Why We Watch What We Watch - 1. Fringe

An Introduction

It's been a long, long time, but thankfully I can say that SpoilerTV hasn't missed my presence over the last few months and has flourished and prospered with the return of the 2012-13 TV season.



I've been keeping myself incredibly busy in a world slightly away from the internet, but I have made sure to keep my TV passions in check with doses of The Walking Dead, Homeland & Fringe.

I thought an interesting post could be to try and discuss exactly what makes some shows so popular. Why do you come online to discuss certain shows? What is it you like about them? Is it because of a specific character? Is it to discuss theories? Is it because you want to see what people made of each episode? There is infinite reasons why we watch what we watch. I watched ER for very different reasons than I watched LOST, right? Funnily enough, I could both agree and disagree. I watched LOST for the unknown elements, for the intertwining and complex structure of its mythology. I watched ER for the suspense of life and death situations and the realism the show found for its subject matter. But at both shows heart there is a devotion to character, a clear need to find a real life person and put them on the screen with all their attributes, both good or evil. That's the real reason why I watch the shows that I watch. That is what I look for at the heart of the shows I put time into. I find that in very different places; one minute I find it in a Prison surrounded by Zombies, the next in a CIA headquarters in Langley. It's not just the core reasons why we watch what we watch that I'm interested in here. I want to know the smaller, gritty things as well. Whether it's purely Supernatural's Dean Winchester and his rugged good looks, or instead the spiralling character arc of Breaking Bad's Walter we all have reasons. I assume it would vary from show to show, so it should be interesting to get a general feel what it is about a certain show that makes it tick.

Why We Watch What We Watch

And so we begin "Why We Watch What We Watch." For the next few weeks (when I get time to make some posts) you can vote in a (slightly large) poll, discuss, etc etc exactly what reasons you have for liking/checking out the show online.



I figured a safe place to start is Fringe. Fringe is one of STV's biggest shows, an entity that will be missed when it finished in January. I know for a fact that the viewership of the show has risen and (more generally) sunk over the years, but there is a reason why the show survived. It is beloved, by a few, beloved so much that it is almost a religion that needs to be followed.

People have come from far and wide to state and show their love for Fringe. One perfect example is this video:


It doesn't take a Bishop to work out that there is clearly a devotion to Fringe. A real calling, something that draws a viewer in to the point where they allow it to take over their life for more than an hour each week. Something that makes you love the world, that makes you feel for it. Some would say its the mysteries, the mythology, the unknown element of a world that is not too different from our own, yet different. (see what I did there) Some would say it's because of John Noble, or the shows devotion to dealing with family issues and the loss of the person closest to you. Some would say it's the inventive story-lines on a weekly basis, whilst some may say it's purely because they also love milkshakes.

This is your moment Fringe fans. Tell me exactly what it is you like. I'll be sure to look through and enjoy your comments. Vote in the poll I've made as well, and feel free to add other things that I haven't thought of below. The poll isn't anything definitive. It's things I think of when I think of Fringe. Things that I must therefore like or dislike about it. Use it to spark some thoughts, shout at me if I miss anything and all in all have a good ol' debate. Post pictures, videos, clips of your favourite bits, whatever you want. So long as you're saying, exactly "Why You Watch, What You Watch."



Also, have a good day.

Apologies for any typos. I wrote it in a flurry of thoughts, unlocking my brain as Walter would probably say and letting all my deepest thoughts on Fringe flow.

It feels good to be back,

Adam