FRINGE season 3 is very ambitious.   It focuses the storylines on both universes (our universe and the other universe introduced in the two part second season finale).   It doesn't solve the cliffhanger immediately.   It follows Olivia in the other universe and Fauxlivia in our universe.   The first eight episodes divides it's time between both universes while managing to tie them in by the end of that arc.   Even when the cliffhanger of when Olivia will get back is resolved, FRINGE doesn't forget about the other universe as they visit that universe in a few more episodes.   The third season manages to top the second season and expand on the storylines (and characters).   The other universe fleshes out how different the characters are over there due to the different circumstances that shaped them.    You see the motives of why Walternate is obsessed with destroying the other universe while Fauxlivia and alternate Broyles have rich character development to make you care for who they are.

Season 3 manages to jump from strength to strength without providing a filler episode.    Even if it is a Fringe case of the week episode, the subplots and character development still pushes the universes of FRINGE further.   I like how the writers didn't rush to resolve things from the cliffhanger.  They even focus on the consequences of events from previous episodes.   Then you have SUBJECT 13 providing information on the past and act as a sequel to the second season Walter episode.    Then when everything is brought to a head, the climax of season 3 leaves the viewers with a bigger cliffhanger and even another mystery to be resolved in season 4.    I think season 3 is the most ambitious season of the show so far.   It continues to a worthy twenty-first century successor to THE X-FILES.   I can't wait for season 4 to start on September 23rd.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

Audio commentaries for  THE PLATEAU and LYSERGIC ACID DIETHYLAMIDE EPISODE

ANIMATING THE LYSERGIC ACID DIETHYLAMIDE EPISODE (Disc 5)-

a look at how they animated the animated sequences in that Fringe episodes in eight weeks from start to finish

Disc 6 extras:

DUALITY OF WORLDS-

THE PSYCHOLOGY OF DUALITY-   a look at the duality present in the third season of FRINGE

THE OTHER YOU-    how the actors played their alternate selves

VISUALIZING AN ALTERNATE WORLD-  how they changed and created stuff for the parallel universe

A MACHINE OF DESTINY- all focusing on the supposed doomsday device that could destroy universes or create a new one

CONSTRUCTING AN EXTRA-SENSORY SOUNDSCAPE-    how Fringe adds and create new sounds for each episode

UNSUAL SIDE EFFECTS: GAG REEL-   actors flub lines, swear (a lot), and goof off

THE SCRETS OF FRINGE: THE FIRST PEOPLE-   Executive Producers J.H> Wyman and Jeff Pinker answer questions about the first people while giving hints on where season 3 may be going.

FRINGE network promos for THE DAY WE DIED, ENTRADA, and THE JOURNEY HOME

FINAL ANALYSIS:   FRINGE season 3 is the strongest and most ambitious of the series so far.    The extras focus mainly on the other universe while I wish they had more audio commentaries for the season set than just two.

this DVD review is (c)9-11-2011 David Blackwell and cannot be reprinted without permission.  send all comments to feedback@enterline-media.com