Top 10 TV Countdown - #6: FRINGE

"The only thing better than a cow is a human! Unless you need milk. Then you really need a cow." 

-- Walter Bishop

My first impression of this show: creepy with a boring main character. My second impression of this show: imaginative and captivating with a tough heroine who will stop at nothing to save the world.

Olivia Dunham is an FBI agent who is brought into a special division to investigate supernatural events. At first I thought she was boring, but as I continued watching and learned more about her past, I realized she was tough, driven, and pretty much awesome.

She brings Walter Bishop onto her team, a scientist that used to work in an area called "Fringe" science, though Walter has been institutionalized for the past 17 years and is quite the eccentric. Walter is the gem of this show, and John Noble does such a fantastic job playing him it is no wonder he won an award for it. His quips, jibes, and quirks bring the element of humour a serious show like this needs to succeed. He'll call for licorice or a strawberry milkshake at random moments, and has no qualms about dissecting a dead body.

Peter Bishop, Walter's son, is also brought onto the team. He is introduced as sarcastic and moody, and I wish the writers had drawn that out a bit longer so I could easier believe his transformation into a character who cares about what will happen to the world if the team doesn't stop horrible events from happening. However, he is almost as smart as his father and not as insane, so he makes a valuable team member.

Do not watch this show if you are looking for something relaxing to kick off the day with and lull you to sleep. It can be downright creepy at times, and J.J. Abrams has outdone himself with the suspense, action, and plot twists it has taken. There are people with special powers, viruses, strange deaths, advanced technologies, an alternate universe, and much, much more involved. You will also find yourself falling in love with the supporting cast as well as the three main characters, which is a good indication of a great show.

My greatest worry is that this show will get outrageous like Alias did, or that it will become packed with so many plot twists and ideas that it will become too complicated, like Lost did. But so far, so good.