In less than two weeks, one of the most anticipated new dramas of the season kicks off with FOX’s debut of J.J. Abrams “Fringe.”
“Fringe” focuses on strange mysteries, on-going plot arcs and characters complicated relationships. The pilot is also said to start on an airplane having mechanical issues.
That may sound a lot like another show Abrams produces, “Lost.” However, in a recent interview with our partner site, TV Guide On-Line Abrams said that while there are some similarities, the storyline couldn’t “be any less ‘Lost.'”
“To me, there’s just something about airplanes. I was obsessed with the “Airport” movies when I was a kid. I saw all of them, including “The Concorde — Airport ’79.” So it’s a place that’s kind of a go-to for me. But I’m guessing I can’t really do another airplane thing for a while,” said Abrams.
Abrams acknowledged that he does feel pressure, given the critical and commercial success of “Felicity,” “Alias,” “Lost” and “Cloverfield.” Abrams says the pressure “goes with the territory.”
“But I’m far more excited about people seeing it than I am nervous that they may not like it,” he said.
“Fringe” centers on two FBI agents, Olivia Dunham (Anna Torv) and Peter Bishop (Joshua Jackson) who come face-to- face with spreading unexplained incidents and in an attempt to stop them, they enlist the assistance of Bishop’s estranged father, the institutionalized scientist Dr. Walter Bishop (John Noble).
Some fans of Abrams previous works may be wondering if the series require the same kind of viewing commitment that “Lost” does. Abrams says that while there will be on-going arcs to this storyline and a definite beginning, middle and end to the story that fans can rest assured it won’t be a labyrinth-like as “Lost.”
“For the most part, you’ll be able to tune in whenever you want and get it. You’ll have a beginning, middle and an end,” he said. “But if you want to track the big bad guy and the big overarching story, you can do that, too.”
“Fringe” premieres Tuesday, September 9 at 9 p.m. EST on FOX.
I am looking forward to the 2nd episode. The first was fun, although heavy on the alter states homage.
Of course it isn’t a “Lost” clone it’s a “X-Files” clone
The article has the names wrong.
John Noble plays Walter Bishop, and Joshua Jackson plays Peter Bishop.
Yeah I found it interesting that X-Files isn’t mentioned, considering that’s the show that it’s most frequently accused of ripping off – spose I’ll have to wait to see it before judging, though (I’m actually waiting for it to air rather than downloading the leaked pilot episode going around 😛 )
From what I’ve heard, the series doesn’t really have that much in common with “The X-Files”. It may borrow some things from it, but it’s not an “X-Files” clone.
“The X-Files” covered a wide variety of topics and themes. It looks like this series will be more focused.