…which is a typical newbie response.  Because the first half of Season 1, while full of interesting moments, really isn't very good compared to the bulk of the rest of the seasons.  Your reaction is fairly typical, so don't feel bad.  The show becomes something else (and something better).

…which is a typical newbie response.  Because the first half of Season 1, while full of interesting moments, really isn't very good compared to the bulk of the rest of the seasons.  Your reaction is fairly typical, so don't feel bad.  The show becomes something else (and something better).

Here's what I like about the "fake science" on Fringe: it's fake science, but the science of the "science" - the discovery process - is quite realistic.  For example,not only have the mechanics of crossing over to the alt-U never been seriously explained, but it's clear that different parties have discovered different…

Here's what I like about the "fake science" on Fringe: it's fake science, but the science of the "science" - the discovery process - is quite realistic.  For example,not only have the mechanics of crossing over to the alt-U never been seriously explained, but it's clear that different parties have discovered different…

Well, I didn't like this pair of episodes, but not sure I agree about Bell needing to be killed off early.  His friendship with and influence over Walter, which we never actually saw on screen, lay under nearly everything that made the mythology go.  I think Bell needs to "go" from Walter's psyche in the end, and…

Well, I didn't like this pair of episodes, but not sure I agree about Bell needing to be killed off early.  His friendship with and influence over Walter, which we never actually saw on screen, lay under nearly everything that made the mythology go.  I think Bell needs to "go" from Walter's psyche in the end, and…

That's true, but, Season 1 is worth watching because of all the character groundwork being laid.  Walter's most hilarious moments are in Season 1.  I wouldn't recommend new viewers to miss out on those.

That's true, but, Season 1 is worth watching because of all the character groundwork being laid.  Walter's most hilarious moments are in Season 1.  I wouldn't recommend new viewers to miss out on those.

One last thing:  THANK YOU for not including a crapload of Season 3 episodes on this list.  The last half of Season 3 was kind of a mess.  After Olivia came home, a lot of momentum was lost.  At least Season 4 was put together with deliberation and thought, even if the storyline didn't excite some people (though I…

One last thing:  THANK YOU for not including a crapload of Season 3 episodes on this list.  The last half of Season 3 was kind of a mess.  After Olivia came home, a lot of momentum was lost.  At least Season 4 was put together with deliberation and thought, even if the storyline didn't excite some people (though I…

You are confusing "Worlds Apart" with the two-parter "Brave New World." 

You are confusing "Worlds Apart" with the two-parter "Brave New World." 

This is sort of a mantra among Fringe fans: "Don't judge it by the first season."

This is sort of a mantra among Fringe fans: "Don't judge it by the first season."

I have suggested August in the past to new viewers, as it is a good blend of "case of the week" with mythology (and Observer lore), and is in season 2 just as things are starting to get good.  In fact most episodes that include Observers in speaking roles have been pretty good.

I have suggested August in the past to new viewers, as it is a good blend of "case of the week" with mythology (and Observer lore), and is in season 2 just as things are starting to get good.  In fact most episodes that include Observers in speaking roles have been pretty good.

Big YES to The Plateau.  It's too bad Brad Anderson couldn't have directed even more of these episodes.  The first scene alone, which has no dialogue, is spectacular.  And all the split-screen stuff at the end.

Big YES to The Plateau.  It's too bad Brad Anderson couldn't have directed even more of these episodes.  The first scene alone, which has no dialogue, is spectacular.  And all the split-screen stuff at the end.

Agreed about The Firefly, except that perhaps it wasn't the most focused story compared to many of the other choices.  (I'd trade it for "marionette")  But oh!  John Noble's performance.  And Christopher Lloyd's.  (And the way it got decent enough ratings to make Fox believe the Friday experiment had worked!)

Agreed about The Firefly, except that perhaps it wasn't the most focused story compared to many of the other choices.  (I'd trade it for "marionette")  But oh!  John Noble's performance.  And Christopher Lloyd's.  (And the way it got decent enough ratings to make Fox believe the Friday experiment had worked!)