J.J. Abrams: Fringe proudly and squarely exists in the science fiction world.

J.J. Abrams talked to Starwars.com about Fringe (and Star Wars).

I read that Fringe had an interesting bovine problem because you couldn't use the same cow from the pilot so you had to bring in another cow and paint it to look like the original.

I wish that had been the biggest problem on the show. [laughs] We had an issue with the cow not being able to cross the border from Canada where we shot the pilot. Apparently, cows are contraband.

Did you have any other obstacles with Fringe that you hadn't come across being a TV show veteran? How has your experience working on this show differed than that of something like Alias or Lost?

I have relatively speaking very little experience, so every time I'm involved in a movie or a TV show it always feels like a brand new set of challenges. On this show, among others, it's a question of pacing the show and how much we reveal. We are obviously taking scientific notions and pushing them into insanity so this is not a documentary or a course on science. It's supposed to be taken as Frankenstein was -- an entertaining narrative that takes the ideas that surround us and push them much farther than they are currently able to go. When Star Trek first came out with communicators and the idea of a laser shooting something, these were scientific notions that didn't exist. And now 40 years later there actually are lasers that can shoot as weapons, and there are communicators that we have in our pockets. The idea that some of the stuff we're talking about potentially could come to pass is a fascinating one, but we're not pretending that this is all real and happening now. The fun of Fringe is that it's a "what if" scenario. Every episode gets to play with the impossible idea that something might happen and how do we deal with those ramifications and consequences? What does it mean to live in a world where science has run amok?

Even TV shows that are supposed to be based in fact like C.S.I. and House aren't exactly using proper science; you can't get DNA results in two hours.

Most legal or medical shows stretch the truth. There are trials and treatments that come to resolution at hyper speed and the reality is much different, but that reality isn't always entertaining. Fringe proudly and squarely exists in the science fiction world.

You often create Web sites for fictional companies like Massive Dynamic for Fringe and The Hanso Foundation for Lost to draw the viewer online and give them another experience outside the TV show. Why is a transmedia experience important to envision in all your properties?

Doing something online, whether it's stuff we did on Lost or Alias and even on Felicity -- one of the characters, Noel Crane, had a Web site -- the idea is more that, if I was watching a show and something was mentioned I'd be able to go online and see it. This just provides another level of discovery and interaction. Often there are clues that connect to things in the story if you care to pursue those or examine them or discover them. It's something as a viewer I like to do, so it really comes from my, and the team's, desire to create entertainment that goes elsewhere than just the TV or movie screen. That elsewhere might be online or places yet to be discovered. It's not about trying to blur the line, it's about creating an experience that is more than just the narrative that you are watching in front of you.

Read the full interview at Starwars.com: J.J. Abrams Talks Fringe, Cattle and Star Wars

Power Hungry Postmortem

Popular Mechanics is back at it, Fringebusting the science in Fringe. But more interesting than the debunking:

• The product placement. Not in Fringe, but in the Popular Mechanics articles about Fringe. Perhaps we should do a weekly critique of how well PC disguises their paid links as journalism.


• Still no acknowledgment of The Arrival's PC shout out that we can see. Perhaps Fringe should try again, only this time send the shout out the recurring fringebuster, Kate Schweitzer.


• "And regarding Joseph's ability to levitate in the elevator? Park compared this to the urban legend that if you jump in a careening elevator, right at its moment of impact, you'd survive. It's just not true."

On the ratings front, TV by the Numbers declares Fringe a hit with the two key demographics, the 18-49 year olds (4.2/10) and 18-34 year olds (3.8/10) with 9.53 million total viewers.

Fringe: Power Hungry - HD Screencaps

High-Definition screencaps of Fringe Episode 105 "Power Hungry", are now available in our Galley section.

Some of the most interesting screenshots are already up in our Screencaps / Easter Egg section, but if there's something you can't find there or in our Gallery, you can request a screenshot here.

Fringe Photos: Episode 105 - Power Hungry

Here are the promotional photos for Fringe Episode 105 "Power Hungry"

Fringe Scenemaker 105: Power Hungry

Fringe Scenemaker is a behind the scenes look at the filming of Fringe Episode 105 - Power Hungry.

Fox Fringe: Walter's Lab Notes #5

Walter's King of Cups card is a tarot card. Interpreting the King of Cups really depends on which source you favor, but one we found might allude to Olivia's relationship with John Scott.

The King of Cups does not repress his emotions and unconscious impulses but has learned to accept and deal with them in a mature and balanced manner. -- biddytarot.com

Most notable however, the face of the king is covered (or scratched out?) by a bird dropping?

Among a few crime scene photos of the elevator crash are two feathers, presumably those of the pigeons responsible for the mess. Also seemingly out of place, what appears to be a childhood art project "By: Peter!!"

There is also a diagram of the device used to reorient the pigeon's internal compasses so they could home in on Joseph Meegar's location.

Fringe Episode 105 - Power Hungry

When it's discovered that a rather simple man has the ability to harness electricity, dangerous and deadly occurrences follow, and our unlikely trio investigates this super-charged oddity...

Thumbs up or down for the return of Undead Agent John Scott (Mark Valley)?

Anna Torv And Joshua Jackson On The Cover Of TV Guide.

Decoding the FRINGE phenomena.

Freaky Mystery + Mad Scientist + J.J. Abrams =

TV'S LATEST CULT OBSESSION

"On news stands Thursday." -- Fox's Fringe Blog

Edit: Spoiler TV scans the full article.

Fringe Returns With A New Episode (105 - 'Power Hungry') Tonight!

Fringe is all new tonight at 9/8c.

For a preview, synopsis and promotional photos of 'Power Hungry' see: Spoilers.

Have something to say, join the discussion over at Episodes starting at 9:00 Eastern.

See something interesting in tonight's episode (a clue?), request a screen capture over at Easter Eggs.

Have a question about, or something to add to the known Fringe universe, see/join Fringepedia.

This week we are also happy to announce that Fringe-TV.com has joined forces with FringeTelevision.com. The merger incorporates a Forum and Gallery into our operations at Fringe Television. (You need to be registered to take advantage of all the tools available in each.)

Join us in welcoming Austin--who will remain the Administrator and Editor of the Forum and Gallery--and everyone else from the Fringe-TV.com's community. We hope you like the digs here at Fringe Television.

Last but not least, we would like to introduce the Fringe Podcast Network. The Network is a place where Fringe fans can find all of their favorite Fringe podcasts in one place. It is modeled after the popular Lost Podcast Network.

If you have a Fringe podcast, and would like to join the network, contact podcasts@fringetelevision.com.

Fringe Comics Delayed Until 2009

The next Fringe Comic - Fringe #2 - was due to be released next week on October 15. However, a quick check of the DC Comics Wildstorm website reveals that all references to future issues have been removed:

• Fringe #2
• Fringe #3
• Fringe #4
  

And according to Comics Worth Reading, all orders for #2, #3, and #4 have been canceled.

I talked to Wildstorm, and they have officially confirmed that the series will be delayed until January 2009. Hank Kanalz, the VP – General Manager of WildStorm said the reason for the delay was that:

“The writer’s of the show want to make sure the comic book is integrated into the mythology of the FRINGE world, so we have decided to refocus the direction of the comic book. Unfortunately, this means that we will have some delays, but will be back in January.”

We'll let you know as soon as pre-orders are available again.

J.J. Abrams Live Webchat: Is Over Arcing Mystery Winning Out Over Procedural On Fringe?

The Guardian has posted a transcript of their LIVE webchat with J.J. Abrams which took place earlier today. Below are a few of the more telling answers JJ gave in response to questions about Fringe, including on finding Fringe's rhythm and on the existence of a Lost size mystery.

Q: To you, is there an upcoming episode that you are especially proud of and you think will be a fan favourite when the series is finished?

Also, I have noticed a certain formula in the structure of the episodes so far. Is this something that is going to carry on, or will there be variations on this formula? Sorry if that isn't too specific. - owlwaxer

JJ - We are still finding our rhythm. If you look back at the early episodes of your favourite shows you will find they are a little bit to the left of what the show ultimately became. I feel we are still arriving. The fourth episode, The Arrival, is closer to what the show will be.

Q: Is Fringe going to be a big mystery as Lost is, with all the cryptic clues. Or will Fringe be a light venture? - yamatoEva

JJ - There will be and there already is, and ep 4 begins it, the over arcing mystery of the show. The goal is to do both - to tune in and enjoy without knowing anything that comes before it but also if you watch every week you will see things you understand and that are connected tot he larger picture. We are looking at both of them. -- Full Transcript

Fringe Photos: Episode 104 - The Arrival

Here are the promotional photos for Fringe Episode 104 - The Arrival.