A television show or movie doesn’t have to be “easy-going” to be a comforting rewatch. If you’ve ever seen Fringe, you would know that this sci-fi show pushes the boundaries of gruesome things shown on network television when it premiered in 2008. Needless to say, as one of the best television shows of all time (in my geeky parent opinion), Fringe does many things exceptionally well to garner this status.
Whether you or your kiddos might enjoy this show, well, let’s dive into some of the show’s magic to help share why you just might love this show, too. If you have yet to watch Fringe, please take a moment to watch all five seasons. It is worth it. This is your spoiler warning.
Would My Kids Like Fringe?
No. Well, probably not. Hmm, maybe. I do not feel like gruesome or gory things are in their typical wheelhouse. Although, they are fans of Stranger Things – a show I’ve yet to finish after watching season 1, so it is possible I’m wrong on that front. Also, both of my kids are at a stage in their lives (ages 12 and 14) where they really like exploring new shows on their own, with or without any knowledge of whether or not their mom and dad have watched it.
The maybe part of why my kids might like this show leans into one of the best parts of this show: comedic timing. The cast of this crew deliver lines that are unexpected, funny, and are presented as intentional or unintentional, which means they can come at any time. The brilliance of Walter Bishop (played by John Noble) delivers many of these moments as his 17 years in a mental institution have deprived him of the sometimes-delicate nature of not speaking one’s mind all of the time.
His son, Peter (played by Joshua Jackson), has an expert-level of sarcasm directed towards his estranged father as he navigates being in charge of Walter’s care, while also grappling with the harsh or absent parenting during his childhood. This conflict between the two also spills over to the rest of the “Fringe” team during their investigations into strange events, leading to real conversations about what’s troubling them, and hopefully finding resolutions to move forward in a somewhat healthy-ish fashion.
Why Fringe Is Fantastic for Parents
Undoubtedly, the Fringe cast is brilliant. The characters slowly build upon their relationships, while their onscreen chemistry never wavers. On top of that, the sci-fi show tackles a variety of morose stories, intertwined within an overarching plot that evolves beyond anything one would think possible. This includes our lead character, Olivia Dunham (played by Anna Torv), who has to deal with a biological contagion aboard an airplane, and a double agent, all within the first episode. As a parent, I love the ingenuity crafted within the storytelling – and this is the type of connective tissue I hope my kids discover on their own.
Such a diverse array of stories generates a love for the exploration taking place throughout each episode. That’s the kind of creativity I want my own kids to bask in as they explore future (or past) programming. Whether they (or you) find themselves engaged in a 1980s classic, The Neverending Story, a 1990s action adventure in Twister, or maybe you remember them rereading their favorite story Frizzy over and over again; it makes me happy to see my own kids rewatching their favorites, because for me there’s comfort in the familiar.
Fringe is that TV show for me. It’s a world-building exercise that’s ingeniously constructed where even the intro is spectacular; various scientific words appearing on the screen to music that once you hear it, it becomes instantly nostalgic for this show. On top of that, life in Fringe is quite terrifying. It’s almost overwhelming with the horrible things being created or the harm being done by villains, but the hope of seeing the Fringe team come out on top is magical. With that, these characters become permanent fixtures in this show where any harm to them is gutting.
Fringe Is Special
Fringe is the type of show that I miss when it’s not available. Similar to overall lack of access to Star Trek: The Next Generation, viewing favorite TV shows isn’t always achievable. Fortunately, Fringe has made its way to Prime Video, which means rewatching has commenced. That’s what makes standout television compelling. The stories are impactful, while we latch onto characters who demand our attention.
It’s not often where a show’s first and last episode land exceptionally well, while the rest of the series in-between are equally potent. Fringe is the type of show I will always recommend, even if you might be a bit squeamish with various autopsy or surgical sequences. The creators behind the show developed such wonder within this tale that it can’t be overstated how remarkably satisfying it is to watch, even after multiple rewatches.
The payout for the sci-fi show is monumental. Fringe delivers emotional scenes where you feel their bonds, and can’t help but feel something for them as well. In a world, much like in Fringe, when all things seem overwhelming and unsustainably awful, the comfort from this particular cast of characters makes it all a little better – and that’s what they’re there for. They are there to save the world; one episode at a time.
BONUS: Highlighting Fringe Episodes
Season 1, Episode 4, “The Arrival”
This particular episode creates a cascading effect for future episodes with the first appearance of “The Observer.” This person appears at the site of a major construction accident, but then appears before Peter where he can literally say what Peter is saying, and even speak before he can vocalize what he was about to say. Call it magic or call it futuristic weird and scary.
Oh, there’s also a baddie who can torture a person into revealing information, without that person having to say a word. One might call these two characters communication experts, but they go about it in completely different ways.
Season 1, Episode 7, “In Which We Meet Mr. Jones”
When a villain’s name is in the title, it’s probably worth mentioning. This is particularly true as viewers meet David Robert Jones (played by Jared Harris) for the first time – meaning, you’ll definitely see him again in future episodes. Jones has such a confident demeanor despite sitting in a German prison, and doesn’t even ask for an early release when he’s the one who can save an infected FBI agent.
About those gruesome surgical scenes, this episode does showcase an open chest cavity exposing the heart with some kind of creature wrapped around it. Get beyond that and the rest is fantastic, including a way to interrogate a dead person with the unfortunate painful side effects for Peter who has to be attached to some kind of a shock device to capture those brain waves from said dead person.
Season 2, Episode 4, “Momentum Deferred”
Olivia is finally able to recall a meeting with “Belly,” Walter’s old friend and lab partner. William Bell (played by Leonard Nimoy) delivers a message to Olivia in the hopes of finding a shapeshifter – yes, a shapeshifter – and stopping him from an evil plan of death and destruction. Olivia and Bell’s encounter is brief, but the payout of their interactions is well worth the wait.
Also, not to gloss over the whole shapeshifter thing, there’s more than one and let’s just say they play an essential role in all-things terrifying within Fringe.
Fringe, 5 seasons
Release: 2008-2013
Rating: TV-14
Length: 45-50 minutes (approximately)
Have you watched any or all five seasons of Fringe? What TV show is your comforting rewatch? Do you want more episode recommendations? Let me know over on social media.
Until next time, happy parenting and happy geeking.
