Fringe

Okay.  So I should probably start blogging again, and since it’s fall TV time I guess that’s my best bet for topics.

So let’s talk about the newest Sci-Fi-JJ-X-Files ripoff of the day — Fringe.

Starring Pacey, Denethor, and some average-looking chick I’ve never heard of, Fringe tries to capture the nostalgia of the X-Files fans with a little bit of Heroes drama and JJ twist.

What does that equal?  Pretty mediocre television so far in my opinion.  I’ve given it two episodes before writing a review because I want it to be good.

Here’s where I admit to an embarassing fact: I was a big fan of Dawson’s Creek, and an even bigger fan of the character of Pacey.  This naturally leads to warm fuzzy feelings about Joshua Jackson… manly ones, of course.

To be honest, I gave the show a shot at all because of Jackson.

He’s one of those natural actors that can believably bring humor to most situations (like The Beef and Mr. July).  He’s entertaining to watch.

But I’m not sure he can save this show.

The real problem comes down to its characters.  For any show to win my attention, it must have interesting and well-developed characters.  Even if it’s just starting out, I at least want to see potential in its characters.

Plus I want those characters to be attractive.  Don’t mistake my meaning.  I don’t mean I want them to be pretty.  I mean I want them to be intriguing to watch.

Though Pacey does the best he can, the only character who is even remotely intriguing to watch is the crazy scientist father dude played by the same guy who threw himself from the top of Minas Tirith (which was dramatically added for the movie).

The subject matter isn’t particularly compelling.  It’s supposed to be dealing with fringe science, but they cram so much fringe into one episode that you don’t ever get as much as you really want.

This past episode had them reading visual images off of dead eyes.  That little gem had nothing to do with the plot and such capabilities could be saved for a whole show dedicated to the weirdness and ramifications of being able to do stuff like that.

Not to mention, by fringe they mean ‘made-up.’  So far they haven’t really dealt with common fringe science that we’ve all heard of (or at least can look up on wikipedia).

Also.  The little name plate thingies for location awareness is a total ripoff of Heroes and much more intrusive.  It’s not clever.  It’s not neato.  It’s just stupid.

And lastly we come to the real problem with the show — it’s lead.  I had never heard of Anna Torv before this show, but I just can’t warm up to her.  She keeps the audience at a distance; and I find her to be mostly offputting.

She is not overly attractive.  She is not overly charismatic.  She is not really anything that a good leading lady should be.  The redhead chick from Massive Dynamics is more compelling than she is (plus she has robotic arms!).

So that’s where I stand on Fringe.  I’ll probably give it another episode or two to win me over, but it’s not really leading the charge so far this season for great entertainment.

Work harder, Pacey, you can do it!