Bought the complete DVD set a few years ago; watched 3-4 seasons outright, then picked out only the conspiracy episodes right to the end. Big mistake. I really believe that the best episodes were the "monster of the week" ones. Fringe owes more than a lot to X-Files; not least, because the super soldiers thread is very similar, but executed so much better. I don't know whether Carter was completely burned out or taking the piss by the time that story arc came in.

I thought the last two seasons were refreshing; Doggett and Reyes were compelling characters IMHO; they should have made more of an effort to break away from Mulder/Scully, I think their inability to do so is what doomed them.