Fringe is the best mainstream science fiction program on television right now. That’s not to say problems are non-existent. It balances intrigue and mystery with wonderful characters, but sometimes gets a bit too convoluted for its own good. Fringe demands a lot from viewers, who have to keep track of multiple universes and layers of emotional depth between all the characters. Then at the end of last season the entire timeline was erased and reset with Peter Bishop never having existed.
It’s a complete mind-melting situation as a major character on the show is not just missing, but to the other characters is non-existent. Season 4 picks up one week after Peter set up the truce between the two warring universes, and now we get to find out what the hell happened to Peter Bishop. Except, this is Fringe and that question will not be easy to answer.
The first episode back, “Neither Here Nor There,” is what is known as a monster of the week episode. No major mythos plots are expanded beyond a few mentions. Instead we get to experience the world of Fringe division without Peter. Unlike It’s a Wonderful Life, where George Bailey’s absence means drastic changes for everyone, the characters we’ve come to know and love are exactly the same. Their quirks, personalities, who they like or don’t remain as we’ve always known them.
Fox has been doing a great deal of work promoting Fringe this summer to attract a new audience, and the season 4 premiere is a continuation of that in a small way. With the introduction of Lincoln Lee as a new member of Fringe division, the return of Fringe has a feeling of being a whole new show. This could be episode one, and whether you know what happened the last 3 years or not is unnecessary.
Of course that’s not entirely true, as Peter flashes in reflections throughout the first two episodes. In fact it’s through Walter that we feel the loss of Peter, and it makes for a beautiful little tale of abandonment. Even though Walter has no idea he’s been abandoned, he feels odd and somehow not whole. The Observers comment that without Peter Walter has become untethered from the world. Astrid and Olivia step in to care for Walter, and do as good a job as Peter ever could, but somehow it’s just not enough.
Having only seen two episodes of the new season I have no clue how Peter bleeding over from the erased timeline to reality will be resolved. He doesn’t seem to be anywhere in particular, it’s more like he’s phased a micron over from reality. There’s no telling how this will ultimately play out, but clearly Walter will be crucial to Peter’s return. Fringe proves with season 4’s premiere that the show can find a balance between procedural and serial storytelling. If any series can make this convoluted layered existence – original timeline, alternate universe, Peter-less universe, Peter-less alternate universe – make sense I believe it’s Fringe.
When Fringe is on point it’s one of the best shows on television, see the episode “Peter” for proof. The dialogue is smart, never dumbed down for the audience, and full of wit. It’s simply a joy to watch the show, even if you have no idea what’s going on. The science is a turn off for many people, and that’s a shame because Fringe contains everything the average television watcher loves. Great characters, intriguing storylines, snazzy sets, assorted crime investigations, and more. If you’re not already watching Fringe, either get caught up, or jump in now. They’ve made it easier than ever to wade into the river; come and join us.
Fringe season 4 premieres Friday, September 23 at 9:00 PM ET on Fox.
