CSI + Prison Break + X-Files = FRINGE

[Dimmauk]

Decent interviews with JJ

Spoiler: show

'Fringe' season finale will mark 'fundamental shift'

Leonard Nimoy fringeJ.J. Abrams promises the season finale of Fringe will mark "a really interesting shift in the fundamental paradigm of the show in a very cool way."

The Fringe co-creator was on a media conference call Friday to talk about his Fox series, an act of publicity that impressed the TV reporters since his Star Trek revamp was opening the same day. The writer-producer-director was having a King of All Media moment with Fringe recently getting a second-season order and critics gushing about Trek. Box office tallies had yet to come in, but Abrams didn’t seem worried, and had spent the day catching up with his son.

When asked about how the second season of Fringe would differ from the first, Abrams said, “The first year is about learning there is an enemy ... I would argue Season 2 is about getting to know the enemy ... Season 1 is building to a very specific type of confrontation ... there will be a really interesting shift in the fundamental paradigm of the show in a very cool way.”

Abrams added the finale will leave viewers with an idea of what the next season will look like and excited about what comes next.

“What’s particularly cool about where we’re finally going now is the story is working on all the character’s strengths,” Abrams said. “Over the course of the season you find what’s most exciting about a character. You’ll get a little piece of Peter’s ultimate story [in the finale], but it’s also a huge turning point for the other two characters as well.”

Another difference is Season 2 will feature less clunky exposition straining to bring new viewers up to speed.

“There’s nothing more crazy than having that sort of massive chuck of exposition thrown at you in the story,” he said. “Sometimes the desire of producers/writers/network/studio is to provide clarity ... those kind of monologues of exposition don’t help anyone ... [actor Lance Reddick] delivers them beautifully, but any actor tasked with catching people up deserves a drink at the end of the day.”

One reporter asked Abrams if he found it “infuriating” that the last couple minutes of the show was recently cut off for many DVR users due to American Idol overrun. The reporter said Fox was run by “drooling goddamn idiots” for such moves, which perhaps isn’t the best tactic to get re-invited to participate in future interviews, but got a chuckle out of Abrams.

“I will say that I have a different opinion about the network, but I, too, have heard from a number of people [about the issue],” Abrams said. “It is infuriating. And I would be happy to send you the DVD."




ON NABBING LEONARD NIMOY TO APPEAR AS THE CONTROVERSIAL FIGUREHEAD WILLIAM BELL ON FRINGE?

"I called him, essentially begging him," says Abrams. "I told him, we’re doing this show, he knew of it, hadn’t seen it and I explained that there was a critical character who had been mentioned throughout the first season including the pilot and it was a big deal for the show. Not just where he came from, but the back story of where it’s going. [So I said] 'it would be an honor if he would consider playing the part.' He was open to the idea, but wanted to see the show and see the pages. I was thrilled when he called back saying it was intriguing and interesting – that’s how we got him to return to the role of Spock. We pitched him. There was interest and intrigue."


ON WHERE FRINGE IS GOING AFTER THE SEASON FINALE ...

"In the story of FRINGE, it is the end of one chapter and the beginning of another," he says. "If you look at this show as a series of standalone episodes, it works in that regard too. This show feels like it’s a tentpole episode in terms of the mythology, but it really does continue the story that from the beginning of the season we were going to tell. The first season was the set up, [the character's] roles, their job and getting a sense of the rhythm of the show, but this is a massive turning point in the long-term arc of the series."

ON WHAT TO EXPECT IN SEASON 2 ... OR AT LEAST A HINT OF WHAT TO EXPECT ...

"First of all, I would say that the first year was about learning there is an enemy and I would say that Season 2 is about knowing the enemy," says Abrams. "As the show progresses, and in the second season, it’s building to a specific confrontation and a really interesting shift in the fundamental paradigm on the show in a very cool way. Without going into any details about it, it has a fun, fresh way in next year that I think you never know how it’s going to work, but cross your fingers people are going to like it. Next season is thrilling for me, not in that they audience is coming back to experience what we’re doing, but the excitement is not just these characters, but now playing with [those characters]."

[Deftscythe]

Calling the precious thing Walter lost was Peter and that Peter is a double from the other world.

[Insanecyclone]

That had to hurt

[Null]

Simpsons did it

[Insanecyclone]

Soooooo TT are still up in that reality interesting

[Diamicles]

the potential for this show to become EPIC (as if it wasn't already) just increased 10x

[Deftscythe]

Calling the precious thing Walter lost was Peter and that Peter is a double from the other world.

Nailed it.

[Auronx]

I wish jones would of lived. I wanted to find out what he was turning into.

[Odesseiron]

Yeah, from the second the episode started and Walter was at the grave, I fucking called it was Peters grave, and it was alt. universe Peter that Walter took through. That's why this Peter doesn't remember his early years.

Now Dunham is stuck in the alternate universe, with the Peter and everyone else in the other. It seems like next season could get really interesting.

I pray that Leonard Nimoy is back as a recurring character, because with how much press they gave it, he was only in it for 1 minute. Hopefully he guides Olivia next season.

Overall though I was VERY pleased with this show for the entire season, and was a very fitting finale. The Twin Towers standing in the end was freakin great.

[Tyche]

I looked over to my wife and said jokingly, "That's Peter's grave". Didn't expect to be right, but holy shit. I wonder who alt. universe William Bell is?

[Diamicles]

I wonder who alt. universe William Bell is?

That, good sir, is an excellent question. I have a few hairbrained theories on that already

[Serif]

Yeah, from the second the episode started and Walter was at the grave, I fucking called it was Peters grave, and it was alt. universe Peter that Walter took through. That's why this Peter doesn't remember his early years.

Now Dunham is stuck in the alternate universe, with the Peter and everyone else in the other. It seems like next season could get really interesting.

I pray that Leonard Nimoy is back as a recurring character, because with how much press they gave it, he was only in it for 1 minute. Hopefully he guides Olivia next season.

Overall though I was VERY pleased with this show for the entire season, and was a very fitting finale. The Twin Towers standing in the end was freakin great.

Wait wouldn't Peter not be in that alternate universe now?

It seems like she comes back to the "real" world but one can never be to sure.

[Deftscythe]

I thought about it when he was at the grave, but I didn't think he would've left a headstone since he's supposed to be covering this up so I figured it was his wife.

[Odesseiron]

Wait wouldn't Peter not be in that alternate universe now?

It seems like she comes back to the "real" world but one can never be to sure.

I'm not sure I follow you...

From what we can gather, Peter died in Walters world, that's whos grave he visited in the beginning...that worlds Peter. What he took from the other universe was their Peter, so that universe that Olivia is in now has no Peter in it. If there are only 2 universes, one died, one is left. Or something.

[Null]

That's what he was saying.

[Azkarin2]

So Nimoy is William Bell from the original universe, right? And it seems that they can transfer between universes easily so I hope that plays into next season.

Two questions. First, did they kind of forget the passing of the ten tests that Jones had brought up? I've seen some references to it in the human combustion episode but they kind of left it behind. I liked that plotline and they didn't carry on with it besides referencing Olivia as being special.

Second, not a question, but I really liked the shot of the WTC at the end. Five bucks says Jones caused 9/11 trying to find a soft spot!

[Deftscythe]

The question Tyche raised is really interesting. Is the William Bell from the main world as important in the other world? Is he partnered with his double? Has he replaced him? So many interesting questions.

Edit from another board: "The problem with Walter having stolen Peter2 is that somewhere out there is a Walter doing the Fox Mulder thing to find his Peter. And that can only end in a wonderfull amount of disaster."

Do want Walter vs Walter.

[grantlogan]

That episode was too short, needed to be 2 hours. Nimoy was only in it for like 10 seconds! I was hoping for some more information on ZFT/Alternate universe war. I have a feeling Jones will be back. He shrugged off bullets like they were nothing, maybe he obtained some super cell regeneration ability.

[Scythiroth]

The moment the started talking about an alternate universe, I kept remembering the multiple universe episode from Futurama. >.>

It was a great episode, but I do wish it had been longer. The wait for new seasons of my favorite shows is going to be painful as usual it seems.

[GRT]

The question Tyche raised is really interesting. Is the William Bell from the main world as important in the other world? Is he partnered with his double? Has he replaced him? So many interesting questions.

Edit from another board: "The problem with Walter having stolen Peter2 is that somewhere out there is a Walter doing the Fox Mulder thing to find his Peter. And that can only end in a wonderfull amount of disaster."

Do want Walter vs Walter.

What did you think the whole "preparing for the coming war" is all about? xD