fringe series fringe american science fiction television series created premiered network september concluded january seasons episodes series follows members fictional fringe division based boston massachusetts supervision team uses fringe science fbi investigative techniques investigate series unexplained occurrences related mysteries surrounding parallel universe series described hybrid fantasy procedural dramas influenced film television shows lost x-files altered states twilight zone series began traditional mystery week series serialized later seasons episodes contain standalone plot exploring series overarching mythology critical reception lukewarm favorable season series began explore mythology including parallel alternate cast crew nominated major awards despite friday night death slot low ratings series developed cult following spawned comic book series alternate reality game novels plot fringe follows supported primarily includes agent mad scientist walter estranged son jack trades supported force director agent assists walter laboratory research investigates cases relating fringe science ranging experiments gone wrong prospect destructive technological possible collision parallel work intersects advanced developed company called massive dynamic founded walter partner run common friend team watched group bald pale men called observers season introduces investigate cases form pattern geographically centered new_york state orchestrated international network rogue scientists known der english destruction advancement technology led preparing event threat appears end peter kills jones attempts travel parallel universe olivia comes learn child test subject walter years ago drug giving weak abilities walter struggles adjusting normal life peter care living seventeen years mental institution hiding fact peter parallel universe peter having died child season occurrences found conjunction activities parallel universe plagued occurring weakened points fabric worlds scientists developed amber like substance innocent people caught area release fringe team deals cases leading great storm parallel universe appears war prime engineered human machine hybrid parallel universe walter forced tell peter parallel universe replacement peter died genetic disease walter crossed frozen ice administer cure alternate version peter accidentally destroying dose cure transport instead brought boy return fell ice saved observer september told walter importance boy walter took mean peter walter crossing caused parallel universe walter looking sign forgiveness form white season presents episodes alternate walter parallel universe secretary defense set events motion assemble machine device peter biology sent olivia prime universe olivia place engage assemble prime universe version device studies olivia induced powers pregnant peter child henry extracted parallel universe orchestrated acceleration pregnancy gain sample baby blood uses activate machine peter olivia help enters prime version machine experiences vision future parallel universe destroyed fate threatens prime learns machine device created walter associates future sent time purposely relay vision future peter recovering present peter plan uses machine merge rooms creating bridge inhabitants solve dilemma time written september observer doesn save forgotten walter olivia season begins alternate timeline september failed save alternate version peter according observers creates butterfly effect influencing main characters creation bridge peter pulled new timeline actions alternate timeline fringe team includes peter initially works return timeline fueled fears memories altering olivia timeline encountering wounded september peter comes learn timeline truly home olivia come accept change affair september reveals peter observers needed peter son henry assure future created noting peter future child olivia important present instructed alive timeline work parallel universe version sharp aiming collapse way universe bell control olivia powers enable collapse fringe division forced close dimensional bridge fails stop bell plan walter left choice shoot kill olivia death disrupting process saving world olivia death temporary body consumed repair bullet wound leaving alive healthy lacking abilities olivia peter begin lives september appears walter warns observers coming fifth final season begins following flash forward fourth season episode letters transit september warned observers far future having ruined earth time traveled instituted purge wiped humanity subjected survivors control began modifying planet environment suitable fringe team able seal amber avoid capture shortly purge reunited peter olivia adult daughter disappeared shortly observer arrival walter reveals september developed plan defeat observers revealed series pre recorded lab tapes lead components device including young observer child named michael list season season man named helped walter prepare plan killed events driving olivia peter complete plan sake michael discover september having stripped observer powers helping fringe team michael genetic son having purposely grown far future september explains plan send michael year human genetic experiments sacrifice emotion intelligence started leading creation observers showing michael possesses emotion intelligence experiments stopped observers created september prepared michael future plan set motion shot killed moment walter aware sacrifice takes michael future assure plan completion predicted time reset invasion onwards observers invade peter olivia live lives peacefully peter receives final letter father drawing white parallel universe story arc fringe involves alternate universe mirrors prime universe numerous historical significant example element effect september attacks event occurred alternate universe untouched attacks leaving buildings predominant landmarks alternate world skyline office episodes producers strongly interested world building alternate universe allowed create similar world large detail fill texture world alternate universe allowed small choices define person change life large ways line according director producers realized concept alternate universe confusing viewers avoid elements world introduced small pieces course seasons larger revelation second season finale season stated pass story ideas alternate universe father sense script father found confusing world building gave risky opportunity create stories focused solely characters alternate universe nearly ties main characters stated able shows concept network executives embraced code prior commercial breaks brief image shown revealed interview hidden meaning people care figure follow viewer consider watch revealed seemingly unrelated frogs greek letter appeared significance context series saying code code cracked editor technology site discovered simple spell single thematic word episode example pilot episode spell word observer second order code solved remains seen additionally representative means walter case butterfly window strain dna bishop revival jacksonville walter speaks olivia treatment studied trial clearly visible wall episode episode key available opening sequence standard opening sequence images symbols alongside words representing fringe science topics dark matter season episodes took place primarily parallel universe new set titles following similar format red instead blue alternate fringe science concepts like difference color led fans prime universe blue contrast parallel red season episode titles mix red versions given episode took place equally universe flashback episodes peter subject variation sequence retro graphics akin 1980s technology phrases like personal computing genetic engineering future season episode day died black toned theme dire phrases like hope water fourth season premiere introduced amber toned title sequence additional new terms nearly fourth season episodes fourth season episode letters transit returned future universe subsequent fifth season episodes feature cold toned title sequence phrases joy private thought free freedom ideas lost future frame opening sequence words observers flash quickly opening sequence cast characters main characters seasons fbi agent assigned investigate spread unexplained phenomena later discovers child test subject walter drug giving unusual abilities plays olivia counterpart alternate universe dubbed characters prime universe seasons jack trades brought civilian consultant olivia work estranged father walter peter actually son alternate universe abducted walter shortly peter death young age seasons government researcher field fringe science seen mad scientist lab accident assistant killed noble portrays walter alternate dubbed characters prime universe rose power secretary defense instituted war prime universe abduction son peter seasons recurring season agent senior agent charge sac runs portrays alternate known colonel finds sympathy olivia sacrifices season allow escape parallel universe fourth season alternate timeline colonel remains alive seasons fbi junior agent assistant olivia walter plays counterpart alternate universe symptoms similar syndrome tribute sister disorder season recurring season chief operating officer massive dynamic leading firm science technology research longtime friend walter william plays parallel universe alternate timeline season agent plans season season episodes recurring season fbi senior agent olivia colleague close friend second command fringe division demise charlie killed early second season role charlie alternate universe season episodes olivia fbi partner secret lover death pilot leads olivia join fringe division recurring seasons starring season guest star season agent parallel universe prime universe version lincoln played introduced episode special agent stationed fbi building connecticut later joining fringe division season recurring characters september seasons observers traveling chronicler extraordinary events observer appears form usually like cameo episode seasons olivia sister seasons olivia niece daughter rachel emily portrays future seasons walter lab partner founder massive dynamic apparently killed season finale retired acting season agreed provide voice bell allowing character animated character season reappears season timeline altered season old nemesis olivia assigned assess seasons leader cult killed season finale alternate timeline peter projected appears alive working chance kelly season fbi agent mole working seasons scientist massive dynamic parallel universe works directly secretary overseeing ethical projects seasons olivia like amateur psychologist manager boston area bowling alley family line maintains knowledge people race intelligent beings believed created device seasons leader human machine hybrids undercover agents alternate universe character commits suicide season seasons walter wife peter mother portrays prime alternate versions seasons introduced romantic interest season relationship ends screen season season shape shifting soldier alternate timeline different features seen normal timeline bishop seasons peter olivia adult daughter fringe team loyal observers secretly works human resistance try reclaim earth humans captain seasons lead observer primary antagonist resistance development conception created fringe produced bad robot association commitment previously studio time working star trek film met star trek production ideas later brought producer films help developing series inspiration fringe came range sources including writings film altered states films television series files twilight zone stated fringe new kind storytelling combining procedural shows extremely serialized series like lost procedural aspect chosen time premiere shows procedural nature stated fool study originally considered naming series lab envisioned walter laboratory conversation possible team saw way presenting mystery week episodes wanted focus stories told unpredictable ways actual mystery recognizing target audience seen mysteries previous shows films instead wanted storytelling original unexpected claimed challenging aspects developing individual episodes important tell overall story larger plot elements recognized difficulties earlier serialized shows lost alias attracting maintaining viewers seen shows start missed episodes sporadically fringe instead sought create stated new_york_times suggested complexity given episode writers aimed balance line stand episodes factor requested fox heavily serialized balanced moving aspect growth development characters gave ability write self contained episodes contained elements related overall production continued creative staff found took serialized nature opted approach later seasons balancing self contained episodes method introducing overarching themes individual episodes tied pattern season providing information repeatedly larger plot course episodes seasons created characters alliances larger narrative clear avoiding similar problem occurred second seasons alias final step taken script major long running plot elements including finale prior time production contrasted process lost ideas like character flashbacks hatch second season introduced difficulties defining presented viewers instead fringe able create clearly defined words altered necessary network seasonal changes provided clear target overarching plot approaches allowed team introduce unique plot elements introduced time altered fate known start stated certain details hugely important believe shared destroy chance actually getting air noted able benefit open fox network embracing long term stories want tell season executive producer noted seasons worth material having certain chapters overall story aren necessary tell overall story god willing network allows time tell complete story larger story writers placed elements earlier episodes referenced episodes seasons later example season episode ghost network fringe team encounters amber like substance later shown critical means combat breakdown parallel universe eventually prime universe season episode compared aspect planting seeds know plan use later story find ways incorporating later episodes attributed elements world building flesh episodic content producers stated mythology introduced simply tie episodes provide answers generate consequences certain elements mythology established start parallel universe original concept aspects introduce tackled proceeded idea peter parallel universe came early production came lead team jokingly refer peter hatch early mysteries lost hatch lost initially idea introduce fox reilly initially concerned parallel universe aspect progressed season found groove concept readily accepted poignant introduction parallel universe conclusion season finale showed twin towers world trade center standing parallel universe concept introduced writer iconic image leave viewers jackson stated don know better visual better cliff elements devised series progressed writers originally envisioned spending small portions episodes parallel universe wrote episodes season brought idea setting entire episodes parallel universe necessitated development alternate versions main characters considered great playground imagination actors found concept exciting allowed play different characters background considered creative challenge similarly having peter erased timeline finale season idea grew course season writers aware risky felt idea appropriate fringe opted write considering consequences noted gave opportunity reset character relationships determine key aspects remain peter making audience uncomfortable times cast initially sold idea came fourth season progressed production developing core concepts began seek studios develop past successes led quickly jump board project chief executive actively seeking bring project studio heard pitch fringe dinner meeting august similarly entertainment chairman fox knew critical bring project network worked assure happen selected act head showrunner executive producer noted working alias lost interested visit set star trek discussing concept fringe knowing involved direct production work pitched idea intrigued importance characters science fiction drama season brought executive producer showrunner science fiction worried written genre learning concept felt role executive producer match heaven frequent collaborator composed music pilot fringe handing duties assistants took scoring duties season onward retains screen credit wrote series theme music hour pilot episode filmed toronto canada cost total million create basement old church walter lab set pilot set replicated film sites new_york vancouver moved lab set designed production designer films called character lab heart soul fringe consequently remain constant cow pilot episode recast production season moved new_york livestock restrictions preventing brought canada united_states locations season included universities stage harvard_university campus walter lab located included yale_university including old campus particularly hall hall exterior february reported event fringe renewed second season production vancouver new_york_city cost cutting measure executive producer explained want stay new_york new_york incredibly good feels like kicked city know making impossible afford new_york crew spectacular worked look great looks like new_york tax credit makes possible budget new_york looks like necessity leave new_york welcoming productions moving vancouver british_columbia canada season stands harvard area serves filming locations fringe stories place parallel universe prior start production fifth season announced leaving production pursue projects remain sole showrunner casting main characters olivia peter walter core concept fringe creators recognized early idea telling father son story relationship story compelling accessible according able provide characters like long term plot elements alluded episodes seasons characters contrast typical procedural genre having clearly defined roles episode episode instead emotional memory emotional investment stated allowed necessary characters removed introduced larger impact characters actors cast portrayed fbi agents respectively play agent joined cast later casting play massive dynamic employee federal agent assistant respectively followed plays main character cast jackson auditioned star trek believed impressed producer cast television project later clarified recalling previous experience working jackson television series principal recurring actors intrigued script pilot comparing hour long movie reputation april announced appear lab partner season finale explores existence ominous parallel universe choice led reviewer question fringe plot homage episode explored concept alternate reality referred mirror universe evil version distinguished returned bell extended arc according bell beginning answers bigger questions reprised role second season finale character walter met showdown character apparently dead season finale having help walter peter alternate olivia prime universe retired acting thought unlikely character return february announced definite plan return fringe reprise role returned voice character animated segments season episode acid appeared computer generated character fourth season episode letters transit finale fourth season returned play ultimate antagonist alternate timeline story arc media home video releases season fringe released dvd september region addition episodes aired extras include commentary tracks scenes gag scenes features fringe pattern analysis feature included blu ray version exclusive sets released september region september region second season features commentary tracks gag reel deleted scenes scenes videos episode unearthed episode produced season aired schedule second season released dvd blu ray september region september region november region season features commentary tracks gag reel scenes videos features exclusive blu ray version released dvd blu ray september region september region october region fourth season includes special features including culture fringe discussion series writers university professors science featured series features disappearance peter affects timeline role observers features covering fringe comic series gag reel released dvd blu ray september region september region october region fifth season includes titled farewell fringe fringe panel comic con audio commentaries gag reel released blu ray dvd region region complete series box set released dates fifth season release respective regions games alternate reality game centered fictional massive dynamic corporation introduced pilot featured strange symbols paired glowing dots appearing episode advertisement company shown end web address game books comics august prequel comic book leading right moment pilot olivia meets walter written released imprint issue monthly issue limited series delayed january monthly publication resumed sixth final issue scheduled release june vice president explained publication hiatus writers want sure comic book integrated mythology fringe world decided direction comic book unfortunately means delays january june issue second monthly series released final issue released november additionally september released issue fringe comic series story written titled peter machine comic issues alternate story story example peter machine place issues story finished new story starts encyclopedia guide september bishop written previously written lost released march series prequel novels written released novel deals member fringe team past titled walter discovery second series titled burning man based olivia exposed titled sins father peter life point time series starts possible film san diego comic con actor mentioned film line reception early reception season generally lukewarm pilot episode watched million viewers garnering nielsen ratings adults ratings improving course episode ratings improved greatly second episode old story million people watched making fifth watched week october achieved place demographic new shows series received critics found promising reminiscent battle sexes charm usa_today said brings fringe director eye plot pace fan love sci excitement story gift investing absurd events real emotions characters travis ign gave calling lackluster pilot promises pretty good series san_francisco_chronicle remarked ambitious chicago_sun-times called update x-files addition terrorism office retrospective series writer noted similarities x-files including monster week approach romance series lead characters relatively recent release turned audiences x-files year review television pity declared fringe year biggest commenting entertaining cast largely strong character development insufficient main character considered wooden distant half season haven gotten know sharp acted note written character daily herald commented fringe promising develop worthwhile program largely spinning wheels articles best worst new_york_times stated fringe best new series toy paranormal author goes praise cast saying credit belongs stars agent investigating bizarre murders appear linked powerful mysterious multinational corporation backed crazy brilliant fringe scientist level headed skeptical son played changes approach storytelling second subsequent seasons led positive critical reception media favorite entertainment_weekly stated best new year took weeks grow blown addiction los_angeles_times called best characters noting role modern day mad scientist easily disaster fringe writers create character sounds sci chicago_tribune stated episodes predictable formulaic adds excellent episodes new_york_times named fringe television shows television pity previously dismissive listed memorable moments stating great fringe moments year treated best sci television past fall named fringe 15th best stated episode peter gave series overarching storyline devastating emotional core making series rare blend inventive ideas wild ambition unexpected ign named fringe 18th best science fiction time listing stating middle season series jaw dropping holy moments layered wonderful nuanced performances entertainment_weekly listed best cult shows past years saying fringe conceived mass appeal genre procedural background mythology wouldn monster week episodes mythology overtook monsters following revelation parallel universe season fringe multiple versions character unfortunately increasing narrative complexity steadily niche declared white greatest hours television history wrote white hour television shouldn work technically doesn exist thank god powerful episodes created showcases fringe series time ratings series renewal following table seasonal rankings based total viewers episode including fringe fox fringe premiered united states television season regular timeslot eastern season fringe fox initiative known remote free episodes fringe longer standard dramas current network television ran half commercials adding minutes went commercial short aired informing viewer roughly time commercials consume program resumed pilot episode leaked months series premiere similar leaked fellow fox series sarah connor chronicles series renewed second season moved thursday renewed season march reorganization midseason line capture market fox network shifted fringe timeslot commonly considered friday night death slot previous fox shows cancellation shortly following slot left critics considering fate x-files originally premiered slot continue highly successful series critics unsure fringe duplicate performance slot competed supernatural series attracts similar types viewers fox entertainment president response concerns stated fringe viewership time shifting recording digital video receivers expect viewership numbers change significantly change friday reilly near schedule big win promoted critical reaction fox network created self promotional advertisement acknowledging reputation time slot including quotes media outlets concerned asserted network created music video set echoes band means season date prior friday broadcast plays cautioned time shifted viewership save people watching fringe people watching fringe hour air key network producers excited considering slot open territory conquered actually deliver like x-files series creator optimistic friday nights aware likelihood renewed fourth season highly dependent number niche viewers continue watch moving friday nights allows creative freedoms maintain viewership new timeslot feels renewed season hard pressed resolve story end season episode friday timeslot scored key demographic increase thursday aired episode scored maintained similar numbers second week viewership slipped weeks renewed fourth season march unexpected based ratings given past performance shows similar viewership numbers friday night slot critics attribute strong fanbase garnered contributes consistently higher time shifted viewership fox reilly stated fringe truly hit creative stride distinguished television original programs series ingenious producers talented cast crew passionate loyal fans planet fourth season possible moved asked fans follow thrilled bring season fox family reilly added renewal prompted high risk trying replace fringe unknown viewership commented far better shot sticking audience think grow prior onset fourth season reilly reiterated expect significant growth fringe viewership season pretty complex fringe exactly fringe year going happy right pocket creatively stated interview hollywood reporter fox network supportive process viewership wasn exactly hoped aspects loyal fan base supportive critics forward season commented creative conditions renewal cuts budget unsure moved different time slot noble comic con fringe panel reiterated fans responsible stated seriously efforts support wouldn right best fans existed fourth season premiered september renewal fifth season stated skepticism renewal opportunity hoped cancelled picked network hand considered fox pick fifth season year great ending similarly fox reilly remained cautious renewal noting shows friday night slot expensive lose lot money reilly reiterated dedication fans helping fourth season continued success asked writers notice write fourth season finale series finale necessary reilly stated issue chief executive responded plans viewers closure season expect series continue late january fox working negotiating lower licensing cost allow fifth season occur help fox reduce losses bring total number episodes giving better opportunity syndicate announcement fifth season stated created series finale end fourth season cancelled stated want care fans want gone know commitment want satisfied officially renewed fifth final season television season consisting shortened set episodes april premiere september reilly announcing renewal stated fringe remarkably creative series set bar television imaginative dramas bringing final allows provide climactic conclusion passionate loyal fans deserve writing team crafted idea cohesive story driven set thirteen episodes means complete series honor audience served proper farewell according noble called season fans story elements past international broadcasts fringe premiered canada simultaneous premiere watched program canada week airing seasons beginning season fringe broadcast city canada version edited time premiered network australia september season episode meet jones opening scene doctors discover parasite heart cut going straight opening credits network later dropped primetime schedule temporary returned december january non ratings period series later moved digital multi channel seasons played series premiered united_kingdom october syndication episodes final season fringe total episodes critical number syndication deals considered reason final renewal premiered syndication november awards nominations fringe cast crew nominated won awards including saturn awards golden reel awards satellite awards writers guild america awards
Fringe (TV series)