A Fitting Finale

“I see a beautiful city and a brilliant people rising from this abyss. I see the lives for which I lay down my life, peaceful, useful, prosperous and happy. I see that I hold a sanctuary in their hearts, and in the hearts of their descendants, generations hence. It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known.” — Charles Dickens, "A Tale of Two Cities."

When I was in high school, I read "A Tale of Two Cities." It's a dense book, probably a little long since Dickens was paid by the word, and written in a style we don't use much today. Despite that, I loved it instantly, and have thought of the story often. It was a moving, original work about love, honor and sacrifice.

Earlier this year "The Dark Knight Rises" referenced the book and the quote during the funeral for Bruce Wayne. It seemed a sort of fitting tribute for the story and Christopher Nolan, himself British. But I couldn't help but think of that quote fitting better last Friday night as I watched the series finale of "Fringe."

For the last five years, "Fringe" has been the most unique and best show on television. Sure, it drew early comparisons to "LOST," because JJ Abrams was involved, and "The X-Files," because of the FBI and sci-fi elements, but really it never fit into either box. "Fringe" was an experience all its own, one that its fans treasured deeply even if they couldn't explain the appeal and mythology to outsiders.

Last spring, FOX announced that "Fringe" would get a final, 13-episode season to say a proper goodbye. The ratings may not have warranted such a gift to the fans, but the show's quality and fan adoration certainly did. For much of the summer we were left to wonder, how would it all end.

This year the show tweaked its format, jumped ahead in time, and launched a new mystery quest. But the heart of the show stayed the same, something that was made beautifully clear by one of the finest finales for a show.

To me, the appeal and power of "Fringe" has always been in its characters, relationships, and exploration of the ideals set forth in 1 Corinthians 13:13 — "And these three remain, faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love." That may sound like an odd claim about a secular show grounded in science and technology, but it's true.

One thing I have always loved about the works of Michael Crichton — a medial doctor whose novels were on the forefront of science, medicine, and technology — was the cautious approach he had toward human discovery and intellect. That's the premise behind "Jurassic Park" — that even if we can do it, that doesn't mean we should.

I found that same ideology in Walter Bishop (John Noble), a brilliant scientist who pushed the bounds of natural and physical laws. His boundary pushing had consequences, and he spent the five years on the show wrestling with those consequences and his role in those events. He often spoke of the idea that he had tried to substitute his will for God's, and there would be a price to be paid. That was the idea of faith that Walter and all the characters wrestled with.

And their faith is often what gave them hope — even hope during dark times. All of which was, ultimately, fueled by their love of each other. Jesus once said, "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." — John 15:13.

Once Walter had made a rash decision that altered the course of the world, robbing a man and a woman of their child. In the finale, he was presented with a chance to atone, to sacrifice himself to provide a brighter future for his son and granddaughter.

It was a beautiful, emotional climax to a show that's always been about people, relationships, and the love that makes the world a more hospitable place. And it was the rare series finale that offered a beautiful payoff to a long-term investment by its fans.

I can't help but think there will never be another show like "Fringe," and that's a shame.