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Fox's mind bending sci-fi drama gives its core cast plenty to do in its third season, with only one, thankfully brief, misstep along the way. The Blu-ray release, courtesy of Warner Home Video, continues the quality of previous releases, featuring a great audio and video presentation and a sizable complement of extras.
Fringe: The Complete Third Season
Release Date: September 6, 2011
Studio: Warner Brothers
Packaging/Materials: Four-disc Blu-ray case with slipcover
Year: 2010-2011
Rating: NR
Running Time: ~16:00:00
MSRP: $69.97
THE FEATURE
SPECIAL FEATURES
Video
1080p high definition 16x9 1.78:1
High and standard definition
Audio
DTS-HD Master Audio: English 5.1 / Dolby Digital: Portuguese 2.0
Dolby Digital: English 5.1, English 2.0
Subtitles
English SDH, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Danish, Finnish, Norwegian, Swedish,
English, Spanish, Portuguese
The Season: 4.5/5
After being rescued from the alternate universe unscathed, Peter (Joshua Jackson) is beginning to settle into a happy rhythm with his friendship-turned-relationship with Olivia (Anna Torv). He's also managed to forgive his father Walter (John Noble) for kidnapping him from his native universe when he was a child, after Walter's own Peter died from an illness he was too late in finding a cure for. Though it was never Walter's intention to keep the other Peter as his own, merely to save him from the same fate as his counterpart, emotions ultimately overruled intent. But not without consequences, as Walter's actions have led to the so-called fringe events afflicting both universes and the bitter vendetta driving the alternate world's attacks.
The most subversive action yet, masterminded by the alternate Walter (or "Walternate") from the parallel universe, is the replacement of Olivia with her alt-world counterpart Bolivia (or "Olivia B"), a switch performed in the final chaotic moments of Peter and Olivia's escape. For several weeks Bolivia has been infiltrating Fringe Division, undetected by Olivia's closest friends and colleagues as she carries out covert missions related to a doomsday machine for which Peter appears to be the linchpin. Meanwhile, in the alternate universe, Walternate has been interrogating Olivia and subjecting her to medical experiments designed to convince her she is Bolivia. To what end, is not clear, but even as Olivia comes to adopt the life, and even the abilities of her counterpart, mental signposts continue to tell her all is not as it should be.
"Fringe's" third season delves even deeper into the strange, alternate universe revealed in the second season, alternating between worlds per episode up until the eighth, when the Olivia / Bolivia body swap chapter reaches a conclusion. From there the episodes explore Olivia's reintegration into her native universe and the consequences of Bolivia's dealings with her loved ones, namely Peter. While Torv's acting has always had a stiff or overly intentional quality to it, she seems to do quite well with the dual role, creating distinctions between the characters without resorting to the obvious. Her performance reveals - in a somewhat uncharacteristically subtle way - that Olivia / Bolivia are really two sides of the same, fundamentally good-hearted coin.
By contrast, the Walter / Walternate characters diverge considerably from each other. Though each man has been broken by loss and grief, they have each reacted in radically different ways. As a result, Noble doesn't get the same opportunities as Torv for exploring subtlety - essentially playing two different characters who just happen to look the same - but he handles each portrayal with aplomb and proves once again he is the show's anchor.
Not be left out, Jackson also gets to tread some new ground with Peter, as the character becomes even more aggressive after his experiences in the alternate world. His new relationship with Olivia - derailed from the outset by him becoming intimate with her "evil twin" - also creates some interesting character exchanges between the two that feel honest and legitimate - despite the situation's fantastical nature.
Where the fantastical goes too far, however, is in a few episodes in the latter part of the season, as Olivia plays host to an unexpected visitor. For some (including myself), the plot development borders on shark jumping and puts an unwelcome spotlight on Torv's limitations as an actor. Fortunately, the show doesn't linger too long on that element, and quickly moves on to a series of phenomenal closing episodes. The season ender is especially powerful as Peter makes a choice that effectively pushes the reset button on the show's central space-time conflict - not just re-inventing the show, but potentially its characters. Where the series goes from here is anybody's guess, though there's little doubt every fan will be tuning in come September to find out.
"Fringe: The Complete Third Season" on Blu-ray includes all 22 episodes that aired between 2010 and 2011. The episodes are spread across four Blu-ray discs in the following arrangement:
Disc One: Episodes 1-6
Disc Two: Episodes 7-12
Disc Three: Episodes 13-17
Disc Four: Episodes 18-22
"Fringe's" fourth season is scheduled to premiere Friday, September 23rd at 9/8c on Fox.
Video Quality: 4.5/5
The series episodes are correctly framed at 1.78:1 and presented in 1080p with the AVC codec. The transfer exhibits inky black levels and fine shadow detail, though there are moments when contrast can look a touch flat. Colors are similarly deep and beautifully saturated. Fine object detail in fabrics, and skin textures in particular, are excellent, though scenes in higher contrast environments reveal slight edge haloing. Grain structure is often visible, as is a touch of noise at times, though there's no obvious signs of excessive noise reduction. There's slight softness in some shots, but are likely the result of focusing errors.
Audio Quality: 4.5/5
Past seasons were presented in lossy (though relatively high bitrate) Dolby Digital 5.1 audio, but the third season now gets a lossless track. I can't say there's a dramatic improvement with the switch, but the change is appreciated on sheer principle.
Dialogue is consistently crisp, clear and intelligible. Support for the score in the surround channels is balanced and seamless, as are the sometimes aggressive atmospheric and directional effects. LFE is deep and robust, particularly in the stormy final episodes.
Special Features: 4/5
The set of extras is a little less cohesive compared to past releases, but offers some interesting behind-the-scenes pieces along with the requisite gag reel and promotional spots. Highlights include the audio commentaries, a look at the special animated episode, and Maximum Episode Mode (MEM) for Episode 16. More applications of the latter would have been appreciated, but then it's a little unusual to see a picture-in-picture feature for a television show.
The majority of extras are located on Disc Four. Items located on Discs One and Three are noted.
Audio Commentaries
Maximum Episode Mode
The Other You (9:04, HD): Actors and writers talk about crafting the alternate versions of the main characters.
Visualizing an Alternate World (8:23, HD): Identifies the various differences and details of the alternate universe, looking at the sets, props and visual effects.
A Machine of Destiny (4:16, HD): Takes a closer look at the doomsday machine and the philosophical questions it raises.
The Psychology of Duality (8:31, HD): Cast and crew talk about the issues explored by the alternate universe concept.
Constructing an Extra-Sensory Soundscape (7:08, HD): Takes a closer look at the show's sound effects and musical themes.
Secrets of Fringe: The First People (2:04, SD): Producers answer questions about the mythical civilization responsible for the doomsday machine.
Unusual Side Effects: Gag Reel (3:13, HD)
Animating the Lysergic Acid Diethylamide Episode (7:33, SD): Producers and animators talk about the process of including animation in an episode.
Network Promos
Recap
The Season: 4.5/5
Video Quality: 4.5/5
Audio Quality: 4.5/5
Special Features: 4/5
Overall Score (not an average): 4.5/5
The third season of one of TV's most intriguing sci-fi dramas gets a great presentation and a strong complement of extras. Fans of the show will consider the release a must-buy.
Fringe: The Complete Third Season
Release Date: September 6, 2011
Studio: Warner Brothers
Packaging/Materials: Four-disc Blu-ray case with slipcover
Year: 2010-2011
Rating: NR
Running Time: ~16:00:00
MSRP: $69.97
THE FEATURE
SPECIAL FEATURES
Video
1080p high definition 16x9 1.78:1
High and standard definition
Audio
DTS-HD Master Audio: English 5.1 / Dolby Digital: Portuguese 2.0
Dolby Digital: English 5.1, English 2.0
Subtitles
English SDH, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Danish, Finnish, Norwegian, Swedish,
English, Spanish, Portuguese
The Season: 4.5/5
After being rescued from the alternate universe unscathed, Peter (Joshua Jackson) is beginning to settle into a happy rhythm with his friendship-turned-relationship with Olivia (Anna Torv). He's also managed to forgive his father Walter (John Noble) for kidnapping him from his native universe when he was a child, after Walter's own Peter died from an illness he was too late in finding a cure for. Though it was never Walter's intention to keep the other Peter as his own, merely to save him from the same fate as his counterpart, emotions ultimately overruled intent. But not without consequences, as Walter's actions have led to the so-called fringe events afflicting both universes and the bitter vendetta driving the alternate world's attacks.
The most subversive action yet, masterminded by the alternate Walter (or "Walternate") from the parallel universe, is the replacement of Olivia with her alt-world counterpart Bolivia (or "Olivia B"), a switch performed in the final chaotic moments of Peter and Olivia's escape. For several weeks Bolivia has been infiltrating Fringe Division, undetected by Olivia's closest friends and colleagues as she carries out covert missions related to a doomsday machine for which Peter appears to be the linchpin. Meanwhile, in the alternate universe, Walternate has been interrogating Olivia and subjecting her to medical experiments designed to convince her she is Bolivia. To what end, is not clear, but even as Olivia comes to adopt the life, and even the abilities of her counterpart, mental signposts continue to tell her all is not as it should be.
"Fringe's" third season delves even deeper into the strange, alternate universe revealed in the second season, alternating between worlds per episode up until the eighth, when the Olivia / Bolivia body swap chapter reaches a conclusion. From there the episodes explore Olivia's reintegration into her native universe and the consequences of Bolivia's dealings with her loved ones, namely Peter. While Torv's acting has always had a stiff or overly intentional quality to it, she seems to do quite well with the dual role, creating distinctions between the characters without resorting to the obvious. Her performance reveals - in a somewhat uncharacteristically subtle way - that Olivia / Bolivia are really two sides of the same, fundamentally good-hearted coin.
By contrast, the Walter / Walternate characters diverge considerably from each other. Though each man has been broken by loss and grief, they have each reacted in radically different ways. As a result, Noble doesn't get the same opportunities as Torv for exploring subtlety - essentially playing two different characters who just happen to look the same - but he handles each portrayal with aplomb and proves once again he is the show's anchor.
Not be left out, Jackson also gets to tread some new ground with Peter, as the character becomes even more aggressive after his experiences in the alternate world. His new relationship with Olivia - derailed from the outset by him becoming intimate with her "evil twin" - also creates some interesting character exchanges between the two that feel honest and legitimate - despite the situation's fantastical nature.
Where the fantastical goes too far, however, is in a few episodes in the latter part of the season, as Olivia plays host to an unexpected visitor. For some (including myself), the plot development borders on shark jumping and puts an unwelcome spotlight on Torv's limitations as an actor. Fortunately, the show doesn't linger too long on that element, and quickly moves on to a series of phenomenal closing episodes. The season ender is especially powerful as Peter makes a choice that effectively pushes the reset button on the show's central space-time conflict - not just re-inventing the show, but potentially its characters. Where the series goes from here is anybody's guess, though there's little doubt every fan will be tuning in come September to find out.
"Fringe: The Complete Third Season" on Blu-ray includes all 22 episodes that aired between 2010 and 2011. The episodes are spread across four Blu-ray discs in the following arrangement:
Disc One: Episodes 1-6
Disc Two: Episodes 7-12
Disc Three: Episodes 13-17
Disc Four: Episodes 18-22
"Fringe's" fourth season is scheduled to premiere Friday, September 23rd at 9/8c on Fox.
Video Quality: 4.5/5
The series episodes are correctly framed at 1.78:1 and presented in 1080p with the AVC codec. The transfer exhibits inky black levels and fine shadow detail, though there are moments when contrast can look a touch flat. Colors are similarly deep and beautifully saturated. Fine object detail in fabrics, and skin textures in particular, are excellent, though scenes in higher contrast environments reveal slight edge haloing. Grain structure is often visible, as is a touch of noise at times, though there's no obvious signs of excessive noise reduction. There's slight softness in some shots, but are likely the result of focusing errors.
Audio Quality: 4.5/5
Past seasons were presented in lossy (though relatively high bitrate) Dolby Digital 5.1 audio, but the third season now gets a lossless track. I can't say there's a dramatic improvement with the switch, but the change is appreciated on sheer principle.
Dialogue is consistently crisp, clear and intelligible. Support for the score in the surround channels is balanced and seamless, as are the sometimes aggressive atmospheric and directional effects. LFE is deep and robust, particularly in the stormy final episodes.
Special Features: 4/5
The set of extras is a little less cohesive compared to past releases, but offers some interesting behind-the-scenes pieces along with the requisite gag reel and promotional spots. Highlights include the audio commentaries, a look at the special animated episode, and Maximum Episode Mode (MEM) for Episode 16. More applications of the latter would have been appreciated, but then it's a little unusual to see a picture-in-picture feature for a television show.
The majority of extras are located on Disc Four. Items located on Discs One and Three are noted.
Audio Commentaries
Episode 3 - The Plateau: Provides background and analysis of the writing, production, and editing of the creepy "predictive killer" episode. Commentary by Executive Producer Jeff Pinkner, Episode Writer Monica Owusu-Breen and Editor Timothy A. Good. (Disc One)
Episode 19 - Lysergic Acid Diethylamide: Details the strategy, process, and challenges of including extensive animation in an episode without it becoming a gimmick. The contributors can be a little observational, but offer some interesting anecdotes from production. Commentary by Producer Tanya Swerling, Editor Luyen Vu and Visual Effects Supervisor Jay Worth.
Maximum Episode Mode
Episode 16 - Os: Exclusive to the Blu-ray release, MEM features plentiful behind-the-scenes footage, interviews with cast and crew, and story analysis by the writers in a picture-in-picture presentation. At various points viewers also have the option of diverting to featurettes on subjects like the First People Book (2:45), Walter's Lab (4:29), Wheelchair Rugby (1:58), and the Breakaway Case (2:40). Fans will also appreciate the PiP frame being Walter's alternate universe viewer. (Disc Three)
The Other You (9:04, HD): Actors and writers talk about crafting the alternate versions of the main characters.
Visualizing an Alternate World (8:23, HD): Identifies the various differences and details of the alternate universe, looking at the sets, props and visual effects.
A Machine of Destiny (4:16, HD): Takes a closer look at the doomsday machine and the philosophical questions it raises.
The Psychology of Duality (8:31, HD): Cast and crew talk about the issues explored by the alternate universe concept.
Constructing an Extra-Sensory Soundscape (7:08, HD): Takes a closer look at the show's sound effects and musical themes.
Secrets of Fringe: The First People (2:04, SD): Producers answer questions about the mythical civilization responsible for the doomsday machine.
Unusual Side Effects: Gag Reel (3:13, HD)
Animating the Lysergic Acid Diethylamide Episode (7:33, SD): Producers and animators talk about the process of including animation in an episode.
Network Promos
The Journey Home (1:27, SD)
Entrada (2:02, SD)
The Day We Died (2:02, SD)
Recap
The Season: 4.5/5
Video Quality: 4.5/5
Audio Quality: 4.5/5
Special Features: 4/5
Overall Score (not an average): 4.5/5
The third season of one of TV's most intriguing sci-fi dramas gets a great presentation and a strong complement of extras. Fans of the show will consider the release a must-buy.
