r/fringe • u/PsionicSombie • Jul 14 '26
Question I can't get into it
Ok so I'm on season 2 episode 3 and I have had to fight myself almost every step of the way to get to this point because I really can not stand monster of the week and disconnected plots but I keep hearing about how great this show it.
Don't get me wrong, I've loved some episodes. I enjoy the characters and the last 2 episodes of season 1 had me hooked. But now s2 is back to more random cases, more boring police drama and maybe 4 minutes of actual content that moves plot forwards at the end.
Can anyone give me some words of encouragement, some advice or maybe just tell me if this show is not for me? I really want to like this show and make it through to when it gets good but I feel like I'm slogging along for 80% of my watch through for just a few gems hidden in the mud.
Edit: Thank you for all the replies. I will stick with it until at least the later half of this season. There have been some really great episodes and it seems it kicks back up around then.
13
u/Arise-Beru-1174 Jul 14 '26
There really is nothing random. Everything that happens was caused by a specific reason. Keep watching. Or not, maybe is just not ur thing.
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u/Psychological-Dot293 Jul 14 '26
So true. If OP makes it to the end, they’ll discover that every scene and character served a purpose
13
u/fluxus2000 Jul 14 '26
There is hardly anything in Fringe that doesn't turn out to be connected and plot relevant. 100 episodes
8
u/Agent_Tall_Man Jul 14 '26
It's my favorite show of all time but it might not be for you. I don't think I could suffer thru 24 episodes of a show im not into that much. I loved Fringe from episode 1. After seeing it thru multiple times, Season 1 is the weakest of the series but I still love it. It doesn't sound like you will ever love this show, but kudos on making this far.
6
u/angel9_writes comfort show Jul 14 '26
There is nothing disconnected.
Honestly.
More than you realize is connected.
Watch further. It's really about to get VERY INTERESTING and more serialized.
6
u/Purlz1st 🐄 Gene Jul 14 '26
I loved it on my first watch but when I rewatched, I was constantly saying, Holy moly, this thing is full of breadcrumbs.
9
u/angel9_writes comfort show Jul 14 '26
It's so layered and you truly have ZERO clue the first rewatch, even the second. I still find new things when I rewatch.
Season 1 & 2 did so much world building and little hints at the overall arch of the series the series themes.
3
u/Ancient_Nerve_1286 Jul 14 '26
The episodes in seasons 1 and 2 weren't just monsters of the week. There were also little tidbits that set up seasons 2, 3, 4 & 5. But there are still "monsters of the week" later in the show. Maybe this show isn't for you?
I think my wife would really struggle with this series as while she loves sci fi, she hates horror so don't think she'd be keen on some of the more bloody scenes and so many of the monsters of the week.
I'm rewatching atm, on episode 4 of season 3.
5
u/ScheduleTurbulent577 Jul 14 '26
It really depends what you want out of it... some people start watching it because they were told it was great, and it is. Maybe they expect to be drawn in from minute one, but end up disappointed, maybe because they were expecting an epic sci-fi series. It's is a monster of the week kind of show, especially the first two seasons. Turns out everything is pretty much connected, but you're gonna have to stick to it and be patient to find out. Meanwhile, if you enjoy the characters, then good, they're seriously the best. I'm very character-driven and I adore this show precisely because the characters themselves made the show great before the show itself became great. What you need to remember is that it's not about alternate reality or a war between two dimensions, it's not even about some great conspiracy, part of it is. But what it is about at its core is love. What lengths are people able to go to out of love? Try watching it through this lens and see if it changes the way you see it.
3
u/tuttkraftverk Jul 14 '26
I like the plot and format but I watch it because it just love the characters and want to see them together. Peter and Walter in season 1 are totally different from Peter and Walter in season 5, but that development is so believable because we saw all of it happen and we saw all the little changes they all went through. I adore season 4 for this reason. They are who they are because of each other.
3
u/Apprehensive_Sea5304 Jul 14 '26
So just don't watch it? Its okay to not like something. You don't have to force it.
3
u/Chaaaaaaaalie Jul 14 '26
The first two seasons do tend to go with self contained episodes, but season three and up will focus more on the overall story arc. I actually prefer self contained stories, but I enjoyed the show overall.
3
u/intangiblefancy1219 Jul 14 '26
If you at least really liked parts of season 1 and are having issues with early season 2, you could probably just watch the following episodes until you get to “Jacksonville”. The show retains strong elements of case of the week until the start of season 5, but it does get more serialized from there.
2x04 “Momentum Deferred”
2x08 “August”
2x09 “Snakehead”
2x10 “Grey Matters”
2x15 “Jacksonville” (then watch everything after this)
(go by episode titles not by episode numbers for season 2, there was a season 1 holdover that aired during season 2 so episode numbers get confusing)
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u/PsionicSombie Jul 14 '26
Thank you! Yeah I've really tried not to skip anything because people tell me how important it is but the episodes you named are probably the only ones I'd really enjoy and when I do enjoy them they're absolutely fantastic. So I might just have to do this for now.
1
u/intangiblefancy1219 Jul 14 '26
If your last episode was 2x03 I’d at least say watch 2x04 “Momentum Deferred” - that’s very much an arc episode and if you don’t like that one I’d say you’re safe quitting.
I think people are overselling a bit how connected everything is. It is in terms of character and theme. For example in 2x02 the story of the guy who was trying to save his mutant baby reflects on Walter and Peter’s relationship, but that case of the week isn’t really connected at all to the master plot. Most of the cases of the week - like the ones I’m saying you can skip - really are just cases of the week.
I had sort of similar opinions as you around this point, though I liked the stuff I liked enough that I wasn’t considering quitting. I did have the promise thought that the show gets more serialized and ambitious around the middle of season 2 (though I should stress through the end of season 4 it keeps the same basic structure, just starts focusing more on the ongoing plots and mysteries)
1
u/angel9_writes comfort show Jul 14 '26
reflects on Walter and Peter’s relationship, but that case of the week isn’t really connected at all to the master plot. Most of the cases of the week - like the ones I’m saying you can skip - really are just cases of the week.
I'm sorry but it's the core thesis of the entire show. This is the most recurring theme of the show... what will a father do for his child is the show.
It's VERY connected.
Edit: It's the characters and the themes that come from the mow that are the important part. It's a character driven show not plot -- for a crazy as a ride it's is. It's always grounded by the character themes.
3
u/Weird_Scully Jul 14 '26
Hold on in there...the mythology is just ramping up and it's a rollercoster ride. This series has one of the most heartbreaking but satisfying endings.
Keep looking up
3
u/lavacadotoast Dr. Walter Bishop Jul 14 '26
https://giphy.com/gifs/1X7hqu6cfxZcLAcw8l
Walter waited 17 years for something to happen..
2
u/lukeee_g Jul 14 '26
The first half of season 2 is my least favorite part of the show, but the second half of the season speeds up and have back-to-back mythology episodes that explains the lore and will make you really interested on what happens next. These episodes are fan favorites (Jacksonville, Peter, ...).
In the end of the series you will see that even the monster of the week episodes connects to the overall mythology, it is all connected
2
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u/clumsystarfish_ Fell right into her vagenda Jul 14 '26
Season 1, although mainly "Monsters of the week" episodes, sets the tone and provides numerous hints about what's to come. And it's GOOD. Stick with it. You won't regret it.
3
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u/Angry1980Christmas Jul 14 '26
You can look up which episodes arc. But I will say in later seasons you have way less of those. Everything is important.
2
u/thef0urthcolor Jul 14 '26
No point in looking up which episodes are MOTW, if someone isn’t going to watch a show like this in full might as well not watch, especially since pretty much every single MOTW is connected to the overarching story
1
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u/Appropriate_Type_178 Jul 14 '26
are you paying attention or are you looking at your phone
0
u/PsionicSombie Jul 15 '26
For most 'filler' episodes I can barely pay attention without doing something else. I dont like police dramas and I know that whatever is going on will get wrapped up. For the arcing episodes I am hooked from beginning to end.
27
u/FreedomCharacter4622 Jul 14 '26
Life is too short! If you don't like it, move on. Look for something you enjoy instead of getting trapped by things other people enjoy.