Rejoice, sci-fi fans! Despite what seemed like an insurmountable ratings dip and a spot on the Friday night “graveyard” FOX lineup, Fringe was renewed for a full 22 episode fourth season last week. Series producer Joel Wyman broke the news via his twitter account, instantaneously causing nerds all over the country to breathe a collective sigh of relief.
Fringe, like many sci-fi shows past — ahem, Firefly– has built a very strong following. Despite a season low 1.3 rating two weeks ago, FOX has decided to renew Fringe for a fourth season. A strong DVR presence and a rabid Internet fanbase have made Fringe’s renewal possible, surprising the many critics who were busy preparing eulogies.
Fringe may have started as an easily watchable X-Files clone, a standard sci-fi procedural. However, by the end of its second season, it had grown into a deeply philosophical drama with a complex mythology surrounding its universe(s). Once the show’s creators (Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci, and J.J. Abrams) decided to focus on deepening Fringe’s core characters and expanding the mythology of the show’s serialized elements, Fringe really came into its own. It is well on its way to solidifying its place among the best sci-fi series of all time.
For those who haven’t seen Fringe, the show centers around FBI agent Olivia Dunham, played by Anna Torv. It follows her work with scientific mastermind and former insane asylum resident Walter Bishop (John Noble), and his estranged son Peter (Joshua Jackson). The team, along with fellow FBI agents Astrid Farnsworth (Jasika Nicole) and Phillip Broyles (The Wire’s Lance Reddick), solves unexplainable crimes with entertaining scientific explanations that are often complete fiction. Initially, Fringe followed a stiff procedural format with hints at a bigger, overarching story. The show’s first season was uneven. It seemed that the writers didn’t know how to utilize Anna Torv as their leading lady. The show suffered greatly for it.
However, something clicked midway through Fringe’s second season. Procedural “filler” episodes became few and far between and the serialized story elements and character relationships were explored in a much more meaningful way. I don’t want to spoil plot points for new viewers, so I will instead make a recommendation. If you’re going to start watching Fringe, start at the season two episode called “Peter.” Thank me later.
Fringe may be a sci-fi show aesthetically, but at heart it is a deep drama about what makes us human and what makes each of us unique from every other person in this world and others. Humans in all universes can be glad for another season of this show to enjoy.
BEST SHOW EVER!!