Fringe

:

Season 5
  • Network: FOX
  • Series Premiere Date: Sep 9, 2008
Season #: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 181 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 151 out of 181
  2. Mixed: 18 out of 181
  3. Negative: 12 out of 181

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User Reviews

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  1. attackturnip
    Sep 30, 2012
    9
    From what I can tell from the premiere, Season 5 of Fringe will be a nonstop action-packed adrenaline rush. With a shortened 13-episode order, the Fringe showrunners have promised this season will have no filler episodes, and I'm looking forward to what's to come.
  2. BKM
    Jan 10, 2013
    10
    Fringe has gotten better with each passing season as the characters have become more developed and the mythology more complex. The fifth and final season is a complete reinvention of the series--switching from the more conventional X-Files like case of the week to a more Lostesque season long story arc. The cast has been superb and all signs point to an emotional powerhouse of a finale.
  3. drlowdon
    Aug 23, 2014
    8
    Set twenty years in the future following an invasion from 'The Observers' the final season of Fringe could almost be viewed as an entirely separate show from seasons one to four. There are no longer any stand alone episodes or 'Fringe' cases to be investigated with the focus now solely on the overall story arc of the teams attempts to defeat these aggressors.

    This does lead to a little    Set twenty years in the future following an invasion from 'The Observers' the final season of Fringe could almost be viewed as an entirely separate show from seasons one to four. There are no longer any stand alone episodes or 'Fringe' cases to be investigated with the focus now solely on the overall story arc of the teams attempts to defeat these aggressors.

    This does lead to a little bit of treading water on occasions with a few episodes simply setting up ‘fetch quests’, as Olivia and co attempt to gather everything they need to put Walter’s grand plan into action. A plan he has trouble recalling for reasons I won’t spoil here. As with any sci-fi show, especially one as complex as Fringe, there are also a few plot holes to be found if you really think about it but for the most part it certainly stands as a more logical conclusion than other JJ Abrams shows such as Lost and Alias.

    A large part of the show’s success has always been down to the characters (and the actors that play them of course) and in this regard Fringe does not disappoint as, no matter how crazy the science fiction gets, they are able to keep things grounded enough to ensure that viewers actually care about what happens to them leading to an emotional finale.

    Good sci-fi television is quite a rare thing and over the course of its five year run Fringe has been about as consistent as any other show in the genre that I can think of so, if you are a fan of this type of thing, it’s well worth a watch.    … Expand
  4. Mithrandir
    Dec 25, 2012
    10
    This is one one of the best shows ever.Definitely recommended this to anyone.Season 5 may be a little disappointing but still good.Still the first season was the best
  5. AdamTheDullBoy
    Jan 20, 2013
    7
    I was initially skeptical about watching another science fiction series launched by J.J. Abrams and co. after the lackluster (to put it mildly) conclusions of Alias and LOST where the creators completely failed to deal with the questions they posed and decided to take the easy way out instead, abandoning the core themes that made both shows intriguing in the first place. Nevertheless, II was initially skeptical about watching another science fiction series launched by J.J. Abrams and co. after the lackluster (to put it mildly) conclusions of Alias and LOST where the creators completely failed to deal with the questions they posed and decided to take the easy way out instead, abandoning the core themes that made both shows intriguing in the first place. Nevertheless, I started to watch Fringe after the last season was announced and I was pleasantly surprised by the effort that was put into answering the mysteries throughout the series. The 5th and final season of the show is probably its weakest, especially in terms of production values - the brilliant cinematography seen throughout the first three seasons (and somewhat less frequently in season 4 as well which was already shot with digital cameras) is largely gone. This is most likely due to the significantly reduced budget that the creators had at their disposal. It is important to note, however, that Fringe still manages to provide quite a few visual spectacles that can easily remind viewers of the show's heydays (the lighting and deep colors they opted for this season are especially atmospheric). Luckily, the convincing performance of the cast remains unchanged from previous seasons and John Noble proves yet again that he is the true heart and soul of the series, stealing every single scene he appears in, never in shortage of quirky one-liners. Since season 5 deals heavily with time travel, during its last episodes Fringe runs into paradoxes more often than ever before, and one can find just as many arguments debunking the internal logic of the show's mythology and the outcome of the final episode as the countless theories reaffirming it. Essentially, the whole season is only a postscript allowing to tie in loose ends regarding the Observers. Still, it is obvious from the final episodes (or the whole season, for that matter) that the creators are doing their best to provide closure to all plot lines and characters, and even when the resolutions end up being somewhat convoluted, requiring more suspension of disbelief than previously, the conclusion feels like a sincere bow towards the fans and the show's core themes alike. This is especially obvious in the re-occurrence of motifs from episodes that are widely considered to be among the favorites of the audiences and (most likely) creators alike, and the fact that they play a pivotal part in the ending. To me, this consistency makes Fringe a success where Alias and LOST have failed miserably. The show was undeniably at its height during the first three seasons with some great story lines during the fourth, but J.H. Wyman and co. still managed to deliver a final 13 episodes that ended it with dignity. As it has been remarked, being an expensive and (relatively speaking) barely watched science fiction show dealing with outlandish concepts, Fringe itself was "An Enemy of Fate" throughout the years; but for the most part, it won the battle. Season 5: 7/10… Expand
  6. Stabs_with_Pudz
    Jan 20, 2013
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Overrall its a pretty good season, a massive improvement from the disaster that was Season 4. It is action packed and full of adrenaline. It is also full of nostalgia for the Fringe fans who were there since the beginning.It turns out that Walter has kept a lot of the technology and chemicals from Fringe events that they have fought in the past, at first they used the skin growth toxin that was last seen in Season 1 then later Peter uses the chemical weapon used on Flight 627 but the Season Finale was when they pulled out the big guns: Skin Growth toxin from Season 1, Giant parasitic worms from Season 2, The mutated common cold from Season 1, the deadly razor blade butterflies hallucinations just about every Fringe case that they've done, I was hanging onto every moment during that scene, just wondering what fringe event they would use next. Another form of nostalgia for fans is when Walter is haunted by Doctor Warren - Walter's dead assistant and he reflects on how he travelled to the other universe to save Peter and what not, another event that is touched on is the White tulip Walter received from the Time traveller in Season 2 and the next and the most heart warming is during the Season Finale when Astrid finds Gene the Cow alive and well sealed inside amber and yet another MASSIVE piece of nostalgia is when we get to see the alternate universe once again and we get to see Lincoln and Alternate Olivia once again.
    It may not be the best season but it touches and flashes back to the past a lot which can make any Fringe fan smile and jump with excitement.    … Expand
  7. JamesIrish68
    Sep 24, 2015
    8
    I think they stumbled on a cult classic without intention with Fringe. The cast especially Walter are so strong. Despite the complicated parallel universe story lines which deviate so much from season 1 the writers are up to the task. I was quite sad when it finally ended.
  8. MarcDoyle
    Sep 30, 2012
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The premiere episode is outstanding. I was particularly blown away by the scene in which Walter finds the CD and plays "Only You" by Yaz. Such a powerful moment after he had been tortured and deprived of music for so long. Etta is a terrific addition to the series as Peter and Olivia's daughter. I can't wait to see where they take this season.… Expand
  9. alex95
    Oct 1, 2012
    10
    A Show that has explored everything that has to be explored, Fringe continues to surprise me at the highest level continuing to be one of the best dramas on TV right now and one the sci-fi thrillers to be remembered for a long long time.
  10. tantram
    Dec 29, 2012
    5
    *sigh* why did they have to break a winning horse. What started as a strong modern rendition of the X-Files with some great characters has now become something completely different.

    We suddenly find our beloved characters 20 years in the future fighting off an alien invasion... Mkay
  11. goodterling
    Jan 23, 2013
    2
    This show REALLY needs to be called out on its over-the-top melodrama. It can't go five minutes without somebody having a breakdown or teary epiphany all dragged out way too long with the camera pushed right up close. Everything about Fringe makes me miss The X-Files with all its unstated emotions churning under the surface. Remember subtlety? Fringe doesn't. It's sad that when weThis show REALLY needs to be called out on its over-the-top melodrama. It can't go five minutes without somebody having a breakdown or teary epiphany all dragged out way too long with the camera pushed right up close. Everything about Fringe makes me miss The X-Files with all its unstated emotions churning under the surface. Remember subtlety? Fringe doesn't. It's sad that when we finally get some good sci-fi concepts on network TV, but with emotional content straight out of a middle school drama class.… Expand
  12. Acriminal
    Oct 13, 2012
    0
    This show has gotten SO bad. The writing is absurd. I'm forced to watch because I've followed it thus far and don't like to leave anything unfinished in a state of limbo. John Noble is this show's only redeeming quality. I can't wait until this last season is done.
  13. Mello-Vieira
    Nov 28, 2012
    3
    I agree with Acriminal, I only watch the show to get some kind of closure on the Bishop family. After a horrible ending to the 4th season, the 5th season is being a huge disappointment.
    Instead of a freak-of-the-week show, Fringe is turning into a gadget-of-the-week show. Yes, the gadgets are pretty cool and Walter and the Olivia are still great characters (Anna Torv and John Noble are    I agree with Acriminal, I only watch the show to get some kind of closure on the Bishop family. After a horrible ending to the 4th season, the 5th season is being a huge disappointment.
    Instead of a freak-of-the-week show, Fringe is turning into a gadget-of-the-week show. Yes, the gadgets are pretty cool and Walter and the Olivia are still great characters (Anna Torv and John Noble are terrific actors). But apart from the acting, I cannot forgive the numerous plot holes which completely ruin the show for me. The plot became too ambitious after they killed/erased Peter...    … Expand
  14. marcovelous
    Jan 19, 2017
    9
    Amazing show! Very mysterious cases and likeable characters. Breathtaking evolution of plot. I like it. [Reviews to be updated..............] Decent 9.
  15. TheApplegnome
    Oct 8, 2014
    8
    This last season of Fringe truly is the best.

    It might be a short season, but it's the best in the Fringe series. It totally is excellent in every way, and the series overall couldn't end in a better way. Fringe is a TV-show that just kept me interested and made me love it because all the mysteries and questions it made me ask. This is one of my favorite sci-fi shows, and yes it might    This last season of Fringe truly is the best.

    It might be a short season, but it's the best in the Fringe series. It totally is excellent in every way, and the series overall couldn't end in a better way. Fringe is a TV-show that just kept me interested and made me love it because all the mysteries and questions it made me ask. This is one of my favorite sci-fi shows, and yes it might have some slower and less interesting episodes, but it's so awesome with all the unexpected questions and mysteries. Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci did a hell of a job with Fringe, and I hope more Fringe-like TV-shows are coming in the future!

    The final season of Fringe is awesome as it is spectacular.

    The average score for each episode is: 8.06
    Fringe: Season 5 get a 8/10    … Expand
  16. maisie
    Oct 9, 2013
    9
    The fifth and final season. For five years of my life, I was dedicated and so hopelessly in love with Fringe. Each season I intently watched, patiently waited for the next episode and was sad during winter hiatuses. This show meant so much to me, and it still does. I'll never forget the fantastic ride we had, how we traveled through time and between universes. Season five is not as good asThe fifth and final season. For five years of my life, I was dedicated and so hopelessly in love with Fringe. Each season I intently watched, patiently waited for the next episode and was sad during winter hiatuses. This show meant so much to me, and it still does. I'll never forget the fantastic ride we had, how we traveled through time and between universes. Season five is not as good as its predecessors but it still has some redeeming qualities to it. The final season felt a little messy, presumably because it was going to be cancelled. I think, however, the thirteen episode order worked. No filler episodes (which was a common occurrence in season four) this time. It was certainly an ambitious shot and it was a little (only a little) disappointing, but we got a little closure and at least we can say that season two and three were excellent seasons we will never forget.… Expand
  17. HeribertoFilho
    Oct 27, 2015
    9
    I really liked this series, but the final season was made in so such hurry that makes the season not awesome as it can be, the ending was everything that a i wanted... but if the season was 20 episodes, the series would be one of the most amazing.
  18. Jarody
    Feb 18, 2018
    7
    Considering how poor Fringe: Season 4 was, everyone involved in the making of this show has done a pretty good job in resolving Fringe as a whole. The final season of Fringe had good acting, thrilling action, and a good story, however as a whole it was a very under-whelming season. I was a lot less invested with the characters this season than in the first three seasons, but that's partlyConsidering how poor Fringe: Season 4 was, everyone involved in the making of this show has done a pretty good job in resolving Fringe as a whole. The final season of Fringe had good acting, thrilling action, and a good story, however as a whole it was a very under-whelming season. I was a lot less invested with the characters this season than in the first three seasons, but that's partly due to the way they were displayed in Season 4. Honestly, the show just wasn't as exciting as earlier seasons, and although it was good i was expecting a lot more. Although that being said, I found the ending very emotional, and I was extremely satisfied with how the show ended.… Expand

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 5 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Ken Tucker
    Sep 28, 2012
    91
    Fringe seems to be going out as alt-world fantasy/sci-fi at its most tough-minded yet humanistic. [5 Oct 2012, p.73]
  2. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Mike Hale
    Sep 28, 2012
    80
    On the evidence of Friday's season opener, Fringe will continue to be the best show of its kind since "The X-Files" at the grace notes, intimate or humorous instances like Olivia's Crate & Barrel moment (which won't be further spoiled here). When you get the small things right, it's less crucial that your universes and time shifts exactly line up.
    Read full review
  3. TV Guide Magazine
    Reviewed by: Matt Roush
    Sep 28, 2012
    90
    For Fringe's small but loyal following, resistance is truly futile. We'll stick with this remarkable series to the end.
    Read full review
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