Review of the New Fox TV Show Fringe

Fringe, the new prime time drama from the Fox Network, came on the scene mid September with a heavily advertised Pilot show. The commercials were very cryptic, not giving the viewer much insight into the content of the show. This was probably an advertising ploy to get attention, by heightening the mysteriousness of the show.

As it turns out, Fringe is a drama/mystery/science fiction thriller. The basis of the show is focused around what comes to be know as "The Pattern", a series of strange events, causing death and injury to innocent victims due to scientifically advanced phenomena. The main characters, Agent Olivia Dunham, a female FBI agent who is unknowingly dragged into the midst of a secret investigation into "The Pattern", Walter Bishop, an institutionalized "mad" scientist who's experiments from the 1070's are all related to the current "Pattern", and Peter Bishop, Walter Bishop's estranged son, who is the only living person allowed to release his father from the mental institution in which he has been housed for the past 17 years.

The characters' relationships are progressively being deepened as the series continues. A bit of animosity between father and son give the viewer a connection to their relationship, an abandoned son and a senile father. The relationship between Olivia and Peter is growing more intimate; although no physical relationship has developed the sexual tension is obviously developing.

The drama is intense, as one event after another baffles, excites, confuses and then is ultimately solved by the unlikely team of investigators. Secrecy and betrayal are both an important underlying hindrance to the ongoing investigations, as Agent Dunham must learn whom she can trust and what she can believe.

One aspect of the series does leave a taste of "a little bit over the top" in my mouth. The "special effects" used for the titling, large 3d lettering used constantly throughout the show to tell the viewer where the scene is taking place, sometimes it is used well however, most often the title seems out of place.

As far-fetched as "The Pattern" is, everything is presented in hypothetical scientific terms that to any viewer with the least bit of imagination could easily be understood and appreciated, "crazy" as they may be.

It is slightly reminiscent of the hit show "The X-Files" but without the extra terrestrial overtones, although "The X-Files" cases were usually explained by scientific phenomena not unlike "Fringe".

Overall, I give this show 4 out of 5 stars for creativity and originality. The characters however do leave a bit to be desired for the most part, a little more depth could have been beneficial to the mystery of the drama.

Fringe airs on Fox, Tuesday nights at 9 p.m. / 8 p.m. central.