Fringe - its like the X Files, but not. (Fringe)

Member Name: adambrown400

Product:	Fringe
Date:	23/11/08 (52 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good central performances

Disadvantages: over use of pscho babble

Whenever a new American sci-fi or drama show comes out, it's always a reason to get excited, especially recently. Of late we've had the absolutely amazing new Battlestar Galactica and the gripping 24. Most of these shows look better than films these days and can be annoying addictive.

Fringe relates to 'fringe' science, nanotechnology, reincarnation etc. Anna Torv aka Agent Olivia Denham leads a small team of people who investigate strange happenings around the state of Boston. She enlists the help of institutionalized scientist Dr Walter Bishop and his son Peter to help. As they go through the series the strange phenomena seem to be happening more regularly and are referred to as 'the pattern'. They investigate a woman who gives birth to a child who ages 80 years in a matter of seconds, a man who can see into the future, people who can control electricity using their bodies and people who are infested with strange mechanical parasites.

It's similar in tone to the X Files, never a show I was really fond of, but Fringe is different and works because of the strange doctor played by John Noble and his son Peter Bishop played with sarcasm by Joshua Jackson. I have enjoyed Fringe so far and hope that it's given a chance by the networks.

It's annoying then that I've heard rumbling that the excellent Terminator the Sarah Connor Chronicles may be axed, and was equally miffed that two other great sci-fi shows were also axed - Journeyman, and Masters of Science Fiction. I hope that the networks keep with 'Fringe' and give it a chance. It usually takes series such as this a good couple of seasons for the characters to develop and for the audience to warm to them. If you haven't started watching it yet, the makers have deliberately filmed it in such a way that you can instantly access a single episode. Unlike 24 and Lost, where unless you've been watching it for weeks you aren't really going to understand what is going on, Fringe takes the Star Trek option- and lets you just watch a singe episode.

Fringe would be suitable for anyone who enjoys American drama, and it isn't just for sci-fi geeks. There plenty of action and car chases to entertain everybody.

Summary: good solid start to a decent show