Fringe

:

Season 2
  • Network: FOX
  • Series Premiere Date: Sep 9, 2008
Season #: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 242 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 219 out of 242
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 242
  3. Negative: 18 out of 242
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User Reviews

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  1. JenniferC
    Oct 18, 2010
    10
    Hard to believe it is possible, but the second season of Fringe was even better than the first. I loved "Northwest Passage" and "Brown Betty." The show is fun, playful, and serious all at the same time -- It is the only show worth watching on television.
  2. WilC.
    Sep 25, 2009
    10
    An amazing sci-fi show that is so much better than 90% of the crap on tv today.
  3. DannyS.
    Oct 16, 2009
    9
    Fantastic concept, great writing, good acting, gripping story, the only thing that's needed is to perfect the concept that's already been laid down. It's a great idea, but it's still young and fresh. Over time it will build and Fringe will become something truly amazing. (Also, Metacritic, please block people from re-voting under different aliases. Block multiple Fantastic concept, great writing, good acting, gripping story, the only thing that's needed is to perfect the concept that's already been laid down. It's a great idea, but it's still young and fresh. Over time it will build and Fringe will become something truly amazing. (Also, Metacritic, please block people from re-voting under different aliases. Block multiple submissions from the same IP. Thank you).… Expand
  4. MaximilianoS.
    Oct 4, 2009
    10
    The second season seems to keep the promises made with the first one. I think it's a good tv product!
  5. Tony
    Mar 20, 2011
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The end of the second season was absolutely brilliant. The show simply just keeps getting better and the introduction of the alt-universe was fascinating. Torv and Jackson are great, but John Noble continues to steal the show as Walter. Some of the best work on television today.… Expand
  6. drlowdon
    Mar 6, 2014
    8
    When watching Fringe one can’t help but me reminded of The X-Files with its team of outsiders investigating strange and unusual occurrences. Much like the X-Files Fringe also combines stand alone episodes with an overall mythology arc. For the most part the stand alone episodes can’t quite measure up to the cult 90’s classic at its best (no episodes have the originality or imagination ofWhen watching Fringe one can’t help but me reminded of The X-Files with its team of outsiders investigating strange and unusual occurrences. Much like the X-Files Fringe also combines stand alone episodes with an overall mythology arc. For the most part the stand alone episodes can’t quite measure up to the cult 90’s classic at its best (no episodes have the originality or imagination of ‘Squeeze’, ‘Home’ or ‘Drive’ for example) but the overall mythology is every bit as intriguing and this, along with the shows dark sense of humour, is what makes Fringe such a treat for sci-fi fans.… Expand
  7. ticogotenks
    Jan 25, 2012
    10
    Fringe is simply amazing and John Noble is as well. It's the best sci-fi show in T.V!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  8. PStakhiv
    May 28, 2013
    9
    It could be a challenge to keep up with incredible season 1, but J.J. Abrams and co did succeed. Main plot is in center of almost all episodes in season 2, which adds to the intensity. It's a must own for sci fi fans
  9. Colin_M
    Dec 27, 2010
    4
    The increasingly strained "science" canon and obvious continuity errors aren't the problem. The problem is that the characters just never get beyond being caricatures. All of them can be quickly and easily summed up into a short sentence; certainly not interesting enough to want to watch for more than a season. None of them, not even the heroes, are especially likable. Weirdly enough theThe increasingly strained "science" canon and obvious continuity errors aren't the problem. The problem is that the characters just never get beyond being caricatures. All of them can be quickly and easily summed up into a short sentence; certainly not interesting enough to want to watch for more than a season. None of them, not even the heroes, are especially likable. Weirdly enough the alternate versions of most of the characters are more interesting and engaging, unfortunately the show needs to artificially remind us every so often that the other side is evil, so we shouldn't really attempt to empathize with someone from the "other" side. In any event, as a big JJ. Abrams fan, I was hoping for a lot more and I really wanted to like this show. I ended up just barely finishing season 2 and abandoning it after 2 episodes of Season 3.… Expand
  10. RaymondR.
    Sep 23, 2009
    4
    Got tired of this show 3/4 of the way last season. Boring, the main character is weak, etc. It has some interesting elements...but that's about it.
  11. MasJ.
    Sep 18, 2009
    2
    Extraordinarily average.
  12. MarkG.
    Sep 23, 2009
    7
    One of the things that made season 1 of Fringe special was the limited commercial breaks. This allowed more story per episode, and it was quite refreshing having only 90 seconds of commercials between acts. Now that Fringe has our attention, though, its back to the standard 30% commercials per hour of programming...shame.
  13. AlexL
    Oct 3, 2009
    8
    Fringe shows no signs of slowing down or getting stale. Yet. Enjoy the ride while it lasts.
  14. BretG
    Sep 26, 2009
    7
    A solid and entertaining start, Fringe has found it's footing and comes out as a satisfying paranormal, sci-fi drama. Fringe may very well be a worthy successor to the X-Files should it continue so strongly.
  15. MichaelC.
    Oct 18, 2009
    10
    This is the first sci-fi TV show worth watching since The X-Files went off the air.
  16. NadiaL.
    Sep 25, 2009
    8
    I love the premise, but there is just something about Dunham's character or the actress that irks me. If they go back to more of the first season type plots it will improve. This whole alternate universe thing is stretching it even for the Fringe division. I will be back though, its a good show.
  17. JoeH
    Sep 22, 2009
    9
    Not quite The X-Files in it's hayday, but becoming almost as fun.
  18. CalK
    Sep 17, 2009
    10
    I LOVE this show.
  19. TheChaser1985
    Mar 18, 2011
    10
    This was my favorite season of Fringe and the season finale was one the best finales ever. Totally on the edge of my seat. It is NOTHING like the X-files, besides the fact that both are about companies exploring the unexplainable. Again, it's NOT an X-files copy. Anna Torv improves her acting in this season and the best acting still comes from John Noble (Dr Walter Bishop). This show isThis was my favorite season of Fringe and the season finale was one the best finales ever. Totally on the edge of my seat. It is NOTHING like the X-files, besides the fact that both are about companies exploring the unexplainable. Again, it's NOT an X-files copy. Anna Torv improves her acting in this season and the best acting still comes from John Noble (Dr Walter Bishop). This show is well done and I can't wait to watch every single episode.… Expand
  20. RASAMNDRES
    Sep 18, 2011
    10
    An amazing sci-fi show that is so much better than the rest of the series.Definitively worth watching.The only thing better than the first season of Fringe is it's second season
  21. mgyukeri
    Jul 10, 2012
    9
    The second season of Fringe is really when it became something more than average. "Peter" is the first "oh my god" episode the show delivered, and the wait was completely worth it. The finale also deserves some recognition. Anna Torv and John Noble both portray great, likable characters that are some of the best on TV.
  22. TheApplegnome
    Oct 8, 2014
    8
    The continuation of the mysterious sci-fi show continuous, with entertaining cases of the Fringe division.

    This second season of Fringe got so much more science fiction than supernatural drama, which the events between the two universes truly illustrates. Overall isn't there much to say about this season more than that it's better than the previous season, even though I think there's    The continuation of the mysterious sci-fi show continuous, with entertaining cases of the Fringe division.

    This second season of Fringe got so much more science fiction than supernatural drama, which the events between the two universes truly illustrates. Overall isn't there much to say about this season more than that it's better than the previous season, even though I think there's less mystery than crime in this season, which is sad. Another sad thing is that there are to much focus on the other universe than ours, so it felt a bit boring.

    Even that there are some negative aspects with this second installment of Fringe, I totally enjoy it!

    The average score for each episode is: 7.95
    Fringe: Season 1 get a 8/10    … Expand
  23. maisie
    Oct 9, 2013
    10
    The season one finale was such a game changer for the entire show. Season two is excellent. Olivia, Peter, Walter and Astrid further investigate the fascinating sphere of Fringe science and soon discover that everything is intertwined, including themselves. It is full of flashbacks and a budding attraction between Peter and Olivia (which is really cute, but not a central aspect of theThe season one finale was such a game changer for the entire show. Season two is excellent. Olivia, Peter, Walter and Astrid further investigate the fascinating sphere of Fringe science and soon discover that everything is intertwined, including themselves. It is full of flashbacks and a budding attraction between Peter and Olivia (which is really cute, but not a central aspect of the story so don't worry if you're not into that kind of thing). The last couple of episodes of season two are AMAZING. One of my favourite seasons EVER! And my favourite show still. It makes me want to cry tears of happiness.… Expand
  24. Jarody
    Feb 17, 2018
    9
    Fringe: Season 2 is absolutely excellent, par an average first couple of episodes. The first couple of episodes, like last season, felt very repetitive, and I was dissapointed, however this is resolved thanks to the rest of the season. The story really picks up after episode 8 "August" (which is excellent by the way) and the story becomes thrilling and the actors really start to pick upFringe: Season 2 is absolutely excellent, par an average first couple of episodes. The first couple of episodes, like last season, felt very repetitive, and I was dissapointed, however this is resolved thanks to the rest of the season. The story really picks up after episode 8 "August" (which is excellent by the way) and the story becomes thrilling and the actors really start to pick up their game. The relationship between Peter and Walter becomes one of the most interesting storylines the show has had so far, as shown in episode 15 "Peter" which might arguably be the best episode of Fringe ever. John Noble also was outstanding in this season, absolutely faultless.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

29
#29 Best TV Season of 2009
52
#52 Most Discussed TV Season of 2009

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
74

Generally favorable reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Maureen Ryan
    75
    The Season 2 premiere of the genre-tinged drama Fringe is almost the polar opposite of its bombastic Season 1 premiere, and that’s a very good thing.
    Read full review
  2. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: David Hinckley
    80
    Fortunately, someone finally grabs hold of the wheel and steers it back to where it belongs, as one of the great character dramas of contemporary television.
    Read full review
  3. Time
    Reviewed by: James Poniewozik
    70
    While not as mind-blowing as the last season's finale (which had me finally buying into the show after a season on the fence), does a good enough job continuing to run with the parallel-universe scenario established toward the end of season one.
    Read full review
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