, thank God they knew that big company which just happened to have developed the technology they needed and was willing to share it with them, and thank God that “last” picture on the victim’s eyes was what it was, and not some cheap motel or anything like that…
I have to say that, while there’s still lots of potential for this show to grow into something pretty cool, I was simply underwhelmed by this episode. There’s something there, they have a great cast and some interesting characters - on that note, what the Hell was Walter talking about, regarding Peter’s birth?? - but we’re not yet to the point where we can say that the show is actually great.
Still, can’t wait to see how things will evolve and what they have in store for us next week !
