J.J. Abrams helped co-create Lost, the iconic prototype for engrossing puzzle-box television that thrives on shock reveals and irresistible mysteries. The show’s unforgettable 2004 pilot — also directed by Abrams — introduced fans to a disoriented Jack Shephard (Matthew Fox), who wakes up in a jungle, surveys the wreckage of Oceanic Flight 815, and aids those who survived.
While Abrams struck gold with this opening, the Cloverfield director would go on to recreate these conditions in a completely different kind of show after moving on from Lost in 2005.
Three years later, Abrams’ paranormal sci-fi series, Fringe, opened with a similar aerial disaster. Although the plane in question doesn’t crash, its safe landing through autopilot raises unsettling questions about the state of the passengers found inside.
The reception to Fringe was nowhere near as enthusiastic as Lost, but the show’s cultural perception gradually improved over the course of five seasons. And if you’re interested in Abrams’ cult sci-fi series and the convoluted lore it has to offer, now’s your chance. You can stream Fringe for free on Pluto TV at no cost whatsoever.
What is Fringe about?
Photo: Fox
In Fringe, the FBI supports a Joint Federal Task Force known as the Fringe Division, who investigate cases related to speculative science, like parallel universes and technological singularities. The team includes Agent Olivia Dunham (Anna Torv), Dr. Walter Bishop (John Noble), and his estranged son, Peter Bishop (Joshua Jackson).
The series opens with the trio investigating cases around Reiden Lake, which has connections to an ominous doomsday event planned by a network of rogue scientists. Amid the chaos, the Fringe team learns unsavory secrets about one another, adding to the psychological toll of living such uniquely unorthodox lives.
From there, Fringe becomes a relentless attempt to solve baffling scientific cases that often challenge the ethics of using coveted knowledge. Walter is the traditional mad scientist of the group, obsessively engaging in dubious experiments while approaching everyday matters with refreshing irreverence. His dynamic with Peter and Olivia enlivens the procedural format that the initial seasons embrace, where the team deals with heightened cognitive abilities, dimension-related problems, and troubling instances of quantum entanglement. As mainstream scientific circles don’t dabble in these fringe (but admittedly major) concerns, it’s up to our eccentric trio to prevent humanity’s demise.
Fringe’s hard sci-fi elements are perfectly balanced with deeply moving interpersonal bonds
Image: Fox
At first glance, Fringe feels like a mix of celebrated genre shows like The X-Files or The Twilight Zone, drawing heavily from their outlandish plotlines and standalone episodes. (For instance, the season 4 episode, “Welcome to Westfield,” features a reality-bending anomaly that’s reminiscent of a classic Twilight Zone episode). Closer inspection, however, reveals a greatly overlooked sci-fi series that finds a way to prioritize tender empathy while everyone else is too busy with alternate timelines and parallel universes. It’s a surprisingly emotional story about family (both biological and found) and what that might mean when the very nature of reality is in flux.
It’s easy to dismiss a show that dabbles in hard sci-fi jargon as didactic, but Fringe is anything but. There’s a breezy sense of humor that breaks up the anxiety from time to time. Even the most no-nonsense characters, like FBI boss Phillip Broyles (Lance Reddick), are given windows of opportunity to be frivolous, even if it is by accident.
Image: Fox
Moreover, the science is not always accurate, but this implausible aspect never hampers the show’s ability to engage and entertain. You don’t need to have an in-depth understanding of fringe science to enjoy this unconventional ride. The central trio’s startling vulnerability allows us to deeply relate to the odd situations they find themselves in.
Although Fringe aired on Fox during the era of DVD box sets, it is uniquely suited to the binge model. This is the kind of show that can be easily watched in its entirety during a particularly long weekend without the need to process any wacky reveals. That’s a part of the show’s unstated charm: Fringe is only able to make its fantastical elements work due to the grounded love shared between its characters. Intellect and empathy are two halves of a whole here, lending to a fulfilling viewing experience that might even leave you itching for more.
Fringe is streaming for free on Pluto TV.