'Fringe' needs viewers in this universe
Walter (John Noble, R) and Olivia (Anna Torv, L) work together in the lab in the " Stowaway " episode of "Fringe" airing Friday, March 18 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. CR: Liane Hentscher/FOX Credit: FOX Photo/
The FBI's "Fringe science" division discovers a universe parallel to our own. Everyone on this side has a doppelgänger on that side, but there are key differences. For example, people in the alternate universe have better hair (really, they do).
Both universes also seem to be battling each other at certain weak spots in the time-space continuum; wacky stuff happens there, which the Fringies investigate. Back in our universe, mad scientist Walter Bishop (John Noble) gave experimental drugs to FBI agent Olivia Dunham (Anna Torv) as a child, giving her the ability to see and cross over into this other universe.
She learned that Bishop's son, Peter (Joshua Jackson), had been kidnapped from the alternate by Bishop, who had jumped over there 25 years earlier. Why? His own son had died. Peter decides to go back to the other side to see his real family, while Olivia's doppelgänger -- whom fans have fondly dubbed "Fauxlivia" -- jumped to our side.
MY SAY As the foregoing convincingly establishes, "Fringe" is nuts. Yet rarely has lunacy been so inspired in prime time. When Fox sent "Fringe" on its Friday death march in January, showrunners promised to unleash their wildest inner sci-fi child.
Mission accomplished: In this third season, "Fringe" is compelling, smart, silly, irreverent and emphatically odd. "Fringe" is also the last redoubt of science fiction on the broadcast networks, and when gone, there will be nothing ("V" and "The Event" are not expected to be renewed). Of the 80 pilots ordered, only one is sci-fi.
As "Fringe" ponders the fate of two universes, what of its fate? The series likely is doomed. Ratings are horrible, and while time-shift viewing is astronomical -- well over a third of fans watch via DVR or Hulu -- that's a demerit to advertisers.
BOTTOM LINE TV needs shows like this because serendipity, smart storytelling, and (yes) sci-fi are vital to the health of the medium. Let's hope Fox gives "Fringe" another season because if not, fans will have to go to another universe for more.
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