Fringe: The Complete First Season
Own it on DVD and Blu-ray on September 8, 2009
Synopsis: Teleportation. Mind control. Invisibility. Astral projection. Mutation. Reanimation. Phenomena that exist on the Fringe of science unleash their strange powers in this thrilling series, co-created by J.J. Abrams (Lost, Alias), combining the grit of the police procedural with the excitement of the unknown. The story revolves around three unlikely colleagues ? a beautiful young FBI agent, a brilliant scientist who?s spent the last 17 years in a mental institution and the scientist?s sardonic son ? who investigate a series of bizarre deaths and disasters known as ?the pattern.? Someone is using our world as an experimental lab. And all clues lead to Massive Dynamic, a shadowy global corporation that may be more powerful than any nation.
Critics called Fringe the #1 new show of 2008. Now I understand why. Weird, entertaining, fun sums it up. It is true sci-fi that defies rational explanation. I missed this series last year. Lucky for me that mistake has been rectified as I am in the process of finishing the complete first season that will be released on DVD in the U. S. on September 8, 2009.
The cast is strong and solid. Anna Torv is FBI agent Olivia Dunham. John Noble is literally mad scientist Walter Bishop. Joshua Jackson is rogue son Peter Bishop. This trio investigate “the Pattern” on the fringe of science. Along the way they confront villains and issues like teleportation, mind control, invisibility, astral projection, mutation, reanimation, rare diseases, transhumans, psychic abilities, chimeras, drugs, bioterrorism, and parallel universes.
What is the source of the many strange events? Is everything connected to the world of Walter Bishop? Has former colleague William Bell used science to bring death to the world? How does Massive Dynamics play into the scheme?
The pilot centers on an airline disaster when Hamburg Flight 627 arrives at Logan with no one alive. Olivia and her lover John Scott (Mark Valley) investigate. Then an explosion in a warehouse they are searching infects John. As he lays dying, Olivia, Walter, and Peter working together against the clock, save him. They locate the man with the answers, Richard Steig. The common thread is Massive Dynamics. The story ends as John dies with its hook leading into the next episode.
Olivia accepts a special assignment and recruits help from Walter and Peter. The crime this time centers on a serial killer who uses a muscle paralyzer on his victims. Olivia seeks help at Massive Dynamics and is offered a job. She meets with Dr. Clause Penrose and his son Chris. Although seemingly cooperative, Penrose is holding something back. We are left to wonder about a secret involving Peter.
When eleven are killed on a bus including a woman of special interest, Olivia is assigned the case. One suspect innocently provides the help to ID the real culprit and bring down a ghost network. The key to the solution is metal in the bloodstream that facilitates receiver transmission. The coin stolen from a victim provides a link to John Scott.
An explosion at an excavation site yields a vibrating metallic cylinder. The cylinder soon disappears. An Observer with no positive ID watches. A gunman searches for the cylinder and tortures and kills those in his way. Olivia saves the day and Peter, kidnapped by the gunman, in the process. Walter confides in his son how many years ago the Observer saved them from death so he owed him.
The early episodes took a little time to grow on me. Now I am an addict. I’ve only told you a little about the first four. What I do want you to know is that the sixteen others are even better. What or who is behind power grid deliverymen, dead diner patrons, a giant parasite, an abducted boy, killer butterflies, a bank robbery, parasitic slugs, computer pop-ups, an airplane crash, a faceless corpse, a feral boy, a bio-engineered beast, dreams that mirror tragedy, terrorists, drug trials, and the enigmatic Mr. Bell?
I can hardly wait for the new season’s premier on FOX Thursday, September 17, 2009 at 9/8c. Look for surprises and twists and turns as the heroes confront the Fringe’s ominous larger plot.
P. S. Dedicated fans: Take careful note of the glyphs and Phi frogs as they are significant.
Learn more by visiting the official site at http://www.fringethedvd.com/.
on Sep 7th, 2009 at 2:28 pm
I watched a few episodes of this I certainly enjoyed them. unfortunatley they conflicted wth another show that was my favorite so getting the dvd set would be enjoyable to watch. THanks for the long run down version.
Sci fi is one of my favorites
on Sep 7th, 2009 at 6:48 pm
Night Owl Mama,
No DVR, Tivo, or other recorder? Great investment….
Pat.
on Sep 7th, 2009 at 6:56 pm
Looks like this is another must see show for us to discover. We have not watched Fringe yet. There is something nice about being able to watch all of a season’s shows close together via a DVD! I am waiting for the DVR that can record 2 or more shows at the same time! When it comes out , we will buy it! Some of our favorite shows play at the same time and day!
on Sep 7th, 2009 at 9:04 pm
I will ask hubby if there is any solution–he used to install for dtv.
Pat.
on Sep 8th, 2009 at 12:00 am
Great review. I honestly adore JJ Abrams and this show has not failed to disappoint. Very riveting and can’t wait to see where the show goes!
on Sep 8th, 2009 at 12:08 am
DG,
Heck, it’s only my take and I can be very picky. But thanks.
Pat.
on Sep 8th, 2009 at 12:51 am
I’ve never seen Fringe, but I may just have to see a couple episodes to see if I like it. Knowing that it was co-created by J.J. Abrams (I love LOST) makes me want to check it out.
on Sep 8th, 2009 at 9:11 am
Debbie,
Remember it gets better after a few weeks.
Pat.
on Sep 10th, 2009 at 9:38 am
I watched the first few episodes as well, but I didn’t stick with it, and now I’m sorry I didn’t. If I have the time, I’ll try to watch the dvds and catch up.
Thanks for a great review.
on Sep 10th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
Janet,
There is only so much time in a day. That’s what’s great about a DVD pplayer when something or someone interrupts regular broadcasting.
Pat.