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, 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

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

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.

*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

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

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

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.

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.

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