As for the pilot itself, no comparisons to other shows, it was good but not great. The "fringe" science was completely ludicrous, and I think the show figures that it can get away with foolish science simply because it refers to the science as being "fringe." It felt like they were using fringe as an excuse, and that I didn't like. I also wasn't terribly fond of our crazy scientist, Walter Bishop. Maybe it was the rapidity with which he seemed to return to the normal world, maybe it was his interactions with his son, Peter, but I definitely wanted him to be more normal. Olivia is probably going to get told week after week not to pay any sort of attention to anything Walter has to say because Walter is crazy, and that will not be enjoyable.
While Peter's interactions with his dad weren't great, I did like him talking to Olivia. Their dynamic wasn't new either, but it was at least fun. The way she was playing him at the beginning of the episode was easy to see coming, but at least she copped to it early on, she didn't let him go and think forever that she had the secret scoop on him. From there, the two were interesting. He was put in a hard place, trying to help her and help his dad in order to help her, but it worked.
Finally, Olivia herself. I'm sorry, but I have to say this, she seems like Scully a couple of seasons in – she's seen enough already to know that the truth is out there, but she's not quite ready to accept everything on face value yet. That's a problem. That's just too similar. I assume that as more episodes air this will change, but it just wasn't a great way to start things off.
Where will it all go from last night? Only time will tell.
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Article comments
1 - Aaron Peck
John,
I too had mixed feelings about the show last night. I tried not to compare it to X-Files at all, since right now the wife and I are going through the entire X-Files series. While I've been watching X-Files everyday, I do have to note that there are a few similarities, but they weren't really all that noticeable to me.
The more noticeable similarities were the ones from Lost. Like the same exact creepy violin music at the end of every act or when something creepy was going to happen.
The fact that everything is being conducted by some giant, crazy coporation a la the Hanso Foundation.
Oh and that it all started on a plane, lol! I rolled my eyes at that one.
I liked it a bit more than you did, but I wasn't overly joyed with it. It moved WAY too slow the first hour. If it weren't an hour and a half premiere it would've been really boring. But, the last half hour really got things going. I didn't enjoy the Joshua Jackson one-liners either. Going back to the X-Files, Duchovny had the great ability to deliver dry one-liners, which he still does to perfection in Californication. But, I didn't buy Jackson being a hard ass smarty pants.
I must admit though that it looked stunning in HD. It looked like what Lost looks like in HD. The dream/mind connecting sequence looked really great I have to say. I may just watch it because it's a fantastic looking show.
Anyway, that's my two cents. Lets see how it plays out.
2 - Phillip Winn
I had no mixed feelings, and I know exactly how I felt about it: I thought it sucked.
The "fringe" science was simply ridiculous, ludicrous, and nonsensical. The X-Files did us the favor of including a skeptic who insisted on a rational explanation for everything. Fringe gives us a guy who mainly doesn't like his dad, but helps wacky experiments anyway. Ugh.
I didn't really like the lead actress, and I'm ambivalent on the aforementioned guy. THat is, his character is okay, but he's a poor actor -- or working with a really bad script; I couldn't decide.
The only reason I watched to the end was to see Doctor Bishop. Sure, he seemed to get normal a bit quickly, but what a fantastic actor!
All in all, though, it sucked. I don't think I'll even be watching episode #2.
3 - Lisa Solod Warren
Well, I liked it and am willing to give it a chance. I will watch for several weeks....
So there:)