Gratitude Monday - A Proper Good-Bye

John Noble and Jasika Nicole, Calgary 2012.

Fringe ended Friday. While I am not the least bit grateful it is gone, I am grateful for the way it went.

It was an emotionally satisfying end.
Stuff got taken care of in the sense that several characters had their moment, their chance to wave good-bye to us. In her own way, even the cow had a moment.
A few of those moments were so touching, so heartfelt, they brought a tear to my eye. Even now when I think of them the effect lingers.
It's the mark of good show that it stirs emotions without resorting to cheap manipulation.
Fringe never did.

Walter Bishop became my favourite character on any television show ever.
I told him so and thanked him for it when I met him briefly at ComicCon in Calgary last spring.
I am grateful for the show, and I am grateful it had the sense to go out on a high note.

Gratitude Monday - Have I Mentioned I'm a Fringe Fan?

I am grateful for plenty of stuff specific to ComicCon in Calgary including a panel on Saturday. It featured John Noble and Jasika Nicole from my favourite show Fringe.

Noble is Australian. It is a treat to hear him speak as he was born to do. He does a fine American accent, but Australian English is my favourite.

They were entertaining, funny, and gave every appearance of having a warm, friendly relationship off camera.

She's a talented artist who draws in the background while shooting scenes.

Kind, friendly, and attractive.

I got in line Sunday morning and shook their hands. I got to tell them how much I enjoyed the show and the characters they play and that I will miss it.

Walter, Noble's character on Fringe, is my favourite character ever. I thanked him for his creation of the various Walters in the various universes.

Yes, they are stars. They hear from fans all the time, good, bad, indifferent. But there is one thing to keep in mind: they are human beings.

All of us, big and small, famous, or just plain folks, need to hear that we've done something. We had an impact, made a difference, made someone smile, or think, or cry.

I am grateful for this opportunity to say so,  and I am grateful that I took it.