"Fringe:" OH, HAI.

When Fringe premiered, I tuned in for the first two episodes--A, because it was kinda like the X-Files, and B, because I've loved everything J. J. Abrams has ever crapped out and served to a national audience (edit: post-Felicity). I vaguely remember enjoying the show until I became swamped by the real world, having to swipe it from my TV schedule.

So imagine how pleasantly surprised I was when I rewatched the pilot yesterday.

The pilot was pretty delicious. Okay, so maybe it was no Alias or Lost, but it whetted my appetite, immediately leading me to indulge in the second episode.

This left me with questions. Why does this show work? It's a formulaic cousin to about ten other sci-fi shows, the lead is a nobody actress (although I find Torv's work so far to be subtle and well-played), the romantic pairings seem inevitable and predictable, and 1/3 of the main cast is not young/attractive and plays a crazy SOB. On paper, this sounds like a disaster. But somehow, Jbrams works his magic, adds in a conspiracy and amazing character dynamics, and it becomes a golden child of the 2008 TV season.

I'm interested to see how this fandom operates. Is it the underground cult of Alias? Is it the watercooler discussion-fest of Lost or House? Or is it the gushing insanity that is Star Trek?

Until then, I will be enjoying Peter Bishop's witticisms and Olivia Dunham's beautiful, makeuped-yet-freckled face (how is she so gorgeous?).