Fringe 306

This show bears all of the hallmarks of a J.J. Abrams production but none of the style. It is like the old Late Night with Conan O'Brien bit 'What If They Mated' if it had paired Alias with Lost. The most unseemly features of both shows combine to form a cheesy endeavor in science-fiction - easy on the science, heavy on the fiction. Leading character, Special Agent Olivia Dunham has a lot of the qualities of Sidney Bristo... unfortunately, good looks and intelligence are not included among them. The primary cast is rounded out with eccentric but broken super genius Walter Bishop and his lovable son Charlie Conway, er Peter Bishop. Together they form an elite government unit tasked with the investigation of the mind-blowingly bizarre.

Simply put, I do not like this show but I can't bring myself to stop watching it altogether. I suppose it retains some modicum of that immutable Abrams charm. This week's episode is more of the same with the inevitable inter-universal and inter-Dunhamian showdown drawing closer. It also managed a pleasant surprise guest role for the veteran Abrams actor from Alias, Kevin Weisman. Still, not an exciting episode. In seasons one and two there were at least Islands of humor to carry the viewer through the episode. Now, just crap drama throughout. Peter's character, credit actor Joshua Jackson, may be the only redeeming quality the show has to offer.

Episode Rating:
3 (Bad TV)

Episode's Best Line:
"I feel a bowel movement coming on." - Walter Bishop