I know you will all probably hate me for this, but this show is thoroughly underwhelming, not once has an episode finished that I was excited about it. I'm holding out hope for something amazing, and will continue to watch, if only to make sure Joshua Jackson continues to work, he's much better then his DC's counterparts, you know the ones the woman who's been indoctrinated into a cult and the other male lead from DC, Vanderbeek was his name. Although part of me is screaming to boycott Fringe if only to get Lance Reddick back on LOST, I'm torn and it's eating me up inside, especially since I was promised greatness by so many people and it has failed to deliver. Here's to holding out hope, I can't wait until february.

Ok the above might be a little harsh, especially from me who gives every lost episode at least an 8, but they hype was insane, the commercial drove me nuts, and I'm just not that impressed. Although the freezing gas thing was pretty cool, as was thelistening in on people's phone calls thing, and so was the electric guy, you know what maybe I'm waiting to see how Smokey was created, I mean Dharma seems to be right up Bishops isle with the crazy science and everything, I guess it's not as bad as I thought. I do think it could be better though, I don't like Anna Torv, I'm not sure what it is but something just dosen't sit right with me about her, I know what it is she isn't Kate or Claire or Sun or Juliet, see LOST has ruined my life,at least the watching tv part.

i like the show because of the x-fileish style at the beginning. i do not really care for olivia as i have liked jj's other leading ladies, felicity, sydney and kate. i think olivia is a tremendously different gal when she smiles, but the seriousness to me is a little bit dramatic. i love joshua, but i understand how you're feeling since this is a newish character for him.

i don't like to be too confused while watching a show, and that's what i am.

I think the thing that jumped out at me is when you said you were waiting to be amazed. How much TV out there is really amazing? Even on Lost, how many moments compare to jumping off the couch when you saw the glow light map on the door in the hatch and screamed "WTF?!?!?"

You can't expect that on a daily or even episodic basis. I love Lost too, but I am honest enough to admit that every episode doesn't blow me away. It's consistently good though. So is Fringe, though that's my opinion.

Have I seen a Fringe moment that in any way compares with "The Constant"? No. But it doesn't make the show worse for that. Fringe is a solidly strong show with excellent ensemble acting and writing that is compelling enough to make me curious about where they're going.

I think Anna unfairly takes a bad rap for having a more subtly written character that needs to be subtle to offer any kind of contrast to the larger personalities of Peter and especially Walter. Still, she does some excellent work at conveying reserved emotion with very little, a look on the face here, a **** of the head there. Overall all of the actors are first rate.

Instead of comparing a show to Lost or something else that you consistently rate as your favorite show, try looking at it compared to everything else that's out there. For me, no Sci Fi can ever be Firefly, but does that mean there can't be other good Sci Fi? Of course not. At any given time I think I've found there to be at least a couple of shows that are really worth watching on TV, and a couple of others that I'll watch if I happen to catch them. I don't make the shows I like compete against each other though, unless they're on at the same time...which is why God invented TiVo ;)

Ahasuerus, I just realized what I was doing, and thought, that's not fare to the show. It's not LOST, that much is clear, I don't expect every episode to be amazing, but they need to give me something that leaves me thinking "hey now I've gotta check out next weeks epi" I will continue to watch, if only because it is one of the better shows on TV. Also I hadn't thought about Torv's character being a sort of counter point to mad scientist Bishop, that actually sheds a whole different light on her for me at least. My main complaint is that in the first 4 episodes of lost, we were partially introduced to Smokey and of course the Locke ina wheel chair reveal was huge. I am hoping it gets better, I really want it to, I swear I do, considering the fact FOX has a quick trigger finger for pulling shows let's hope they let this one go on in a natural progression, and don't get to demanding.

I look forward to learning more about the pattern though. Have we learned about the pattern yet, I know for certain it's been alluded to but has anyone come out and said this is what we think the pattern is about.

I think Anna unfairly takes a bad rap for having a more subtly written character that needs to be subtle to offer any kind of contrast to the larger personalities of Peter and especially Walter. ;)

i read in October 20th TV Guide Magazine the follow:

Abrams, who excels at finding hot-but-accessible leading ladies, was struck by Torv's confidence and sophistication. "There was a very serious quality about Anna, but when she smiled, her face just lit up," he says.

so it seems that this is what jj was aiming for, and he hit the bull's eye, in my opinion. i feel that there is just too much seriousness about her. even when there's a bit of lightness in the situation, she is still very steely. i love it when she smiles, and i'm hoping that as the season goes on, she will smile more.

i guess i'm just surprised since every one of his leading ladies i have responded to immediately.

I like this show enough but no, it's not Lost. I will say though that even Lost got quite boring for me. I was about ready to quit watching by the end of season 2 (until Des' flashback reeled me back in) because it just wasn't gripping me. Tried to watch Alias but eh, didn't do it for me. Fringe isn't quite a thrill ride but I love Walter and am enjoying the show and do like the easter eggs. I'm excited to learn about Peter's medical history and the overall story even if the individual episodes aren't each stellar and exciting. You can't always compare a date to the exboyfriend (or girlfriend) even if they have some of the same traits, there are always going to be differences.

It's also only been 5 episodes, and I think it's been getting better (I really loved The Arrival). The stand alone qualities of each episode make it much less compelling than a serialized show, like Lost, where you basically get addicted and want to keep on watching more and more, because it's a long continuing storyline.
Also, I'd rather the series start a little shaky and have room for improvement. Lost was absolutely amazing right off the bat, but like Madge, I felt it went down a lot in quality in seasons 2 and the beginning of 3, and picked up again at the end of 3 and all of 4. I love Lost, but I'd rather see a series continually improve rather than the opposite (I don't watch it, but I think the same happened on Heroes, where season 1 was amazing and season 2 was panned by fans and critics).
I believe all of the episodes we've seen so far of Fringe were filmed prior to the season premier, so the newer episodes can be written while taking in any criticisms made for the first batch of episodes.
I agree with Ahasuerus on Anna Torv. IMO, out of JJ's leading ladies, so far I think that Torv is my favorite. She's got a regal, yet approachable, quality to her, and I think it's perfect for playing Olivia. And I understand why Olivia might seem cold, I mean, she's an FBI agent, and her lover just betrayed her and died. I don't think I'd be all happy and smiley after that.

Instead of comparing a show to Lost or something else that you consistently rate as your favorite show, try looking at it compared to everything else that's out there. For me, no Sci Fi can ever be Firefly, but does that mean there can't be other good Sci Fi?

I agree. There will never be another FireFly, but there is good SciFi out there. "Good" is a relative term, i.e. according to a person's personal taste and what they look for in a show. For example, we really liked Journeyman a lot. I personally loved La Femme Nikita. Of course, I could watch Stargate SG1 forever over and over again. Wait, I still do. Anyway...

Comparing shows is not my cup of tea. Still, I can tell this is a J.J. show because he has a certain signature to how he shoots and tells a story.

Fringe does have an X Files feel to it at times. I guess that's why I like it.

As far as being disappointed with Fringe, I watch it but I wouldn't tape it to watch it again. I think that says a lot.

Look all I'm really saying is that I want to be blown away. Imo LOST did it in the first episode, with the reveal of a monster in the jungle, I know fringe isn't lost but still. I think we deserve a little jaw dropping info, now I missed last night episode, it's hockey season again, so if there was something of the jaw dropping category I'm sorry, It plays on another channel on another day so I'll watch it then. With all the hype and that horrible commercial, you know the one with the music, I was hopping to be blown away early on. Come to think of it the frozen people was pretty cool, maybe I'm not paying enough attention.

it is one of those shows that i read a magazine while i'm watching!

i am NOT blown away like i am with lost. when i watched the pilot, i was stuck....stuck on that island with them! i couldn't wait for the next episode as soon as it was over!

there are not many shows that i get blown away by like lost. so don't apologize!

btw.....olivia smiled a lot more last night;). she's still not felicity, sydney or kate. sorry!

I will say that while I enjoyed the first season of Lost, what blew me away was getting on the computer the next day and reading about the easter eggs people found. The episodes were good but it was what was hidden in them that made the show really interesting for me and that's what doing it for me Fringe-wise as well. Well the easter eggs and Walter that kook!

Walter that kook!

walter's the best:thumbup1:!

Yes, Walter is awesome, it's always very interesting to see what he'll say next, apparently a little crazy goes a long way:biggrin: I remember in the episode with the observer, well the one where we're told about him, that Peter, Joshua Jackson's character, confronted a man in the restaurant, and the man said something about, you were supposed to tell us when you came back now did anything ever come of that?

Not yet, hopefully soon though. They're doing a lot of set up with scenes like that one and last night's with Nina saying how she was close to Walter. Set up is good, following up on it in a timely manner is better.

following up on it in a timely manner is better.
Agreed, unlike LOST of course:biggrin:
The scene you mention about the woman saying she was close to Walter, I actually recall this, I was flipping between the hockey game and fringe and I actually remember that being said, well it at least sound familiar

Yeah, she was saying this to Peter at the stables. I also thought it was interesting how she mentioned Peter looks just like he did as a child. Of course my first thought was "Because he was born in a test tube at at 25!". So she was in with Walter lo the many years ago. More set up!

I like that they appear to be continuing to follow up on the threads that are out there, but at the same time not giving us answers to everything just because we want them NOW. Patience is a virtue. The things you have to wait for, to tease out of details, to strive for, are the things you cherish most.

I'm holding out hope for something amazing, and will continue to watch, if only to make sure Joshua Jackson continues to work, he's much better then his DC's counterparts, you know the ones the woman who's been indoctrinated into a cult and the other male lead from DC, Vanderbeek was his name.

Although part of me is screaming to boycott Fringe if only to get Lance Reddick back on LOST, I'm torn and it's eating me up inside, especially since I was promised greatness by so many people and it has failed to deliver. Here's to holding out hope, I can't wait until february.

Although the freezing gas thing was pretty cool, as was thelistening in on people's phone calls thing, and so was the electric guy, you know what maybe I'm waiting to see how Smokey was created, I mean Dharma seems to be right up Bishops isle with the crazy science and everything, I guess it's not as bad as I thought. I do think it could be better though, I don't like Anna Torv, I'm not sure what it is but something just dosen't sit right with me about her, I know what it is she isn't Kate or Claire or Sun or Juliet, see LOST has ruined my life,at least the watching tv part.

I don't know what DC is but I agree that Josh Jackson is very good. When Peter and Walter are together on screen I'm mesmerized.

Don't worry about Lance Reddick. JJ Abrams said that at first he too was worried about hiring him away from Lost but then he realized that if he did not hire him, Lance could always go and work for someone else. If he got him for Fringe, then at least the producers know one another and they can give him time to go to Hawaii whenever he's needed on Lost. That would not necessarily be the case if he was on someone else's show.

They weren't listening in on people's phone calls. They were listening in on people's thoughts over a mental communication network Walter had theorized could be created.

My son doesn't like Anna Torv either. I don't really know why. She's ok to me but then I'm watching the Bishops.


Have I seen a Fringe moment that in any way compares with "The Constant"? No. But it doesn't make the show worse for that. Fringe is a solidly strong show with excellent ensemble acting and writing that is compelling enough to make me curious about where they're going.

Overall all of the actors are first rate.

Instead of comparing a show to Lost or something else that you consistently rate as your favorite show, try looking at it compared to everything else that's out there. For me, no Sci Fi can ever be Firefly, but does that mean there can't be other good Sci Fi? Of course not. At any given time I think I've found there to be at least a couple of shows that are really worth watching on TV, and a couple of others that I'll watch if I happen to catch them. I don't make the shows I like compete against each other though, unless they're on at the same time...which is why God invented TiVo ;)

It may not be The Constant but for me the arrival was very very good. I think people also forget that there have only been six episodes of Fringe. When The Constant aired, Lost was in it's fourth season. They have to do a lot of build up to get to the point where you can air a show like The Constant with the impact it had. Lost has a huge ensemble cast and each character has a backstory. Lost built things up and stretched out the story line by giving us small pieces of each character's background, secret and challenge. In Fringe, we don't even really know who all the players are much less any secrets or reasons we are supposed to care about them. We need to give them time to tell their story.

Oh please don't mention Firefly. It makes me want to cry every time I think of how quickly Fox pulled the trigger on that show. I have never seen a show so well put together and so different on television before it or since. Fox better stick with Fringe just to make up for their mistake with Firefly.

It's also only been 5 episodes, and I think it's been getting better (I really loved The Arrival). The stand alone qualities of each episode make it much less compelling than a serialized show, like Lost, where you basically get addicted and want to keep on watching more and more, because it's a long continuing storyline.
Also, I'd rather the series start a little shaky and have room for improvement. Lost was absolutely amazing right off the bat, but like Madge, I felt it went down a lot in quality in seasons 2 and the beginning of 3, and picked up again at the end of 3 and all of 4. I love Lost, but I'd rather see a series continually improve rather than the opposite (I don't watch it, but I think the same happened on Heroes, where season 1 was amazing and season 2 was panned by fans and critics).


I agree. The overarching story has not yet been fully developed but it will never be as developed as in Lost because Fringe has been set up to make each episode self contained. I also agree with your statement on Heroes. I thought it was a cute show the first season but totally unwatchable after that. It seems they had no idea the show would ever go beyond one year and did not plan for multiple seasons. I'm sure Fringe does not have this problem. JJ has already had multiple season hits and I'm sure they have a rough plan as to where the show will be going over a number of years. Though I do believe that they do have a problem with how much to tell and how soon.

Look all I'm really saying is that I want to be blown away. Imo LOST did it in the first episode, with the reveal of a monster in the jungle, I know fringe isn't lost but still. I think we deserve a little jaw dropping info, now I missed last night episode, it's hockey season again, so if there was something of the jaw dropping category I'm sorry, It plays on another channel on another day so I'll watch it then. With all the hype and that horrible commercial, you know the one with the music, I was hopping to be blown away early on. Come to think of it the frozen people was pretty cool, maybe I'm not paying enough attention.

Well, last night, Peter did mention what he thought the pattern was. Nina Sharp told Peter, she and his father were "close" when he was very young, and that Peter spent a lot of time with her when he was young. Phillip Broyles does not like Olivia delving into INtREPUS at all. She's going to receive some kind of punishment for doing so. Because of a bargain Peter made to help Olivia, Nina Sharp pretty much owns Peter now.

Yes, Walter is awesome, it's always very interesting to see what he'll say next, apparently a little crazy goes a long way:biggrin: I remember in the episode with the observer, well the one where we're told about him, that Peter, Joshua Jackson's character, confronted a man in the restaurant, and the man said something about, you were supposed to tell us when you came back now did anything ever come of that?

No, not yet. This is an example of them continuing to build up the mystery behind one of the characters. Just give them time.

I like that they appear to be continuing to follow up on the threads that are out there, but at the same time not giving us answers to everything just because we want them NOW. Patience is a virtue. The things you have to wait for, to tease out of details, to strive for, are the things you cherish most.

I totally agree. The more attention I pay to the show the more information I gain. Like Lost, there is a lot foreshadowing done in this show. Viewers have to look carefully for the clues. If people are expecting a show that spells everything out in letters big enough to see while they watch Fringe, listen to their IPods, make telephone calls, and read magazines, while flipping through the channels, they are going to be disappointed. Anyone who pays attention and watches will be rewarded with an engaging show.

If people are expecting a show that spells everything out in letters big enough to see while they watch Fringe, listen to their IPods, make telephone calls, and read magazines, while flipping through the channels, they are going to be disappointed. Anyone who pays attention and watches will be rewarded with an engaging show.

Ugh...I hate to think of shows like that. I want something that needs my undivided attention.

I am more than happy with what Fringe has been giving me.

[quote=Itsalldark;2035771

My son doesn't like Anna Torv either. I don't really know why. She's ok to me but then I'm watching the Bishops. [/quote]

that's a good way to put it! the bishops make the show!;)

I like that they appear to be continuing to follow up on the threads that are out there, but at the same time not giving us answers to everything just because we want them NOW. Patience is a virtue. The things you have to wait for, to tease out of details, to strive for, are the things you cherish most.

Yes but most of you folks are better at reading between the lines and seeing possibilities of where things can be going. I admit I rather need to have somethings just hit me upside the head before I get it. I'm seeing the set up and liking it but I want a good V8 hit to the head every now and then. I am hoping we get to some "omg omg omg" moments soon.


Oh, Heroes is a great disappointment in my eyes. It had such promise at the beginning but that first season finale was a big letdown and then season 2 seemed like nothing more than a short, boring version of season 1. I haven't even bothered with this season and I don't feel like I'm missing anything.
Kill the cheerleader, Save the show!

I also am waiting for a "Hatch Door Map" kind of crowning moment of awesome. Even on Lost they're a once in a while thing...and it's still early...but if the writers are listening, a huge WTF? OMG! moment would be a lot of fun and cement what is already a good deal of interest. Maybe something going into that Thanksgiving/Christmas season of mostly repeats to give us something to obsess over waiting for new episodes?

I also am waiting for a "Hatch Door Map" kind of crowning moment of awesome. Even on Lost they're a once in a while thing...and it's still early...but if the writers are listening, a huge WTF? OMG! moment would be a lot of fun and cement what is already a good deal of interest. Maybe something going into that Thanksgiving/Christmas season of mostly repeats to give us something to obsess over waiting for new episodes?
Yes, this is what I'm looking forward too, something to make me shake my head and say wtf was that about.

itsalldark fyi DC means Dawson's Creek, it was a show about some whiney teenagers and growing up. It was actually quite pathetic, staredd Joshua Jackson, James Vanderbeek and the now brainwashed Katie Holmes, there was also a gay football player if a remember correctly, not that that's relevant just trying to remember
I don't want to wait for my life to be over.

Yeah, even on Lost we found out Locke was originally in a wheel chair after the third or fourth ep.

Yes but most of you folks are better at reading between the lines and seeing possibilities of where things can be going. I admit I rather need to have somethings just hit me upside the head before I get it.
Oh man, you probably can't beat me. I'm possibly the densest Lost viewer ever. Even when there are those smack-you-in-the-face moments, it takes me a good 15 seconds later than most to be like "oooooooooh my God!"

I also am waiting for a "Hatch Door Map" kind of crowning moment of awesome. Even on Lost they're a once in a while thing...and it's still early...but if the writers are listening, a huge WTF? OMG! moment would be a lot of fun and cement what is already a good deal of interest. Maybe something going into that Thanksgiving/Christmas season of mostly repeats to give us something to obsess over waiting for new episodes?
That's also what I feel like might be missing so far. Or I know that they don't want cliffhangers at the end of each Fringe episode, but I'm hoping for more cliffhangers between commercial breaks. I do think they sort of did that with The Cure, where there was heightened tension, but I think they could do it more often.

Cool, we can be slow on the uptake together Buddha!

I'm loving the ell out of Fringe! I don't think LOST should not be compared to Fringe as Fringe is a very very good show on it's own and not really the same genre as LOST. I sure hope it gets picked up for next season.

Ok this was more to my liking, a little action, some crazy science stuff, a shadowy meeting of a group of people, a lot of Lance Reddick, a little sweetness at the end with the singing, very well done episode. I do have a question though, who is the spy? lurking the fan sites, informing JJ and the producers of the people who aren't enjoying the show but want to, who is it?

back to back solid episodes, there may be hope for you yet Fringe, nah I'm kidding tonight's episode sold me on the show, I now consider myself a devotee.

edit: I'm glad I gave it a chance btw.

I'm guessing last night's episode was filmed after they knew they were getting a full season, hopefully the ride is really going to start now. As I said in the rate the ep thread, I liked the twist they actually helped out the bad guy by supplying info. Very cool I do think we some very mind blowing soon, but at least it's holding my interest.