10 Reasons to "Fringe" Binge

In this world of live streaming and libraries of old and current television programs, an easy way to take a mini-vacation without leaving home is to binge-watch a favorite program.

Today, I'm focusing on FRINGE, a US television show that ran between September 2008 and January 2013. I missed it completely when it originally aired, but found it on a streaming service. It combines

paranormal
sci-fi
Romance
father-son issues
Romance
alternate universes
FBI procedural
Romance...

Well, you get the idea. I'm on my fourth binge and can't seem to get enough.

And here's why:

1. Well-developed, Interesting Characters

Image Attribution: By Fringe_cast_sdcc_2010.jpg: Ewen Roberts from San Diego, CA, United Statesderivative work: Masem (Fringe_cast_sdcc_2010.jpg) [CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Olivia: Good-looking FBI agent with wicked detective skills (and a super power!)
Peter: Good-looking international back-channel deal-maker with issues and he can defend himself (and Olivia if need be, which isn't often)
Walter: Mad genius "fringe" scientist and Peter's father. With his history, the FBI can solve bizarre cases.
Broyles: Olivia's savvy director at the FBI's Fringe Division.
Astrid: Olivia's FBI assistant. Walter can never seem to remember her name, but she's brilliant and she can kick serious butt when needed. Watching her "handle" Walter is a lesson in human compassion and patience.
Nina: Chief Operating Officer of Massive Dynamic, a multi-national corporation. Can't always tell whose side she's on. M.D.'s tag line: "What do we do? What don't we do!"
Walter's Harvard laboratory: every self-respecting mad scientist must have a laboratory worthy of the fringe science. This one has a steam-punk feel.

2. Relationships
The show is all about the people and how they interact -- Peter and Olivia, Olivia and Walter, Peter and Walter, Broyles and Olivia, Walter and Astrid, and every iteration in between. Every episode sheds new light on one or more of these pairs.

3. Excellent Writing
Through five seasons, the storyline and details hold together very well, and each episode takes the viewer on a different emotional journey. Never a dull moment in this show.

4. Many gory, unpleasant ways to die

As my husband and I say, "We do enjoy some gore with our romance." FRINGE does not disappoint.

5. Alternate Universes

There are many parallel universes, and in each one there exist slightly different versions of ourselves. In each we've had different experiences, and we've made different choices. Love watching faux-Olivia, Walternet and alt-Astrid. Ingenious answers to "What if?".

6. Camera angles

From floating location titles to unexpected perspectives on scenes and characters, the camera work enhances the storytelling and the emotions. Good job behind-the-scenes folk!

7. Deciphering the "glyphs"

There are 24. The glyphs shown as break markers during each episode spell out that episode's theme or focus. Have fun!!

8. Watching for the color change behind each episode's title shot.

Which universe are we in now? Watch the colors and style of the show's title shot to get a hint.

9. Looking for the Observers

Who are those bald guys who always wear hats, what do they want, and can you spot them in each episode? Wait! Go back! There he is!

10. The Love Story (Yeah, I'm in it for the romance!)

During the strange and awe-full cases that Fringe Division encounters, one strong cord tying the series together is the relationship between Olivia and Peter. Many of the changes in plot direction hinge on the strength of the love these two have for each other. The writers use all the techniques of genre romance I've learned on my writing journey. Significant meeting, inner wounds, external conflict, deep devotion, then something rips them apart and they need to rebuild. The TV executives permitted a final set of episodes to be shot and aired after cancellation because the fan base let out a howl of protest that they didn't get to see a satisfying ending for Peter and Olivia's romance.
The rallying cry was, "When is the kid going to get her bath?!"

FRINGE - Sci-fi, Paranormal Romance