| Author | Message | ||
     Simon Strantzas (Nomis) Username: Nomis Registered: 09-2008 Posted From: 99.225.104.255 |
I don't know if all you folks get the American television program "Fringe", but it seems Brad Anderson, celebrated horror film maker, has directed three or four episodes. The show is ... well, it's use of science boarders on ludicrous, but after you've watch it for a while you start to appreciate little things about it. I still wouldn't say it's a great show, but it has great moments. Mr Anderson seems to like it well enough. | ||
| Michael_kelly (Michael_kelly) Username: Michael_kelly Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 192.206.151.130 |
Simon, Indeed, I noted Anderson's name last episode. It was a good episode, about a hybrid monster living in the sewers, but could have been great if they'd stretched it out some. It was very rushed. The science is illogical, but it's like that in almost every show. It's a hundred times better than Whedon's insipid Dollhouse. | ||
| Simon Strantzas (Nomis) Username: Nomis Registered: 09-2008 Posted From: 99.225.104.255 |
You've obvious stopped watching Dollhouse, Mike. | ||
| Matt_cowan (Matt_cowan) Username: Matt_cowan Registered: 04-2008 Posted From: 68.249.99.182 |
I like Fringe. I think it's cool how they hide the observer (the hairless guy in the suit) in every episode. Sometimes its nearly impossible to find him. I really like the Walter character. | ||
| Richard_gavin (Richard_gavin) Username: Richard_gavin Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 65.110.174.71 |
I tried watching 'Fringe' just once, but I just couldn't get past the lame one-liners of the dialogue (though to be fair it could've been just that one episode), the pseudo-science, and the fact that I was supposed to buy that the guy from 'Dawson's Creek' was now a Mulder-Come-Lately parapsychologist. That spleen being vented, I do trust Brad Anderson as an artist (his was one of the few decent episodes of the 'Masters of Horror' series) and I trust the opinions of you guys, so perhaps I should give 'Fringe' another chance. | ||
| Simon Strantzas (Nomis) Username: Nomis Registered: 09-2008 Posted From: 38.113.181.169 |
Anderson is now a producer on the show, too. Look, I'm not going to tell you Fringe is awesome show, but it does have the sense that it's baiting us with a watered-down X-Files and will eventually switch it out for something more. The "master plot" has yet to be fully revealled, but it seems to indicate something interesting is on the horizon. The show is a blend of camp, pseudo-science, and sci-fi. It's one that I think grows on you once you warm to the characters and turn-off a basic knowledge of science. It's mediocre show with moments of greatness, and the potential to become even better. | ||
| Richard_gavin (Richard_gavin) Username: Richard_gavin Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 65.110.174.71 |
Simon wrote: "The show is a blend of camp, pseudo-science, and sci-fi. It's one that I think grows on you once you warm to the characters and turn-off a basic knowledge of science. It's mediocre show with moments of greatness, and the potential to become even better." Fair enough. I didn't realize they were suggesting a kind of master plot. This intrigues me. Plus, I may need a new potboiler show to watch, since the current season of 'Lost' is causing me to lose interest pretty rapidly, I'm sorry to say. Simon also wrote: "Look, I'm [...] going to tell you Fringe is an awesome show..." You heard him, folks. Simon says 'Fringe' is "an awesome show"! | ||
| Simon Strantzas (Nomis) Username: Nomis Registered: 09-2008 Posted From: 38.113.181.169 |
I said I was going to tell you, not that I had. That's my saving grace. Personally, I think Lost is better now than ever, so put that on your scale. | ||
| Richard_gavin (Richard_gavin) Username: Richard_gavin Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 65.110.174.71 |
Simon wrote: "Personally, I think Lost is better now than ever, so put that on your scale." You know, I wish I could put my finger on why the last few episodes have left me cold, but I can't. Lora still loves it. The Locke/Ben/Jacob angle will always hold my interest, but there's something about the other plotlines that makes me sleepy. They just seem like rehashes with shuffled-up characters to fill in the roles. Wait...this is going to get me pummeled by you and Ian Rogers this summer, isn't it?  | ||
| Simon Strantzas (Nomis) Username: Nomis Registered: 09-2008 Posted From: 38.113.181.169 |
Let's just say I wouldn't suggest ... oh, I don't know ... getting into a car with us for 9-hours, perhaps? | ||
| Zed (Gary_mc) Username: Gary_mc Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 81.96.241.143 |
Do not diss LOST. I repeat: do NOT diss LOST.  I'm with Simon on this one. It's better than ever at the minute - last week's episode was sublime (the one where you discover who a certain someone who can talk to ghosts's father is). Best TV show ever, IMHO. | ||
| Simon Strantzas (Nomis) Username: Nomis Registered: 09-2008 Posted From: 99.225.104.255 |
Hallelujah, Zed. Hallelujah. | ||
| Richard_gavin (Richard_gavin) Username: Richard_gavin Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 65.110.174.71 |
Guys, guys...don't misunderstand: I've been a HUGE fan of 'Lost' since season one. And the current season has certainly had its moments (i.e. the Smoke-Monster in the temple), but I find something about it just isn't quite there for me...yet. This can easily change. I didn't much like the first part of season three either, but the last half wound up being comprised of the best episodes they'd done up to that point. I think it might be that the time-shifting aspect is draining a wee bit of that ruddy eeriness that surrounded things like Jacob's cabin. There's a lot I still *love* about this new season, but a couple of the elements are "off-key" for me. It's not quite been striking that perfect chord like it has before. Make no mistake though: I'll be watching until the bitter end. Ya dig? | ||
| Simon Strantzas (Nomis) Username: Nomis Registered: 09-2008 Posted From: 38.113.181.169 |
No. I most certainly don't "dig". You must have unconditional love, or your out of the gang. You hear?!! Rogers and I are going to give you a set of purple-nurples for this, rest assured. | ||
| Steve Bacon (Stevebacon) Username: Stevebacon Registered: 09-2008 Posted From: 90.208.112.230 |
I adore Lost, but I tend to agree with Richard on this one. The time-shifting, which thankfully seems to have abated for now, seemed to lessen the isolation and otherness of the island. It was almost as if they were just using the 'flashing time shits' to ease their way into another scene, rather than using narrative. Having said that, now that the characters seem settled in 1977, I think there's much promise to be had in the story. It's a great way of tying up those plotlines from earlier seasons. Gary, 'Lost' is a fantastic piece of television, but it's not as good as Hammer House of Horror or Twin Peaks, in my opinion. | ||
| Tom_alaerts (Tom_alaerts) Username: Tom_alaerts Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 81.244.27.197 |
I watched the first 2-3 episodes of Fringe, but I thought it was underwhelming, an X-files for kids in essence. I did like the floating text however. Dollhouse took a while find its rhythm and now I think it has a certain charm. It's not deep but entertaining nevertheless. I hate the computer whiz kid, and that's countered by dreamy Dushku in the lead who many don't like, but I think she does a fine job. Lost, for me is still near perfect. One of the few series that do not weaken over time. I almost gave up halfway season 2 but since then there were very few superfluous episodes. I do like the fact that most characters are now in 1977, that offers great possibilities. What else to like? Well, Ben with his watery crocodile eyes always makes me smile when he shows up. And unbelievably, in recent episodes I have the impression that Juliet has become even prettier than Kate! Curious what Jeremy has to say in the next episode. And the never aging Richard Alpert with his mysterious dark eyes could be the prime candidate for a Corto Maltese film. I do expect that the island will turn out to be Atlantis. | ||
| Gcw (Gcw) Username: Gcw Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 81.151.125.173 |
I am struggling with Lost now...I feel it ought to be wrapped up soon...We have two episodes to watch and I just don't feel inclined to watch 'em. gcw | ||
| Stevie Walsh (Stephenw) Username: Stephenw Registered: 03-2009 Posted From: 82.17.252.126 |
Just watched the first episode of 'Fringe', thanks to Frank, and found it entertaining enough to hold my attention, while the mad scientist character, Walter Bishop, has the potential to become really inspired - does he remind anyone else of Vincent Price? The show has a knowingly hokey predictability and lightness of touch to it that I found quite charming... so far anyway. Will be bringing Season 1 to Leeds with me to watch over Christmas. | ||
| Frank (Frank) Username: Frank Registered: 09-2008 Posted From: 85.222.86.21 |
Steve - Walter Bishop is one of the finest characters ever to make it on TV. He goes beyond the mad scientist caricature to become a truly tragic character. He won a Golden Globe for the performance. No, not Walter Bishop before anybody asks. | ||
| Stevie Walsh (Stephenw) Username: Stephenw Registered: 03-2009 Posted From: 82.17.252.126 |
In case you notice it's missing, Frank, the DVD of 'Children Of The Damned' was in the box as well! Liked the show a lot, can see it having a lot of potential. | ||
| Frank (Frank) Username: Frank Registered: 09-2008 Posted From: 85.222.86.21 |
Ha, really? No worries. Teach me to keep some order to my things. | ||
| Frank (Frank) Username: Frank Registered: 09-2008 Posted From: 85.222.86.21 |
Oh, and Steve, the Brad Anderson episodes are the best. But take the show with a pinch of salt, it's not the X-Files, despite the comparisons. Talking of the X-Files, I've begun to collect the series from the beginning, season 1 box-set coming up this Xmas. It has stood the test of time, and brings back good memories. When genre shows were so few on the ground in those days, it was a like a beacon of light, despite all its flaws. Wonderful show. | ||
| Stevie Walsh (Stephenw) Username: Stephenw Registered: 03-2009 Posted From: 82.17.252.126 |
The third greatest - non-anthology - genre TV show ever made, after 'Doctor Who' & 'Star Trek' in my opinion - and anyone else who knows anything about genre TV! | ||
| Zed (Gary_mc) Username: Gary_mc Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 195.166.117.210 |
The X Files was a bit special back in the day...it lost me just before Mulder left, though. I got a bit bored with it. But when it was good, it was tremendous. | ||
| Stevie Walsh (Stephenw) Username: Stephenw Registered: 03-2009 Posted From: 194.32.31.1 |
I rewatched all 9 series a few years back - one a week - it was bloody marvellous and still stands up against any of the big shows of today. Did you ever get into 'Millennium', Zed? I tied my rewatching in with it, chronologically at the same time, if you get my drift. There were loads of subtle crossover episodes, most of the demonic supernatural 'X Files' eps tie in directly with 'Millennium'. Fabulous stuff and Lance Henrickson's greatest performance imo. | ||
| Zed (Gary_mc) Username: Gary_mc Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 195.166.117.210 |
Stevie, I used to love Millenium, but because of idiotic TV scheduling I never saw the entire run...another one to pick up on DVD, I think. | ||
| John Llewellyn Probert (John_l_probert) Username: John_l_probert Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 213.253.174.81 |
The X Files did an awful lot for fantastic television, not least of which was to raise its profile and make it ok amongst the general public to like 'that kind of thing'. I think part of the reason for its success over here was a combination of charismatic attractive leads, taking its subject matter seriously and playing the 'Unexplained' angle just the right way for mainstream audiences to keep their disbelief suspended. In retrospect the fact that they actually had no idea where the arc plot was supposed to go after the first series doesn't really seem to matter because by then everyone was hooked. I certainly was. | ||
| Stephen Theaker (Stephen_theaker) Username: Stephen_theaker Registered: 12-2009 Posted From: 62.30.117.235 |
I thought the black oil/bees/alien invasion storyline ended up being resolved quite well. Mulder's sister, though... We caught up on Fringe over the last couple of nights. Enjoyed it, but I'd be surprised if it survives another season. | ||
| Carolinec (Carolinec) Username: Carolinec Registered: 06-2009 Posted From: 92.232.199.129 |
Never heard of Fringe, but the X-Files - oh yes! Loved it! (especially David Duchovny  ) I couldn't really get into the "conspiracy theory" stories, but I loved the ones with "monsters" - probably due to this thing I have about monsters (Doctor Who and Star Trek - along with Lost in Space - started that for me). It did go off shortly before Duchovny left, but the first few series really are the best genre TV we've had in a long time IMO. I tried Millenium (my hubby liked it), but couldn't get into it at all. | ||
| John Forth (John) Username: John Registered: 05-2008 Posted From: 82.24.1.217 |
I never really got into The X-Files, for no real reason other than bad timing. I thought the first series of Fringe was pretty mediocre, but the second and third series really opened the concept up and I've been enjoying it more and more with each passing week. Walter Bishop is a great character. As Stephen says, though, I doubt it will make it to a fourth season. It's already been moved into the Friday death-slot in America. | ||
| Stevie Walsh (Stephenw) Username: Stephenw Registered: 03-2009 Posted From: 194.32.31.1 |
I've recently been getting seriously involved with Season 2 of this show on DVD and can state categorically that it is, by head and shoulders, the finest genre TV series since the glory days of 'The X Files'. Taking the strengths of that show - charismatic lead characters with intriguing personal issues drip fed to us, memorable recurring support characters, genuinely scary stand alone horror episodes interspersed with a fascinating story arc (that is, in truth, superior to and much more gripping than the alien conspiracy of 'The X Files'), consistently adult content, made by adults for adults, and high production values with cinematic quality effects - and adding a wonderful sense of humour and, perhaps, the most original TV character, in Walter Bishop, of recent times (mixing endearing eccentricity with vulnerability, guilt and a sinister streak like no television creation since Doctor Who), along with the delightful gimmick of trying to spot the mysterious bald-headed Observer hidden somewhere in every episode... and what we have here is a straight-up TV classic that should not be missed. It starts strongly and has been getting better and better, and more richly intriguing, with each new revelation. Are there any other fans out there? I really think this show has been criminally overlooked. | ||
| Huw (Huw) Username: Huw Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 220.138.166.102 |
I've been following this since it started, Stevie. It does seem to be quite under-appreciated. It's a good series, and is going from strength to strength. I agree that it's probably the best thing of its kind since The X-Files. John Noble's character - a sort of cross between Albert Einstein, Timothy Leary and Mr. Magoo - is delightful. I'm looking forward to the fourth series (I've seen up to the end of the third series so far). | ||
| Stevie Walsh (Stephenw) Username: Stephenw Registered: 03-2009 Posted From: 194.32.31.1 |
Great to hear there's to be a fourth season, Huw! The attention to detail and forward planning that must have went into this show is quite phenomenal, imo, and phenomenally entertaining. I agree, John Noble's performance is sublime and provides that indefinable extra element that elevates the show to unmissable status. There is something of Vincent Price, Dr Zachary Smith & Jon Pertwee's Doctor Who about the character that is utterly cherishable. Consider me a die-hard fan from here on in. | ||
| John Forth (John) Username: John Registered: 05-2008 Posted From: 82.24.1.217 |
Confirmed last week that Fringe has been renewed for a fifth and final season (despite my assertion above that it wouldn't make four!). Great that the writers will get a chance to wrap up their story. The fourth season has been excellent. | ||
| Stevie Walsh (Stephenw) Username: Stephenw Registered: 03-2009 Posted From: 194.32.31.1 |
Five seasons sounds about right for this kind of show. It was in Season 6 that 'The X Files' started to go off the boil a bit. For all the great stand alone episodes that continued to be made (and that always kept the show essential viewing, for me) the mythology got itself hopelessly tied up in knots from there on in. I'm really getting excited about 'Fringe' and rationing myself to one episode a week as it was meant to be watched. Great stuff! | ||
| Stephen Theaker (Stephen_theaker) Username: Stephen_theaker Registered: 12-2009 Posted From: 82.35.230.27 |
Yes, who'd have thought Fox would be the channel to keep a programme on despite low ratings... Glad they did. | ||
| Stevie Walsh (Stephenw) Username: Stephenw Registered: 03-2009 Posted From: 212.183.128.100 |
I just recently got Season 3 of 'Fringe' on DVD and have to say it is the most gripping and wonderful genre TV show I have possibly ever watched. Season 1 was great fun, Season 2 was positively brilliant but Season 3 is... just watch it. Anyone who loved 'The X Files' in the 90s and thought it was the finest programme of its type since the golden era of television in the 60s & 70s needs to watch this show. It is everything Chris Carter tried to achieve perfected. Absolutely bloody awesome!! | ||
| Mick Curtis (Mick) Username: Mick Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 86.181.208.239 |
Now the trouble is I loved The X-Files (well, up to around season five or six) but when I watched season one recently I found it quite uninteresting and rather quaint in a way, and if Fringe is similar, well... However, I've splashed out on the first season so we'll see soon... | ||
| Stevie Walsh (Stephenw) Username: Stephenw Registered: 03-2009 Posted From: 212.183.128.99 |
Stick with it through the early episodes when they were only finding their feet, Mick. Believe me you won't regret it. Oh, and keep looking out for the baldy man. |