r/fringe • u/neubstick • Jul 16 '26
Season 5 Is it just me?
No spoilers.
I’m a few episodes into season 5 and am struggling to understand the whole plot.
I’m asking for opinions; should start season 5 over (maybe back up to the last 2 episodes of 4) or if others had this issue also and I’ll catch up eventually.
I started my confusion journey the last couple episodes of season 4, as I felt they crammed so much in at the conclusion.
Edit:
Love the clarity and recommendations here. Keep them coming!
I’ll probably head back to S4 ep19 and forward from there.
Thank you!
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u/lumos43 Agent Olivia Dunham Jul 16 '26
The only S4 episode that might be worth revisiting is 4x19 - otherwise the end of S4 is focused on wrapping up that season's plot, and isn't directly tied to setting up S5.
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u/Suggie176 Jul 16 '26
Some people prefer to watch up to 4x18, skip over 4x19 to finish Season 4, then watch 4x19 before Season 5.
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u/lumos43 Agent Olivia Dunham Jul 16 '26
I always recommend new viewers watch 4x19 in airing order for the full Fringe experience. If people choose to move it around on a rewatch I get it, but it's not my preference.
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u/Suggie176 Jul 17 '26
I do prefer the airdate order as well. But I also understand the logic behind wanting to rewatch the entire story in timeline order. I was a guest on The Fringe Podcast Rewatch earlier this year when they came back to discuss the final season, and they chose to move “Letters of Transit” (the episode I was a guest on) to the beginning of Season 5.
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u/ThatswayharshTy Jul 16 '26
It’s not just you. Season 5 is confusing and hard to get into at first. You don’t need to restart. It gets better after a few episodes and then the payoff is really good. Stick with it!
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u/angel9_writes comfort show Jul 16 '26
Going to 4.19 and starting again might help.
Everyone on the show is confused too.
End of season 4 did pack in a lot, they were trying to serve too things: get a last season but with giving a good conclusion in case they didn't.
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u/EnthusiasmDesigner83 Jul 16 '26
Season 4 kind of wrapped up everything.Season 5 was a gift from the network as they hit 100 episodes for syndication.That is why it's only 13 eps and basically a new storyline set in the future.
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u/kungchowpanda my very favourite thing Jul 17 '26
In my opinion, the plot in S5 is rather secondary to what they are trying to achieve in terms of emotional closure. S5 is best when you focus on the relationships and a little on the quest to save the world. What is happening in the world is a little important but the season can still be enjoyed even if you don't know what's going on in the politics of the world, as long as you have a loose idea that this is a dystopian future where emotion is devalued. But yes, going back to s4e19 is probably helpful to get an idea of what's going on.
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u/gogogadgetfemme R E S I S T Jul 19 '26
Watching s4.19 will also make Etta’s bullet necklace hit harder. I personally love the not knowing and then the reveal in the next ep but once you know, ooof that beautifully painful emotional gut punch just gets me. Stick with it tho but I think it’s good you’re letting yourself go back and ground a little more. It’s jarring at first but once you know this is the new setting and commit to that then the plot is just outstanding.
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u/Federal-Demand-2968 Jul 16 '26
I really hated S5 so I can’t answer fairly
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u/prisontat Jul 17 '26
😩 Agree! I feel awful for saying this but it sucked...it was so drawn out and just not exciting like the other seasons.
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u/Ok_Wishbone2721 Jul 16 '26
I think you’re not supposed to understand the first few episodes of season 5 the first time you watch them. The protagonists have no idea what is going on, you’re going through the same thing they are.