'Fringe' series finale: A fan's review

SPOILERS AHEAD!! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED....

Joshua Jackson as 'Peter Bishop'

Last Friday night one of the best TV series I have ever had the pleasure to watch ended. For those of you who do not know what 'Fringe' is: it is a series created by JJ Abrams, Alex Kurtzman, and Roberto Orci. It premiered on the FOX network on September 9, 2008, and concluded on January 18, 2013 after five seasons and 100 episodes. The series follows Agent Olivia Dunham (Anna Torv), Peter Bishop ('Dawson's Creek's' Joshua Jackson), and Walter Bishop (John Noble), members of a FBI "Fringe Division" team based in Boston, under the supervision of Homeland Security. The team uses 'fringe science' and FBI investigative techniques to investigate a series of unexplained, often ghastly occurrences, which are related to mysteries surrounding a parallel universe and alternate timelines. This series is best described as a hybrid of The X-Files, the original Star Trek series episode 'Mirror, Mirror' and The Twilight Zone.

Nina Sharp

Now moving forward I'll assume if your still reading this you have some knowledge about the series. This last season took a big jump from the original format of the series and saw the 'Fringe' team in the year 2036 following the invasion of the 'Observers' from the 27th century. They had been trapped in amber for 21 years and now they are trying to execute a plan that would reset time and end the tyranny of the evil Observers. I really enjoyed this change in the series. The Observers have always fascinated me and to see them take centre stage as the 'big bad' for the final season was awesome. The character of 'Captain Windmark' has got to be one of the best bad guys ever to have been featured on television. It also opened up the show for some very dramatic moments and great acting. The death of Etta, Nina's sacrifice, the revelation of who Donald is, Peter and Walter's final moments together...absolutely phenomenal.   

Captain Windmark

The final episode did deliver. They did a great job of wrapping up a lot of plot threads. The acting was especially great, especially Joshua Jackson and John Noble. There were several moments in the finale that literally made me cry, especially a very touching scene between Jackson and Noble where Walter is essentially saying goodbye to his son. 

I've heard some negative comments about the final episode. But I really felt it was one of the best final episodes ever made for any TV series. It satisfied me as a fan of the series.

Agent Etta Bishop

  

Because 'Fringe' was never a ratings phenomenon with every season produced there was always the question of whether there would be a next season. The FOX executives have been reported to be fans of the series and that is why the series was able to endure for 5 seasons. In fact it was at the 2012 Calgary Comic & Entertainment Expo, which I attended, where they announced a 5th and final season which would be 13 episodes. That being said I am grateful they were able to wrap up the series properly. I do wish they had had more episodes for the final season, but just the fact they got to have a final season was amazing. I also got to meet series stars John Noble and Jasika Nicole at the 2012 Calgary Con. They were great and wonderful to meet, they could not have been nicer. 

Chrisloc1701 with Jasika Nicole (Astrid) and John Noble (Walter) at the 2012 Calgary Comic & Entertainment Expo

There were a few things I wish they had addressed:

- Leonard Nimoy: I was hoping to see 'William Bell' this season as he too was trapped in the amber that preserved the rest of the team to 2036. Also at the end of the episode if time was reset will he not be alive and well in the year 2015? 

Leonard Nimoy as 'William Bell'

- What about Olivia's sister Rachel and Rachel's daughter Ella? They played significant roles in the first 2 seasons, then they were gone and briefly mentioned. I would like to have seen them again.

Rachel Dunham

- The tulip at the end of the episode that Walter sent Peter, and Peter's reaction by looking up before the end of the episode: Does Peter remember what happened in what is now a previous timeline 2036? Does he know the sacrifice Walter made? And if the tulip is a symbol of hope does it mean that Walter may return from the future? Will Peter find a way to bring his father home? Could this be the plot line for a 'Fringe' movie....featuring Leonard Nimoy? I really hope so!! William Bell could help Peter retrieve Walter from the future, or Walter could find his way home....

Anyway the series 'Fringe was a remarkable achievement for science fiction on Television and it will be missed. 

Blog #27: Calgary Comic & Entertainment Expo 2012

The dust has settled and another year at the Calgary Expo has come and gone. For the most part I am very happy with my experience this year. I got to see every member of the original TNG cast, got their autographs or got my picture taken with them. I also got to meet Stan Lee, Comic book writing icon Peter David, John Noble from 'Fringe' and got to have beers with a wrestling legend: The Honky Tonk Man. I also managed to buy some stuff including a prop sword similar to the ones used on 'Game Of Thrones', a 'Superman' bathrobe, several sci-fi t-shirts and most importantly I added to my vintage 80's He-Man toy collection. The best part of the weekend was the time I got to spend with my son Bailey. He is a wrestling fan and had a great time meeting Jake The Snake, Honky Tonk Man, Million Dollar Man and other wrestling legends. All in all a very good weekend.

 

But there is a downside to this year. This year the number of people attending the con almost doubled, probably due to the TNG reunion but also in part by the stellar list of celebrities they had besides the TNG cast. Saturday in particular got so bad the Calgary Fire Marshall stepped in and banned people from entering the building. Even people with weekend passes were being denied access the con. One guy I met in line for a photo op told me he had went out to his car to unload some of the stuff he had bought then was forced to stand in line for almost 3 hours before he was let back in. People who had photo-ops payed for weren't being allowed in. And the lines inside were beyond ridiculous. I stood in line for a 'Fringe' photo op for over 2 hours, then with just 10 people ahead of me they closed the photo-op session. I almost lost my mind. Saturday I literally spent the whole day in lines. But I don't think the organizers realized just how many people would show up and were taken completely by surprise to the number of people who did show. They even expanded the con area space this year and it still did not create enough room. Being a fan of this con I have a few suggestions for the Calgary Con organizers which I think will help them next year to create an enjoyable experience for all and not alienate people.

 

1: Sell tickets to the event on line only. No more door sales. That way the days will not get over sold which clearly is what happened Saturday because people with weekend passes were being turned away and that's not fair at all.

 

2: More photo-op areas and have them in a different area away from the autograph area. Why not have 6 photo-op areas spread around. That way the photo-ops will move faster and flow better. 

 

3: In regards to photo-ops they should sell the photo-op tickets with specific times attached to the ticket as to not create huge line ups of people seeking the same photo at the same time. I had my photo-ops planned out prior to going to Calgary and I used their time schedule to make it work and because I got turned away on several lines I had to pass up some of my photo-ops I wanted to get done. I had wanted to get a photo with Adam West and Katee Sackhoff but because my other photo-ops got bumped around I had to drop them which really sucked.

 

But over all it was a great con. Hopefully next year the organizers will have all the bumps from this year smoothed out for next year. And maybe a few less celebrities is what is needed. I like having a variety of people coming as much as the next guy but this year was just too many big names for such a small venue. That being said I look forward to next years con and I will be saving up to purchase a VIP Pass. The VIP pass allows that ticket holder to get first priority to all photo-ops and autograph lines and other cool perks. Those tickets are over $300 but with all the time saved by having such a ticket makes it all worth while. So I will be saving for a VIP ticket for 2013 for sure.

 

And with that I say 'Nuff Said'.

Captains Log: Sunday 4/29/12 Calgary

Hey there friend thanks for checking out the blog. Thanks to social media outlets Facebook and Twitter I was able to document my recent trip to the Calgary Comic And Entertainment Expo 2012. It was quite the quest filled with misadventure, good times and a few bad. Among my many activities that weekend it included the fact I got drunk with 'The Honky Tonk Man', I got to meet Stan Lee and most of the cast of 'Star Trek: The Next Generation', and I had a talk with comic book writing icon Peter David. 

Captains Log: Sunday 4/29/12 Calgary

The following is a log of each days activities with pictures included, with more blogs and pics later in the week. Enjoy and please leave a comment!

* Another day begins. Leaving for the con 2 hours a head of time so I can actually get in, even though I have a 3 day ticket and pre-paid photo tickets for today... Apparently that doesn't matter to the organizers...

- Chris Lockhart We're in. Just have to sit and wait till 10 am now, but we're in!

* Brief Re-Cap of Last Nights Star Trek TNG EXPOsed Show:

- Chris Lockhart It opened with a awesome band playing Sinatra and swing band style music, kinda like Michael Buble. Then a recorded message from the Mayor of Calgary. Then the introduction of 'Emily Expo', the cons super sexy mascot. Then a video of Emily interviewing other sci-fi stars at the 'Emerald City Con' about TNG. Those interviewed included Christopher Judge (Stargate), Edward James Olmos (BSG), George Takei (Sulu), Walter Koenig (Chekov), Robert Picardo (The Doctor from 'Voyager') and others who I didn't know, mostly voice actors.Then Garret Wong (Ensign Kim from 'Voyager') came out and had a funny story about why he likes TNG, and he did a great George Takei impersonation. Then one of the original TNG crew workers was there to say some words. He apparently works on the TV series 'Hell On Wheels' now and said Colm Meaney sends his best. Meaney was Chief O'Brien and stars on 'Hell on Wheels'. Then they unwisely had a 30 minute intermission...Then the TNG cast came out. 

It was a great show, moderated by the Innerspace Crew (Teddy, Ajay and Cynthia) and guest appearances by Aaron Douglas (Tyrel from 'Battlestar Galactica') and John DeLancie (Q). They asked Patrick Stewart who his favorite villain was and he said 'Damon Bok', then from the back of the arena someone yelled 'Hey wait a minute!' And in walks John DeLancie. He came on stage and sat with the crew and Stewart admitted it had to be Q. Wil Wheaton had some great comments, the whole crew were funny to watch. 

Chris Lockhart Wheaton discussed how he felt bad leaving the show when he did. And Gates McFadden thanked fans for getting Dr Crusher back on the show after the Producers decided to get rid of her in Season 2, she returned in season 3. I was not aware that is why she was taken out.  It was a great show. Hopefully it was filmed for release because I would like a copy. There was a film crew there. If they were smart they would sell that on DVD or on iTunes.

*Just saw a very hot 'Wonder Woman' who basically was wearing underwear...VERY NICE!!! X a million!!!

* got Denise Crosby's autograph and now in line for Marina Sirtis

*in line to meet Worf

*in line to get my pic with Data at 12:30

-Chris Lockhart This will sound bad but I wish I had a wheel chair to sit in. My legs are so sore and a wheel chair would give me the mobility I require...

-Chris Lockhart Got our pic with Data. Amazingly nice guy!

*some guy had the nerve to ask if he could jump the line ahead of me. Felt like saying FU(K u! But I politely refused. Don't complain to me about long line ups!

-Chris Lockhart Some people... Its amazing how many people try to butt in line...

-Chris Lockhart And it's amazing how pushy people get.

*Just seen a guy dressed up as the A+W Manager from the commercials... At least I hope he's dressed up...

-Lori Flood I love that guy

-Chris Lockhart This guy wasn't as handsome...lol

* having some lunch at the con. Just talked with The Honky Tonk man again and got his autograph. Real nice guy.

* I should have dressed up as 'The Hamburgler' so I would have an excuse to steal someone's hamburger... If I got caught I would just laugh it off and say I was in character and all would be forgiven...maybe next time...

* Peter David quote "I would take Dick Clark with a stroke over Ryan Seacreast". Freakin hilarious!!

* got some more classic 'He-Man' toys in my quest to rebuild my lost collection from my youth.

* Note to self: buy bigger pants so I can carry a bottle of water in my ass pocket. (Probably glad I put 'pocket' in that sentence...)

- Chris Lockhart Waiting in line for my 'Fringe' photo!!

-Allison F. VanderGriend Cool can't wait to see that picture!!!!!! :D Yes that was a good idea....the pocket that is!...lol

-Chris Lockhart Legs so sore... Feels like I ran a marathon...

-Allison F. VanderGriend yea i can see that...lol well todays your last day right? How did bailey( i hope I spellled it right) like it?

-Chris Lockhart He's good. And it is the last day!

-Chris Lockhart The Fringe guys were very nice. Can't wait to post all my pics!! Monday or Tuesday!!

*got Aaron Douglas's autograph and now going to get Hayden Panettiere. Then back to the room! Day over!

-Chris Lockhart Done and done. Aaron was very nice. Hayden was nice enough, but she seemed a little high maintenance. But very beautiful!! We're back at the room. Gonna have some supper then swimming at the pool. It has been a great weekend spent with my son!

-Chris Lockhart Just had a half hour cat nap. Feel much better!

* I can officially say that I have met every regular cast member of Star Trek: The Next Generation!! Thanks Calgary con! Despite all the problems, line-ups and frustrating moments in the end it was all worth it!

- David Fitzpatrick Did the Geek get his mother her gift?

- Chris Lockhart Nope I didn't. The line up to get the Weasley twins autograph was unbelievable. They were getting as many people in their line as Patrick Stewart and Stan Lee. Pottermania lives on!

-  Jeff Torvalson Was nuts in there

- Chris Lockhart Sorry we missed u Jeff. We'll have to exchange stories sometime!

-Jeff Torvalson Yeah... Got some good ones

-Chris Lockhart Did you see that 'Wonder Woman' in her underwear? OMG nerdgasm!!

*Bailey just shook hands with 'The Million Dollar Man' and 'Jake The Snake' is here in the restaurant too!

-And Bailey got Jake The Snakes autograph and shook his hand.

-Another wrestler came in. Not sure who he is but he said 'Hi' to Bailey. Guess Bailey made quite the impression on the Wrestlers at the Expo. He's a cute little dude who loves wrestling.

* Peter David just walked past our table at the lounge. Didn't know he was staying here too, would have loved to have had a beer with a Comic Book writing legend!

*didn't see any 'Innerspace' people this year. Too bad they were very nice to meet last year. Too many celebrities this year to meet I suppose...

-Melody Warman So did you like it? Did you come and play in my transporter room transit shelter?

-Chris Lockhart I saw it but didn't have time to stop in. You made that?

-Melody Warman Yep!! We had 2 on the street downtown Calgary. Used augmented reality in the poster design and using an app on ios platform it actually had a transporter 'beam' and you would disappear and then beam back reappearing...uber cool! Ppl could share on facebook too!

-Chris Lockhart Sorry I didn't try it. It sounds awesome. Too busy standing in lines this weekend...

-Melody Warman Lol yep par for the course...soooo busy!

*My Mom likes to say the word 'Darlin' a lot in sentences, for example "How are you darlin?" Is something she would say. Keep that in mind for the following comments:

-Anyway as a young lad Denise Crosby was one of my boyhood crushes. She played Lt Tasha Yar in Star Trek TNG. Google her outfit from the episode 'The Naked Now' to see why she had my attention. She seduced Data! Anywho I got the chance to finally meet her today. This woman who attracted me so long ago. And she says to me "Hi Darlin, how are you today?". And she ended our conversation by saying "take care darlin"... One of my boyhood crushes now sounds like my MOM!!! I don't know what to make of that. Bizzare perhaps? I was happy to meet Denise Crosby, in fact I think she posed for 'Playboy' pre-TNG if I remember correctly, and I wondered if meeting her would 'do' something for me... But when she said "Darlin" I can never think of her ever again in that way. Very weird vibe is what I felt this morning. But that didn't stop me from getting her to autograph a photo of her from 'The Naked Now' episode. I'm actually not sure why I'm sharing this story...they say honesty is the best medicine and I need some healing!! Did someone actually say 'Honesty is the best medicine" or did I just make that up? I don't know anymore. Down is up and up is down at this point.

*Thanks to all my friends and family for reading my facebook posts and for leaving comments as I undertook this mission into Geekdom. This is my best weekend of the year!! Special thanks to my wife Crystal, for letting me go to this thing.

-Chris Lockhart And thanks to my Mom for helping me to get my ticket to the TNG EXPOsed show.

-And thanks to my son Bailey for joining me on this trip. Had some great time spent together here.

*Comic Book Writing Icon Peter David just tweeted me!! My geek weekend is complete!!

Captains Log: Monday 4/30/12 Calgary-Barrhead

*Well it's Monday and my Geekend is over. Wanted to sleep in but the Sun (our closest star, not to be confused with my Son Bailey) woke me up at 6:18 this morning...

-Chris Lockhart As soon as sunlight hits my eyes I'm wide awake. I forgot to seek out a night mask last night. Plan on checking out between 10-11, that way we should avoid the bulk traffic. I seen a news story last night on the Calgary News about the Calgary Con. Guess next year they are going to be pre-selling their tickets only. That way people won't be turned away at the door because no tiks will be sold at the door. That would be an improvement. But they need to expand the days, expand the hours and hire more photographers for the Photo-ops. The photo-ops are a gold mine and I know they made a lot of money, but so much more would have been made. I've actually prepped a letter to the Organizers with my suggestions, which I will post on the blogs later this week. But despite all my rants about my experiences this weekend I had a great time. Hopefully they learned from this year and will make improvements to the event next year. I haven't heard who they plan to bring next year, but I'm hoping for Matt Smith (The Doctor) and other cast mates from 'Doctor Who'. Maybe some 'Game Of Thrones' and 'Walking Dead' people too?   But I am so tired today, but just can't sleep. Feel like I ran a marathon. Legs are so sore. Plus I still have a chest cold which hasn't helped, but I haven't allowed it to slow me down. I wanted to buy a 'River Song' sonic screwdriver this weekend, but it wasn't meant to be. But I did get a prop medieval sword which I will wield while watching 'Game Of Thrones'.  

* Out of Calgary, on Highway 2 on our way home

* When ever I see the word 'Balzac' (the place in Alberta) I think 'ball sack'. Lol

-Chris Lockhart And I giggle with boyish glee

-Jamie Gronlund-Moebes Ditto! I'm giggling now! :)

*driving past Bowden and there is a guy hitch hiking with an orange jumpsuit. Maybe I will give him a ride... (Bailey is writing this for me)

-Brianna Lockhart Rydvall personal secretary!!!!!!! How much is he getting paid??? lol

-Chris Lockhart He got lots of money to spend this weekend!

*Home Sweet Home. Chris Out.