The Ratings: From 10.02 million in season 1 to 4.22 in season 4.
The Cancellation: Fox elected to renew Fringe for a half-season farewell tour in April 2012, just as season 4 was winding up, giving showrunner J. H. Wyman enough time to go out with a bang.
The Bottom Line: Its ratings deterioration meant that cancellation was inevitable; the only question was whether it would be truncated after season 4, which would have been a colossal shame and riled its devoted fan base, or given a chance at a send-off. As a mythology, Fringe had evolved beyond anything anyone expected from broadcast television. It got a finale season as much as a tribute as out of respect for its powerhouse co-creator, J.J. Abrams.
- Fringe: Is This the End? (Jan. 2012)
- Fringe Renewed for Final Season (April 2012)
- Fringe Will End Jan. 18 (Nov. 2012)
