Daryl Tay.net

Three episodes in, I think it’s a good time to check in on Fringe, the latest work from JJ Abrams (creator of both Lost and Alias, who is also working on the next Star Trek film).

I had a set of thoughts for the first episode, and the second, and again they are mirrored in the third:

1) Walter Bishop - Okay come on. Is it possible that every event in “The Pattern” that occurs, is linked to Walter Bishop’s research 17 years ago? It’s getting tired.

2) Massive Dynamic - Similarly, everything is linked to them? I don’t know how stupid Dunham is, but clearly something fishy is going on when you’ve undertaken three cases, and Massive Dynamic is the common thread in all three.

3) Peter Bishop - Is there an actual reason for him to be here other than the flimsy “your father needs a guardian” reason? It seems it’s between that, and him doing things outside the law that Olivia can’t do, and some obvious romantic tension with Olivia

4) Anna Torv - Her acting is fine, but honestly a TV show like this needs a prettier face. Also, she’s mourning the death of her ex-partner and lover. We get it already, move on.

5) The Pattern - This part I like. I don’t know what’s going on with Broyles and Sharp, but I like it. The conspiracy going on here is what I’m most interested about.

Overall, Fringe feels like an X-Files lite show, with none of the compelling Mulder/Scully characters. There’s a danger of it being formulaic (Smallville, anyone?) and it needs to change that soon. I don’t love the show, and right now only JJ Abram’s name is keeping me watching. I hope he does some magic soon!