MovieChat Forums > Fringe (2008) Discussion > When the Show Jumped the shark

When the Show Jumped the shark

posted 8 years ago by FreedomWatchTower
16 replies | jump to latest

I think personaly that when they started teasing in season 2 where the show will go with the whole Walternative Parallel Universe stuff it found its own voice.
Because in the beginning it just felt like a modern adaptation of the X Files, which isn't bad even if we already had that with Dark Skies in the 90's.
The problem i had is that many parts of the plot elements like the one surrounding Peters true "nativity" and Walter involvement became too Soap Opera'ish.
And one major flaw was the whole last season which felt like if they rushed 3 seasons in 13 eps plus tje sfx, sets, lighting was horrible, it sadly looked from the first to last minute cheap and like a Set.
To be honest i didnt even finish the Show i still have 5 episodes left but i lost the interest in the Show which is sad because after the countless rewatching of The X Files back then i felt in love with Fringe when it aired until season 4 came on and i slowly began to disliking it.
Is the final any good? Or is it a cliche happy ending with Peter and Bishop happyly walking down the Sundown hand in hand

[–] Devoiders 8 years ago

I think that everyone who loves Fringe will agree that Season 2 was great with the parallel universe plot. Some people have trouble with Walter, but many find him one of the best characters in all of S/F TV. Yes, there was a massive funding cut for Season 5, and writers left, and the show lost focus, it moved from Olivia to Peter, and was more like an invasion flick.

But...
Nothing is perfect. Season 5 has flaws, it was the best they could do considering the money available.

"Jumping the shark" is a bit harsh. We are not talking about Fonzie surfing in a leather jacket.

The final 5 episodes are good from the perspective of hard core aliens-are-invading science fiction. The last 5 shows are not as desirable as Season 1 through 3, but it's still Fringe, not as good, but still Fringe --
there are still multiple story lines and good acting and nice philosophical points being made, the emotional depth is still there.

I would rather watch mediocre Fringe shows than the current 2016 X-Files.
I would rather watch mediocre Fringe shows than the Marvel universe.

If you can't love the one you want, love the one your with. --CSNY.

It's not a happy, everything worked out ending.

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http://notimethebook.com/

[–] darkqueenoflove 8 years ago

Please, in the first 4 episodes of season 5, the focus was on Olivia and Etta, THREE episodes was focused on Peter and the last 6 episodes was focused on the team, Michael and the entire series finale focused on Olivia getting Michael back AND it was OLIVIA who killed wind mark. So no, season 5 was NOT focused on Peter at all. I suppose it's better if Peter was just helping Walter with the tapes in that lab all day. Apparently Peter is such a horrible character that it's a huge problem for him to have a damn storyline.

[–] Ashok2077 8 years ago

Fringe was phenomenal from start to finish.

[–] VermithraxPejorative 8 years ago

I was not a fan of the central "hook" of season 4 and I was even less enthused with season 5, particularly an aggressively stupid instance of retconning in Season 5 Ep 11. However, I do believe that even at its worst, Fringe was vastly superior to 98% of television out there.

Just my opinion.

[–] JaraPT 8 years ago

I don´t think it ever did jump the shark, tbh. What I loved about Fringe was the constant change and that anything could happen. Like those "LSD" episodes, where they did musical episode and later an animated episode. A bit like Farscape, really (which I also loved). I personally like seasons 2 and 3 the most but I also liked season 5. It was a very different season but after the initial shock of the time jump and dystopy, it was great.
Of course, it is different when you watch it week after week and when you watch it in a marathon way within two weeks as I did :D

[–] PreachCaleb 8 years ago

Peter's origins are one of the highlights of the entire series.

And one major flaw was the whole last season which felt like if they rushed 3 seasons in 13 eps

I'd say the opposite. They dragged out a two episode arc into a multi-episode fetch quest for the tapes and parts of the plan.

That being said, I still greatly enjoyed the final season.

Let's be bad guys.

[–] jachandler333 8 years ago

The worst episode of Fringe is better than the best of any other series on tv today. Season 5 was not my favorite season, but it was still great. I cannot believe that you would not watch the last 5 episodes after investing 4 years watching this show.

To answer your question...yes, it is good, and no, it is not a cliche happy ending. It's a very powerful ending, actually.

Be careful who you hate, it could be someone you love.

[–] mgreen9715 8 years ago

The worst episode of Fringe is better than the best of any other series on tv today. Season 5 was not my favorite season, but it was still great. I cannot believe that you would not watch the last 5 episodes after investing 4 years watching this show.

To answer your question...yes, it is good, and no, it is not a cliche happy ending. It's a very powerful ending, actually.

Agreed x100

[–] skoobydoo6789 8 years ago

I actually enjoyed the parallel universe storyline.

If it's all the same to you, I'll have that drink now.-Loki (Marvel's Avengers)

[–] rudegubmintworker 8 years ago

I loved the parallel universe story line. All shows have their problems but this was one of the best I've seen and the ending was very satisfactory.

Don't try to cram me into a mold and everything will be alright.

[–] skoobydoo6789 7 years ago

I agree with you about that. The finale season was okay, but I liked the series finale.

If it's all the same to you, I'll have that drink now.-Loki (Marvel's Avengers)