Fringe

Last week I wrote an article pondering whether Fringe was becoming too predictable with its storytelling structure.  The first three episodes of the series played out in exactly the same manner, and I worried that such a strict adherence to formula would drive away fans looking for Lost-style ongoing mysteries.  Thankfully, the latest episode of the show turned the formula on its head and presented an extremely compelling mystery that wasn't neatly wrapped up within the hour.  It was the best episode of Fringe so far, and it left me desperately wanting to see where the writers are taking the story.

Thanks to FOX, fans like myself will now get to see what the writers can cook up in an entire 22-episode season.  The network recently ordered nine more episodes on top of the 13 already in production, making it the second freshman series to get a full-season order after 90210.

Fringe has held steady in the ratings since its pilot episode, which pulled in over nine million viewers.  Subsequent episodes have been holding on to a good chunk of House's audience, and the series is also the season's number one new show among the 18-49 demographic.  The latest episode, "The Arrival," was seen by 10 million people, which explains why FOX is more than happy to greenlight an entire season.  The series isn't a huge hit, but it's proved to be a solid performer that's garnering plenty of buzz.

Fringe is taking a week off to make room for the presidential debates, but will return on October 14 with a new episode entitled "Power Hungry."  FOX's official description of the episode reads: "The unlikely trio investigates the cause of a fatal elevator accident that had some very unusual circumstances.  They discover a connection to a dangerous man whose developing abilities point to a bigger threat.  Meanwhile, Olivia has a highly charged encounter of her own when she is rocked by someone from her past, and Dr. Bishop turns to a methodology Peter thinks is for the birds to help break the case."

Anyone who watched Tuesday's episode of Fringe knows that John is the man returning from Olivia's past.  I'm interested to see what sort of wacky science has brought him back from the dead, and also what shady plans he has for Olivia.  Now that the series has been picked up for an entire season, we'll have plenty of time to get answers to these and many other questions.


- Don Williams, BuddyTV Staff Writer
(Image courtesy of FOX)