Nope

[joshwpi]

Unfortunately, as much as I love the show, love Walter, I'm looking for a 1.2-1.3 tomorrow. Last week's episode was weak, this one was okay, but god is it getting confusing for the average viewer. In one episode, ghosts, all of a sudden emotion opening a full on vortex with old people, discussion of Bellie after death, amber on this side, glimpse over to the other side, but only noticing it after it reached full on vortex, wayyyyy too far. This show is just going to continue going further until the only people watching it are the die-hards posting on this site.

Personally I still like the show but the writers are KILLLLLING the show, have been, and continue to do so. If you doubt me explain why a show that pulled 12 million+ viewers for an entire season, consistently, now is in the 3-4 million range, with fewer and fewer every week. Very sad. I hope they read this. Writers: Go back and re-watch season one. Please emulate. Thank you. Cool concept but I want to keep watching your show.

[AltAnna]

Meh.

The episode was awesome. Let us enjoy this and forget the ratings negativity.

[fringyfanatic]

I'll second that. I enjoyed it myself.

[Marklar]

I think you are exaggerating the complexity of this episode. Newer viewers, or the "average viewer" were alienated from the show a long time ago, it's nothing new to this episode.

[Cortexiphan]

i thought it was a great episode. I enjoyed it <3

[Omniscient_Jay]

The OP isn't worried that casual viewers liked the episode or not, but rather that they could follow what was going on, and not overwhelm them with a storyline where information about previous episodes would be helpful, if not essential.

And we need to reel in as many viewers as we can get if we're going to see a fourth season. Just sayin'.

[astrocatjack]

I loved this episode.

Doesn't almost every episode require information from prior ones? It's Fringe, just like Lost it's a little hard to jump right in if you haven't seen any of the others.

[joshwpi]

The OP isn't worried that casual viewers liked the episode or not, but rather that they could follow what was going on, and not overwhelm them with a storyline where information about previous episodes would be helpful, if not essential.

And we need to reel in as many viewers as we can get if we're going to see a fourth season. Just sayin'.

There we go. Here's the difference:

Season One - Casual viewers, those that are able to watch 7 CSI's, 4 NCIS's, and 10 Law & Orders, can watch the show and like it, yet there's a deeper level that those people that post hare can follow and appreciate as a secondary story level.

Season Three - Casual viewers are confused and loose interest. They might watch one show here, then try to come back later, and just completely are lost. FOLKS THESE ARE THE PEOPLE YOU NEED TO KEEP THE SHOW ALIVE! Fanboys cannot keep a show going. Clearly fewer and fewer of these people are tuning in every week.

I know you all liked the episode, but so did viewers of Jericho and The Mole. Those shows were, cancelled .

[astrocatjack]

I understand. Unfortunately I'm the fanboy kind of guy so when I watch a series I watch it all and often rewatch it which I recently did with Fringe. I liked the first season but I also liked the depth that shows taking. If it's all relatively simple and too easy to follow I get bored. I like to contemplate and have theories after I watch each episode.

[RETLAW]

I loved this episode.

Doesn't almost every episode require information from prior ones? It's Fringe, just like Lost it's a little hard to jump right in if you haven't seen any of the others.

Hence it's inability to attract new viewers.

Additionally, the actual content of an episode doesn't usually affect the ratings (that's why ratings usually trend). Most people have already made up their mind if they were going to watch, and external factors such as nice weather, opening movies, and other general life options available can decrease viewership.

Loving the show and its content and being realistic about its ratings and prospects in TV (due to various circumstances surrounding the show, including the money-pit it has become) are two completely different things.