Fringe's spiritual successor premiered 10 years ago and became one of the best sci-fi shows of all time

Although Fringeviewership ratings declined with each season, remains a popular and critically acclaimed science fiction show that will always be hard to replace. Still, some might be surprised that a CW series would come this close. The FOX sci-fi show created by JJ Abrams, Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci follows a unique team of talented professionals (including scientists and FBI agents) who come together to solve bizarre and unusual cases. All over FringeOver the five seasons, the mysteries become more complex as the audience learns more about the characters' pasts (and futures).

Fringe ended in 2013 after five seasons and 100 episodes. However, even though it has been over a decade since the series finale, Fringe was far from forgotten, as it is easily one of the best sci-fi TV shows of the 2000s (and probably of all time). However, it has tough competition. Of course, there are iconic series like Battlestar Galactica, Lost, The X-Files, Doctor Whoetc. But, a mega-popular CW show that premiered in 2014 (and has an 89 percent approval rating on Rotten tomatoes) is one of the most similar to Fringe.

The Flash was the perfect sci-fi show for fringe fans

The CW's Second Arrowverse Series Contains Many of the Elements That Fringe Contains

One might be surprised to hear this, but The Flash and Fringe have a lot in common, which means fans who watch one should check out the other. Yes, The Flash is a superhero show set in the renowned Arrowverse. However, it's much more than that, and the qualities that make the 2014 series stand out from other comic book-based superhero series are the same ones that make it FringeIt's a perfect replacement. The Flash features time travel, alternate universes, the guy in the chair trope, futuristic science, cases of the week, etc. The Flash and Fringe with superheroes.

The Flash is the first spin-off of Arrowbecoming the second Arrowverse show of six (not counting Superman and Loiswhich was later confirmed to take place in a separate universe). Of all the series in the franchise, The Flash it lasted the longest – nine seasons and 184 episodes. It is undoubtedly the best and most popular Arrowverse show. The Flashthe sci-fi elements of elevated the grounded franchise, letting it expand much more than before, similar to how Fringe began to explore its mythology more in season 2. For these reasons alone (and because it debuted a year later Fringe it ended), The Flash serves as Fringespiritual successor.

The Flash Used to Be More of a Sci-Fi Show Than a Superhero Show

The show has a lot of science fiction elements

At first glance, one would simply label The Flash a superhero show. However, when we look closely, its roots clearly lie more in science fiction than in any other genre, while its predecessor, Arrowis basically a superhero action series that, when good, relies on its grounded nature. The producers evidently wanted The Flash be very different in terms of tonality Arrow. So they turned it into a sci-fi procedural, with cases of the week, just like Fringe.

Episodes of The Flash usually feature cases that start and end within an hour, typically when a new metahuman makes itself known and wreaks havoc on Central City. About that, Fringe does the same, but with mysteries linked to the Pattern. Both shows rely heavily on their respective science fiction and mythology elements, which is essentially what makes them so similar (despite their mythological differences).

The Flash's legacy is complicated, but it's an iconic show nonetheless

The Flash's quality declines in later seasons

Many agree that The Flash goes off the rails in later seasons as they never capture the same magic as the earlier episodes. However, this shouldn't hurt the legacy of the CW show as a whole. The Flash left a lasting impression on pop culture and the science fiction community, similar to Fringe. It has so many fantastic and memorable moments (including the first time Barry travels through time, Eddie's sacrifice at the end of season 1, the crossovers, when Barry enters Flashtime, etc.) that undoubtedly outweigh its negatives. . Ultimately, The Flash deserves to be in the conversation of the best science fiction programs, alongside Fringe.

Source: Rotten tomatoes