Fringe Scenemaker 113: The Transformation

Scenemaker is a behind-the-scenes look at the making of Fringe. This episode shows the making of the Flight 718 plane crash, from the Fringe episode The Transformation.

You can watch previous episode's scenemaker videos here.

What Would You Ask: David Robert Jones?

Later today, we will be interviewing Jared Harris, who plays David Robert Jones on Fringe.

The interview will be a one-on-one, so there should be opportunity for a lot of questions.

What would you ask David Jones?

Fringebusters 114: Ability

For each episode of Fringe, Popular Mechanics asks experts to analyzes the science of Fringe, and separate the science fact from the science fiction.

For "Ability," PM's Andrew Moseman analyzes quantum teleportation, and answers the question: Could Someone Really Teleport Out of Jail?

PopularMechanics.com: Hollywood Fact v. Fiction: Fringe Episode 14 - Ability

Fringe Episode Review: The Transformation

After last week's mild letdown, I was optimistic that The Transformation would be a return to form. Luckily, I was right.

The Transformation was a successful hybrid between a standalone mystery and a serialized story. We got a fascinating Freak of the Week, plus new layers to our beloved characters and a few hints of mythology. J.R. Orci and Zack Whedon did a great job incorporating all of the above into fifty minutes, and Brad Anderson's direction was masterful. Especially that long take of the plane crash, starting with the reflection in the minivan window.

Click here to read more...

"A taser won't do anything..."
JJ Abrams and Co. do not look kindly on the airline industry. Or nosebleeds, for that matter. Marshall Bowman's Jekyll/Hyde routine was fun to watch, and I'm glad the director only showed us a few quick frames of the monster in action before the title sequence. Anything more would've been hard to swallow. Was anyone else reminded of Shyamalan's "Tartutic"?

I was hoping Walter would elaborate on the "transformation" itself. We know Bowman's genes were rapidly altered by the virus, but I was interested in the details. What physiological changes did it cause, and why was the virus designed to cause them? I suppose Conrad's just a modern-day Dr. Moreau, which "happens" to be Conrad's last name.

The Exchange
The best sequence of the ep was undoubtedly Olivia and Peter's undercover exchange with Conrad's men. Talk about tension. How appropriate that Brad Anderson, who helmed a few eps of The Wire and The Shield, was behind the camera.

The exchange sequence was also nice way to get Peter involved, which I hope becomes a regular occurence. I was impressed by his improvisations, and by Olivia's resolve. These are smart characters, and that's one of the reasons they're so much fun to watch. Olivia's quip to Conrad at the end was an especially nice touch.

Dead Man Talking
Those of us rooting for John Scott to be a misunderstood hero were rewarded tonight with a big reveal. He wasn't a traitor after all, just a devoted agent working undercover to expose runaway scientists like Conrad Moreau. Olivia's sudden flashes of John's memories were a nice touch. It was also interesting to take another trip to the whitewashed halls of Massive Dynamic, where Nina Sharp's motives are suggested to be entirely benevolent and transparent. Do you think that's all she was doing with John's body?

I'm still a little iffy on the dreamlike tank sequences. I like the idea; it's cool when Olivia watches herself in the past. But the logic is a little funny. When John interacts with her, what exactly is happening? Is a part of John still alive inside Olivia's brain? Is it only possible because of the cryogenic chamber his body's in at Massive Dynamic? Or are we really just watching Olivia's subconscious cope with her conscious emotions?

Conclusion
The concerns I had after last week have been washed away. The Transformation was a fun ride, and deftly handled the notion of a procedural/serial hybrid. The biggest questions: what's with those glass discs? And where do John Scott and his colleagues fit in the "two sides" scheme of Mitchell Loeb? Maybe next week's ep, which features the return of Jared Harris' wonderful Mr. Jones, will offer some clues.

Stray Thoughts

• Chuck fans: did Olivia's flashes of memory feel familiar?
• I loved Olivia's intercession during Hick's transformation, when she won't let Walter administer the antidote until Hicks talks.
• What's with the poofy black vest-slash-life-preserver Olivia wears in the tank sequences? To quote Back to the Future, did she jump ship or somethin'?
• John and Olivia's scene by the lake was fun to watch, knowing that the actors are married.
• Astrid still isn't quite working for me. I'm looking forward to seeing her become a real character instead of a plot device.
• The overhead shot of Chicago? You could see the building I worked in last fall.
• It was funny to see the "archer" from Garden State play Conrad's man, Gavin. And I'd have been suspicious too, if Olivia took such long pauses before answering any of my questions.

Adam Morgan is a writer for both the page and screen in Chicago, and blogs daily on writing, film, pop culture, and strange news at Mount Helicon.

Fringe Promo Photos 113: The Transformation

Here are the promotional photos for Fringe episode 113 The Transformation.
(for those that avoid the Fringe Spoilers section.)

Walter's Lab Notes: Fringe 113 - The Transformation

Walter's Lab Notes from the The Transformation include a photo of Marshall Bowman after he transformed, a vial of the reverse-mutator for Conrad's deadly virus, and a plumbing-inspired diagram of how the neural system works. The notes themselves are a long-winded analogy between a backed-up toilet, and John Scott's memories clogging Olivia brain.

Click here to read the text of Walter's Notes

- Project 269 - Exploration 20 -

She comes to me one more time, demanding another dip in the tank — to commune with the dead man who lives on in her mind — to ask him more questions — to plumb his thoughts... Plumbing! How did I now see it?

The fluid in the reservoir maintains a constant level, even when small quantities of fluid are added, as the excess flows out of the siphon pipe. But! Forcing a larger volume of fluid (say 7.5 L) into the reservoir completely fills the pipe, at which point gravitational pull on the fluid in the pipe creates a suction that nearly empties the reservoir of its contents.

Crucial caveat: Any solids within the reservoir must be smaller than the diameter of the siphon pipe, or at least soft enough to squeeze through. Otherwise the solid matter may become stuck in the pipe. The the excess fluid accumulates in the reservoir, overflowing once its surface reaches the rim.

Likewise, Scott's consciousness has become lodged in the plumbing of Dunham's brain, interrupting the free flow of neural impulses. Additional thoughts, encountering the obstruction yet failing to dislodge it, accumulate in the reservoir of the mind. Overflow naturally results — and as homeowners know too well, the watery mess oft contains bits of the obstruction, unpleasant reminders of the past.

Restoration of function requires enough force to remove the blockage from the tube. A rubber bulb affixed to a rod can be of utmost assistance here, as proper positioning in the mouth of the siphon pipe creates a powerful suction. Like Poseidon's trident, whose watery bursts bring forth the tide. The two basic operations are PUSH and PULL. Forward thrusting of the rod PUSHES the obstruction toward the tail end of the pipe, while retraction of the rod PULLS the obstruction back toward the reservoir. Once the blockage breaks free, siphon action takes over — resulting, one hopes, in a satisfying flush.

The synaptic transfer system provides our metaphorical bulb on a rod: a means of PUSHING and PULLING the neural blockage to an fro in the theater of mind. With appropriate manipulation of the chemical formula, the suction should be powerful enough to overcome the neural friction. With luck, Dunham may at last achieve the purging she seeks.

Tonight On Fringe: The Transformation

Tonight's episode of Fringe is The Transformation:

When the Fringe Division delves into another bizarre occurrence aboard an international jumbo jet, freakish remains are discovered at the crash site. Memories tip the team toward some promising leads, but the bigger picture and mysterious threat eludes them. With limited options and insufficient intelligence, Olivia and Peter go undercover.

After the show, you can:

• Discuss the episode in the Fringe Epsiode comments, or over the Fringe Television forum.
  
• Check out what you might have missed in the Fringe Easter Eggs section.
  
• Did you spot The Observer?
  
• The Fringepedia Wiki will be hard at work organizing all the Fringe facts
• High-Def screen captures from the entire episode will be available soon in Fringe Gallery.

Fringe Episode 113: The Transformation

When the Fringe Division delves into another bizarre occurrence aboard an international jumbo jet, freakish remains are discovered at the crash site. Memories tip the team toward some promising leads, but the bigger picture and mysterious threat eludes them...

Mark Valley + Anna Torv: HOT or NOT!

Joshua Jackson will be at NY Comic Con!

Comic Book Resources is reporting the Joshua Jackson will be at New York Comic Con this weekend. Also, due to the huge demand, they will be moving the Fringe panel to their biggest room - the IGN Theater. The Fringe panel is scheduled for 2:00 PM ET, directly following the Dollhouse panel with Joss Whedon and Tahmoh Penikett.

Also, the cast will be available afterward to sign autographs in the rear of the Exhibition Hall.

Don't forget, you can WIN a free pair of tickets to NY Comic Con, by entering our contest!

Fringe Dwellers Podcast: Episode 17 - Bound & The No-Brainer

Adele and guest co-host, Jason, cover the two episodes that have screened since the long hiatus - Bound and The No-Brainer.

Show notes are available at the Fringe Dwellers homepage.

Listen now:


You can also subscribe to the Fringe Dwellers podcast on iTunes.

If you have a comment or question for Adele & Jen, you can email them at fringedwellers@gmail.com. You can also leave a voicemail for them at (206) 333-0072, or reach them on Twitter as fringedwellers, or Facebook as Gene the Cow Worshippers

For more Fringe podcasts, check out the Fringe Podcast Network.

Anna Torv and Mark Valley Got Married!

The LA Times is reporting that Fringe stars Anna Torv and Mark Valley got married over the holidays, and recently made their announcement to the cast and crew. Anna's character Olivia Dunham was secretly dating her FBI coworker John Scott (played by Mark) who had even bought her an engagement ring before he was killed.

Mark had this to say about Anna at the recent conference call:

Q: You work most with Anna. What do you think of her as an actor and as a person?

A: I think she's just a fantastic actor, and I really like working with her, because she has such a solid idea of what's going on in a scene and what her objective is and what she's going to do. Yes, I've enjoyed working with her, and as a person, she's just delightful.

Congratulations and best wishes Anna and Mark!

UPDATE: Note the wedding ring in this recent TV Guide interview!

UPDATE 2: I have confirmed though my inside source that this story is true.

Contest: Win tickets to the NY Comic-Con!

We have two pairs of tickets to give away for the New York Comic Con, which runs February 6-8, 2009.

The cast and crew of Fringe will be making an appearance on Sunday at 1:45 pm. Scheduled to appear at the Fringe event are John Noble (“Dr. Walter Bishop”), Jasika Nicole (“Astrid Farnsworth”), Anna Torv (“Olivia Dunham”), Lance Reddick (“Phillip Broyles”), Kirk Acevedo (“Charlie Francis”), and Blair Brown (“Nina Sharp”), plus a NYCC exclusive video will be shown.

Other NYCC panels will include cast and crew members from Dollhouse, Heroes, Torchwood, Chuck, and more!

To enter for your chance to win a pair of tickets, just send an email to NYCC@FringeTelevision.com, with your name and phone number. Contest Ends Feb 5th.

Official Contest Rules

• Contest open to anyone willing to travel (at their own expense) to NYC for the event
  
• Winners will receive 2 (two) show tickets for the Sunday show, which will be picked up at the show
  
• Emails must be sent to NYCC@fringetelevision.com
  
• Please include your real name and phone number in the email (I will only call you if you win
  
• One entry per person, please.
  
• Entries not following these rules may not be counted.
  
• Contest ends at 11:59 pm EDT on February 5th.
  
• Winners will be announced around February 6th.