TV GUIDE: Ask Matt: Once Upon a Time, Grey's, Fringe, More on Laugh Tracks and More!
Dec 12, 2011
by Matt Roush
Send questions to askmatt@tvguidemagazine.com and follow on Twitter!
... Question: Allow me to get this off my chest. I love sci-fi. I loved Farscape, Star Trek, Stargate, and have watched pretty much everything else. But I am not on the Fringe bandwagon for one simple reason: It is a parallel universe story. I don't like parallel universe stories and never have. I could barely tolerate them when it would serve as one episode on Farscape, Star Trek, Stargate, etc. Everyone has done them. I don't like them. I don't want to watch a whole series when that is the main hook. I am an original sci-fi fan; I grew up in the Golden Age — the John Campbell age — and have kept up as best I can. I know that I don't like parallel universes no matter how well they are done.
And last week's column had some interesting points about pacing. I happen to like the pacing in The Vampire Diaries. I like the way they don't drag out the secrets and for the secrets that do last a little longer — at least I know it won't last that long. Look at Ringer. It is a show I should like but it is playing out so slowly I am ready to give up on it. I have two episodes on my DVR and any time I have some free time... well, I can't bring myself to turn it on. So I get that you don't like the pacing on Vamp Diaries but it works for me. And I can get my soapy fix. — Shelley
Matt Roush: Not sure why you think I don't like the pacing on The Vampire Diaries. I wrote last week that, "I do appreciate its breakneck (often literally) pace and what-next plotting." It's the best thing about the show. Couldn't agree more that it's a lot more fun than the pokey Ringer has turned out to be. You want a show that breaks a ton of outrageous story every week? Try Revenge. Regarding your objection to Fringe and the parallel universe storyline: That's clearly your choice. We all have "deal breakers" when it comes to the kinds of stories we choose to follow, and I'm sure there are many who hate the fact that the new Star Trek movie franchise is proceeding on an "alternate timeline." I try not to set such hard and fast rules, and with Fringe, what I appreciate about the warring worlds is that the parallel universe isn't just a one-off gimmick but leads to a richer exploration of theme and character, especially where Walter and his relationship with Peter is concerned, and Walter's guilt about having caused such a cosmic mess by pursuing his personal agenda...
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