Product Details

• Actors: Anna Torv, Joshua Jackson, John Noble
• Format: AC-3, Box set, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
• Language: English
• Subtitles: Chinese, English, French, Portuguese, Spanish
• Dubbed: Portuguese
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
• Number of discs: 6
• Rated: Unrated
• Studio: Warner Home Video
• DVD Release Date: September 6, 2011
• Run Time: 1012 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (714 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B003L77G2Y
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,809 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
  • #40 in Movies & TV > DVD > Science Fiction
• Learn more about "Fringe: The Complete Third Season" on IMDb

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

What might be television's smartest and most intriguing science-fiction series pushes forward with 22 episodes (on six discs, including bonus material) comprising the third season of Fringe. The first season of this Fox show introduced us to the members of the Fringe Division (an obscure wing of the FBI assigned to investigate all manner of supernatural phenomena), and the principal characters, Agent Olivia Dunham (Anna Torv), mad scientist Walter Bishop (John Noble), and Bishop's son Peter (Joshua Jackson). In season two, we learned of the existence of a parallel universe, and that Peter is not Walter's real son, but rather his doppelgänger, whom Walter kidnapped when his own, "prime universe" son died. This two-universe paradigm now takes center stage--in fact, for the first third of the season, odd-numbered episodes take place in the parallel universe, with even-numbered ones set in "our world" (the remaining episodes are mostly, but not exclusively, in the latter). The two universes are substantially similar, notwithstanding some quirky differences, with everyone having a counterpart in the opposite world. Olivia, referred to as "Fauxlivia," spends multiple episodes in the prime universe; meanwhile, in the parallel universe, Walter's far less benign opposite number ("Walternate," Peter's real father) is the secretary of defense, who schemes to get his son back and annihilate the prime universe in the process. Thus Walter's kidnapping gambit 25 years earlier caused an off-balance chain reaction that threatens both worlds, while Peter, the only one who has no doppelgänger, becomes the linchpin, sort of the Harry Potter of the series; not only is he alone capable of operating Walternate's "doomsday machine," but he's also unique in believing that the two universes can coexist, instead of wiping each other out.

Portions of Fringe take place in the past as well as the future, a fact that, when added to the ping-ponging between the two universes, can make the series somewhat confusing and a bit tedious, especially for newcomers. Fortunately, the weird science that made earlier seasons so enjoyable is still around. There's an "ultrasonic music box" that kills anyone who opens it, a strange blue powder that melts the bones of anyone who inhales it, beetles that eat people from the inside out, a "molecular destabilizer," and a "negative matter ring." Various episodes feature a nut who tries to reanimate his girlfriend by retrieving her harvested organs from those who received them when she died, shapeshifters who bleed mercury, a poor fellow who can't stop reading other people's minds, William Bell (Leonard Nimoy), Walter's old partner and friend, who at one point occupies Olivia's mind… and Walter's not-infrequent consumption of LSD. Trippy? You bet. But Fringe, with bonus features including multiple featurettes, a couple of audio commentaries, and other bells and whistles, is well worth the investment. --Sam Graham

Product Description

Immersive. Compelling. Hypnotic. Brilliantly imaginative. Endlessly thrilling. Pick your term. The mystery of the universes deepens in the critically acclaimed 22-episode third season of television’s most exciting sci-fi. The Fringe team escapes from the parallel universe – except for Olivia, trapped in the other world and replaced in ours by her double, who turns Peter and Olivia’s tentative relationship into a love affair. Then Olivia returns, bonds of trust fray, ever more bizarre and terrifying phenomena occur and secrets that stretch back to 1985 threaten to destroy our universe. Or theirs.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

91 of 99 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars One in a Million May 3, 2011

By Texas TV Fan

Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase

Fringe is simply the best show on TV right now. I'm an over-65 retired female, not exactly the demographic that a show like Fringe is playing to, but I like my shows complex, dramatic -- yes, even some sci-fi -- a little wacky, and a huge part intelligent writing and excellent acting. Abrams and his crew of talented writers and producers have done it again, Lost being another of a line of winning series (anyone missing Felicity would be well-advised to take a look at one woman's four years in college).

Fringe has continued to entertain, amuse, shock and totally take viewers on a roller coaster ride from one week to the next, and each season is better than the last. John Noble is so excellent as the absolutely diabolical but lovable mad scientist Walter that I can't for the life of me understand why Emmy Awards haven't been thrust at him every year. Anna Torv is that rare female actress who appeals equally to men and women, and quite possibly the only female lead on television who dresses appropriately for her job as an FBI agent. Her Olivia is a polished jewel, both beautiful and smart! Joshua Jackson was such a surprise to me because I didn't expect him to be up to the caliber of his castmates, but I was so wrong -- he is brilliant as the super-smart once bad boy Peter. The threesome is surrounded by interesting and quirky characters to fill out the ensemble, especially Lance Reddick as the head of the FBI's Fringe Division, and Jasika Nicole as the utterly delightful Agent and Walter-sitter Astrid, whose name he never seems to remember correctly but always speaks with adoring admiration.

If you haven't watched Fringe yet, I recommend watching it from the very beginning. There has been a long, enjoyable and steady build-up from the first episodes of Season 1 to where we are now at the end of Season 3, and I promise you will enjoy the ride!

137 of 160 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars PLEASE WATCH FRINGE FRIDAYS November 23, 2010

By B. Brewer

Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase

Season 3 really just started and I hear now that Fox is moving Fringe to Friday nights starting in January. I had high hopes for a Seaon 4 or maybe even a Season 5 but I think that will depend oh how viewers respond to the move to Fridays. I am a fanatic for FRINGE and usually don't gush that much over a show (not since the first 2 seasons of LOST) but I would like to see this show go to it's potential conclusion and also deliver us some nice story within a story moments on the way. Catch up with FringePilot [HD] and know what I know....that FRINGE is the most overlooked and underappreciated show on network TV. Trust me.

A SIDE NOTE: I was truly amazed and excited to hear that the FRINGE fans helped save our beloved show when FOX announced the renewal even before Season 3 had concluded.

I know that this space should have a better review of Season 3 of Fringe. I was hopeful that enough of the die hard fans could use this page as a way to acknowledge the show and encourage as many folks to start viewing Fringe live on Fridays. I would ask that everyone read down the list for more in depth criticism of the show. I would be more biased to say that FRINGE is the only show worth my time and even more so, LIVE on a Friday night. Please watch.

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Just When You Think It Can't Get Any More Bizarre.... June 23, 2011

By carol irvin TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:DVD

The writers of FRINGE could never be accused of being like everyone else. If one is waiting for a predictable plot line with this bunch, forget it. I cannot say anything of this season's end other than I did not see this cliff hanger coming at all. And I am now waiting anxiously to see what happens in season 4 to resolve it. However, this show is having a viewing problem since it changed to Friday nights, i.e. it has lost viewers, so we might be stuck with incredible cliff hangers overall if the ratings don't increase. That would be a shame because this show is destined to be a big overall keeper for years to come, much like STAR TREK and the THE X-FILES.

Where this show has gone is to increasingly juxtaposition two worlds against one another. We have to look no further than old SUPERMAN comics to remember the idea that there is more than one universe, that there are alternate universes, with other versions of ourselves on similar paths but their choices cause significant diversions. A big part of this third season is that Peter romances the Olivia's of BOTH worlds. This is important because Peter is the pivot around which the two worlds swing since he was stolen from one world to live in the other.

Walter Bishop, Peter's father, is a complete creep in one world as its leader and an eccentric, lovable genius in the other. The latter role remains my favorite in the whole show. This is where the humor in the show comes in which is much needed as comic relief.

If you haven't watched FRINGE yet, I recommend you watch it straight through on DVD or streaming, the three full seasons in order. This series will be almost impossible to watch out of order as the central story line advances in strict linear fashion. Each series also ends with an incredible cliff hanger which will also work against your seeing it out of order.