My Perfect Show

"In this game of skill one must have above all else, Patience. The board changes, but very slowly. The art of chess, the art is knowing when a piece is most valuable and then, in that very moment, being willing to sacrifice it. For in the vacuum created by the loss of what is most precious, opportunity abounds, influences maximize, and desire becomes destiny." — William Bell, "Fringe"

Tonight TV's most unique, layered, exciting, and beautiful series wraps up its fourth season. I'm referring, of course, to "Fringe." You may not know this show is on. It's never been an incredible ratings hit, but it's quality, and the passion of its fan base, is undeniable. That's why FOX gave this low-rated series a final season, 13-episode pick up for next year.

That final 13 episodes will give the series an even 100 shows, an impressive total for a show that's been quietly brilliant for five seasons. It's a quirky mix of "The X-Files," "LOST," and "Alias" in some sense. And if that seems a confusing description, that's because the beauty of "Fringe" is that it defies description. In a lot of ways, that's what makes it a perfect show for me.

The shows that are my favorite, the ones that stick with me, are the ones that work on many levels. That's "Fringe." I love shows that are serialized, that allow you to invest personally in the characters, and that make me think. That's "Fringe."

The quote above, from William Bell (Leonard Nimoy), is a perfect example of that last part. He is, literally, describing Chess. That is the surface level. But he is also, literally, describing his strategy for winning a war against society. That duality is key to the enjoyment of this show.

Since it started, "Fringe" has featured concepts on the cutting edge of science and technology. That is fascinating. It has also created a weekly narrative structure that brings you in and provides satisfying stories. That is where most shows stop. But "Fringe" goes that extra level, using the stories as a metaphor for larger metaphysical, social, and spiritual concepts. It makes you think. It makes you work through what you believe and it challenges how you see the world. That's what the best of this medium has done.

That's what I loved about "The Wire," which was a metaphor for the decline of urban America, and "The West Wing," which was an idealized vision of what politics could and should be. "Fringe" is different, but the appeal of its larger themes is the same.

If you haven't seen this show, I recommend giving it a shot. It's never too late to fully appreciate a show that elevates the medium to another level. That's "Fringe."