Ep 1. Pilot

In the first episode of the hit sci-fi series Fringe, we are introduced to Olivia Dunham (played by Anna Torv), an agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) who finds herself thrown into a world of the unknown after a catastrophic event occurs on a commercial flight. The passengers, along with the pilots, die in a way that completely baffles investigators. Olivia is assigned to the case, and she quickly realizes that this is no ordinary investigation.

As Olivia and her team investigate the flight, they discover that it is not an isolated incident but part of a larger pattern of strange and seemingly impossible events occurring throughout the world. Unable to explain the phenomenon, Olivia seeks the help of Dr. Walter Bishop (played by John Noble), a former government scientist who has spent the last 17 years in an insane asylum for his unorthodox methods of research. The catch is, he's the only one who can help the FBI now. The only link to Walter is his estranged son, Peter Bishop (played by Josh Jackson), who is nothing like his father. Despite their differences and painful past, Peter must act as the bridge between his father and Olivia.

After recruiting Walter from the asylum, Olivia and her team soon realize that Walter is just the tip of the iceberg. Walter's former laboratory has been shut down since his institutionalization, and it is up to the team to piece together his work and extrapolate the data that he left behind. Walter warns the team that his research could be deadly and unpredictable; however, he is also the key to unlocking the events. Through Walter's work, Olivia and her team discover that a group called ZFT is responsible for the incidents. The ZFT is an extremist group that believes in parallel universes (an alternate reality where different choices can change the course of history) and has been experimenting with ways to access them in order to gain power.

The team's mission now extends beyond solving individual cases, they must locate ZFT and put an end to their evil experimentation before it's too late. With a combination of FBI pedigree and Walter’s intellectual prowess, Olivia, Peter, Walter (also known as the Big Bang), executive assistant Astrid Farnsworth (played by Jasika Nicole) work together to solve a series of complex cases in the crossover of science and pseudoscience.

The pilot introduces the audience to the complex characters and intricate plot points that have come to define the series. It starts with what seems like a standard case of a commercial plane crashing for no apparent reason but quickly moves on to the threads tying the incidents together. The characters are well-developed; Olivia is strong-willed, but also fractured and traumatized from her past; Walter is a tragic figure, heavily medicated and burdened by the weight of his own intellectual gifts; and, Peter is a self-described rogue; charming but with secrets of his own.

The show features a perfect balance of science fiction, drama, and ambitious storylines. It keeps audiences engaged throughout, with each episode presenting a new challenge and the team inches closer to catching up to the notorious ZFT. Plot twists abound with unexpected turns leading to several cliffhangers, which keeps audiences on the edge of their seats.

Overall, the Fringe pilot effectively lays out the foundation for what would go on to become one of the most beloved science fiction series of all time. It introduces the complex characters, storylines, and overarching themes that would define the show. Fringe's pilot is a masterpiece of storytelling, and it truly deserves the critical acclaim it has received.